JPH08330037A - Timer device for television game - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a timer device for a television game whereby a play time of the television game can be suitably mechanically controlled further to extremely decrease the influence to a game content. CONSTITUTION: By turning a spiral spring screw 20 with an exclusive use key 18 to perform setting a play time relating to a time controller in a timer main unit 2, during advancing a preset play time, a video signal and a voice signal from a game machine main unit are output to a television monitor, also to respectively independently interrupt the video signal and the voice signal to the television monitor from the game machine main unit in accordance with a condition of advancing the preset play time. When a prescribed residual time is left in the preset play time, the voice signal is interrupted, and both the voice signal and the video signal are interrupted when the residual time is 0. Advancing/stopping the preset play time of the time controller are controlled by a control button 17.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video game timer device, and more particularly, a play time can be set appropriately, and an audio signal and a video signal are appropriately controlled as the set play time elapses. The present invention relates to a video game timer device capable of performing the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, one of the toys is a home video game machine. This home video game console is usually
It is composed of a game console and a controller. Power is supplied by inserting a power adapter cable into the game console and connecting it to a household outlet. Further, the method of transmitting the video signal and the audio signal to the television monitor may differ depending on the type of the game machine, but a typical one is a 6-pin or the like which outputs the video signal and the audio signal to the game machine body. By connecting a connector cable such as 8-pin and connecting the pin jack on the opposite side of the cable to the input terminal of the television monitor, each signal output from the game machine is sent to the monitor.

When actually playing a game using a video game machine, with the cable and power supply connected, a game software cartridge corresponding to the game machine is inserted into the game machine body, and the game machine body is inserted. Turn on the switch and play while operating the controller.
In addition to the game software cartridge, there is also game software that uses a compact disc recently.

Currently, the above game machines and game software are
It is widespread in many households, some of which have two or more different game machines. In addition, the age group of people who enjoy games is generally centered on children, but recently there are many game software that adults can also enjoy, and there are also software that supports investment and can be used for business. Because of the existence, there are many users of video game consoles over a wide range of age groups.

In the above-mentioned video game machine, various kinds of games can be enjoyed by simply replacing the game software, and moreover, the games can be easily played at home.
Widely used as an extremely handy toy.

[0006]

However, conventional home-use video game machines are not only extremely convenient and easy to play games at home, but also have no time limit. For this reason, once the start of the play, forget the time, there was a possibility that would play endlessly. In particular,
Children tend to be completely absorbed in the game, sometimes ignoring what their parents say and continuing the game.

[0007] In addition, depending on the type of game software called a role-playing game, it is often difficult to divide the game into time intervals. Therefore, even adults can play the game forever once it starts. Therefore, it has been desired to develop a machine for mechanically limiting the playing time of the game.

Conventionally, as such a machine, there has been a timed timer of a type in which a power source portion of an electric product has a timer function, a timer is set in advance, and the power is cut off when a predetermined time elapses. In addition to being used in home video game consoles, it was widely used for general electric appliances. However, when this type of timed timer is used in a video game machine, the power is suddenly cut off as soon as a predetermined time has passed, so the purpose of the time limit of the video game machine can be fulfilled, but especially in role-playing games and adventure games. Depending on the type of game software called a game, due to the nature of the game software, if you turn off the power before recording the performance data, the performance data of this time, that is, the performance data from the time when the previous performance data was recorded disappears. , There was a problem that this achievement was completely wasted and it had a great impact on the game.

Therefore, even when the game play time is mechanically limited, it has been desired to develop a machine that has little influence on the game contents at the compulsory end of the game.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a timer device for a video game which can mechanically appropriately control the play time of the video game with a simple structure and has a very small influence on the game contents. is there.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video game timer device comprising a pin jack insertion terminal for inputting a video signal and an audio signal from a game machine main body, and the video signal and the audio signal. With a pin jack for outputting to a TV monitor, the pin jack plug-in terminal and the cable with a pin jack, and the video signal and audio signal from the game console according to the progress of the set play time. A time management device that relays to a TV monitor and can be independently shut off, and a time setting device that sets a play time for the time management device,
A control button for controlling the progress and stop of the set play time of the time management device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the video game timer device interrupts the audio signal when the set play time of the time management device reaches a predetermined remaining time, and when the remaining time becomes 0, an audio signal is output. Both of the video signals are cut off.

In the video game timer device according to the invention of claim 3, the time manager relays the video signal and the audio signal from the main body of the game machine to the television monitor by controlling the connection and disconnection of the plurality of switches by using the mainspring as a power source. And shutting off.

