JPH0824766B2 - Game soft service system - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a game software service system.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel game software service system capable of arbitrarily selecting and playing any one of a plurality of game software stored in a memory cartridge.

(Prior Art) As a conventional technology that can selectively use any one of a plurality of game softwares, there is a real-life Sho 60-123085.
No. (hereinafter referred to as prior art 1) and Jitsukai Sho 60-135764.
No. (hereinafter referred to as Prior Art 2) is known. In each of these, a plurality of game cartridges are fixedly mounted in corresponding connectors or slots, and the slots are selectively activated mechanically, for example, by a rotary switch or a push switch.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the prior arts 1 and 2, since a mechanical switch is used as a means for selecting any one of a plurality of games, its operability and configuration are Not only is it very complicated, but it also causes many failures.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to electronically select any one of a plurality of game software on a menu screen to improve operability and reduce mechanical moving parts and contacts. It is to provide a game software service system having a very simple structure.

(Means for Solving Problems) Briefly, the present invention is a game software service system for connecting to a monitor and displaying an image for a game on the monitor. , A game storage medium that stores a plurality of different types of game programs, and a common address space is allocated to each of the game programs, and a menu on the monitor. Any of a menu program storage means for storing a menu program for displaying a screen, a first operation means for playing a game by a player's operation, and a game program stored in a game storage medium by a player's operation on the menu screen A second operating means used to select one of the A game program of the game storage medium is connected to the address bus and the data bus of the processing means, and one address corresponding to the selected game program of the game storage medium based on the selection of the second operating means. An enabling means for enabling access from the processing means to the space is provided, and the processing means causes the monitor to display a menu screen based on the menu program, and selects the game storage medium activated by the enabling means. Run the selected game program to display the image for the game on the monitor,
Further, the game software service system changes the display state in response to the first operation means.

(Operation) When the controller is operated to select the game software, the processing means executes the menu screen display program, and the menu showing each game program of the game storage medium mounted in the slot is connected to it. Is displayed on the screen of the monitored monitor. For example, by using a second operation means such as a controller on the menu screen,
When any one of the game programs displayed in the menu is selected, the validating means enables the game to be played by the selected game program.

(Effect of the Invention) According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a completely new game software service system in which a plurality of game programs can be selected on the menu screen.

Further, according to the present invention, one of a plurality of games displayed on the menu screen can be electronically selected by operating a controller used for the game, so that a mechanical switch, etc. The operability and configuration are much simpler and the device can be made smaller than the case of using the. Further, since switches using mechanical moving parts and contacts other than the controller are omitted, the number of switches can be reduced, and as a result, the chance of mechanical failure is greatly reduced.

Furthermore, since a plurality of storage media for storing different types of game software are assigned to the same address space as viewed from the processing means (CPU or PPU) and one of them is electronically selected and activated, Any game software can be easily selected from a large number of game software without expanding the address space accessible by means.

The above-mentioned objects, 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.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of the present invention. The game software service system 10 includes a cubic main body 12, and a front panel 14 is formed on a front surface portion of the main body 12. The front panel 14 is formed with a plurality of slots 16 (15 in this example).
Although not shown, each of the 16 has a multi-pin connector connected to a pin of the game cartridge 18 at the back. Therefore, the game cartridge 18 can be removably attached to these slots 16 by the multi-pin connector. In the vicinity of each slot, the game cartridge 18
A light emitting diode (LED) 20 is provided for displaying whether or not the game cartridge 18 is mounted, whether the mounted game cartridge 18 is used, or the like.

Connected to the front panel 14 are controllers 20a and 20b used for playing games and selecting a game cartridge 18 installed in each slot 16, and a light gun for playing a shooting game. 22 is connected.

The front panel 14 is further provided with a key switch 24 for selecting whether to enable or disable the game, and this key switch 24 can be operated by inserting a key 26. . Therefore, when such a game software service system 10 is installed in a guest room such as a hotel, the key 26 is to be rented to the user at the front of the hotel in exchange for the usage fee. Become.

