JPH0463719B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a parent-child electronic game device consisting of a large-sized and a small-sized electronic game device.

[Prior art]

Conventionally, a wide variety of electronic game devices have been realized, ranging from small handheld type devices to large personal computer type devices.

[Problems with conventional technology]

However, the above-mentioned small handheld type electronic game device can only play one type of game and does not have enough memory capacity to store many games, while the large PC type electronic game device is large and difficult to carry. There was a problem that I couldn't do it.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention was made against the background of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic game device in which a large number of games can be played using a small-sized game device.

[Key points of the invention]

In order to achieve the above object, the main point of the present invention is to connect a small-sized electronic game device and a large-sized electronic game device so that a game program is transferred from the large-sized game device to the small-sized game device. It is something to do.

[First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

This embodiment not only transfers a game program (hereinafter referred to as "save") from a large parent electronic game device to a small child electronic game device, but also conversely transfers a game program from the child electronic game device to the parent electronic game device. (hereinafter referred to as "loading").

Reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 denotes a large PC-type parent electronic game device, and a keyboard 2 is provided on the front upper surface of the parent electronic game device 1, and the case of the game device behind the keyboard 2 is placed on an upright surface. A color CRT (cathode ray tube) display device 3 is provided, and next to the CRT display device 3, three vertically elongated storage portions 4 are formed. A connection device 5 is provided on each of the rear end surfaces of the storage portions 4.

On the other hand, reference numeral 6 denotes a small hand-held electronic game device for children having a calculator function.Keys 7 are arranged at the lower part of the child's electronic game device 6, and a liquid crystal display device 8 is provided at the upper part. A connecting device 9 is provided at the edge. This child's electronic game device 6 is stored in the storage section 4 of the parent electronic game device 1, and the connect device 9 on the upper edge of the child's electronic game device 6 is connected to the connect device 5 in the storage section 4. There is.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a state in which both electronic game devices 1 and 6 are electrically connected via connect devices 5 and 9, and the main memory 10 in the parent electronic game device 1 is a RAM (Random Access Memory ), the capacity is large, and the 3 of Game 1 to Game 3
In addition to storing two game programs, it also has an empty area in which nothing is stored. From this main memory 10 to the main CPU 14
The game program read out is saved in the child electronic game device 6 via the input/output buffer 11 of the parent electronic game device 1 and the input/output buffer 12 of the child electronic game device 6, and is stored in a submemory consisting of RAM. 13, and from the sub memory 13 of the child's electronic game device 6 to the main of the parent electronic game device 1 via the buffers 11 and 12.
The game program loaded into the CPU 14 is written into an empty area of the main memory 10. This saving and loading is performed through bus lines A, D, and a.

In addition to the above save and load, the keyboard 2 above can also be used to
It consists of keys for selection of the storage section 4, game selection, game start, game progression, etc., and the operation of each key is detected as an operation signal by a key scanning signal from the main CPU 14 and is sent to the main CPU 14. In addition to performing the above-mentioned save and load transfer processing, the main CPU 14 selects and reads a game program from the main memory 10, performs game execution processing, and sequentially transmits the execution process to the CRT display device 3 via the CRT controller 15. Display. Also, the main CPU 14 is the main memory 10
When accessing, address data is given through bus line B.

Further, the keys 7 include a game progress key, a mode switching key, a numeric keypad, etc., and the operation of each key is detected as a key operation signal by a key scanning signal from the sub CPU 16 and is sent to the sub CPU 16. The sub CPU 16 not only provides address data to the sub memory 13 through the bus line b for the above saving and loading, but also reads the game program from the sub memory 13, executes the game execution process, and executes the above execution process via the driver 17. The images are sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal display device 8.

The above buffers 11 and 12 are the main
Input/output control is performed during saving and loading by control signals C and c from the CPU 14 and CPU 16, respectively.

