JPH1196051A - Software rewriting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a convenient software rewriting system capable of efficiently selling only software. SOLUTION: Plural sorts of game programs to be sold to customers are stored in a CD-ROM 40. When a game cassette 10 brought with a customer is set up in a cassette writer 20, a purchase game selection picture for selecting plural sorts of game programs stored in the CD-ROM 40 is displayed on a store terminal 30. A list of game programs allowed to be purchased and the title, price and total data size of each selected game program are also displayed on the purchase game selection picture. Thereby the customer can optionally select a game program to be purchased. After the end of selection of game programs, the display of the terminal 30 is switched to a game deleting picture. On the game deleting picture, the customer can specify a game program to be deleted to specify the game program of which purchase is to be canceled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a software rewriting system, and more particularly, to a program (for example, a game program) written in a storage medium brought by a user to sell the program to the user. Software rewriting system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the rapid spread of computer equipment,
Software is frequently traded in a wide range of fields, such as games, education, and business. At present, the mainstream of the transaction is a recording medium (floppy disk, ROM cartridge, CD-R) storing a software program.
OM etc.) to the user as package software.

However, for the user, the program itself is important, and the recording medium for storing the program is not important. If only programs can be provided to users, the cost of recording media can be reduced,
Software can be provided at a lower cost. On the other hand, the store does not need to stock the recording media storing the programs for each type of software, which saves space and prevents accumulation of funds, thus enabling more sound management. Becomes

[0004] Therefore, it is strongly desired to realize a vending apparatus capable of selling only a program. The present invention is directed to a system that sells only a program to a user by writing the program on a recording medium brought by the user. For that purpose, it is necessary to rewrite the program stored in the recording medium.

Conventionally, as a technique for writing a program on a recording medium, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-684 (hereinafter referred to as a first conventional technique) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 59-229873 (hereinafter referred to as a second conventional technique) have been proposed. (Referred to as technology) are known.

[0006]

However, both the first and second prior arts are intended only to write one type of program on a recording medium, and a plurality of types of programs are written on one recording medium. Nothing is taught or suggested about the problems and methods of organizing and writing. If only one type of program is always written on one recording medium, the user must bear the cost of the recording medium for each program.
You cannot enjoy the expected cost benefits. When the first and second prior arts are extended to write a plurality of types of programs on one recording medium,
It is not possible to know which program is to be rewritten, and there is a possibility that a program that is desired to be retained may be overwritten. In addition, since the user does not know the remaining capacity of the recording medium, the user knows the capacity of the program to be written and the capacity of each type of the written program when selecting the type of the program that can be purchased. An appropriate capacity range type must be selected by artificial judgment. As described above, when the writing device according to the related art is used as a software vending device, such a vending device is inconvenient to use and may destroy a program to be kept.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a software rewriting system which can efficiently sell only software and is easy to use.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention A first invention is a system for rewriting a software program stored in a storage medium brought by a customer,
From software storage means storing a plurality of types of software programs to be sold to customers, and from a plurality of types of software stored in the software storage means,
It is determined whether the purchase software selection means for selecting one or more software to be purchased by the customer and whether or not the free space of the storage medium is larger than the total data amount of the software selected by the purchase software selection means. Writing control means for sequentially writing the selected software program to the storage medium only in the case.

As described above, according to the first aspect, only the software can be sold by rewriting the software program stored in the storage medium brought by the customer. Even if a software program is already written in the storage medium, the program of the selected software is written only when the free space is larger than the total data amount of the selected software. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation where an already written program is overwritten and destroyed.

[0010] In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the apparatus further comprises first display means for displaying a list of a plurality of types of software stored in the software storage means,
The purchased software selection means is characterized by selecting one or more software to be purchased by the customer from a list of a plurality of types of software displayed on the first display means.

As described above, according to the second aspect, a list of a plurality of types of software stored in the software storage means is displayed, and the customer selects software to be purchased from the list. This makes it easy to select software.

[0012] The third invention is the second invention, further comprising second display means for displaying a list of software selected by the purchased software selection means and a total data amount.

As described above, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the list of the selected software and the total data amount are displayed, so that the selection result can be easily confirmed and the selection operation can be mistaken. Can be performed without any problems.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, a third display means for displaying a list of software written on the storage medium, and a third display means for displaying a list of software written on the storage medium. The apparatus further includes an erasing software selecting unit for selecting one or more software to be erased from a list of software, and an erasing unit for erasing a software program selected by the erasing software selecting unit from a storage medium.

[0015] As described above, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the software written on the storage medium can be selectively erased, so that the total data amount of the software selected for purchase is reduced by the free space of the storage medium. Even if the capacity is exceeded,
Purchasing is possible by erasing unnecessary written software.

In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the erasing means determines that the free space of the storage medium is equal to the purchased software selection means when it is assumed that the software selected by the erasing software selection means has been erased from the storage medium. The program of the software selected by the erasing software selecting means is erased from the storage medium based on the determination that the data is larger than the total data amount of the software selected by the software.