Further, on the front panel 14, a reset switch 28 and a TV / game changeover switch 30 are provided near the key switch 24. The reset switch 28 is used when the user is playing a game and resets the game. The TV / game changeover switch 30 controls whether the TV receiver 32 used as a monitor receives a normal television broadcast, or whether the TV receiver 32 is used to display a game screen or a CATV screen. It is a switch for switching.

The front panel 14 is further provided with an expansion connector 34, and this expansion connector 34 has the same function as the expansion connector of the current family computer (trade name) manufactured and sold by the applicant. , For example to connect a joystick controller.

Another slot 16a is provided inside the main body 12, and a monitor memory pack 18a having a system program is stored in this slot 16a. This memory pack 18a
Is a game cartridge 18 installed in another slot 16.
It may have the same shape as, and controls the entire system, for example, displaying demonstration screens and menu screens, selecting game software, connecting to a CATV line, and charging from a coin box.

A dip switch 38 is further provided in the main body 12. The dip switch 38 is composed of 8 bits and can be used for switching the charging system, setting a unit timer time according to the unit amount of coins inserted, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, a power supply unit 42 is provided on the rear panel 40 of the game software service system 10, and the power supply unit 42 is configured to be detachable from the rear panel 40 and hence the main body 12.

The power supply unit 42 has an AC input connector 42a for connecting an AC power supply, and an AC output connector 42b for supplying power to another device such as a monitor TV receiver 32 (FIG. 1).
Is provided. In addition, the rear panel 40 has an expansion I / O
A connector 43 is provided. This expansion I / O connector 43
Is used as an input / output port when a modem or the like is connected.

The rear panel 40 also includes a monitor or TV receiver 32.
A video output terminal 44 connectable to a video input terminal (not shown) and an audio output terminal 46 connectable to an audio input terminal (not shown) of the TV receiver 32 are provided. If such a TV receiver 32 does not have a video input terminal or an audio input terminal, an RF output terminal 48 connected to its antenna terminal (not shown) is provided. Further, the rear panel 40 is provided with an antenna input terminal 50 for connecting an antenna cable to the system 10. These terminals 48 and 50 are
In both cases, an F type plug is used.

Returning to FIG. 1, this system 10 has a charging system 1
Is provided with a coin box 52, and a coin insertion slot 54 for inserting a coin is formed in the coin box 52. Therefore, the system of this embodiment can also be configured as a coin-timer control system capable of playing the game for a time period corresponding to the amount of coins inserted into the coin box 52.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment.
The game software service system 10 includes one myloprocessor or CPU 60 with reference to FIG. 3A. This CPU
As 60, for example, an integrated circuit “2A03” manufactured by Nintendo can be used. The CPU60 has a PPU (Picture Processing
Unnit) 62 is connected, and as this PPU62, the integrated circuit "2C02" made by Nintendo can be used, like the family computer (product name). Details of the CPU 60 and PPU 62 are shown in JP-A-59-118184. For this CPU 60 and PPU 62, from a common oscillator 64, for example 21.48MH
The clock of z is given.

An 8-bit data bus 68 is connected to the data port of the CPU 60 via a bidirectional buffer 66, and a 16-bit address bus is connected to the address port via a unidirectional buffer 70.
72 is connected. Similarly, the data port of the PPU 62 is connected to the 8-bit data bus 76 through the bidirectional buffer 74.
And the address port is connected to the 6-bit address bus 80 through the one-way buffer 78.
Further, an address latch circuit 79 is provided in the data port of the PPU62, and the address latch circuit 79 latches the address data output from the data port of the PPU62 in a time-division manner and outputs 6 bits from the address port of the PPU62. At the same time, it is given to the one-way buffer 78 as 14-bit address data.