In addition, the main CPU 14 and sub CPU 16 are
It is directly connected through the control signal lines E and e, and when the above save or load is performed, the main CPU1
4 gives the sub CPU 16 a write signal WR, a read signal RD, a selection (chip enable) signal CE, and an instruction code transfer signal OP, and the sub CPU 16 gives a busy signal BUSY and an interrupt signal INT to the main CPU 14. Transfer control is performed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

First, in order to save a game program from the parent electronic game device 1 to the child electronic game device 6, put the child electronic game device 6 into the storage section 4, press the storage section selection key corresponding to the storage section 4, and select the game you want to save, e.g. The game selection key and save key for game 2 shown in FIG. 4 are operated. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, when the main CPU 14 detects the operation signal of the storage section selection key, it outputs the selection signal.
CE is given to the sub CPU 16, thereby opening the bus line to the children's electronic game device 6 to be saved, and when the operation signal of the save key is detected, the command code transfer signal OP is also given to the sub CPU 16, thereby issuing the save command. The code is transferred and output via bus lines A, D, and a, and a write signal WR is also applied to the sub CPU 16 with a slight delay, thereby writing the save instruction code to the sub CPU 16. During this writing, the sub CPU 16 gives a busy signal BUSY to the main CPU 14.

When the writing of the save instruction code is completed, the sub CPU 16 stops outputting the busy signal BUSY,
As a result, the main CPU 14 stops outputting the write signal WR, and after a slight delay also stops outputting the selection signal CE and instruction code transfer signal OP. Then, the sub CPU 16 provides a write command signal to the sub memory 13 based on the written save instruction code.

Next, the main CPU 14 again outputs the selection signal CE.
is given to the sub CPU 16, thereby the start address data for writing in the sub memory 13 is transferred and outputted via bus lines A, D, and a. After a slight delay, the write signal WR is also given to the sub CPU 16, thereby causing the above-mentioned The start address data is written to the sub CPU 16. During this time, sub CPU 16 sends a busy signal.
BUSY is given to main CPU14.

When the writing of the start address data is completed, the sub CPU 16 stops outputting the busy signal BUSY, and
As a result, the main CPU 14 stops outputting the write signal WR and, with a slight delay, stops outputting the selection signal CE. Then, the sub CPU 16 provides the written start address data to the sub memory 13 via the bus line b, and specifies the write start address of the sub memory 13.

Also, at this time, when the main CPU 14 is given the operation signal of the game selection key of the game 2,
The start address data of the game program of game 2 in the main memory 10 corresponding to this selected game is given to the main memory 10 via the bus line B, and the address of the main memory 10 is specified.

Then, the main CPU 14 again gives the selection signal CE to the sub CPU 16, and after a slight delay also gives the write signal WR to the sub CPU 16, so that the game program at the start address of game 2 in the main memory 10 is transferred to the bus line A, The data is transferred and output via D and a and written into the submemory 13. During this time, the sub CPU 16 mainly uses the busy signal BUSY.
It is given to CPU14.

When the program at the start address of the game program for game 2 is saved, the sub CPU 16
stops outputting the busy signal BUSY, which causes the main CPU 14 to stop outputting the write signal WR, and after a slight delay also stops outputting the selection signal CE.
Then, the sub CPU 16 increments the address data for the sub memory 13 by one.

Then, the main CPU 14 gives the selection signal CE and the slightly delayed write signal WR to the sub CPU 16 in the same manner as described above, thereby causing the main memory
The program at the address next to the first address of the game program of game 2 in 0 is saved.

By repeating this action, game 2
The game programs are saved one after another, and when the program at the final address is saved,
The save ends. When the save is completed, take out the child's electronic game device 6 from the storage section 4 and operate the game progress key in the key 7.
The game program of game 2 saved in the sub memory 13 is read out and executed by the sub CPU 16, and this execution process is executed by the driver 1.
7 and then displayed on the liquid crystal display device 8.