As described above, according to the fifth aspect, the free space of the storage medium when the predetermined condition (that is, the software selected for erasing is erased from the storage medium) is reduced. Therefore, the program of the software selected for erasure is erased from the storage medium only when the condition that the total data amount of the software selected is larger than the total data amount of the selected software is satisfied. Therefore, the predetermined condition is not satisfied. However, it is possible to prevent a situation in which software is accidentally erased.

In a sixth aspect based on the fifth aspect, the fourth display means for displaying the free space of the storage medium when it is assumed that the software selected by the erased software selection means has been erased from the storage medium. In addition.

As described above, according to the sixth aspect, the free space of the storage medium can be easily confirmed when it is assumed that the software selected for erasure has been erased from the storage medium. It is not necessary to select software to be erased more than necessary.

In a seventh aspect based on the first aspect, the software storage means includes a software selection screen for selecting software to be executed when the software is used, together with a plurality of types of software programs to be sold to the customer. A software selection program to be displayed is stored, and the writing control means writes the software selection program to the storage medium together with the software selected by the purchased software selection means.

As described above, according to the seventh aspect, the software selection program is written in the storage medium together with the software selected for purchase, so that the software can be easily selected when executing the software. It becomes possible.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable rewritable storage medium, wherein a first writable and readable storage area for storing a program for an intended use of the program by a customer; And a second readable / writable second storage area for storing a software selection program for selecting a type of program when a plurality of types of programs are heard in the first storage area.
When set in a computer system that sells software, a program of the selected software is written in the storage area of the first storage area.
When a plurality of software programs are written in the storage area, a software selection program for selecting any one type of program is written by the computer system, and the software written in the first storage area is executed. The software selection program written in the second storage area is executed, the software to be executed is selected, and the program of the selected type of software is stored in the first storage area. Is read out from the storage area and executed.

In a ninth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the apparatus further comprises a third storage area for storing data related to the program, wherein the third storage area includes software written in the first storage area. For each type, the corresponding software name data and the data amount of the software are
Written by the computer system.

In a tenth aspect based on the ninth aspect, the program written in the first storage area is a program for a game, the information processing device is a game machine, and the game machine executes the game. When the program is executed, the program further comprises backup data storage means for storing backup data generated by the progress of the game and used in connection with the progress of the game, wherein the backup data storage means has a first storage area. In accordance with the type of software to be written, backup data corresponding to each software is written as the game progresses.

According to an eleventh aspect, in the tenth aspect,
A computer-readable recording medium recording a plurality of types of software programs to be sold to a customer and a write control program for writing the software programs to a storage medium set in the computer system. Executing the write control program to select one or more pieces of software to be purchased by the customer from a plurality of types of software, and determine whether the free space of the storage medium is larger than the total data amount of the selected software. It is characterized in that the program of the selected software is sequentially written to the storage medium only when it is determined to be larger.

[0026]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first configuration example of a software rewriting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a software rewriting system according to the present embodiment includes a cassette writer 20 for writing a game program into a set game cassette 10.
And an in-store terminal 30 for operating the cassette writer 20.

The cassette writer 20 includes a CPU 21 and C
It includes a D-ROM drive 22, a RAM 23, a flash memory 24, an ASIC 25, and a connector 26. The CPU 21 includes a CD-ROM drive 22, an RA
M23, flash memory 24, and ASIC 25 are connected. The connector 26 is connected to the ASIC 25. The connector 11 in the game cassette 10 is detachably attached to the connector 26. by this,
The game cassette 10 and the cassette writer 20 are electrically connected. The in-store terminal 30 is directly connected to the internal bus 27 of the cassette writer 20, and
It is connected to U21.

The CD-ROM drive 22 reads data from the set CD-ROM 40 and
Give to. As described later, this data includes a write control program, a game selection program, a game program, and related information. The CPU 21 performs an operation according to the above-described write control program. RA
M23 stores the game program and related information read from the CD-ROM 22, and data necessary for the arithmetic processing of the CPU 21. The flash memory 24 stores C
The write control program read from the D-ROM drive 22 is stored. The ASIC 25 controls writing and reading of data to and from the game cassette 10 according to a command from the CPU 21. That is, the ASIC 25
Functions as an input / output interface for the game cassette 10 and a memory (flash memory 12, SRAM 13 in FIG. 3 described later) in the game cassette 10.
Has a function of selecting a memory block.

The in-store terminal 30 may be connected to the CPU 21 via a LAN cable 29 and a LAN board 28 as shown in FIG. Also, the CPU 21
May be configured to work in conjunction with the electronic cash register 50 connected via the LAN cable 29 and the LAN board 28. In the system configuration of FIG. 1, the physical distance between the cassette writer 20 and the in-store terminal 30 is short, but in the system configuration of FIG. 2, the in-store terminal 30 is installed at a position away from the cassette writer 20. The system configuration of FIG. 1 is such that a clerk who hears an order from a customer
It is suitable for a store where the user operates 0. On the other hand, FIG.
Is suitable for a store where the customer himself / herself operates the in-store terminal 30 to order a required game program.