In the video game timer device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the time setting means powers the play time setting and the mainspring to the time management device by the dedicated key.

In the video game timer device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the time management device uses an electric motor as a power source to control connection and disconnection of a plurality of switches so that a video signal and an audio signal are transmitted from the game machine main body to the television monitor. It relays and cuts off.

In the video game timer device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the time setting means sets the play time in the time management device with the dedicated key.

[0017]

According to the video game timer device of the present invention, by setting the play time to the time manager by the time setting means, the video signal from the game machine main body is set during the progress of the set play time. And the audio signal is output to the TV monitor, and the video signal and the audio signal from the game console to the TV monitor are independently cut off according to the progress status of the set play time, and the set play time progresses with the control button. Since it can be stopped, the video signal and audio signal from the game console can be cut off after a lapse of a predetermined time, the play time of the game can be mechanically limited, and the switch and power of the game console cannot be turned off again. If you set the play time again, you can continue playing the game. Also,
It is also possible to stop the progress of the set play time by using the control button to interrupt the game.

According to the video game timer device of the present invention, the audio signal is cut off when the set play time of the time management device reaches a predetermined remaining time, and when the remaining time becomes 0, the audio signal is cut off. Since both the video signal and the video signal are cut off, the player can previously perceive that the set play time is almost over when the sound disappears before the set play time ends.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the timer device for a video game transfers the video signal and the audio signal from the main body of the game machine to the television monitor by controlling the connection and disconnection of the plurality of switches by the time manager using the mainspring as a power source. Since the relay and cutoff are performed, the set play time advances due to the power of the mainspring, and the relay and cutoff of the video signal and the audio signal can be independently controlled.

According to the video game timer device of the present invention, since the time setting means uses the dedicated key to set the play time and power the mainspring to the time manager, the owner of the dedicated key Only the play time can be set and the mainspring can be powered, and a person without a dedicated key cannot arbitrarily set the play time and power the mainspring.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video game timer device in which a time controller uses an electric motor as a power source and controls connection and disconnection of a plurality of switches from a game machine main body for video signals and audio signals to a television monitor. Therefore, the set play time is advanced by the power of the electric motor, and the relay and cutoff of the video signal and the audio signal can be independently controlled.

According to the video game timer device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the time setting means sets the play time to the time manager by the dedicated key, only the owner of the dedicated key can set the play time. It is not possible to set it, and those who do not have a dedicated key cannot set the play time without permission.

[0023]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire configuration of a video game timer device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing a video game timer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the video game timer device 1 of this embodiment outputs a video signal and an audio signal to the TV monitor from the upper side surface of the timer body 2 made of plastic or the like. Cable with pin jack 3
Is on the end of the cable with pin jack 3,
A video output pin jack 4 for transmitting a video signal,
A left audio output pin jack 5 and a right audio output pin jack 6 for transmitting a stereo audio signal are respectively connected, and each of these pin jacks has the same function as the pin jack output from the home game console body. It has a shape. In the figure, the tip of the cable is divided into three pieces, but the three electric wires are also insulated inside the cable so as not to come into contact with each other.

The lower part of the timer main body 2 has a predetermined cavity, and in the cavity, a pin jack insertion terminal 7 for video input, a pin jack insertion terminal 8 for left audio input and a pin jack for right audio input are inserted. The plug-in terminals 9 are provided side by side. Further, a U-shaped cutout 1 is formed on the lower side surface of the timer body 2.
0 is provided, and a cable 11 with a pin jack coming out of the game machine body is passed through the notch 10, and a video output pin jack 12 provided at the end of the cable, a left audio output pin jack 13 and a right audio output. The respective pin jacks 14 and 14 are inserted in correspondence with the respective input terminals.

Further, the cavity at the bottom of the timer main body 2 is covered with a lid 15 from the surface and fixed by a screw 16, and each output pin jack connected from the main body of the game machine is provided with a corresponding input connector. After inserting it into the plug-in terminal, fix it with the screw 16 as shown by the alternate long and short dash line. In addition, after fixing the lid 15 with the screw 16, the screw 16 is sealed, or the screw 16 has a structure that can be attached and detached only by a special tool, so that once the lid 15 is attached, it is easy to attach. The lid 15 cannot be opened and closed.

Therefore, in particular, since a child cannot easily open the lid 15, it is impossible to pull out the pin jack connected to the timer body 2 and reconnect it to the TV monitor without permission.