In this way, the game in the parent electronic game device 1 can be enjoyed on the child's electronic game device 6, which is convenient to carry.For example, a user can create a Tsume Shogi problem on the parent electronic game device 1 and solve it on the child's electronic game device. be able to.

Furthermore, when the child's electronic game device 6 is inserted into another storage section 4, the operation of the storage section selection key on the keyboard 2 may be changed accordingly. Furthermore, if you want to save another game, you can change the operation of the game selection key on the keyboard 2 accordingly. In this case, the same save operation as described above is performed only by changing the address designation from the main CPU 14 to the main memory 10 to the corresponding one.

In this way, a large number of games can be arbitrarily selected and set on the child's electronic game device 6.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, in order to load the game program from the child electronic game device 6 in which the game program of game 4 is already stored to the parent electronic game device 1, the child electronic game device 6 is loaded into the storage section 4. , and operate the storage section selection key and load key corresponding to the storage section 4. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, when the main CPU 14 detects the operation signal of the storage section selection key, it gives the selection signal CE to the sub CPU 16, thereby opening the bus line from the child's electronic game device 6 to be loaded. At the same time, when the load key operation signal is detected, the instruction code transfer signal OP is also given to the sub CPU 16, whereby the load instruction code is transferred and output via bus lines A, D, and a, and then written with a slight delay. The signal WR is also given to the sub CPU 16, whereby the load instruction code is written to the sub CPU 16. During this writing, the sub CPU 16 gives a busy signal BUSY to the main CPU 14.

When the writing of the load instruction code is completed, the sub CPU 16 stops outputting the busy signal BUSY,
As a result, the main CPU 14 stops outputting the write signal WR, and with a slight delay also stops outputting the selection signal CE and instruction code transfer signal OP. Then, the sub CPU 16 gives a read command signal to the sub memory 13 based on the written load instruction code.

Next, the main CPU 14 again outputs the selection signal CE.
is given to the sub CPU 16, whereby the start address data for reading from the sub memory 13 is transferred and outputted via bus lines A, D, and a. After a slight delay, the write signal WR is also given to the sub CPU 16, thereby causing the above-mentioned start Address data is written to the sub CPU 16. During this time, sub CPU 16 sends a busy signal.
BUSY is given to main CPU14.

When the writing of the start address data is completed, the sub CPU 16 stops outputting the busy signal BUSY, and
As a result, the main CPU 14 stops outputting the write signal WR and, with a slight delay, also stops outputting the selection signal CE. Then, the sub CPU 16 provides the written start address data to the sub memory 13 via the bus line b, and specifies the read start address of the sub memory 13.

At this time, the main CPU 14 detects the operation signal of the load key, and the main memory 10
The start address of the empty area within is specified via bus line B.

Then, the main CPU 14 again gives the selection signal CE to the sub CPU 16, and after a slight delay, it also gives the read signal RD to the sub CPU 16, so that the sub CPU 16 reads the game program of game 4 from the start address of the sub memory 13. , this program is transferred and output via bus lines a, D, and A, and written into an empty area of the main memory 10. During this time, the sub CPU 16 also keeps a busy signal.
BUSY is given to main CPU14.

When the loading of the program at the start address of the game program of game 4 is finished, the sub CPU 16
stops outputting the busy signal BUSY, thereby causing the main CPU 14 to stop outputting the read signal RD, and after a slight delay also stops outputting the selection signal CE.
Then, the sub CPU 16 increments the address data for the sub memory 13 by one.

Then, the main CPU 14 subtracts the read signal RD with a slight delay from the selection signal CE in the same manner as described above.
This causes the program at the address next to the first address of the game program for game 4 in the submemory 13 to be loaded.

By repeating this action, Game 4
The game programs are loaded one after another, and when the program at the final address is loaded,
Loading ends. When the loading is completed, the game program of game 4 loaded in the main memory 10 is read out by operating the game selection key, game start key, and game progress key of game 4 on the keyboard 2. Then, the main CPU 14 executes the game, and this execution process is displayed on the CRT display device 3 via the CRT controller 15.