Address data output from the CPU 60 via the address bus 72 is applied to the address decoder 82. This system is configured by a so-called memory map system, and therefore this address decoder 82 is
The bit addresses are decoded and the necessary chip enable signals CE0 to CE8 are output, respectively. Also, CPU60
System clock φ2 from the address decoder
It is given to 82 as well as to another address decoder 84. Similarly, the address decoder 84 also outputs necessary chip enable signals CE9 to CE11 from the 4-bit address data.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in connection with CPU 60,
A working RAM86 is provided, and in connection with the PPU62,
A video RAM 88 is provided. The working RAM 86 is enabled by the chip enable signal CE1 from the address decoder 82, receives address data from the CPU 60 through the address bus 72, and receives data from the CPU 60 through the data bus 68. Data from the PPU 62 is given to the video RAM 88 through the data bus 76 of the PPU 62, and also through the address bus 80,
Address data from PPU62 is given. The most significant bit of the address bus 80 of the PPU 62 is passed through the inverter 90,
It is given as a chip enable signal for the video RAM 88. That is, when the most significant bit of the address bus 80 is "1", the video RAM 88 is enabled.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, controllers 20a and 20b connected to main body 12 are both connected to controller switching circuits through I / O interfaces 92a and 92b.
Connected to 94. This controller switching circuit 94 is
A circuit for switching which of the controllers 20a and 20b can be used as a main controller.In the embodiment, the controller 20a or 20b used for selecting the game cartridge 18 is set as such a main controller. It The controller
I / O interfaces 92a and 92b for 20a and 20b
Are each enabled by a chip enable signal from a decoder built in the CPU 60. Further, the controller switching circuit 94 is enabled by the chip enable signal CE4 from the previous address decoder 82. The operation signals or data from the controllers 20a and 20b are sent to the controller switching circuit 94.
The data is stored in the working RAM 86 through the reset control circuit 96 and the data bus 100 and used for game control.

Reset switch 28 provided on the front panel 14
Are connected to the reset control circuit 96. The reset control circuit 96 is connected to the controller switching circuit 94. The reset control circuit 96, when the key switch 24 is turned on,
When the reset switch 28 is turned on, when the reset switch (not shown) of the controllers 20a and 20b is pressed, or when the preset timer 98 times out, the CPU 60 is responsive to any of the signals, , Reset signal is output. Specifically, this reset control circuit 96 determines which reset signal has arrived and a circuit that selects any of various reset signals from the reset switch 28, the controller switching circuit 94, and a preset timer 98 described later. And a flag for storing the data, and is enabled by the chip enable signal CE3 from the address decoder 82.

The preset timer 98 is used as a timer for presetting the time during which the game can be played according to the amount of coins inserted into the coin box 52. Therefore, the preset timer 98 uses the 8-bit data bus 100. Is connected to the working RAM 86 and the coin selector interface 102 connected to the coin box 52. This coin selector interface 102
Shows the types of coins inserted from the coin slot 54 (FIG. 1) and the total number of coins of each type, in the data bus 100
To the working RAM86 through.

The CPU 60 outputs an audio signal such as a necessary sound effect according to the progress of the game.
Provided to the RF controller 104. The AV / RF controller 104 is further supplied with the video signal from the PPU 62, and the AV / RF controller 104 turns on or off the audio signal and the video signal thus supplied to thereby output the RF modulator. Give to 106. The RF modulator 106 is AV / RF
The synthesized audio signal and video signal from the controller 104 are output as, for example, an NTSC television signal, that is, an RF signal. However, it is also possible to individually output the audio signal and the video signal from the RF modulator 106 as baseband signals. The video signal from the RF modulator 106 is output from the above-mentioned video output terminal 44 shown in FIG. 2, and the audio signal is output from the audio output terminal 46. Similarly, the RF signal from the RF modulator 106, that is, the television signal is output from the RF output terminal 48.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of slots 16 (16 including the built-in slot 16a) are provided, and the slot 1
A game cartridge 18 is attached to each of the six. The plurality of game cartridges 18 and monitor memory packs 18a thus mounted constitute one block by a predetermined number (four in this embodiment), and in this embodiment, 16 slots 16 (16a ) Is formed, four blocks BLK0 to BLK3 are formed. Each of the blocks BLK0 to BLK3 is composed of four banks BK0 to BK3, respectively, but since they are configured in the same manner, only the block BLK0 is illustrated in detail as a representative of the others in FIG. 3C. . However, it should be pointed out in advance that the blocks BLK1 to BLK3 are similarly configured.