Further, a control button 17 for activating and deactivating the timer function inside the main body is provided on the surface of the timer main body 2. When the control button 17 is pushed once as described later, the timer inside the main body is pressed. The switch for the video signal and the switch for itself are cut off, and then pressed again to connect the switches.

Therefore, the control button 17 can activate and stop the timer function at any time within the set play time, and while the timer function is stopped, the progress of the set play time is stopped and the image disappears.
However, even if the timer function is stopped and the image disappears, the main body of the game machine is still operating. Therefore, if the control button 17 is pressed again, the set play time advances and the image continues to be displayed so that the game can be executed. Therefore, it is extremely convenient to temporarily stop the game.

On the surface of the timer body 2, the dedicated key 1
A keyhole 19 for setting a play time and powering a mainspring by a time management device provided inside the main body by 8.
The mainspring screw 20 is located at the center of the keyhole 19. In addition, the remaining time display unit 2 that displays the remaining time of the time management device provided inside the timer body 2
1 is visible. And the remaining time display unit 2
1 Scales are written at regular intervals so that you can judge how much play time you have left.

The internal structure of the timer body 2 is as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a video game timer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the video game timer device 1 of this embodiment is provided with a time management device 22 powered by a mainspring. When the control button 17 is pressed once, the control button interlock switch is activated. The power is cut off by 23 and stopped. Further, the control button interlocking switch 23 cuts off power as well as cuts off the video signal from the video input pin jack insertion terminal 7 at the same time.

Further, the time management device 22 activates the audio signal switch 24 when the remaining play time is within 5 minutes, and the left audio input pin jack insertion terminal 8 and the right audio input pin jack insertion terminal are operated. The audio signal input from 9 is cut off. Further, when the remaining play time becomes 0, the video signal switch 25 is operated to shut off the video signal input from the video input pin jack insertion terminal 7.

Therefore, when the remaining play time is within 5 minutes, the sound disappears, so that the player can determine that the end time is near and can prepare for the end of the game in advance. Therefore, especially in a type of game called a role-playing game or an adventure game, performance data is recorded in the time until the end of the play time.
Ready for the end. Furthermore, when the remaining play time reaches 0, both the sound and the image disappear, and the switch and power of the game console are not turned off. Therefore, if you set the play time again, the game continues. You can continue.

In this embodiment, the voice is turned off when the remaining time reaches 5 minutes, but the time for turning off the voice is limited to 5 minutes as long as the game can be prepared to end. It doesn't matter, it can be any time.

Here, a case where the TV monitor timer device 1 of the present embodiment is used to actually connect the TV monitor and the game machine main body will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a video game timer device according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a television monitor and a game console main body.

As shown in FIG. 4, first, a video input pin jack insertion terminal 7, a left audio input pin jack insertion terminal 8 and a right audio input pin jack insertion terminal in the lower cavity of the timer body 2. Insert the video output pin jack 12, the left audio output pin jack 13 and the right audio output pin jack 14 which are connected to the tip of the cable 11 with the pin jack coming out of the game machine main body 31, into the 9 by the screw 16. The lid 15 is sealed.

Further, a video output pin jack 4, a left audio output pin jack 5 and a right audio output pin jack 6 connected to the tip of the cable 3 with a pin jack coming out from the upper side surface of the timer body 2 are connected to a television monitor. Insert into the corresponding input pin jack plug terminals at 30.

In this state, the mainspring screw 20 is rotated from the keyhole 19 of the timer main body 2 with the special key 18, the power for the mainspring and the play time are set, and the game software 32 is inserted into the game machine main body 31. If the power source 34 is turned on, the game can be played within the set play time as in the case of playing a game on the normal game machine main body 31.

Needless to say, if the guardian other than the player manages the dedicated key 18, the player cannot arbitrarily extend the playing time.

As described above, the video game timer device 1 according to the present embodiment has the video input pin jack insertion terminal 7 for inputting the video signal and the audio signal from the game machine main body 31, and the left audio input pin jack. Each pin jack insertion terminal of the insertion terminal 8 and the right audio input pin jack insertion terminal 9, the cable 3 with a pin jack for outputting a video signal and an audio signal to the television monitor 30, and each pin jack insertion The video signal and the audio signal are connected from the game machine main body 31 to the TV monitor 30 by controlling the connection and disconnection of a plurality of switches which are connected to the terminal and the cable 3 with the pin jack and which are powered by the mainspring according to the progress of the set play time And a time management device 22 that can cut off each independently
And a time setting means for setting a play time to the time management device 22 by a dedicated key 18 and powering the mainspring, and a control button 17 for controlling the progress and stop of the set play time of the time management device 22. .