FIG. 3 shows the game cassette 10 shown in FIG.
And the game machine 60 to which the game cassette 10 is connected.
It is a block diagram which shows a detailed structure. Referring to FIG. 3, game cassette 10 includes a connector 11, a flash memory 12, an SRAM 13, a memory controller 14, a backup IC 15, a backup battery 16, and a check IC 17. The flash memory 12 and the SRAM 13 are connected to the connector 11 via the data bus DB1, and have the address bus AB.
1 and connected to the memory controller 14. The memory controller 14 is connected to the connector 11 via the address bus AB2. The check IC 17 is connected to the connector 11.

As is well known, a flash memory is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and has a small size and a large capacity. In the present embodiment, the flash memory 12
As an example, it has a capacity of 32 Mbit, and is used to store a game program, and is divided into eight blocks in units of 4 Mbit, as described later. The SRAM 13 is a static RAM that retains stored contents as long as power is supplied. In the present embodiment, S
The RAM 13 has a capacity of 256 kbits as an example, and is used to store backup data for a game (e.g., data on a captured stage, acquired items, grown characters, etc.) as described later. , 16 kbits, and is divided into 16 blocks.

The memory controller 14 is connected to the cassette writer 20 or the game machine 60 via the address bus AB2.
From the flash memory 12 and the SRAM 13 to a suitable address for the memory arrangement. The backup IC 15 has a function of stably supplying power to the SRAM 13,
13 is protected from unwanted erroneous writing. The backup IC 15 is supplied with power from a backup battery 16 built in the game cassette 10. Further, although not shown, when the game cassette 10 is set in the cassette writer 20 or the game machine 60, the backup IC 15 supplies power from the cassette writer 20 or the game machine 60 (DC power obtained by stepping down a commercial power supply and smoothing). Power supply). The backup IC 15 includes a cassette writer 20 for the game cassette 10.
Alternatively, when it is disconnected from the game machine 60, the power from the backup battery 16 is supplied to the SRAM 13. When the game cassette 10 is set in the cassette writer 20 or the game machine 60, the backup IC 15 supplies power from the cassette writer 20 or the game machine 60 to the SRAM 13.

Flash memory 12 and SRAM 13
According to the chip select signal CE1 output from the memory controller 14 and the chip select signal CE2 output from the backup IC 15, their selection states are switched complementarily. That is, when one of the flash memory 12 and the SRAM 13 is in the selected state, the other is in the non-selected state. This is because the flash memory 12 and the SRA
Data and addresses are supplied to M13 via a common data bus and address bus, but this is because only access to the memory chip corresponding to the supplied addresses is permitted. The chip select signal CE2 is
The backup IC 15 generates the backup IC 15 based on the 1-bit decode signal DS output from the memory controller 14. Particularly, when the game cassette 10 is set in the cassette writer 20 or the game machine 60 and the power of the cassette writer 20 or the game machine 60 is turned on, the transient characteristics at the time of power on are displayed on the address bus AB1. Therefore, noise may be mixed. If this noise coincides with one of the addresses in the SRAM 13, an undesired write is performed at the corresponding address in the SRAM 13. Therefore, the backup IC 15 monitors the voltage value of the power supplied from the cassette writer 20 or the game machine 60. When the power is turned on, the chip select is performed until the voltage value reaches a predetermined value (about 4.5 V). The signal CE2 is not supplied to the SRAM 13. As a result, unwanted erroneous writing at power-on can be prevented.

The address bus AB1 provided from the memory controller 14 to the flash memory 12 includes:
The upper three bits are used to specify one of the eight divided blocks of the flash memory 12. Similarly, of the address bus AB1 provided from the memory controller 14 to the SRAM 13,
M13 is used to specify any of the 16 divided blocks.

The game machine 60 includes a CPU 61 and a PPU
(Picture Processing Unit) 62, Working RAM 63, Video RAM 64, I / O Interface 65, Connector 66, Check IC 6
7 is included. A connector 66 is connected to the CPU 61 via a data bus DB3 and an address bus AB3.
P via data bus DB4 and address bus AB4
The PU 62 is connected, and the working RAM 63 is connected via the data bus DB5 and the address bus AB5. Further, the CPU 61 includes an I / O interface 6
5, the controller 70 is connected. Video R
AM64 comprises a data bus DB6 and an address bus AB.
6 and connected to the PPU 62. In addition, PPU62
Is provided to the television receiver 80. The check IC 67 is connected to the connector 66.

When enjoying a game, the game cassette 10
Connector 11 is inserted into connector 66 of game machine 60. Thereby, the flash memory 12 and the S
The RAM 13 is under the control of the CPU 61. And CP
U61 reads the game program from the flash memory 12, and starts the game operation. Further, if necessary, backup data corresponding to the game is read from the SRAM 13 and parameters for the game operation are set. The controller 70 is operated by a player and gives various instructions and instructions to the CPU 61. The working RAM 63 stores various data necessary for the arithmetic processing of the CPU 61. The PPU 62 generates display data from the character data stored in the video RAM 64 based on a command from the CPU 61. This display data is given to the television receiver 80 and displayed. Thus, by providing the PPU 62, the CPU 6
1 is released from the display data generation processing, and the original game operation can be performed at high speed.