Each bank BK0 to BK3 of each block BLK0 to BLK3
Are connected in parallel so that they exist in the same address space as viewed from the CPU 60 and PPU 62, but only the bank (game cartridge 18) corresponding to one game software selected in the menu mode is selectively active. Be converted.

The program memory pack 18a installed in one slot 16a included in the block BLK0 serves as the bank BK0, and the game cartridge installed in three slots 16
18 are allocated as banks BK1 to BK3, and each game cartridge, that is, banks BK1 to BK3 includes a program memory and a character memory. Block BLK0-
BLK3 is selected by the demultiplexer 108 for block selection, and the program memory is demultiplexer 110.
And also the character memory is demultiplexer 11
Selected by 2 respectively.

More specifically, 8-bit data is given from the CPU 60 to the output port 114 via the data bus 68. At the output port 114, 4-bit data representing blocks BLK0 to BLK3 and banks BK0 to BK3 is provided according to the 8-bit data. The data of is output. The demultiplexers 108 to 112 decode the 4-bit data supplied from the output port 114 in this manner and output a signal for selecting one of the blocks BLK0 to BLK3 and one of the banks BK0 to BK3. To do. For example, banks BK0 to BK3 in block BLK0
Enabled by select signals from demultiplexers 110 and 112.

The signal from the demultiplexer 108 for specifying blocks is given to the bus buffer 116 associated with each block. The bus buffer 116 includes a bidirectional buffer 118 for program memory, an address unidirectional buffer 120 for program memory, a bidirectional buffer 122 for character memory, and an address unidirectional buffer 124 for character memory. . Demultiplexer 1
Of the 4-bit select signal from 08, 2 bits are given to the bus buffer 116, 1 bit of which is the bidirectional buffer 118, and another 1 bit is of the bidirectional buffer 122.
Enable each.

Note that the bidirectional buffer 118 for program memory is C
The bidirectional buffer 122 for character memory is connected to the data bus 68 of the PU 60, and is connected to the data bus of the PPU 62. Similarly, unidirectional buffers 120 and 124 for addresses are used for address bus 72 and PPU6 of CPU 60, respectively.
2 connected to the address bus 80.

An expansion box interface 126 is connected to the expansion multi-pin connector 34 shown in FIG. 1, and in this embodiment, a CATV system is provided to enable connection with a CATV system.
An interface 128 is provided. The expansion box interface 126 and the CATV interface 128 respectively receive the chip enable signal CE from the address decoder 84.
Enabled by 10 and CE11.

The expansion I / O port 130 is connected to the I / O connector 42c provided on the rear panel 40, and the expansion I / O port 130 is enabled by the chip enable signal CE8 from the address decoder 82. .

Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the operation or operation of this embodiment will be described based on FIGS. 4A to 6.

The flow charts shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are started each time a reset signal is applied from the reset control circuit 96 to the CPU 60. That is, the key switch 24 (FIG. 1) is turned on by the key 26, or the controller 20a or 2
Depending on whether the reset switch (not shown) of 0b is operated, the reset switch 28 of the main body is turned on, or the time-up signal from the preset timer 98 is given, the reset control circuit 96 causes the CPU 60 to Reset signal to. In response, the CPU 60 outputs a signal to the address decoder 82 in the first step S1 and sets the chip enable signal CE1 from the address decoder 82 to "0" to disable the reset control circuit 96. Therefore, at this point, the reset control circuit 96
Reset signal from is prohibited.

In the next step S3, the CPU 60 and PPU 62 are set to the initial state. That is, these CPU60 and PPU62
Registers and ports related to are set from the undefined state to the cleared state.

In the next step S5, the CPU 60 determines the type of the triggered reset signal. Controller 20a and 2
0b, reset signal from reset switch 28 and preset timer 98 is "Hot" reset, and reset signal by turning on key switch 24 is "Cold"
Judged as a reset. In order to determine the type of signal in step S5, the reset control circuit 96 may output the flag indicating the type of the reset signal together with the reset signal according to the type of the signal that triggered it.

