JPH10137447A - Software emulator for executing differently described software and input-output device in certain game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a software emulator and an input-output device for execut ing differently described software in a certain game device. SOLUTION: A ROM cassette in the second format 20 in which software described in the second format for a game device B is stored is connected to the cassette installing opening 30c of a control adaptor 30 and the adaptor 30 is connected to a three-pin connector on the main body 10 of a game device A. Then an emulation cassette 50 is inserted into the cassette insertion opening 10a on the main body 10 of the game device A to activate the main body 10 of the game device A. The main body 10 of the game device A operates with the execution of an emulation program, reads software for the game device B from the ROM cassette 20 via the adaptor 30, interprets and executes the software at the main body 10 of the game device A by the emulation program.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a software emulator and an input / output device for executing software having different descriptions on a certain game machine.

[0002]

[Prior art]

==== Game Device Using Television ==== Game devices connected to a television and played at ordinary homes have become widespread. It is composed of a game device body containing a computer, a high-speed image processing circuit, and the like, a ROM cassette storing software including a game program and data, and a controller operated by a player.
Various software ROM cassettes are provided to users. The video / audio output of the game device body is connected to the television with a predetermined cable, and the cable of the controller is connected to the connector of the game device body. Insert the ROM cassette of the desired game into the cassette insertion slot of the game device body. Thus, the game image is displayed on the screen of the television, and a game sound is generated from the speaker of the television. The player enjoys the game by operating the controller by hand while watching the television.

[0003] Several products of this kind are sold by several manufacturers. For example, the product names "Family Computer", "Super Nintendo" or "NINTEN" provided by Nintendo Co., Ltd.
DO64 "is a typical game device. As is well known, the “family computer” uses an 8-bit processing CPU, and the “super Nintendo” uses 16 CPUs.
"NINTENDO64" is 6 for bit processing CPU.
A high-speed, high-performance CPU with 4-bit processing is used. C
As the speed and functionality of PUs have increased, more complex, high-definition, and realistic game images can be processed.

==== A small and inexpensive display-integrated game device ==== A display-integrated game device that does not use a television is also in widespread use. In this system, a controller section operated by a player and a liquid crystal display panel section for displaying a game image are integrated with a computer together with a computer. The software is also in the form of a ROM cassette, and cassettes for various games are provided. By simply inserting the ROM cassette of the desired game into the cassette insertion slot of the game device, a game image is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel and a game sound is produced. The player holds the game device by hand and operates the controller of the game device while watching and listening to the game image and the game sound. A typical product of this type of game machine is a product name "Game Boy" provided by Nintendo Co., Ltd., which uses an 8-bit processing CPU.

==== Compatibility of software between game machines of different models ==== For a game machine of a certain model, RO of software dedicated to the model is provided.
M cassettes are supplied. A ROM cassette for one type of game device cannot be used for another type of game device. There is no compatibility between different models in both software and hardware. That is, a ROM cassette for a certain type of game device cannot be fitted into another type of game device. Not only that, even if a different type of ROM cassette is electrically connected to a certain game device by providing an adapter for inset connection, the game device computer architecture differs depending on the model, and the software description format changes accordingly. Other models of software cannot be executed.

==== Adapter for Executing Software of One Model on Another Model ==== Nintendo Co., Ltd. sells an adapter called "Super Game Boy". In this method, a ROM cassette for "Game Boy" which is a display-integrated game device is connected to "Super Nintendo" which is a game device of a television type so that a game of the ROM cassette can be displayed on a television and played. Adapter for This adapter "Super Game Boy" can be inserted into the cassette insertion slot of the game device body of "Super Nintendo". Also, ROM for "Game Boy"
The cassette can be inserted into the cassette slot of the adapter "Super Game Boy".

[0007] An adapter such as the above "Super Game Boy" is a simple conversion connector for simply inserting a different type of ROM cassette into a cassette insertion slot of a certain kind of game device (utilized game device) and electrically connecting them. is not. The adapter includes information conversion means for converting software information of a different type of ROM cassette into information in a format that can be executed by the utilizing game device, and interface means for transferring the converted game information to the utilizing game device.
The conversion of the game information includes a rather troublesome process of converting game image information in a format (heterogeneous format) to be displayed on the liquid crystal display panel into image information for television display of the utilized game device. In the conventional adapter, the information conversion means and the interface means are realized by a dedicated digital signal processing circuit.

