JP3251394B2 - Data transfer device, receiving device, and game device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring data when a data transfer is requested, for example, a data transfer apparatus and a data transfer apparatus suitable for use in a so-called video game machine, a communication system computer, or the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a data transfer device and a data transfer system which have improved problems such as scalability and cost of a receiving device, which are caused when a data transfer system is configured by providing a plurality of data transfer devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, so-called video game machines have become widespread. As shown in FIG. 5, the video game device has an output terminal connected to a television receiver and a so-called CD-ROM storing game contents.
The receiving device 50 is a game machine main body that advances a game based on data read from the ROM, and includes first to third, for example, three data transfer devices 51 to 53 that are controllers operated by a user. ing.

The receiving device 50 has a plurality of data transfer request signal output terminals for supplying a data transfer request signal to each of the data transfer devices 51 to 53, and supplies a synchronization signal to each of the data transfer devices 51 to 53. And a data input terminal to which data transferred from each of the data transfer devices 51 to 53 is supplied.

The plurality of data transfer request signal output terminals of the receiving device 50 are connected to different transfer request lines 54 to
The data transfer request signal input terminal of each of the data transfer devices 51 to 53 is connected to the data transfer request signal input terminal of the data transfer device 51 to 53 by a single sync signal line 57. Connected to signal input terminal. The data input terminals are connected to one of the data transfer devices 51 to 5 by one data bus line 58.
3 data output terminal.

[0005] In such a television game machine, when a game is started, the receiving device 50 sets the first to third data transfer devices 51 to 53 based on data read from the CD-ROM. Supplies a data transfer request signal.

[0006] Each of the data transfer devices 51 to 53 is configured as shown in FIG.
The transfer request signal line 5 has a configuration as shown in FIG.
When the data transfer request signal is supplied via the control unit 5, the data transfer control unit 55a receives the signal and controls the data sequential output unit 52b so as to take in the data formed by the operation of the controller of the user. Then, identification data assigned to each of the data transfer devices 51 to 53 is added to the fetched data, and the data sequential output unit 52b is controlled so as to be transferred based on the synchronization signal. The transferred data (and identification data) is supplied to the receiving device 50 shown in FIG. 5 via the data bus line 58.

When data is supplied from each of the data transfer devices 51 to 53, the receiving device 50 determines which data transfer device 51 the data is based on the identification data.
５３53. Then, only the necessary data from the data transfer device is fetched, and an image signal or the like corresponding to the fetched data is formed and supplied to the television receiver.

As a result, an image or the like according to the operation of the user is displayed on the television receiver, and the game proceeds.

[0009]

However, some video games may be played by a plurality of people at the same time. Since the number of data transfer request signal output terminals provided in the receiving device 50 is limited in the conventional video game machine, only the data transfer request signal output terminals provided in the receiving device 50 are provided. There was a problem that the expandability was poor.

In order to expand the expandability, the receiving device 50 may be provided with a large number of data transfer request signal output terminals and a CPU or the like having a high data processing capability. The cost of the device itself increases.

In the conventional video game machine, a plurality of data transfer request signal output terminals are provided in the receiving device, and data transfer request signals are separately supplied to the data transfer devices 51 to 53 via the respective terminals. It is good that the response is good and the data transfer speed is fast. However, since the receiving device is provided with a plurality of data transfer request signal output terminals, the price becomes high correspondingly, There is a problem that connecting the data transfer devices 51 to 53 requires separate transfer request lines 54 to 56.

Further, in order to identify data transferred from each of the data transfer devices 51 to 53, identification data is added to the data and the data is transferred, and the data length is increased by the amount of the identification data. was there.

The problem of the data length can be solved by fetching the data transferred from each of the data transfer devices 51 to 53 into the reception device 50 using separate data bus lines. In this case, the above-mentioned separate data bus lines are required, and a plurality of data input terminals need to be provided in the receiving device 50, which further increases the cost.

In the current video games, so-called simulation games and role-playing games, in which the game is advanced while thinking, are becoming mainstream. There are many requests.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a data transfer device, a transfer data receiving device, and a game device capable of expanding scalability at low cost. I do.

[0016]

(1) A data transfer apparatus according to the present invention, which meets the above-mentioned problems, comprises a data generating means for generating first data, a data input terminal for receiving second data, A data transfer request signal input terminal for receiving a data transfer request signal, a synchronization signal input terminal for receiving a synchronization signal for data transfer, a data output terminal, and the data transfer request signal; Fetching first data from a data generating means, outputting the first data from the data output terminal in synchronization with the synchronization signal, and outputting the second data received from the data input terminal to the data output terminal And data transfer means for transferring the data to

(2) The data transfer device further includes a data storage unit, and the data transfer unit temporarily stores the second data received from the data input terminal in synchronization with the synchronization signal in the data storage unit. The second data may be transferred by outputting the second data from the data output terminal.