Therefore, by using the dedicated key 18 from the surface of the timer main body 2 to rotate the mainspring screw 20 to give power to the mainspring, and to play the time manager 22 provided inside the timer main body 2 in advance. By setting the time, the game machine main body 31
The video signal and the audio signal from can be appropriately cut off, the play time of the game can be mechanically limited, and the switch and the power supply of the game machine body 31 cannot be turned off. Therefore, if the play time is set again, the game continues. You can

[0043] For this reason, since it is possible to control the mechanical game play time, once and begins to play, it is not necessary to result in endlessly without play to forget the time. Moreover,
Since the switch and power of the game console 31 are not turned off and the game can be continued by setting the play time again, the game can be continued while maintaining the state until the last time, and the influence on the game content is extremely small. . Further, the game can be interrupted by appropriately stopping the progress of the set play time by the control button 17, so that it is convenient and convenient even when the player wants to interrupt the play in the middle of the game.

In particular, in this embodiment, the audio signal is cut off when the set play time of the time management device 22 reaches a predetermined remaining time, and when the remaining time becomes 0, both the audio signal and the video signal are output. It is designed to shut off. Therefore, the player can perceive that the set play time is almost over at the time when the sound disappears before the set play time is finished, and thus preparation for ending the game can be made in advance. For example, in a type of game called a role-playing game or an adventure game, by preparing for the end, such as recording performance data in the time until the end of the play time, the state until the last time is maintained The continuation of the game can be played, and the influence on the game contents is extremely small.

In addition, the time manager 22 controls the connection and disconnection of a plurality of switches by using the mainspring as a power source, and the game machine main body 31 of the video signal and the audio signal to the television monitor 30.
It relays and shuts off. Therefore, the set play time is advanced by the power of the mainspring, and the relay and cutoff of the video signal and the audio signal can be independently controlled, so that various controls can be performed very easily and the versatility is high.

Further, the time management device 2 is controlled by the dedicated key 18.
2 is to set the play time and power the mainspring. Therefore, only the owner of the dedicated key 18 can power the play time setting and the mainspring,
A person without the dedicated key 18 cannot arbitrarily set the play time and power the mainspring. For example, if the guardian other than the player manages the dedicated key 18, the player can arbitrarily extend the play time. I can't.

By the way, in the above embodiment, the video game timer device 1 having the time controller 22 powered by the mainspring was described, but the time controller 22 powered by the electric motor may be used. In other words, using an electric clock incorporating an electric motor as the time management device 22,
The video signal and the audio signal may be relayed and cut off from the game machine main body 31 to the television monitor 30 via the relay switch.

In this case, the power source of the time management unit 22 may be an AC100V commercial power source, a battery, or the like. If the outlet to the AC100V power source is unplugged or the battery is exhausted, the game is played. The video signal from the main body 31 to the television monitor 30 is blocked, or the video signal and the audio signal are blocked. Further, as in the case of the mainspring type, the play time can be set to the time management device 22 by the dedicated key, and the progress of the set play time can be stopped by the control button 17.
Other basic operations are almost the same as those of the mainspring type.

[0049] also use the time management unit 22 of such an electric type, because you can control the game play time in the same manner as clockwork, once begins to play, it is not possible to result in endlessly without play to forget the time . Moreover, the switch and the power supply of the game machine main body 31 are not turned off, and the game can be continued by setting the play time again, so that the game can be continued while maintaining the state until the last time, and the game content is affected. Very few. In addition, since the game can be interrupted by the control button 17, it is convenient and convenient when the player wants to interrupt the play in the middle of the game. Further, since the set play time is advanced by the power of the electric motor and relaying and interruption of the video signal and the audio signal can be independently controlled, various controls can be performed very easily and the versatility is high. Further, only the owner of the dedicated key can set the play time, and the person without the dedicated key cannot arbitrarily set the play time, so that the player cannot arbitrarily extend the play time.

Moreover, such an electric time management device 2 is used.
By using 2, it is possible to display the available game time on the pilot lamp, so that it is possible to easily discriminate whether or not the video game timer device 1 is in the playable state of the game. In addition, since it is not necessary to wind the mainspring as compared with the mainspring type, it is possible to easily set the play time.

The video game timer device 1 as described above.
By using, if the parents set a game play time of 1 day every morning, even if the children only enjoy the game, they can enjoy the game by just looking at the remaining time display section 21 after returning home. It's good for children's education because you can see at a glance.