When it is detected in step S5 that the "Cold" reset, that is, the reset by turning on the key switch 24, is detected, the CPU 60 disables the preset timer 98 through the address decoder 84 in the next step S7. That is, in this step S7, the CPU 60
Prohibits resetting from the preset timer 98.

After that, in step S9, the CPU 60 sends a signal to the address decoder 82 to set the chip enable signal CE1 to “1” to enable the working RAM 86, and at the same time, outputs “0” to the data bus 68 through the bidirectional buffer 66 to perform working. Clear the specified area "0000H to 1FFFH" of RAM86. In the next step S11, the CPU60
Initializes related registers and I / O ports.

In step S13, the PPU 62 enables the video RAM 88 by supplying the data to the address bus 80 through the unidirectional buffer 78 and the bidirectional buffer 7
This video RAM 88 is cleared by outputting "0" to the data bus 76 through 4.

In step S15, the CPU 60 initializes each memory. Then, in step S17, the CPU 60 enables an area which is a part of the working RAM 86 and in which the control code is stored, that is, the S-RAM control area. Specifically, the CPU 60 sets the chip enable signal CE1 to "1" through the address decoder 82 to enable the working RAM 86, and outputs the address for the corresponding area to the address bus 72 through the one-way buffer 70. This enables the S-RAM control area of working RAM 86.

In subsequent step S19, CPU 60 transfers the program stored in monitor memory pack 18a (FIG. 1), that is, the program in bank BK0, to another address space. That is, the banks BK0 to BK15 shown in FIG.
Are all assigned to the same address space,
Since the control program cannot be kept in the same address space as the game cartridge 18, the program of the monitor memory pack 18a of the bank BK0 is transferred to the S-RAM control area of the working RAM 86 which was previously enabled. is there.

In step S21, the CPU 60 follows "Chec" according to the program transferred to the S-RAM control area.
"k-Sum" is checked. That is, banks BK1 to BK15
This bank BK by summing up all the data of the game cartridges of and checking the summed result
It is determined whether the game cartridges assigned to 1 to BK15 are installed or removed, or whether the game cartridge is genuine or illegal. Specifically, the CPU 60 uses the address decoder 8
By setting the chip enable signal CE5 to "1" through 2 to enable the output port 114, and sequentially setting the numbers from "0001" to "0FFF" through the bidirectional buffer 66 and the data bus 68, each slot The game cartridges 18 mounted on the 16, ie, the banks BK1 to BK15 are sequentially selected. And these bank B
Program data and character data from K1 to BK15 are stored in the working RAM 86 through the bidirectional buffer 118 and the data bus 68, and the CPU 60 accesses all the areas of the working RAM 86, that is, all the game cartridges 18, that is, the bank BK1. ~ Add the data of BK15. By executing this step S21, in this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether or not a proper game cartridge is mounted in each slot 16.

Also, by "Check-Sum" in step S21,
In step S23, the game title of the game cartridge 18 mounted in each slot can be checked. In other words, if it is a pre-registered game cartridge, the name of the game that can be used is known from the result of the "Check-Sum", and if it is an unregistered game cartridge, specify the specific code in that game cartridge. The name of the game can be determined by checking.

Then, in step S25, the CPU 60 causes the working
A "Hot" start flag formed in a predetermined area of the RAM 86 is set, and the attraction mode shown in step S27 is entered. Note that this attraction mode is used to display, for example, a guide for the hotel or inn where the TV receiver 32 (Fig. 1) is installed, and to repeat the demonstration of the game contents set in this system. Is the mode in which

On the other hand, when it is determined that the "Hot" reset is performed in the previous step S5, steps S29 and S31 are executed to clear a predetermined area of the working RAM 86 in the same manner as in the previous steps S9 and S13. Clear video RAM88.