In this way, the child's electronic game device 6 can enjoy a powerful game using the large-screen CRT display device 3 and the large operation keys of the keyboard 2. , you can solve this with a parent electronic game device.

Furthermore, if a different type of children's electronic game device 6 is inserted into another storage section 4 and the same operation is performed, the game program will be loaded into the remaining empty area of the main memory 10, so that a large number of games can be set. You can enjoy it.

Note that in order to execute the game of this child's electronic game device 6 on the parent's electronic game device 1, the game program is not loaded and the main game of the parent's electronic game device 1 is executed.
The CPU 14 may directly read the game program in the sub-memory 13 of the child electronic game device 6. In this case, the instruction code to be transferred is not "load" but "read".

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the child electronic game devices 6 are respectively set in the storage sections 4 of the parent electronic game device 1, and a game program is applied to the child electronic game devices 6 which do not store anything. It is also possible to save one after another and use it as a production means for the children's electronic game device 6.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the game a in the parent electronic game device 1 may be changed to game A and saved in the child electronic game device 6. of the game
It is possible to change the shape and color of the symbol patterns of UFOs, invaders, beam cannons, and missiles to those of battleships, destroyers, aircraft carriers, and artillery shells, as well as change the scoring process.

According to this embodiment, in addition to saving, it is possible to load or access between the parent electronic game device 1 and the child electronic game device 6. If you want to play the game on the keyboard 2 of the keypad and enjoy the game even when you are out and about, you can play the game on the handy type children's electronic game device 6. Also, you can play the game from the parent electronic game device 1 to another parent electronic game device 1. When transferring, the child's electronic game device 6 can be used as a game pack, and it is also possible to enjoy the game even while being transferred as a game pack. By saving the game to the child's electronic game device 6, the game can also be transferred from the child's electronic game device 6 to another child's electronic game device 6.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment. In this embodiment, a connect device 9 is provided at the lower edge of the child's electronic game device 6, while the parent electronic game device 1 is provided with a connect device 9.
No CRT display device is provided, and the electronic game device 1 is flat, with one storage section 4 formed at the back so as to open upward. The other configurations and circuits are the same as in the first embodiment, and the same parts are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted.

Then, the keyboard 2 of the parent electronic game device 1
When you play the game by operating the parent electronic game device 1
Game execution processing is performed on the main CPU 14 of
The resulting data is saved in the sub-CPU 16 of the child's electronic game device via the connect devices 5 and 9 in the pattern shown in FIG. 3, and the game progress is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 8 via the driver 17.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to enjoy the game on the parent electronic game device 1 while viewing the display on the liquid crystal display device 8 of the child electronic game device 6, and there is no need for a CRT display device.

[Third Embodiment] FIGS. 10 to 12 show a third embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the storage section 4 is wide and shallow.
The child's electronic game device 6 can be stored so that its top surface is exposed. Children's electronic game device 6
The connect device 9 is a rubber electrode attached to the lower back side of the child's electronic game device 6, while the connect device 5 of the parent electronic game device 1 is connected to the storage section 4.
This serves as an electrode on the substrate exposed on the bottom surface. As shown in FIG. 11, the edge of the storage section 4 on the procedure side projects into the storage section 4 to form an engagement protrusion 18, and the child's electronic game device 6 is inserted from the lower surface of the engagement protrusion 18.
By engaging the recessed portion on the upper surface of the lower end of the rubber electrode, the connecting device 9 of the rubber electrode is pressed against the connecting device 5, which is an electrode on the substrate.
The CRT display device 3 is separated from the parent electronic game device 1 and connected via a connection cord. The other configurations and circuits are the same as in the first embodiment, and the same parts are given the same reference numerals and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