When the connector 11 is inserted into the connector 66, the check IC 67 performs a predetermined authentication process with the check IC 17. If the authentication result is correct, the check IC 17 outputs a reset release signal / RS. This reset release signal / RS is provided to the memory controller 14. Accordingly, the memory controller 14
Is connected to the CPU 6 via the connector 11 and the connector 66.
1 is released. on the other hand,
If the authentication result is incorrect, the memory controller 14
The reset of the PU 61 is not released. At this time, the CPU 6
1 does not activate the game program. by this,
The use of illegally sold game cassettes can be eliminated.

FIG. 4 shows the flash memory 12 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a memory map of the SRAM 13; 4, the flash memory 12 includes, as data storage areas, a main area 121 for storing a game selection program and a game program, and a related information storage area 122 for storing game related information. The main area 121 is 32M
It has a storage capacity of bits and is divided into eight blocks in units of 4 Mbits. The main area 121 stores a game selection program and a game program in block units. Since one of the blocks is used for storing a game selection program, the main area 121 can store up to seven types of game programs (provided that each game program is 4 Mbit or less). In addition,
When storing a game program of 4 Mbit or more,
You will use multiple blocks.

The SRAM 13 has a storage capacity of 256 kbits and is divided into 16 blocks in units of 16 kbits. The SRAM 13 stores backup data for the game program written in the main area 121.

FIG. 5 shows the related information storage area 1 in FIG.
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a memory map of No. 22; In FIG. 5, the related information storage area 122 has an address space different from the address space of the main area 121 and is a memory area that can be accessed only when a special command is given. The related information storage area 122 includes areas 122a to 122g for storing related information unique to the game selection program and the game program stored in the main area 121 of the flash memory 12, respectively. The area 122a is the game title, the area 122b is the map information, and the area 12
2c is the capacity of the flash memory (the capacity required to store the program in the main storage area 121), and the area 122d
Is the SRAM capacity (the corresponding backup data is
Capacity required to store in AM13), area 122e
Is the block number of the flash memory (the block number of the main storage area 121 storing the program), the area 1
22f stores the block number of the SRAM (the block number of the SRAM 13 storing the corresponding backup data), and the area 122g stores the information of the selling price of the game. By the way, the CPU 61 in the game machine 60 has its own wide address space. Then, the game program must be arranged at a predetermined position in this address space. The map information indicates at which position in the address space of the CPU 61 the game program should be located.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the principle of rewriting and selling the game software of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data flow when data stored in a D-ROM 40 is written to a game cassette 10. 6, the CD-ROM 40 stores a write control program, a game selection program, a plurality of types of game programs, and information related to each game program. The related information stored in the CD-ROM 40 includes a game title, map information, a capacity to be secured in the flash memory 12 for storing a game program, and an SR for storing backup data.
It includes the capacity to be secured in the AM 13 and the selling price of the game. The write control program stored in the CD-ROM 40 is read by the CPU 21 of the cassette writer 20 and written into the flash memory 24 in the cassette writer 20. Thereafter, the CPU 21 performs a write control operation of the game program on the game cassette 10 according to the write control program. CD-ROM4
0 is stored in the CPU 21 of the cassette writer 20.
Is read by the RAM 2 in the cassette writer 20.
3 is written. The game selection program and the game program written in the RAM 23 are transferred to the game cassette 10 and are stored in the main area 12 of the flash memory 12.
Written to 1. The related information written in the RAM 23 is transferred to the game cassette 10 and written in the related information storage area 122 of the flash memory 12. The game selection program is executed by the CPU 61 of the game machine 60 when the game cassette 10 is set in the game machine 60, and is used to select one game from a plurality of games.

Here, one game program, a flash memory 12, and a CD-RO for storing master data
The relationship between the capacitances of M40 will be described. The flash memory 12 has a capacity of, for example, 32 Mbit. The data amount of one game program is
If the capacity of the flash memory 12 is 32 Mbit, for example, 4 Mbit, 8 Mb
it, 12 Mbit, 16 Mbit, 20 Mbit, 2
4 Mbit, 28 Mbit, and 32 Mbit are selected.
One game program is set equal to or less than the capacity of the flash memory 12. Therefore, the flash memory 12 can store a maximum of seven types of 4-Mbit game programs and a 4-Mbit game selection program. For example, one game program has 8
In case of Mbit, 3 types of game software and 4M
A bit game selection program can be stored. Also, 3
When storing a 2 Mbit game program, a game selection program is not required. On the other hand, CD-ROM4
0 has a capacity of several hundred Mbytes. Therefore, CD-
The capacity of the ROM 40 is equal to the capacity of the flash memory 12 or 1
Since it is very large in comparison with the capacity of one game program, many types of game programs can be stored. Note that the CD-ROM 40 only needs to have a capacity capable of storing at least seven types of 4 Mbit game programs and a 4 Mbit game selection program.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a data flow when the game program written in the flash memory 12 of the game cassette 10 is rewritten. Here, as an example, in the flash memory 12 in which the programs of the games 1 to 4 are written, the programs of the games 1 and 3 are left, and the programs of the games 2 and 4 are deleted. 2 shows the flow of data when writing a program. In FIG. 7, the CPU 21 of the cassette writer 20
2 to read all the data written in
23. Thereafter, when the games 2 and 4 are selected for erasing in the cassette writer 20, C
The PU 21 erases the programs of the games 2 and 4 from the RAM 23. Further, when the game 5 is selected for purchase in the cassette writer 20, the CPU 21
The game 5 program is read from the CD-ROM 40 and stored in the RAM 23. After that, the CPU 21
Game selection program and games 1 and 3 remaining in AM23
And 5 are read out and the game cassette 1 is read out.
Transfer to 0. As a result, the game selection program and the programs of the games 1, 3 and 5 are written into the flash memory 12 of the game cassette 10.

