JPH05220270A - Play time controller for video game - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a play time control device for a video game, by which the play by a person who does not know a keyword can be prevented during a time except for the play time, by setting the keyword and the play opening time by an owner. CONSTITUTION: A code of a keyword and a play time zone are determined inside of a control device by an owner, by utilizing the continuity of the signals of an address bus AB and a data bus DB, between a cartridge slot 17 of a domestic video game drive 10 and a cartridge 18 to be inserted into the cartridge slot 17, and the control device is mounted between the cartridge slot 17 and the cartridge 18, so that nobody can play the game except for the determined play permissions time zone, without inputting the keyword.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a time control device, and more particularly to a play time control device for a video game for setting a play time of a home video game in a preferable time zone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Since the American Atari company developed a video game drive in the 1970's, it has evolved from the first simple table tennis game to the present, and the type has already been calculated with double digit numbers. Has been developed, the content of the game has reached to thousands, and students and school children of each age group are obsessed with video games, forgetting to sleep and eat, neglecting to study, and parents and teachers. If the guidance is not effective, and in extreme cases, the player may be absorbed in the game, impairing his health, losing his visual acuity, or having quivering his fingertips. On the other hand, video game drives also have the aspect of training the reaction of children and enlightening their wisdom from various changes in the game design and light rhythm, and it is also a perfect way to shut out video games from children. It should be considered, but rather, it would be better for an adult to appropriately determine the child's video game play time so that it will only be played during a certain time period.

[0003]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In view of the problems associated with playing the above video game in the home, the owner of the present invention sets a keyword and a play-prohibiting time, and those who do not know the keyword It is an object of the present invention to provide a play time control device for a video game that prevents the video game from being played outside the play time.

[0004]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an address bus and a data bus signal between a cartridge slot of a home video game drive and a cartridge inserted into the cartridge slot. By using the continuity, by setting the code of the keyword and the play ban time inside it, anyone can play outside the set play time unless the keyword is entered, It is configured by being interposed between the cartridge slot and the cartridge.

And, a bus control logic unit for controlling an address bus and a data bus conducted from the cartridge slot to the cartridge, a power supply management circuit for supplying power necessary for operation, and a timed latch program are stored. ROM for setting keywords and playing time
And a RAM for storing keywords and playing time zones set by the ROM, a timer for collecting data stored in the RAM and controlling the operation of the bus control logic unit, and an alarm setting circuit. In addition, if an inverted hook is provided on the surface and inserted into the cartridge slot, it cannot be removed unless the inverted hook is rotated by the attached key. Further, as a power source for the power management circuit, a NiCd rechargeable battery is used. It is more preferable to use either a non-rechargeable lithium battery or a ZnC battery.

[0006]

As described above, according to the present invention, an address bus is provided between a cartridge slot of a home video game drive and a cartridge inserted into the cartridge slot, and the address bus is connected to the cartridge from the cartridge slot. Since the signal bus signal can be controlled by the owner by setting the keyword and playing time zone inside the present invention, anyone can enter the set playing time zone unless the set keyword is input. Other than that, you will not be able to play the game.

And, a bus control logic unit for controlling an address bus and a data bus conducted from the cartridge slot to the cartridge, a power management circuit for supplying power necessary for operation, and a timed latch program are stored, ROM for setting keywords and playing time
And a RAM for storing keywords and playing time zones set by the ROM, a timer for collecting data stored in the RAM and controlling the operation of the bus control logic unit, and an alarm setting circuit. In addition, if an inverted hook is provided on the surface and inserted into the cartridge slot, it cannot be removed unless the inverted hook is rotated by the attached key. Further, as a power source for the power management circuit, a NiCd rechargeable battery is used. , Or using a non-rechargeable lithium battery or ZnC battery,
Setting, updating or controlling the keywords and playing time zone will be more convenient and reliable. The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 7 is a wiring and operation block diagram of a general video game drive 10. As shown in the drawing, a CPU (Central CPU) is mainly the brain of the entire video game drive.
Processing Unit) 11 or a screen that is assembled from a moving image and a background is generated, and the data is temporarily recorded as a video R.
The video frequency processing unit 12 stored in the AM (Video RAM) 13 and various music sounds mixed in the screen are generated, and the data is temporarily stored in the audio RAM (Audio RAM).
RAM) 15 and an audio frequency processing unit 14 stored therein, and finally the generated video frequency and audio frequency are passed through an RF modulator (Radio Frequency Modulator) 16 to a T
It is transmitted to V, the screen of the game is displayed on the TV display, and the music and other sounds are broadcast accordingly.