Then, the keyboard 2 of the parent electronic game device 1
When the save key is operated, the game program in the main memory 10 of the parent electronic game device 1 is saved in the sub-program of the child electronic game device 6 as shown in FIG. 12 in the pattern shown in FIG. It is saved in the memory 13. After saving, when the key 7 of the child's electronic game device 6 is operated to play the game, the sub CPU 16 of the child's electronic game device 6 executes the game, and the resulting data is transferred to the main CPU 14 of the parent electronic game device 1. The game is transferred in the pattern shown in the figure, and the progress of the game is displayed on the CRT display device 3 via the CRT controller 15. In this case, the main CPU 14 transfers fixed display pattern data of the liquid crystal display device 8 of the children's electronic game device 6 to the CRT based on a program set in advance in the main memory 10.
It is converted into pattern data for display on the display device 3.
However, this conversion is not so necessary if the liquid crystal display device 8 of the children's electronic game device 6 is for displaying television images or in a dot display format.

In addition, the sub CPU 16 of the child electronic game device 6
As for only the score calculation result data, the score is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 8 via the driver 17.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to play the game of the child's electronic game device 6 on the CRT display device 3, which has an easy-to-read and impressive large screen, and the parent electronic game device 1 can be used as a display converter.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIGS. 13 to 15 show a fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, two children's electronic game devices 6 are used to enable a competitive game, and as shown in FIG. Two children's electronic game devices 6, 6 are connected. The other configurations and circuits are the same as in the third embodiment, and the same parts are given the same numbers and their explanations will be omitted.

Then, the keyboard 2 of the parent electronic game device 1
When the save key is operated, the data is saved in the pattern shown in FIG. 3 as shown in FIG. 14 in the same way as in the third embodiment. In this case, game A set on the parent electronic game device 1 involves competing for points by hitting the opponent's tank with cannonballs fired from one's own tank, and secretly burying landmines so that when the opponent's tank makes contact, This is a game in which points are added for each mine destroyed, and the saved game is Game A, which has been changed so that only the mines set by the user are displayed. After saving and before starting the game, if the mine setting is performed by operating the keys 7 of the children's electronic game devices 6, 6, the sub CPU 16 detects this key operation and sends the mine settings via the control line shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, an interrupt signal INT is given to the main CPU 14 of the electronic game device 1 to instruct interrupt processing. This allows the main CPU14
gives the selection signal CE to the sub CPU 16 to open the bus lines a, D, and A, and also gives the instruction code transfer signal OP to the sub CPU 16, so that the key input command indicating that there has been a key input is sent to the bus line a. , D, and A, and this instruction code is written into the main CPU 14. At this time, when the sub CPU 16 receives the selection signal CE,
The sub CPU 16 stops outputting the interrupt signal INT.

After writing the key input command, the main
The CPU 14 again gives the selection signal CE to the sub-CPU 16, and the sub-CPU 16 gives the main CPU 14 a key code for landmine setting by operating the key 7.
The main CPU 14 performs landmine setting processing according to this key code based on the game A program, and stores the mine position data in the main memory 10.
Let me remember it. In this case, the position of the mine set by you is not displayed on the CRT display device 3 and the liquid crystal display device 8 of the opponent's child electronic game device 6, but it is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 8 of your child's electronic game device 6. be done.

When the child operates the key 7 of the child's electronic game device 6 to start the game, data indicating the position of his or her tank is transferred to the parent electronic game device 1.
It is displayed on the CRT display device 3, and is also transferred to the other party's child electronic game device 6 and displayed on its liquid crystal display device 8. If a shell fired by your tank hits your opponent's tank, sub-CPR
This is determined in step 16, and the opponent's tank destruction data and the player's own score data are transferred to the parent electronic game device 1 and the opponent's child electronic game device 6.
It is displayed on the CRT display device and the liquid crystal display device 8.
Also, if your tank comes into contact with an opponent's mine, this will be determined by the main CPU 14, and your tank destruction data and the opponent's score data added together will be displayed on the CRT display device 3, each child's electronic game device 6,
6 and is given and displayed.