The related information corresponding to the remaining games 1 and 3 and the newly written related information of the game 5 are written in the related information storage area 122 of the flash memory 12, and details thereof are shown in FIG. Since it can be easily understood by referring to the description, it is omitted here.

As described above, in this embodiment, when rewriting the game program written in the flash memory 12 of the game cassette 10, all the data written in the flash memory 12 is once read out to the RAM 23, and Since the game program is arranged and rearranged and then written to the flash memory 12, the game program can be efficiently written. In FIG. 7, all the programs in the flash memory 12 are rewritten. However, the program in which the storage position (block No.) in the flash memory 12 is not changed, ie, the game selection program and the game 1 program are rewritten. It may not be.

FIGS. 8 to 13 show examples of operation screens displayed on the in-store terminal 30 connected to the cassette writer 20. FIG. More specifically, FIGS. 8 and 9 show a game selection screen. FIG. 8 shows a screen before selecting a game to be purchased, and FIG. 9 shows a screen after selecting a game to be purchased. 10 to 12
Shows a game deletion screen. FIG. 10 shows a writable screen before designating a game program to be erased and / or canceled.
FIG. 11 shows a screen before writing the game program to be erased and / or canceled and in a non-writable state, and FIG. 12 shows that the game program to be erased and / or canceled has been specified. The screen after is shown. FIG. 13 is a view showing a menu screen displayed before the start of the game in the television receiver 80 connected to the game machine 60.

FIGS. 14 to 16 are flowcharts showing the operation of the cassette writer 1 according to the write control program. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game machine 60. The operation of the above embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, the operation of the cassette writer 1 shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 will be described. When the power is turned on, the CPU 21 determines whether the version of the write control program in the flash memory 24 should be upgraded (step S101). When the write control program is not stored in the flash memory 24, or when the CD-R
If the version of the write control program stored in the OM 40 is newer than the version of the write control program stored in the flash memory 24, it is determined that the version of the write control program should be upgraded. If the write control program should be upgraded, the CPU 21
Is a CD-ROM 4 using the CD-ROM driver 22.
The write control program is read from 0, and the read write control program is downloaded to the flash memory 24 as shown in FIG. 6 (step S102).
The CD-ROM 40 is supplied to a store periodically (for example, every month) so that new software can always be sold. Therefore, by storing the write control program in the CD-ROM 40 and automatically upgrading the software processing of the cassette writer 20 based on the stored write control program, the dealer can Freed from troublesome version upgrade work, you can concentrate on the original in-store operations.

When the download of the writing control program is completed, the CPU 21 starts the writing control program (step S103). Thereafter, the CPU 21 operates according to the write control program. Next, the CPU 21
Reads data (game title, capacity, and selling price) necessary for displaying the game selection screen from the CD-ROM 40, and writes the data into the working area of the RAM 23 as shown in FIG. 6 (step S104). Next, CPU2
1 displays a game selection screen as shown in FIG.
(Step S105). The game selection screen includes a sale game list 301 and a page update button 3
02 and 303, a purchased game list 304, and total capacity display sections 305 and 306. In the sale game list 301, the RAM in step S104 is stored.
According to the title, capacity and price of the game written in 23, the title, capacity and price of the game to be sold are displayed. If there are many types of games to sell, 1
Although it is difficult to display the entire sales game list on the screen, a page update button 302 or 30 on the screen is displayed.
By selecting 3, the display page of the sales game list can be updated in the front-rear direction, whereby all types of games included in the sales game list can be viewed. As a method of selecting a button, a method of providing a touch panel on a display screen and pressing the corresponding button with a finger may be used, or a method in which a cursor is moved to the corresponding button with a pointing device such as a mouse and clicked. Method may be used. In-store terminal 30 described below
Are also performed in the same manner as described above. At this time, since the game to be purchased has not been selected,
No information is displayed in the purchase game list 304 and the total capacity display sections 305 and 306. The purchase decision button 307 is a button selected when the selection of the game to be purchased is completed.