In addition to this, all video game drives are provided with a cartridge insertion slot, and the cartridge slot 17 is provided with signals of an address bus AB and a data bus DB, each of which has a game edited internally. The cartridge 18 can be connected to at least one ROM (Rea
d Only Memory), which stores the program code of the entire game and directs the control of the video frequency processing unit 12 and the audio frequency processing unit 14 by the CPU 11 to generate the required screen and audio, A one-act and one after another vivid game is displayed on the TV display.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the state of use of the play time control device of the video game of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the play time control device 20 of the present invention is the address bus A described above.
B and the data bus DB are the cartridge slots 17
By utilizing the connection between the play time control device 20 and the cartridge 18, the inverted hook (not shown) is provided.
Once the play time control device 20 is inserted into the cartridge slot 17 of the drive 10, it cannot be removed unless the inverted hook is rotated by the key attached to the play time control device 20. , Otherwise the play time control device 20 will forever drive the drive 1
It becomes fixed in the cartridge slot 17 of 0 and cannot be removed.

FIG. 2 is a detailed electrical circuit diagram of FIG. 1 described above, of which the play time control device 20 of the present invention includes a bus control logic device 21 having a detailed circuit as shown in FIG. Is included, and the disable signal EN of the bus control logic unit 21 is tri-stated (Tri
-State) The buffer 210 is regulated, and normally, the three-state buffer 210 is a simple buffer 210, but it can be used as a switch when the EN signal is input. The read / write signal (R / W) is sent to the data bus DB.
Control the flow direction of R / W, and when R / W = 1, data is transmitted from the cartridge 18 to the drive 10 and R / W
When = 0, the data is transmitted from the drive 10 to the cartridge. However, the transmission of these data occurs only when EN = 0, and if EN = 1, all address buses AB, data buses DB and read / write signals R / W are isolated. The play time control device 20 of the present invention also includes a power supply management circuit 22. As shown in FIG. 4, Vpp in the play time control device 20 is a 5V power supply received from the video game drive 10, and a route (Route).
One path is simply the power supply Vcc required to start the video game drive, and the other path is Vbp that should not be interrupted at any time, that is, when the drive is started, Vpp = 5V, Vcc = 5V, Vbp = 4.4V
Then, after the drive is started, Vpp = 0V, Vcc =
0V, Vbp = 3V, and in this embodiment, NiCd
Rechargeable battery, non-rechargeable lithium battery, or Z
Either of the nC batteries is used. The play time control device 20 of the present invention further includes a fixed memory (ROM), stores a timed latch program, receives the command of the CPU 11 of the video game drive 10, and receives the difference of the drive 10. Depending on the program standard (approximately 8K
(Between x8 and 64K x 8) is determined, and most of the human interface is in charge of displaying instructions and messages on the TV display, so that the owner of the play time control device 20 can play keywords and play time zones. To set the
It is stored in M24 and a standard time is set so that the play time control device 20 of the present invention can operate normally. The RAM 24 is a 62-bit unit static RAM
In this case, the input keyword or a large number of sets of alarms (Alarm) are stored, and the power is supplied by Vbp of the power management circuit 22. Even if the drive is closed, the content of the data is stored in the drive. Is ensured so as not to change, and the amount of electricity consumed in the RAM 24 is extremely low and is only about μA. The play time control device 20 of the present invention further includes a timer and an alarm setting circuit 25, the detailed circuit of which is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
It oscillates a frequency of 2768Hz and divides it by 32768 through a frequency divider 251 to generate a signal of 1Hz, which is used as a clock counter. The clock is formed by a preset counter 255 and records a long time of 100 years. At the same time, the preset counter 255 can be set (Presetable) so that it can be adapted to different time zones. In addition, there is also a time setting device 256 that can set one month's worth, and its contents are stored in the RAM 2 when the drive is started.
4 and is therefore a large number of control times can be stored in the RAM 24. Further, since the timer and the alarm setting circuit 25 must operate at all times in order to keep the time of the clock accurately, regardless of whether or not the drive is activated, the power supply required is the power management circuit 22. Supplied from Vbp,
The bp is supplied with a voltage of 3V from the battery when the drive is not activated, but is supplied with a voltage of 5V from the drive when the drive is activated. Further, the frequency divider 251
The output 1Hz signal is used to control the comparator 253 by obtaining the enable signal for 1 minute via the divider 252 and the frequency set by the current time and time setter. The time is compared to see if they match, and if they match, an impulse is generated and the latch 25
The suppression signal EN output of No. 4 is set and sent to the bus control logic unit 21 to cut off the bus from the cartridge 18 and forcibly stop the game.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart for the play time control device 20 of the present invention to set a predetermined time zone. First, after the play time control device 20 is inserted into the video game drive 10. When activated, the operation process goes from step 40 to step 41 to check whether it is the first use or not. If it is the first use, the process goes from step 41 to step 42 to prompt the user to enter the keyword or current It is not necessary to set the time and the play time zone and then to input the setting each time the drive is started.
If it is not used for the first time, the process moves from step 41 to step 43 to inquire whether or not the play time zone should be renewed. When renewing, be sure to enter the keyword first, After it is determined that the keyword has been input, step 60 is entered, and it is determined whether or not the input keyword is correct. If the keyword is incorrect, the process returns to the start side of step 43 and the keyword is changed. If it is determined to be correct, the user can update the play permission time zone, and thereafter, the process returns to the starting side of step 43. However, if no keyword is input in step 43, the process proceeds to step 44, and the control of step 44 inquires whether the current time is outside the play time. If
Moving to the control of step 45, the message "Please wait for a while, not in play time" is displayed on the display. If at that time it is within the play time, the process immediately moves from step 44 to step 46, and the user can start playing. On the other hand, the time counter starts counting the time, and the control operation also goes from step 46 to step 47 to monitor whether or not the play time has passed, and if the time has not come, the user continues. If you enjoy playing and if time comes, the control operation reaches step 49, the time counter sends a stop signal to the bus control logic unit 21 and disconnects the bus to stop the game. Can be reliably controlled.