(3) The data transfer device may constitute a controller for a game machine, and the data generator may generate an operation signal for the game machine.

(4) A receiving apparatus according to the present invention, which corresponds to the above problem, comprises: a data generating means for generating first data;
A data input terminal for receiving second data, a data transfer request signal input terminal for receiving a data transfer request signal, a synchronization signal input terminal for receiving a synchronization signal for data transfer, and a data output terminal Receiving the first data from the data generating means in response to the data transfer request signal, outputting the first data from the data output terminal in synchronization with the synchronization signal, A connection terminal for connecting a data transfer device having data transfer means for transferring the second data received from the data output terminal to the data output terminal; a data transfer request signal generating unit for outputting the data transfer request signal; A synchronizing signal generating unit for outputting the data, a data receiving unit for receiving the first and second data output from the data transfer device, and a connection to the connection terminal. A data identification unit that controls the generation timing of the data transfer request signal according to the number of data transfer devices received, and that identifies the received first data and the second data. Connecting the data transfer request signal input terminal and the data transfer request signal generation unit, the synchronization signal input terminal and the synchronization signal generation unit, and the data output terminal and the data reception unit via terminals. It is characterized by.

(5) The data output terminal of the preceding data transfer device is connected to the data input terminal of the next data transfer device, and the data output terminal of the last data transfer device is connected to the data output terminal via the connection terminal. A plurality of data transfer devices are connected so as to be connected to a data receiving unit, and the first data of the preceding data transfer device is sequentially supplied to the next data transfer device as second data, and the data reception device receives the data. It can also be transferred to the department. Assuming that, for example, three data transfer devices are provided, the data transfer request signal output from the receiving device is received by the data transfer unit of each data transfer device. Each data transfer means takes in the first data from each data generation means . In addition, each data transfer means outputs the first data in synchronization with the synchronization signal, and outputs the data (the second data output terminal) of the data transfer terminal of the preceding stage which is supplied via the data input terminal. Data). This second data is transferred to the next stage in synchronization with the synchronization signal. Thereby, the data from the last-stage data transfer device is supplied to the receiving device as it is, the data from the middle-stage data transfer device is supplied to the receiving device via the last-stage data transfer device, Data from the data transfer device is supplied to the receiving device via the middle and last data transfer devices in this order.

(6) Further, the data identification unit counts the synchronization signal, and the signal received by the data reception unit is the first data output from any one of the plurality of data transfer devices. You can also specify whether there is.

(7) A game device according to the present invention, which meets the above-mentioned problem, is characterized in that the above-mentioned receiving device is incorporated. Here, the timing at which the data transfer request signal is generated may be controlled based on the data read from the CD-ROM by the game device.

[0023]

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a data transfer device and a data transfer system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, in FIG. 1, a data transfer apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 2 (data generating means) for generating first data, and a first data and other data transfer from the controller 2. The second supplied from the device
And a data transfer circuit 3 (data transfer means) for sequentially transferring the data.

The data transfer circuit 3 has a data transfer request signal input terminal 4 to which a data transfer request signal from a receiving device described later is supplied, a reference clock for transferring the first and second data, and A synchronization signal input terminal 5 to which a synchronization signal is supplied from the receiving device; an external data input terminal 12 to which the second data is supplied;
A data output terminal 13 for outputting second data;
First data input terminals 6 to 8 to which the first data from the controller 2 is supplied from the controller 2, and an FI for latching the first and second data, for example,
It has first to third latch circuits 9 to 11 each composed of an FO (First In First Out).

In the data transfer circuit 3, the first
The data output terminal 9e of the latch circuit 9 is connected to the data input terminal 10a of the second latch circuit 10, and the data output terminal 10e of the second latch circuit 10 is connected to the data input terminal of the third latch circuit 11. Connected to terminal 11a.

The data transfer request signal input terminals 9c, 10c, and 11c of the latch circuits 9 to 11 are connected to the data transfer request signal input terminal 4, respectively. Signal input terminal 9d,
10d and 11d are connected to the synchronization signal input terminal 5, respectively.

The data input terminal 9a of the first latch circuit 9 is connected to the external data input terminal 12, and the data output terminal 11a of the third latch circuit 11
“e” is connected to the data output terminal 13.

The first data input terminals 9b, 10b and 11b of the latch circuits 9 to 11 are connected to the first data input terminals 6 to 8, respectively.

The data transfer device 1 having such a configuration
Are provided, and these are connected to the receiving device, whereby the data transfer system according to the embodiment of the present invention can be configured.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the data transfer system according to the present embodiment includes first to third data transfer devices 21 to 23 having the same configuration as the above-described data transfer device.
And a receiving device 20.