[0008]

The above-described conventional digital signal processing circuit includes a dedicated processor for executing software, and further converts a received control signal and image data to be transmitted. A processor must also be installed. In addition, memories such as a working RAM, a video RAM, and a buffer RAM that are required in the processing of each processor are also required. Further, in order to attach color data to monochrome image data, it is necessary to prepare and mount a ROM in which color data is stored in advance. Such processors, memory, RAM,
Designing the digital signal processing circuit using a ROM,
If incorporated on a circuit board, the circuit configuration is inevitably very complicated, and the cost is high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a method of executing software of different models by performing emulation processing, an emulation adapter, and an emulation storage medium. Is to do.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by means having the following constitution.

[0011] In the first game device, a method for interpreting and executing software written for a second game device different from the first game device on the first game device,
The following requirements (1) to (6) are provided.

(1) The first type of game apparatus A detachably connects a first type of medium coupler to which a first type of storage medium is detachably coupled, and a first type of input / output device. One or more types of input / output device couplers of the first type, and reads and executes software written in the first format and stored in the first type storage medium from the medium coupler. .

(2) There is a second type of storage medium storing a program and data described differently from the software of the first game apparatus, and the second type of removable storage medium is used to execute the program. There is a second type of game device B.

(3) A function of the second type game apparatus B is emulated by software, and a program for a software emulator for executing the second type software on the game apparatus A is stored in the first type storage medium. Prepare a storage medium.

(4) A first game device operation input unit corresponding to the second type operation input device is provided.

(5) The software (program / data) stored in the second type storage medium is transferred to the RAM of the game apparatus A via the first type medium coupler or the first type input / output device coupler. (6) The program for the software emulator is a game device A
The program is described in a language that can be directly executed on the game device and is adapted to the system of the game device. The program emulates the hardware of the second type of game device, and is developed on the RAM of the game device A. This is a system that can use software described in the second format.

Further, as means for transferring software stored in the second type storage medium according to the above requirement (5) for use in carrying out the method, the software is mounted on the first input / output device coupler. A second type of storage medium adapter is used.

Further, the adapter has an input function corresponding to the operation input device of the second type.

Further, the adapter has an input function corresponding to the second type operation input device and an input function which can also be used as the first type operation input device.

The emulation software in the above method interprets and executes the software described in the second format on the first game device, and converts the video and audio effects that cannot be obtained on the second game device into the first game device. It is possible to provide using the function of the game device.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

==== Overview of the Entire System ==== <Basic Configuration> In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a “NINTENDO64” (first type) which is a 64-bit game device using a television is used. Of the game device A), a control adapter (emulation adapter) 30 is connected to the main body 10 via a cable 30b. A ROM cassette 20 for a “Game Boy” (a second type of game device B), which is an 8-bit game device with an integrated display, is mounted on the adapter 30, and an emulation cassette (emulation storage medium) 50 is mounted on the main body 10. Mounting. Of course the body 10
Is connected to a television (not shown).

<Basic Operation> When the main body 10 is powered on, the emulation program in the cassette is read into the main body 10 and immediately executed. With this execution, the software for the game device B in the ROM cassette 20 is read into the main body 10 via the control adapter 30 and the cable 30b, and the software emulation processing is performed. By this processing, the software for the game device B is converted into a data format executable by the game device A main body 10 and executed. The game image is displayed on a television connected to the main body 10 and the game sound is transmitted from a speaker of the television. Output. The player listens to and listens to the game image and the game sound while controlling various switches (operation input units) 30 of the control adapter 30.
a is operated to play the game.

==== Each Component Unit ==== <ROM Cassette for Game Apparatus B> R for Game Apparatus B
The OM cassette 20 is made for the game device B as described in the section of the related art, and the data format of the stored software is different from that for the game device A. In addition, this cassette is basically different in the specification of the connector portion, and the cassette insertion slot 10a of the game apparatus A is different.
It does not have a structure that can be attached directly to the camera. Such a ROM cassette 20 for the game apparatus B is mounted on the control adapter 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the software is stored in the memory IC 20a, and is read out in cooperation with the memory controller 20b under the control of the adapter 30 when there is a transfer request from the main body 10.