Next, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the game cassette 10 has been set (mounted) on the connector 26 (step S106). When the game cassette 10 is set, the CPU 21 calculates the free space of the flash memory 12 and the SRAM 13 (hereinafter, referred to as a game cassette free space) based on the related information stored in the related information storage area 122, and Information storage area 1
22 is read out (step S
107). At this time, the calculated free space in the game cassette and the read data are temporarily stored in the RAM 23 (see FIG. 7).

Next, a clerk or customer (a clerk in the case of the system configuration of FIG. 1, a customer in the case of the system configuration of FIG. 2)
Operates the in-store terminal 30 and selects a game to be purchased from the sales game list (step S108). In response, CPU 21 causes RAM 23 to temporarily store the title, capacity, and price of the game selected for purchase (step S109). At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the in-store terminal 30 displays the title, capacity and price of the selected game in the purchase game list 304. Next, the CPU 21 calculates a total capacity of the games selected up to that point (hereinafter, referred to as a selected game total capacity) (step S110). The calculated total game total capacity is displayed on the total capacity display sections 305 and 306 in FIG. Note that the total capacity display unit 305
The capacity of the flash memory 12 required for writing is displayed in units of blocks, and the total capacity display unit 306 displays the capacity of the SRAM 13 required for writing in units of blocks.
Next, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the selection of the game to be purchased has been completed (step S111). When the store clerk or the customer selects the purchase decision button 307 in FIG. 9, it is determined that the selection of the game to be purchased has been completed.
If the game selection has not been completed, step S is executed again.
The operations of 108 to S110 are repeated.

On the other hand, when the game selection is completed, the CP
U21 determines whether or not the selected game total capacity calculated in the aforementioned step S110 is equal to or less than the game cassette free space calculated in the aforementioned step S107 (step S112). When the total capacity of the selected games is equal to or less than the free space of the game cassette, the CPU 21
At 0, a game deletion screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. On the other hand, when the total capacity of the selected games exceeds the free space of the game cassette, the CPU 21
A game deletion screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the game deletion screen includes a cassette game list 308, free space display sections 309 and 310, and a purchase game list 30.
4, a total capacity display section 305 and 306, a writable button 311, a delete all in cassette button 312, and a screen return button 313. The game list 308 in the cassette displays a list of games stored in the game cassette 10. In addition, the free space display section 3
In 09, the free space of the flash memory 12 is displayed. The free space display section 310 displays the free space of the SRAM 13. Game list 30 in these cassettes
8. The display contents of the free space display sections 309 and 310 are as follows.
The determination is made based on the data stored in the RAM 23 in step S107 described above. The writable button 311 is selected when giving an instruction to write the program of the game listed in the purchase game list 304 to the game cassette 10. Here, comparing FIG. 10 and FIG. 11,
On the game deletion screen of FIG. 10, the writable button 311 is selectable, whereas on the game deletion screen of FIG. 11, the writable button 311 is not selectable. This is because, in the state of FIG. 11, since the total capacity of the selected game exceeds the free space of the game cassette, the writing instruction of the game program is prohibited. The delete-all-in-cassette button 312 is selected when all game programs stored in the game cassette 10 are to be collectively deleted. The screen return button 313 is selected when returning the game deletion screen to the game selection screen shown in FIG.

The total capacity of the selected game is the flash memory 1
2 and SRAM 13 or less, the CPU 2
1 judges whether the writable button 311 or the screen return button 313 has been selected by the clerk or customer (step S113). When the screen return button 313 is selected, the steps S108 to S108 are performed again.
The operation of 112 is repeated. That is, in the repetitive operation of steps S108 to S112, a game to be purchased is added or changed. On the other hand, when the writable button 311 is selected, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the CPU 21 stores the program of the game selected for purchase, the game selection program, and the related information in the CD-ROM 40. And / or the flash memory 12 and the SRA in the game cassette 10.
All data stored in M13 (game program,
The backup data is read out and stored in the RAM 23 (step S114).

If the total capacity of the selected game exceeds the free space of the game cassette in the above-described step S112, it is necessary to delete the game program stored in the game cassette 10 or cancel the game selected for purchase. is there. The clerk or customer selects a game to be deleted from the in-cassette game list 308 and / or a game to cancel the purchase from the purchase game list 304 on the game deletion screen shown in FIG. Details of the subsequent operation are shown in FIG.

In FIG. 16, the CPU 21 determines whether the cancellation of the game to be purchased is selected or the deletion of the game program is selected (steps S115 and S116). When the cancellation of the game is selected, the CPU 2
1 performs a process of canceling the selected game (step S
117). As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, in the purchased game list 304 of the game deletion screen, a cancellation display is made for the game selected to be canceled. When the deletion of the game program is selected, the CPU 21 sets a deletion flag (not shown) (step S11).
8). At this time, in the in-cassette game list 308 on the game deletion screen, as shown in FIG. 12, an erasure display is made for the game selected to be erased.