According to this embodiment, a plurality of children's electronic game devices 6 are connected via the parent electronic game device 1, and the parent electronic game device 1 is provided with auxiliary processing for progressing the competitive game and a large-screen CRT display device. 3, the child can enjoy a competitive game on the child's electronic game device 6, and the location of the landmine set by the user, which he/she does not want to be shown to the opponent, can be displayed only on the child's electronic game device 6. You can also enjoy more interesting games.

It is also possible to further increase the number of children's electronic game devices 6 to be connected so that three or more people can enjoy mahjong games, card games, etc.

Also, two CRT display devices 3 are installed in opposite directions, and one CRT display device 3
You may also display the location of the mine you have set.

In addition, in the above embodiment, each electronic game device 1, 6
Although the display devices 3 and 8 are CRT or liquid crystal display devices, they may also be EL (electroluminescent) display devices, discharge tubes, or the like.

Further, in the above embodiment, each memory 10, 13 is
Although the RAM is a single unit, an auxiliary storage device such as a magnetic tape may be added to increase the capacity.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each electronic game device 1,
Although the drive operation of 6 is performed by a key, it may be a joystick type, a lever type, a slide switch type, a rotary handle, or the like.

Furthermore, although the above saving, loading, and accessing is performed electrically via the connect devices 5 and 9, data and programs may also be transferred using sound waves, light, etc. .

In addition, several children's electronic game devices 6 and the CRT display device 3 may be connected to one parent electronic game device 1 so that a plurality of games can be executed in real time.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, various games of the parent device can be enjoyed on the child electronic game device, improving user satisfaction and contributing to an increase in the number of users.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 8 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an external view of a parent electronic game device 1 and a child electronic game device 6, and FIG. 2 is an external view of both game devices 1, 6. Figure 3 is a time chart showing the transfer control signal and transfer contents when saving, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the save state, Figure 5 is the transfer control signal and the transfer content when loading. A time chart showing the transferred contents, Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the loading state, Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the saving state to a plurality of children's electronic game devices 6, and Fig. 8 corresponds to saving. FIG. 9 is an external view of each game device 1, 6 of the second embodiment, and FIGS. 10 to 12 show the third embodiment. 10 is an external view of each game device 1, 6, FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the child electronic game device 6 attached to the parent electronic game device 1, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the parent electronic game device 1. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of display control of the CRT display device 3 by the child's electronic game device 6 via the child's electronic game device 6;
5 shows the fourth embodiment, FIG. 13 is an external view when the game devices 1 and 6 are connected, and FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the save state in the case of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a time chart showing the transfer control signal and transfer contents when the key code of the child electronic game device 6 is transferred to the parent electronic game device 1 by interrupt processing. 1... Parent electronic game device, 2... Keyboard, 3...
CRT (cathode ray tube) display device, 4...storage section, 5,
9...Connect device, 6...Children's electronic game device, 7
...Key, 8...Liquid crystal display device, 10...Main memory, 13...Sub memory, 14...Main CPU (central processing unit), 15...CRT controller, 16...Sub CPU, 17...Driver.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The parent device has a main memory that stores a plurality of game programs, and a first memory for connecting child devices.
a game selection key for selecting a game program; a save key for inputting a save command; and a game program for reading out a game program selected by the game selection key from the main memory in response to the operation of the save key. a transfer means for transferring data to the child device via the connection means, the child device comprising: a second connection means configured to be connectable to the first connection means of the parent device; and a second connection means configured to be connectable to the first connection means of the parent device; and a memory for storing a game program transferred from the parent device via the second connection means, an operation key for game play, and a game program stored in the memory according to the operation of the operation key. A parent-child electronic game device comprising: processing means for executing the game; and display means for displaying the game execution process.