In step S33, the CPU 60 causes the reset control circuit 96
By looking at the flags entered from the "Hot"
Determine whether the reset is from the reset switch 28 on the front panel 14, from the preset timer 98, or from the controller 20a or 20b. Then, if it is judged that it is a reset signal from the reset switch 28 of the front panel 14,
Then, the process shifts to the attraction mode shown in step S27. That is, the CPU 60 uses the reset switch 2
8 or when a hard reset signal from the preset timer 98 is applied, the block BK of the block BLK0 must be
Select 0 to execute the program of the monitor memory back 18a, and when the type of game software is selected by the controller 20a or 20b in the menu mode described later, select any bank other than the bank BK0 of the block BLK0 to respond. The program of the game cartridge 18 to be executed is executed, and when the reset switch of the controller 20a or 20b is operated, the execution of the program is restarted from the head address of the previously selected game cartridge 18.

When determining that the signal is not the reset signal from the reset switch 28 of the front panel 14, the CPU 60 checks the state or mode of the controller 20a or 20b in the next step S35. Ie controller
20a or 20b may be pushed during normal game execution, and is also used to select the game cartridge 18 loaded in each slot 16.
In this step S35, the controller 20a or
Judging which mode the 20b was operated in, it is determined which corresponding program to execute.

In this step S35, the controllers 20a and 20a
If it is determined that b has been pressed in reset mode, the process moves to the menu mode for game cartridge selection in the next step S37.

On the contrary, if the controller 20a or 20b has been operated while playing a normal game, in step S39, the CPU
The 60 determines if it was demonstrating the game or playing the game. This can be easily determined by checking the flag set in working RAM86. Then, if the reset signal is given from the preset timer 98 during the game demonstration, the process proceeds to the previous step S27 and the attraction mode is executed. Further, if the reset signal from the preset timer 98 is given during the playing of the game, the time-up by the preset timer 98 is displayed in the next step S43, and the process proceeds to step S27.

With reference to FIG. 5, in the first step S101 of the attraction mode, the CPU 60 displays the attraction mode. That is, in this step S101, information such as information on the hotel in which this system is installed is not displayed on the monitor or
It is displayed on the screen of the TV receiver 32. This is CPU60 and PPU62
It is carried out in collaboration with. Specifically, like the family computer (product name), the CPU 60 outputs an audio signal and the PPU 62 outputs a video signal based on the data from the monitor memory pack 18a (FIG. 1). These two signals are given to the RF modulator 106 through the AV / RF controller 104. And this RF modulator 106
Such a guidance display can be performed by supplying a signal from the monitor to the television receiver 32, that is, the television receiver 32.

Then, in the next step S103, the CPU 60 gives a black image display command signal to the PPU 62 to turn off the image on the monitor 32.

In the next step S105, the CPU 60 enables the S-RAM control area of the working RAM 86, as in step S15 of FIG. 4A.

Then, in the next step S107, the CPU 60 checks the next bank number, that is, the current game number, based on the data from the game cartridge 18 given from the data bus 68. In the next step S109,
As in step S17 of FIG. 4A, the program of the monitor memory park 18a is transferred to the S-RAM control area of the working RAM 86.

After that, the CPU 60 executes the steps S111, S113, S115 and S117 for the S-RAM control area.
Set each flag or data. More specifically, in step S111, the next bank number checked in the previous step S107 is set in the S-RAM control area. In step S113, CP
The U60 gives data to the S-RAM control area, and in the reset control circuit 96, the controllers 20a and 20b.
To reset mode. In step S115,
CPU60, in a predetermined area of the S-RAM control area,
A flag indicating that the game is being demonstrated, that is, a game demo flag is set. Then, in step S117, the CPU 60 presets time data in the preset timer 98 according to the amount of coins inserted into the coin box 52, and then enters the game demonstration mode. That is, the software is reset, and the step S111 is performed first.
Jump to the reset area of the game cartridge of the bank number set in, and start the game with that game cartridge.

The menu display mode will be described with reference to FIG. In the first step S201 of this mode, CPU6
With the cooperation of 0 and the PPU 62, the menu is displayed on the screen of the monitor 32, and the previous step S107 (FIG. 5).
Check the next bank number, i.e. the number of the current game, in the same manner as in.