<Control Adapter> As shown in FIG. 1, the adapter 30 includes a switch 30a composed of a cross key switch and a push button switch, and a cassette insertion slot (a second slot) in which the ROM cassette 20 for the game apparatus B can be mounted. Type media coupler) 30c. These switches 30a have the same form and arrangement as the controller dedicated to the game apparatus B, and are used to move the game character up, down, left, and right, and to perform various settings and start and stop commands. Cassette insertion slot 30
“c” has the same connector structure as that of the main body of the game apparatus B, and can read software from the loaded ROM cassette 20 as appropriate. The cable 30b extending from the adapter 30 can be connected to any of the three-pole connectors of the game apparatus A main body 10 via the cable-side connector 30f.

As shown in FIG. 2, a circuit inside the adapter 30 is a controller-dedicated LSI 30d for executing processing.
(Interface unit), and each switch 30
a and the connector terminal 30e of the cassette insertion slot 30c.
Is connected. Also, the controller dedicated LSI 30
d is connected to the main body 10 via the cable 30b.

The controller dedicated LSI 30d is connectable to a joystick type controller. The dedicated LSI 30d is connected to the connector terminal 30e from the ROM cassette 20 in response to a transfer request from the main body 10.
And reads the software into the main unit 10 and sends it out. At this time, the dedicated LSI 30d transmits the control signal and the address signal to the ROM cassette 20.
Reads out software while sending to the side.

The dedicated LSI 30d converts a control signal dedicated to the game apparatus B generated by a switch operation of the player into a format for the game apparatus A main body 10, and sends it to the main body 10 in the form of a serial signal. For example, regarding a control signal from a cross key switch for moving the game character up, down, left, and right, the game device A
The dedicated controller 40 converts the signal into the same signal format as the signal from the corresponding cross key switch, and sends it to the main body 10 via the cable 30b.

As described above, the dedicated L of the adapter 30 is used.
The SI 30d receives a transfer request from the main unit 10, converts the function of serially transferring software to the main unit 10 via the cable 30b, and converts a control signal.
b, a function of serially transmitting the data to the main unit 10 is provided, whereby a bidirectional serial interface between the adapter 30 and the main unit 10 is realized. For this reason, the main body 10 receives the control signal as if it had been sent from the game apparatus A dedicated controller 40. Therefore, the adapter 30 can be used as a controller for playing software installed in the ROM cassette dedicated to the game apparatus A, which is originally mounted.

<Emulation Cassette> The emulation cassette 50 has a connector having the same structure as that of the game cassette dedicated to the game apparatus A. As shown in FIG.
The emulation program stored in the main body cassette insertion slot 10a is read. This program is described in a data format that can be executed by the 64-bit CPU of the game apparatus A main body 10, and as described above, the software is executed by executing this program.
It is read from the OM cassette 20 into the main body 10 and interpreted. At this time, as described later, not only the interpretation of the software itself but also the conversion of image data are performed. That is, the image data generated by executing the interpreted software is converted from the main body 10 into a data format that can be displayed on a television.

<Game Apparatus A Main Body> As shown in FIG. 1, the game apparatus A main body 10 has a cassette insertion slot (first type medium coupler) 10a and four three-pole connectors (first type input / output). , 10b). Originally, the game device A is inserted into the cassette insertion slot 10a.
A ROM cassette (first-type storage medium) storing a dedicated game program is detachably connected. Instead, an emulation cassette 50 storing an emulation program is connected in the present invention. Also, the controller for game device A (input / output device of the first type) 40 is originally detachably connected to the three-pole connector.
To the control adapter 30. Although not shown, the main body 10 has a video terminal and an audio terminal, and is connected to a television via these terminals to output a game image and a game sound therefrom.