Each of the data transfer devices has a data output terminal 21 for outputting the first and second data as described above.
a, 22a, 23a, synchronization signal input terminals 21b, 22
b, 23b and a data transfer request signal input terminal 21
c, 22c and 23c.

The receiving device 20 includes a data input terminal 20a to which the first and second data from the first data transfer device 21 are supplied, and a synchronizing signal output terminal for outputting the synchronizing signal. 20b and a data transfer request signal output terminal 20c for outputting the data transfer request signal
And

The synchronization signal output terminal 20 of the receiver 20
b is connected to each of the synchronization signal input terminals 21b, 22b, and 23b of each of the data transfer devices 21 to 23, and the data transfer request signal output terminal 20c is connected to each of the data transfer devices 21 to 23. They are connected to transfer request signal input terminals 21c, 22c and 23c, respectively.

The data output terminal 23a of the third data transfer device 23 is connected to the second data transfer device 2 at the subsequent stage.
2 is connected to the external data input terminal 22d of the second data transfer device 22, and the data output terminal 22a of the second data transfer device 22 is connected to the external data input terminal 2 of the first data transfer device 21 at the subsequent stage.
1d. The data output terminal 21a of the first data transfer device 21 is connected to the data input terminal 20a of the reception device 20.

The data transfer system having such a configuration can be specifically applied to, for example, a video game machine as shown in FIG. This video game device is designed so that a plurality of players can enjoy a game at the same time. For example, the video game device includes data transfer devices 21 to 23 for three players, a reception device 20 as a game device body, and a television receiver 33. ing.

The data transfer devices 21 to 23 are so-called controllers operated by the user in accordance with the content of the game. The data transfer devices 21 to 23 are operated by operating the control pad 30 provided with a cross key, a push button, and the like. And a data transfer circuit 31 for transferring the formed data.

Next, the operation of the data transfer system according to the present embodiment when applied to the video game machine will be described, including the operation of the data transfer device.

First, when the game is started in FIG. 2, the receiving apparatus 20 reads the data shown in FIG.
In addition to the data transfer request signal shown in (a), a synchronization signal, which is a repetitive pulse having a fixed period as shown in FIG.
1 to 23.

Specifically, the data transfer request signal is
The data transfer circuit 3 is transferred via the transfer request signal line 14 shown in FIG.
Is supplied to each of the latch circuits 9-11. The synchronizing signal is transferred through the synchronizing signal line 15 and supplied to the latch circuits 9 to 11 via the synchronizing signal input terminal 5.

When the data transfer request signal is supplied, the data transfer circuit 3 sends the first data from the controller 2 generated by the operation of the user to each of the latch circuits 9-1.
Take in 1. Then, for each pulse of the synchronization signal,
The first data latched by the third latch circuit 11 is output as second data via the data output terminal 13, and the first data latched by the second latch circuit 10 is output to the third latch circuit. Transfer to the circuit 11 and the first latch circuit 9
Is transferred to the second latch circuit 10.

The data transfer circuit 3 is provided with the first
When the first data latched by the latch circuit 9 is transferred, the second data output from another data transfer device and supplied through the external data input terminal 12 is taken into the first latch circuit 9. .

The data transfer circuit 3 performs such an operation as to output the first data internally formed and to take in the second data from the outside for each pulse of the synchronizing signal.

That is, in FIG. 2, the third data transfer device 22 sends three data 3 as shown in FIG.
When a, 3b, and 3c are sequentially output, the second
Data transfer device 22 and first data transfer device 21
Represents three data 2 as shown in FIGS. 4 (d) and 4 (c).
a, 2b, 2c and data 1a, 1b, 1c are sequentially output, respectively. Then, the second data transfer device 22
Captures the data 3a supplied from the third data transfer device 23 upon outputting the data 2a,
When the first data transfer device 21 outputs the data 1a, it takes in the data 2a supplied from the second data transfer device 22.

Thus, the third data transfer device 2
3 is output to the second data transfer device 22.
And the receiving device 2 via the first data transfer device 21
0, the data output from the second data transfer device 22 is supplied to the receiving device 20 via the first data transfer device 21, and the data output from the first data transfer device 21 is It is supplied to the receiving device 20 as it is.

As described above, each of the data transfer devices 21
To 23 are provided, for example,
O. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4C, the data 1 from each of the data transfer devices 21 to 23 is transmitted.
a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c
The receiving device 20 is sequentially operated for each pulse of the synchronizing signal.
Will be supplied.

The receiving device 20 detects which data transfer device is the currently supplied data, for example, by counting the number of pulses of the output synchronization signal. Then, only the necessary data from the data transfer device is fetched, and an image signal or the like corresponding to the fetched data is formed and supplied to the television receiver.

As a result, an image or the like according to the operation of the user is displayed on the television receiver, and the game proceeds.