Steps S203, S205, and S207 are the same as steps S103, S105, and S109 of FIG. 5, respectively, and redundant description will be omitted here.

Then, in step S209, the number of the game cartridge to be set next, that is, the bank number is set in the S-RAM control area of the working RAM 86 in the same manner as in step S111. In step S211, the CPU 60 sets the controllers 20a and 20b in the control mode, that is, the program mode. In step S213, the CPU 60 sets a flag indicating that the game is being played, that is, a game play flag, in a predetermined area of the working RAM 86. Thereafter, in step S215, a signal is given to the reset control circuit 96, and the CPU 60 allows the reset input from the reset switch 28 of the front panel 14. Then, the preset timer 98 is preset for a length of time corresponding to the amount of coins inserted into the coin box 52, and the game mode is entered.

It should be noted that there are three possible billing methods in this system: a CATV method, a key method, and a coin method.

In the CATV method, the CPU 60 enables the CATV interface 128 by giving a signal to the address decoder 80 and setting the chip enable signal CE11 to "1". Then, through this interface 128, the CATV line provided in a hotel or the like is connected to this system 10. Then, the TV / game switch 30 is operated to set the game mode. Next, the monitor or TV receiver
Set 32 to an appropriate empty channel. In that state, the game demo screen and the operation procedure screen are displayed in the attraction mode shown in FIG. When any key of the controller 20a or 20b is operated, the first mode is performed, and in that state, by operating the select button (not shown) provided on the controller 20a or 20b, the slot 16 is mounted. A game cartridge, that is, a game program assigned to any of the banks BK1 to BK15 is selected. Then, the start button of the controller 20a or 20b is pressed to start the game. You may charge at this point. After that, when the game ends, the TV / game switch 30 is operated to set the TV reception mode.

In the key system, the key switch 26 is lent to the user at the front of the hotel where this system 10 is installed. In this case, a fixed fee may be charged at this time. Then, the TV / game switch 30 is operated to switch to the game mode, and the monitor, that is, the TV receiver 32 is set to an appropriate empty channel. Then, the demo screen and the operation procedure are displayed, and if the key 26 lent from the front in that state is inserted into the key switch 24 and then rotated, the game is enabled. Then, using the controllers 20a and 20b, a game is selected and started in the same manner as in the CATV system described above, and when the game ends, the TV / game changeover switch 30 is operated to enter the TV reception mode.

In the coin system, the TV / game switch 30 is operated to switch to the game mode, and the TV receiver 32 is set to the empty channel. In this state, the user inserts a fixed coin into the coin insertion slot 54 of the coin box 52. Then, the game time is set in the preset timer 98 according to the input amount data from the coin selector interface 102 connected to the coin box 52.
Then, the controller 20a or 20b selects a game cartridge and starts the game. And
When a time length corresponding to the coin-inserted amount has elapsed, the game is ended by a time-up signal from the preset timer 98. Then TV / game selector switch 30
Use to set the TV reception mode.

When using the coin mode as described above, the coin box 52 is provided in the current hotel room.
It can be considered to be configured to be shared as a coin timer of a TV receiver.

Further, a remote control function can be configured using this system. For example, using the CATV interface 128, through a CATV line in a hotel or the like, performing a billing calculation in the working area of the CPU 60, or turning on / off the system including the TV receiver 32 as a monitor. I can do it.

It is also possible to exchange arbitrary game software data between the front and the room, for example, using the AC power line.

If you leave the history data using this system in the working RAM86 of this system and make it accessible from the front, you can also check the amount of coins inserted.