As an internal circuit of the main body 10, a buffer RAM, a working RAM (not shown), and peripheral LSIs are connected mainly to a 64-bit microprocessor CPU. As shown in FIG. 3, the peripheral LSI is composed of a three-dimensional graphics sound LSI 11 for performing high-speed processing of three-dimensional graphics data and game sound data, and a Rambus specification DRAM module 12 as a frame buffer thereof. You. The internal data bus 11c of the LSI 11 has a CPU
13 and the DRAM module 12, a 3-pole connector 1
0b and the connector of the cassette insertion slot 10a, the control adapter 30 and the emulation cassette 50,
Video DA converter 14 and audio DA converter 15
Etc. are connected. Further, a removable storage device such as a CD-ROM can be connected to the internal data bus 11c via the three-pole connector 10b. The audio DA converter 15 is connected to an audio terminal via an amplifier (not shown) and an RF modulator, and is connected to an audio input terminal of the television via a predetermined cable (not shown). In addition, D-
The A converter 14 is connected to a video terminal via an RF modulator, and from here is connected to a video input terminal of a television via a predetermined cable (not shown).

==== Reading Software to Be Emulated ==== As a basic operation, when the game apparatus A main body 10 is started by turning on the power to the main body 10, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. After performing a predetermined reset process (S1), the CPU 13 performs an initialization process (S2). At this time, the CPU 13 reads an emulation program from the emulation cassette 50 connected to the cassette insertion slot 10a in FIG. 1, expands the program into the RAM, and executes the emulation program. After that, the main unit 1
0 works.

First, software is read from the ROM cassette 20 for the game apparatus B attached to the control adapter 30 and loaded into the RAM of the main body 10 (S3). Next, it is determined whether the developed software is genuine for the game device B (“Game Boy”) or compatible with “Super Game Boy” described in the section of the prior art (S
4). Next, additional functions according to the respective differences are set (S5, S6), emulation of software as described later is started, and the software is interpreted and executed (S5).
7, S8).

Here, the additional functions refer to various changes of the game image displayed on the television screen, the speed of the game image changing on the television screen, screen effects, sound effects, and the like. Once the game starts, the execution of the emulated software continues unless the player presses the button switch 30a corresponding to the end key and inputs the control signal. If the control signal is input, the process returns to S3 to read the software again (S9,
S10) Thereafter, the processing as described above is performed.

==== Emulation Processing ==== <Emulation of Game Algorithm for Game Apparatus B> The data format of the software read from the ROM cassette 20 for game apparatus B to the main body 10 via the control adapter 30 is, of course, However, it can be executed by the 8-bit CPU of the game apparatus B. With respect to the algorithm of the software, the emulation program converts the machine code into a data format executable by the 64-bit CPU 13 of the main body 10 and executes the game to advance the game.

<Emulation of Image Data> Image data is generated along with execution of the emulated game algorithm. This image data is stored in a bit matrix type monochrome liquid crystal display of the game apparatus B itself. It is dot data in map format. Specifically, bit data indicating the degree of luminance and contrast is assigned for each dot. For example, data of four gradations (2 bits) is serially generated on a liquid crystal display in units of horizontal dots. Will be done. Naturally, data of such a format cannot be handled as it is by an internal circuit of the main body 10 designed to output to a raster scan type television.

Accordingly, the CPU 13 of the main body 10 converts such image data into polygon data by a predetermined algorithm by executing an emulation program, and converts this into polygon data by a buffer RA connected to the CPU 13.
Stored in M. Then, the stored polygon data is sent to the three-dimensional graphics / sound LSI 11 and subjected to coordinate transformation, clipping, and light source calculation in the geometry section 11a as shown in FIG. Rendering unit 1 for the data on which the geometric operation has been performed in this way
In step 1b, interpolation (rasterizing) between pixel data and Z value comparison processing are performed, and the data is sent to the RF modulator via the moving image DA converter as three-dimensional data. At this time, the process proceeds while reading and writing the processing data into the frame buffer (DRAM) 12 as appropriate. Then, the three-dimensional image data sent to the RF modulator is displayed as a three-dimensional game image on a television screen via a video terminal and a cable.

==== Other Functions ==== <ROM Cassette Reset Function for Game Machine B> In a normal game machine B, a function of performing a reset operation realized by hardware by emulation processing of an emulation program. Then, as shown in steps A10 to A90 of the flowchart of FIG. 5, the processing is as follows.

It is assumed that when the power of the game machine A is ON and the emulation program is being executed, for example, the reset button for the game machine B provided on the control adapter is pressed. This operation is recognized by the emulation program, and the emulation program interrupts the emulation of the game software, and first determines whether the ROM cassette for the game machine B needs to communicate with the game machine A, or backs up the ROM cassette for the game machine B. Judgment is made as to whether data writing is necessary. If communication is necessary, the end of communication is waited. If communication is not necessary, emulation of a reset operation is immediately performed, and emulation of game software is started.