[0052]

As described above, according to the video game timer device of the invention of claim 1, the video signal and the audio signal from the main body of the game machine can be shut off when a predetermined set play time elapses, so that the game machine can be automatically operated. it is possible to limit the playing time, after which no longer be the endlessly without games forget the time,
Since the switch and power of the game console cannot be turned off, you can continue playing the game by setting the play time again, so depending on the type of game, you can continue playing while maintaining the state up to the previous time, which will affect the content of the game. Is extremely small.
In addition, the game can be interrupted by appropriately stopping the progress of the set play time with the control button, which is convenient.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the video game timer device, the audio signal is cut off when the set play time of the time management device reaches a predetermined remaining time, and when the remaining time becomes 0, the audio signal and the image are displayed. By blocking both signals, the player can perceive that the set play time is near the end when the sound disappears before the set play time ends, so it is possible to prepare for the end of the game in advance. By making preparations for the end, such as recording the actual data until the end of the play time, you can continue playing the game again while maintaining the state up to the previous time, and the effect on the game content is extremely Few.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the timer device for a video game relays and cuts off the video signal and the audio signal from the game machine main body to the television monitor by controlling connection and disconnection of a plurality of switches by using a mainspring as a power source. As a result, the set play time is advanced by the power of the mainspring, and the relay and interruption of the video signal and the audio signal can be independently controlled, so that various controls can be performed very easily and the versatility is high.

In the video game timer device according to the invention of claim 4, the play time is set and the mainspring is powered by the dedicated key by the dedicated key, so that only the owner of the dedicated key can set the play time and the mainspring. Since it is not possible to give power to a player who does not have a dedicated key to set the play time and power the mainspring without permission, if a guardian other than the player manages the dedicated key, the player can play without permission. Cannot be extended.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video game timer device, which uses an electric motor as a power source to control connection and disconnection of a plurality of switches to relay and disconnect video signals and audio signals from the game machine main body to a television monitor. As a result, the set play time advances due to the power of the electric motor,
Since relaying and interruption of video and audio signals can be controlled independently, various controls can be performed very easily, versatility is provided, and the gameable time can also be displayed on the pilot lamp, making it playable. It is possible to easily distinguish whether or not it is in such a state.

In the video game timer device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the play time is set in the time management unit by the dedicated key, so that only the owner of the dedicated key can set the play time. Since the person who does not have the play time cannot set the play time without permission, if the guardian other than the player manages the exclusive key, the player cannot arbitrarily extend the play time and the play time can be easily set.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a video game timer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a video game timer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a video game timer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a video game timer device according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a television monitor and a game console main body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Video game timer device 2 Timer body 3 Cable with pin jack 4 Video output pin jack 5 Left audio output pin jack 6 Right audio output pin jack 7 Video input pin jack insertion terminal 8 Left audio input pin jack Plug-in terminal 9 Right audio input pin jack Plug-in terminal 11 Cable with pin jack 12 Video output pin jack 13 Left audio output pin jack 14 Right audio output pin jack 15 Lid 16 Screw 17 Control button 18 Exclusive key 20 Mainspring Screws 21 Remaining time display 22 Time management device 23 Control button interlocking switch 24 Audio signal switch 25 Video signal switch 30 Television monitor 31 Game console body 32 Game software 33 Controller

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A pin jack plug-in terminal for inputting a video signal and an audio signal from a game console, a cable with a pin jack for outputting the video signal and the audio signal to a television monitor, and the pin jack plug A time management device that is connected to a plug-in terminal and a cable with a pin jack, and that relays the video signal and the audio signal from the game machine body to a television monitor according to the progress status of a set play time and that can be independently interrupted. A video game timer device comprising: time setting means for setting a play time for the time management device; and a control button for controlling progress and stop of a set play time of the time management device. 2. The time controller shuts off the audio signal when the set play time reaches a predetermined remaining time, and shuts off both the audio signal and the video signal when the remaining play time becomes 0. The video game timer device according to claim 1, wherein the timer device is a video game timer device. 3. The time management device relays and cuts off the video signal and the audio signal from the game machine main body to the television monitor by controlling connection and disconnection of a plurality of switches by using a mainspring as a power source. The video game timer device according to claim 1. 4. The time setting means powers the play time setting and the mainspring to the time management device by a dedicated key, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3. Video game timer device. 5. The time management device relays and cuts off the video signal and the audio signal from the game machine body to a television monitor by controlling connection and disconnection of a plurality of switches by using an electric motor as a power source. The timer device for a video game according to claim 1 or 2. 6. The time setting means sets a play time for the time manager with a dedicated key, according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 5. Video game timer device.