The play time control device 20 of the present invention can be applied to all video game drives already on the market, and the play time control device 20 of the present invention can be applied to a newly developed video game drive. Is provided directly in the drive 10, it can be a part of the function of the drive 10.

[0014]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, when it is mounted between the cartridge slot of the home video game drive and the cartridge inserted into the cartridge slot, the cartridge slot is inserted into the cartridge. Since it will be interposed in the path of the signal of the address bus and the data bus that conduct, therefore, if the owner sets the keyword and the play time zone inside, it controls to make the address bus and the data bus conduct only during the predetermined play time zone. That is, no one can change the play time zone that has been set unless the keyword is input, so the time when the game can be played is set to an appropriate time zone, and It is possible to prevent excessive immersion in video games.

And, a bus control logic unit for controlling an address bus and a data bus conducted from the cartridge slot to the cartridge, a power management circuit for supplying power necessary for operation, and a timed latch program are stored, ROM for setting keywords and playing time
And a RAM for storing keywords and playing time zones set by the ROM, a timer for collecting data stored in the RAM and controlling the operation of the bus control logic unit, and an alarm setting circuit. In addition, if an inverted hook is provided on the surface and inserted into the cartridge slot, it cannot be removed unless the inverted hook is rotated by the attached key. Further, as a power source for the power management circuit, a NiCd rechargeable battery is used. Alternatively, since either a non-rechargeable lithium battery or a ZnC battery is used, setting, updating or control of the above-mentioned keyword and play time zone becomes more convenient.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a usage state of a play time control device in a video game of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an electric circuit block diagram of a play time control device in the video game of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bus control logic circuit diagram of a play time controller in a video game of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a power management circuit diagram of the play time control device.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a timer and an alarm setting circuit in the play time control device.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an operation sequence of the play time control device.

FIG. 7 is a connection and operation block diagram of a general home video game drive.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Video game drive 17 ... Cartridge slot 18 ... Cartridge 21 ... Bus control logic unit 22 ... Power management circuit 23 ... ROM 24 ... RAM 25 ... Timer and alarm

Front Page Continuation (71) Applicant 592005113 Wang Yong Yao Taiwan, Taipei Taipei Paytoothy Linonchier 1 Toan 6 How 6 Rows (72) Inventor Wang Yong Yao Taiwan, Taipei Paytoy Chury Nonchier 1 Toan 6 How 6 Rows 6 Rows

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Signals on an address bus AB and a data bus DB are conducted between a cartridge slot (17) of a home video game drive (10) and a cartridge (18) inserted in the cartridge slot (17). By setting the code of the keyword and the play-unlocking time zone therein, anyone can play other than the set play time zone unless the keyword is entered. A play time control device in a video game, which is interposed between a cartridge slot (17) and the cartridge (18). 2. An address bus AB which is electrically connected to the cartridge (18) through the cartridge slot (17).
And a bus control logic unit for controlling the data bus DB (2
1), a power management circuit (22) for supplying power required for operation, a ROM (23) for storing a timed latch program and setting a keyword and a play time zone, and the ROM (23) described above. A timer and an alarm setting circuit (25) for controlling the operation of the bus control logic unit (21) by retrieving the data stored in the RAM (24) with the RAM (24) storing the played keyword and playing time zone. ) And a play time control device in a video game according to claim 1. 3. An inverted hook is provided on the surface of the cartridge, and when the inverted hook is inserted into the cartridge slot (17), it cannot be removed unless the inverted hook is rotated by the attached key.
A playing time control device for a video game according to claim 1. 4. The play time control in a video game according to claim 2, wherein a NiCd rechargeable battery, a non-rechargeable lithium battery, or a ZnC battery is used as a power source of the power source management circuit (22). apparatus.