One of the effects brought about by this function is that by resetting the ROM cassette for the game machine B by software emulation, if the player needs to back up the game, the player resets the game during the backup and the backup data is reset. Will not be destroyed.

<ROM cassette power supply for game machine B ON /
OFF function> ROM cassette power supply ON / OFF realized by hardware in normal game machine B
Is performed by emulation processing of an emulation program. The processing is as follows as shown in steps B10 to B130 in the flowchart of FIG.

When the power of the game machine A is ON and the emulation program is being executed, and the power of the ROM cassette for the game machine B is ON, for example,
Assuming that the player presses the power switch for game machine B provided on the control adapter, the emulation program determines that the power switch has been pressed, and the emulation program suspends the emulation of game machine B. Whether the ROM cassette for machine B needs to communicate with game machine A,
Determines whether or not backup data must be written to the cassette. If communication is necessary, wait for the communication to end. If communication is not required, immediately emulate a power-off operation for the power supply of the ROM cassette for game machine B. I do. At the same time, a turn-off signal is sent to the access lamp. Upon receiving the power-off signal, the ROM cassette power supply ON / OFF element for game machine B disconnects the power line of the ROM cassette for game machine B. The access lamp is turned off to notify the player that the power of the ROM cassette for the game machine B is off. Further, a message is displayed on the display indicating that the ROM cassette for the game machine B can be inserted and removed and that the power of the game machine A can be turned off.

When the power of the game machine A is ON, the emulation program is being executed, and the power supply of the ROM cassette for the game machine B is OFF, for example, when the player operates the game machine B provided on the control adapter, If the power switch is pressed, the emulation program determines that the power switch has been pressed, emulates a power ON operation for the power supply of the ROM cassette for the game machine B, and simultaneously sends a lighting signal to the access lamp. I do. Upon receiving the power ON signal, the ROM cassette power ON / OFF element for the game machine B connects the power line of the ROM cassette for the game machine B. The access lamp is turned on to notify the player that the power of the ROM cassette for the game machine B is ON. Next, the emulation program starts emulation of the game software.

One of the effects brought about by this function is that the power of the ROM cassette for the game machine B is turned on / off by soft emulation, so that if the player needs a backup of the game, the power of the game is turned off during the backup. Will not destroy the backup data.

<Access Lamp Function> The emulation program is executed when the ROM cassette for the game machine B is communicating with the game machine A, for example, the ROM for the game machine B.
When the backup data is being written to the cassette or the backup data is being read from the ROM cassette for the game machine B, the access lamp is turned on as shown in steps C10 to C80 in the flowchart of FIG.
Sends a blink signal. In this way, the player can clearly see whether the power of the ROM cassette for game machine B is ON / OFF and whether the ROM cassette for game machine B is in communication with game machine A, depending on the state of the access lamp.

==== Another Embodiment ==== In the above-described embodiment, the software for the game apparatus B is stored in the ROM dedicated to the game apparatus B via the control adapter 30.
It was read from the cassette 20 into the main body 10. Here, as another embodiment, software for the game apparatus B is stored in an emulation cassette 50 together with an emulation program, and the software is read into the main body 10 from here. After reading, emulation processing is performed and software is executed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. At this time, the game play is performed by the controller 40 dedicated to the main body 10 by omitting the ROM cassette 20 dedicated to the game apparatus B and the control adapter 30 to which the ROM cassette 20 is attached. The operation may be performed by the controller. Thereby, a plurality of players can participate in the game.

As another embodiment of the present invention, a CD-RO
The software for the game apparatus B may be stored in a general-purpose storage device such as an M or a magnetic disk, and this storage device may be connected to the three-pole connector 10b of the main body 10, and the software may be read into the main body 10 from here. That is, the emulation cassette 5
From 0, an emulation program is read into the main unit 10, and software is read from the storage device according to the operating sequence of the program. Then, emulation processing is performed and software is executed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. At this time, the game play operation is performed by the game device A dedicated controller 40 by omitting the game device B dedicated ROM cassette 20 and the control adapter to which the game device B dedicated ROM cassette 20 is attached. The operation may be performed by the controller.