After the above step S117 or S118, the CPU 21 recalculates the total capacity of the selected game and the free space of the game cassette (step S119). The recalculation result at this time is reflected on the total capacity display sections 305 and 306 and the free capacity display sections 309 and 310 as shown in FIG. Here, the customer may reconsider not to delete the game program in the game cassette 10. In such a case, the clerk or customer cancels the deletion of the game program by reselecting the game selected to be deleted in the in-cassette game list 308. The CPU 21 determines whether or not such erasure is released (step S120).
If the deletion has been canceled, the CPU 21
After resetting the erasure flag set in step S118 described above (step S121), the process proceeds to step S122. On the other hand, if the erasure has not been released, the CPU
In step S21, the process proceeds to step S122 without resetting the deletion flag.

In step S122, the CPU 21
Determines whether or not the recalculated total game total capacity is equal to or less than the recalculated free space of the flash memory 12 or the SRAM 13. If the total capacity of the selected games exceeds these free capacities, steps S115 to S115 are repeated.
The operation of S121 is repeated. That is, the game to be canceled and / or deleted is added or changed until the total capacity of the selected game becomes equal to or less than the free space of the flash memory 12 or the SRAM 13. When the selected game total capacity becomes equal to or less than the free space, the CPU 21 determines whether the writable button 311 has been selected by the clerk or the customer.
It is determined whether the screen return button 313 has been selected (step S123). When the screen return button 313 is selected, the operation returns to the operation of step S108 again. That is, a process of adding or changing a game to be purchased is performed. On the other hand, when the writable button 311 is selected,
The CPU 21 stores the game program selected for purchase, the game selection program, and the related information on a CD-ROM.
In addition to reading from the ROM 40, all data (game program, backup data) stored in the flash memory 12 and the SRAM 13 in the game cassette 10 is read and stored in the RAM 23 (step S1).
24). Next, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the erasure flag has been set (step S125). If the erasure flag has been set, the CPU 21 performs an erasure process (step S126). In the erasing process, the game program, backup data, and related information selected for erasing are erased from the data of the game cassette 10 stored in the RAM 23 in the above-described step S107 (see FIG. 7). If the erasure flag has been reset, or after the erasure processing in step S125 has been completed, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S127 described below.

Next, the CPU 21 controls the game cassette 10
Writing of a program to the memory is started (see FIGS. 6, 7 and 15). First, the CPU 21 reads the flash memory 1
2 is designated (step S127). Next, the CPU 21 stores the game program to be written into the flash memory 12 (the game program selected for purchase and the game program originally stored in the game cassette 10 and not erased). It is determined whether or not the game program uses all 12 blocks (32 Mbits) (hereinafter referred to as a full size game program) (step S128). If the game program to be written is not a full size game program, C
The PU 21 stores the game selection program (C
Game selection program read from D-ROM 40)
Is read and written in the first block of the main area 121 of the flash memory 12 (step S129). On the other hand, when the game program to be written is a full-size game program, the CPU 21 does not write the game selection program to the flash memory 12 because the game machine 60 does not need to make a game selection later. Thereby, when the capacity of the game program is large, writing can be performed by making the maximum use of the capacity of the flash memory 12.

After step S129, or after it is determined in step S127 that the game program to be written is a full-size game program, the CPU
21 reads the game program from the RAM 23,
The data is written in the main area 121 of the flash memory 12 (Step S130). At this time, if the game program to be written is a full-size game program, writing is started from the first block of the main area 121 of the flash memory 12, and if the game program to be written is not a full-size game program, Writing is started from the second block of the main area 121. Next, the CPU 21 determines whether or not there are two or more game programs to be written in the flash memory 12 in the RAM 23 (step S1).
31). If there are two or more game programs to be written, the CPU 21 specifies the next block of the main area 121 of the flash memory 12 (the block where writing of the next game program is started) (step S13).
2). Thereafter, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the writing of the game program has been completed (step S13).
3). On the other hand, if there is only one game program to be written and the program is not a full-size game program, C
The PU 21 makes the determination in the step S133 without designating the next block. If the writing of the game program has not been completed, the CPU 21 returns to step S
The operations below 130 are repeated. Thus, the game programs stored in the RAM 23 are sequentially written into the main area 121 of the flash memory 12. On the other hand, when the writing of the game program is completed, the CP
The U21 writes the backup data stored in the RAM 23 to the SRAM 13, and writes the related information to the related information storage area 122 of the flash memory 12 (Step S134). Thereafter, the CPU 21 returns to the operation of Step S106 in FIG.

Next, with reference to FIG. 17, the operation of causing the game machine 60 to execute the game program stored in the game cassette 10 will be described. The game cassette 10 is set in the connector 66 of the game machine 60 and the game machine 6
When the power supply 0 is turned on, the memory controller 14 in the game cassette 10 generates a reset signal RS, and supplies the reset signal RS to the CPU 61 in the game machine 60 via the connectors 11 and 66. As a result, the CPU 61 is put in an operation stop state.