Although the memory cartridge 18 is mounted from the outside of the main body 12 in order to facilitate the exchange of the game software in the above-described embodiment, it may be detachable inside the main body 12. Although the menu is selected by the controller 20a or 20b, another selection switch may be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front external view showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment.
3A to 3D are block diagrams showing the details of the respective parts arranged according to FIG. FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are flow charts for explaining the operation or operation of this embodiment. In the figure, 10 is a game software service system, and 16 and 1
6a is a slot, 18a is a monitor memory pack, 18 is a game cartridge, 20a and 20b are game controllers, 24 is a key switch, 26 is a key, 28 is a reset switch, 32 is a TV
Receiver, 60 CPU, 62 PPU, 82, 84 address decoder, 96 reset control circuit, 98 preset timer, 10
Reference numerals 8,110,112 denote demultiplexers.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A game software service system used for connecting to a monitor and displaying an image for a game on the monitor, the processing means for displaying an image for the game and controlling the entire system. , Stores different types of game programs,
A game storage medium to which a common address space is allocated for each of the processing means, a menu program storage means that stores a menu program for displaying a menu screen on the monitor, and a game is played by a player's operation. First for
Operation means, second operation means used to select any one of the game programs stored in the game storage medium by the operation of the player on the menu screen, and address bus and data bus of the processing means On the other hand, the game program of the game storage medium is connected to the processing means for one address space corresponding to the selected game program of the game storage medium based on the selection of the second operation means. Of the game storage medium activated by the activation means, the processing means causes the monitor to display a menu screen based on the menu program. Display the image for the game on the monitor by executing the game program One said response changing the display state to the first operating means, game software service system. 2. The processing means comprises a first address space composed of a non-volatile memory in which the game program and the menu program are stored in a non-volatile manner, and a readable / writable memory for readable / writably storing data. A second address space formed of a memory, the menu program includes a copy program for copying at least a part of the menu program to the readable / writable memory, and the processing unit stores the copy program in the copy program. Based on this, at least a part of the menu program is copied to the readable / writable memory, the copied menu program is executed, and the execution of the game program is started based on the operation of the second operation means by the player. The game software service system according to claim 1. 3. The reset means for generating a reset signal is further provided, wherein the processing means includes a control program storage medium for storing a program for controlling the entire system, and the reset signal from the reset means. The game software service system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the program of the control program storage medium is executed every time a program is given. 4. The reset means includes means for generating a first reset signal for displaying a menu screen on the monitor, and means for generating a second reset signal for displaying an initial screen of a game. The processing means executes the program of the control program storage medium in response to a first reset signal to display a menu screen on the monitor, and the validating means operates the second operating means. The game storage medium selected on the menu screen is validated according to the above, and the processing means executes the game program from the top address of the game storage medium selected according to the second reset means. The game software service system according to claim 3. 5. The game program in the game storage medium is divided into blocks for each unit number, and the validating means includes a connection unit for connecting an address bus and a data bus for each block of the game storage medium. The game according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a connection part of a block corresponding to the selected game storage medium and means for activating one of the game storage media in the block. Soft service system. 6. The game storage medium comprises a character memory for storing character data for a game, a program memory for storing program data for game control, and a cartridge for storing the character memory and the program memory. The game software service system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a slot for detachably accommodating the cartridge of each game storage medium. 7. The processing means performs first image processing based on character data in a character memory, and first processing means for performing arithmetic processing based on program data in a program memory included in the selected game storage medium. 7. A game software service system according to claim 6, further comprising a second processing unit for 8. The game software service system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second operating means is also used by the first operating means. 9. The game program of the game storage medium is divided into a plurality of blocks, the validating means is connected to the processing means via a common address bus and a common data bus, and the game memory is stored. Bidirectional data buffer means for storing information of a game program on a medium, each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of blocks, connected to the common data bus, and an address connected to the common address bus A plurality of bus buffer means including a buffer means, wherein the processing means generates block selection data in response to selection information from the second operation means, and generates bus buffer means selection data. The enabling means further comprises one block from the plurality of blocks based on the block selection data. Block selection means for selecting a group and enabling the processing means to execute the game program stored in the game storage medium, and the bus buffer means selection data generated by the processing means according to the selection information. Selecting one of the plurality of bus buffer means,
Accordingly, the game program stored in the game storage medium included in the selected block can be accessed by the processing means through the common address bus, the common data bus, and the selected bus buffer means. The game software service system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a selection means.