As described above, when the data from the preceding data transfer device is supplied to the receiving device via the next data transfer device, the data transfer device can be expanded.
The data output terminal, data transfer request signal input terminal, and synchronization signal input terminal of the added data transfer device are respectively connected to the second data input terminal of the existing data transfer device, the data transfer request signal output terminal of the reception device, and the synchronization signal input terminal. A terminal provided on the receiving device side may be connected to one signal input terminal for inputting the data and one data transfer request signal output for outputting the data transfer request signal. Only three terminals, a terminal and one output terminal for outputting one synchronization signal for outputting the synchronization signal, need to be provided. Further, data from each data transfer device is transmitted via one data input terminal. Are supplied sequentially, and it is not necessary to provide a CPU or the like having a high data processing capability, so that cost reduction can be achieved and expandability can be expanded. It is possible.

In the above description of the embodiment, the data transfer device and the data transfer system according to the present invention are applied to a so-called video game device.
Of course, any device that transfers data when data transfer is requested may be applied to, for example, a communication system or a computer device.

[0052]

According to the data transfer device, the receiving device, and the game device of the present invention, the cost can be reduced and the expandability can be expanded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram when the data transfer system of the present invention is applied to a video game machine.

FIG. 4 is a time chart for explaining an operation of the data transfer system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a conventional video game device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a data transfer device provided in the conventional video game device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Data transfer device 2. Controller 3. ..Data transfer circuit 4 Data request signal input terminal 5 Synchronous signal input terminal 6-8 ····· Data input terminals 9 to 11 ··· First to third latch circuits 12 ··· ... External data input terminal 13 Data output terminal 14 Transfer request signal line 15 ································································· Receiving devices 21 to 23・ ・ ・ First to No. 3 data transfer device 25 output terminal 30 controller 31 ... Data transfer circuit 32 ... Receiving device 33 ... Television receiver

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-59-126351 (JP, A) JP-A-60-223250 (JP, A) JP-A-61-177841 (JP, A) JP-A-62-1 186629 (JP, A) JP-A-2-262739 (JP, A) JP-B3-12340 (JP, B2) JP-B-56-42198 (JP, B2) JP-B-49-44775 (JP, B1) (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 12/28 H04L 12/40 A63F 13/00 A63F 13/06

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] A data generating means for generating first data; a data input terminal for receiving second data; a data transfer request signal input terminal for receiving a data transfer request signal; A synchronization signal input terminal for receiving a synchronization signal, a data output terminal, and fetching first data from the data generating means in response to the data transfer request signal, and synchronizing with the synchronization signal, A data transfer unit that outputs the first data from a data output terminal and transfers the second data received from the data input terminal to the data output terminal. 2. The data transfer device further includes a data storage unit, wherein the data transfer unit temporarily stores the second data received from the data input terminal in synchronization with the synchronization signal in the data storage unit. and, then by outputting the second data from the data output terminal, the transfer of the second data, the data transfer apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The data transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the data transfer device is a game machine controller, and the data generation unit generates a game machine operation signal. 4. A data generation means for generating first data, a data input terminal for receiving second data, a data transfer request signal input terminal for receiving a data transfer request signal, and a data transfer terminal for receiving data transfer. A synchronization signal input terminal for receiving a synchronization signal, a data output terminal, and fetching first data from the data generating means in response to the data transfer request signal, and synchronizing with the synchronization signal, A connection terminal for connecting a data transfer device having data transfer means for outputting the first data from a data output terminal and transferring the second data received from the data input terminal to the data output terminal; A data transfer request signal generator that outputs a transfer request signal; a synchronization signal generator that outputs the synchronization signal; and the first and second output units that are output from the data transfer device. A data receiver for receiving the second data, the connection controls the generation timing of the data transfer request signal according to the number of connected data transfer device to the terminal, the said received first data second A data identification unit for identifying the data transfer request signal input terminal and the data transfer request signal generation unit, and the synchronization signal input terminal and the synchronization signal generation unit via the connection terminal. And a receiving device for connecting the data output terminal and the data receiving unit. 5. A data output terminal of a preceding data transfer device is connected to a data input terminal of a succeeding data transfer device, and a data output terminal of a last data transfer device is connected to the data receiving portion via the connection terminal. And a plurality of data transfer devices connected to the first data transfer device.
5. The receiving device according to claim 4, wherein the data is sequentially supplied as second data to a data transfer device at the next stage and transferred to the data receiving unit. 6. The data identification unit counts the synchronization signal, and the signal received by the data reception unit is the first data output from one of the plurality of data transfer devices. The receiving device according to claim 5, wherein the receiving device is configured to determine whether or not the receiving device is the same. 7. A game device comprising the receiving device according to claim 4. 8. The game device according to claim 7, wherein the timing of generating the data transfer request signal is controlled based on data read from the CD-ROM by the game device.