[0048]

As described above, in the present invention,
When executing different types of software, the game device A interprets and executes the software by executing an emulation program in the form of electronic data. Therefore, there is no need to prepare a complicated digital signal processing circuit centered on a special purpose processor as in the related art, and the cost can be significantly reduced.

Even if there are various changes in the specifications of the software data format, the functions added thereto, and the game device actually used, it can be dealt with simply by changing the emulation program. In this respect, the cost performance is also advantageous.

If the emulation adapter is provided with an input function that can also be used as a first type input / output device in addition to having an input function corresponding to the second type input / output device, the first type Even when the original usage of the game device A, that is, when the software described in the first format and stored in the storage medium of the same format is read out from the same type of medium coupler and executed, the operation input can be performed using this adapter, There is no need to connect input / output devices for the game device A. If this adapter is used together with the controller dedicated to the game device A, a plurality of players can play a game at the same time.

Further, if the software described in the format for the game apparatus B is stored in the storage medium for the game A together with the emulation program, the storage medium for the game apparatus B and the emulation adapter to which the storage medium is mounted are provided. Can be omitted. Therefore, an emulation function can be realized with a minimum configuration.

Furthermore, if the software described in the format for the game apparatus B is stored in a general-purpose storage medium connected to the game apparatus A, the storage medium for the game B and the emulation for mounting the same can be stored. Adapters can be omitted. In addition, if a large-capacity storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a magnetic disk is used as a general-purpose storage medium and various kinds of software are stored therein, it is not necessary to replace the storage medium when playing different kinds of games. You can enjoy many kinds of games.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of the same system.

FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram of a three-dimensional graphics / sound LSI of the game apparatus A according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an RO for a game machine B in the system according to the present invention;
6 is a flowchart illustrating an M cassette reset function.

FIG. 6 shows an RO for a game machine B in the system according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an M cassette power ON / OFF function.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an access ramp function in the system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game device A main body 10a Cassette insertion slot of game device A main body 10b Three-pole connector of game device A main body 11 3D graphics / sound LSI 11c Data bus 12 Rambus specification DRAM module as frame buffer 20 Game cassette ROM cassette 20a Memory IC 20b Memory controller 30 Control adapter 30a Various switches 30b Bidirectional communication cable 30c Cassette insertion slot 30d Control adapter dedicated LSI 30e Connector terminal 30f Cable side connector 40 Game device A dedicated controller 50 Emulation cassette

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A method for interpreting and executing, on a first game device, software written for a second game device different from the first game device on the first game device, the method comprising: Requirements (1) to (6) are provided. (1) The first type of game apparatus A has a first type medium coupler to which a first type storage medium is detachably coupled and a first type input / output device detachably connected. It has at least one type of input / output device coupler, and reads and executes software written in the first format and stored in the first type storage medium from the medium coupler. (2) There is a second type of storage medium in which a program and data different from the software of the first game device are stored, and a second type of storage medium for executing the second type of removable storage medium program. Game device B. (3) A storage medium in which a function of the second type game apparatus B is emulated by software and a software emulator program for executing the second type software on the game apparatus A is stored in the first type storage medium. prepare. (4) A first game device operation input unit corresponding to the second type operation input device. (5) The software (program / data) stored in the second type storage medium is transferred to the RA of the game apparatus A via the first type medium coupler or the first type input / output device coupler.
(6) The program for the soft emulator is a game device A
The program is written in a language that can be directly executed on the game device A and adapted to the system of the game device A. The program emulates the hardware of the second type of game device, and is developed on the RAM of the game device A. Is a system that can use software described in the second format. 2. A means for transferring software stored in a storage medium of the second type according to the above requirement (5) for use in carrying out the method of claim 1, wherein said first input / output device is provided. A second type storage medium adapter to be attached to the coupler. 3. The adapter according to claim 2, wherein the adapter has an input function corresponding to an operation input device of the second type. 4. An adapter for a storage medium of the second type according to claim 3, comprising an input function corresponding to the operation input device of the second type and an input function that can also be used as an operation input device of the first type. An adapter. 5. The first game device according to claim 1, wherein the first game device interprets and executes the software according to the description in the second format, and displays the video and audio effects that cannot be obtained with the second game device. Emulation software that can be provided using functions.