Thereafter, the memory controller 14 reads out the related information from the related information storage area 122 of the flash memory 12 and temporarily stores the related information, and sets an address conversion parameter based on the map information included in the related information. (Step S201). At this time, CP
U61 is still in an operation stop state. As described above, the game program must be arranged at a predetermined position in the address space of the CPU 61. The predetermined position differs depending on the type of the game. The above address conversion parameters are used for an address conversion process for matching the address space of the CPU 61 with the address space of the flash memory 12.

Thereafter, the check ICs 17 and 67 operate to perform the authentication processing of the game cassette 10. As a result of the authentication processing, when it is confirmed that the game cassette 10 is a legitimate genuine product, the reset IC 17 outputs a reset release signal / RS. This reset release signal /
RS is provided to the memory controller 14. When receiving the reset release signal / RS, the memory controller 14 releases the reset signal RS supplied to the CPU 61 via the connectors 11 and 66. As a result, the CPU 61 starts operating, and first reads a program (a game program or a game selection program) from the first block of the main area 121 of the flash memory 12.

When the game program stored in the flash memory 12 is a full size game program, the program read from the first block is a full size game program. On the other hand, when the game program stored in the flash memory 12 is not the full size game program, the program read from the first block is a game selection program.
When the CPU 61 finishes reading the program from the top block, the CPU 61 determines whether the read program is a full-size game program or a game selection program (step S202).

First, the operation when the full-size game program is read from the first block will be described. In this case, the CPU 61
The full-size game program is read out from the main area 121 in block order, and game processing is executed according to the read-out full-size game program (step S2).
03). Next, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the game has ended (step S204). Until the game is over, the game process of step S203 is continuously executed. When the game ends, the CPU 61 executes a predetermined end process (Step S205). In this end processing, for example, backup data is stored in the SRAM 13. Next, the CPU 61 determines whether or not there has been a reset request from the player (that is, whether or not the reset button (not shown) of the game machine 60 has been pressed by the player) (step S206). When there is a reset request, the CPU 61 repeats the operation of step S203 and subsequent steps again. On the other hand, if there is no reset request, C
The PU 61 ends the operation.

Next, the operation in the case where the game selection program is read from the first block will be described. In this case, the CPU 61 executes a game selection process according to the read game selection program (step S20).
7). In this game selection process, the television receiver 8
At 0, a game selection menu as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. The player uses the controller 70 to select a game to play from a game selection menu. next,
The CPU 61 determines whether or not the player has finished selecting a game (step S208). When the selection of the game is completed, an address conversion process is performed by the memory controller 14 (step S209). In this address conversion process, the CPU 61 is reset again and is put in an operation stopped state. Further, the memory controller 14 designates the head address of the block of the flash memory 12 in which the selected game is stored, and
In order to make the program arrangement position in the address space of U61 coincide with the start address, the address conversion parameter set in step S201 is changed. The reason why the CPU 61 is set to the reset state in step S209 is to prevent the CPU 61 from running out of control in an unstable state. Thereafter, the memory controller 14
Release the reset of U61. Thereby, the CPU 6
1 starts the operation, and performs the operations of steps S210 to S213. The operations in steps S210 to S213 are the same as the operations in steps S203 to S206, respectively, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the game cartridge 1 having a built-in flash memory is used as a storage medium on which the game program is written. However, instead of this, M0D (magnetic optical disk), CDR (writable compact disk) are used. ), A DVDR (writable digital video disk), a floppy disk, or another storage medium.

In the above embodiment, the CD-ROM 4
0 is used to record the original data.
-Instead of the ROM 40, other large-capacity storage media such as M0D, CD, and DVD may be used.

In the above embodiment, the system for selling a game program as software has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a system for selling other types of software such as educational programs and business programs. It is.

In the above embodiment, the game cassette 10 is configured to store the game program in the flash memory 12 and store the backup data in the SRAM 13. However, each data is stored in another type of memory ( However, the game program and the backup data may be stored in a single memory.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first configuration example of a software sales system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second configuration example of the software sales system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a game cassette 10 shown in FIG. 1 and a game machine 60 to which the game cassette 10 is connected.

FIG. 4 shows a flash memory 12 and an SRA shown in FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a memory map of M13.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a memory map of a related information storage area 122 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data flow when data stored in a CD-ROM 40 is written to a game cassette 10.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a data flow when rewriting a game program written in the flash memory 12 of the game cassette 10.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a game selection screen displayed on the in-store terminal 30, particularly showing a screen before selecting a game to be purchased.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a game selection screen displayed on the in-store terminal 30, particularly showing a screen after a game to be purchased is selected.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a game deletion screen displayed on the in-store terminal 30, particularly showing a writable screen before designating a game program to be erased and / or canceled.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a game deletion screen displayed on the in-store terminal 30, particularly showing a screen in a state where writing is not possible and before a game program to be deleted and / or canceled is designated. .

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a game deletion screen displayed on the in-store terminal 30, particularly showing a screen after a game program to be deleted and / or canceled is designated.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a menu screen displayed before the start of the game in the television receiver 80 connected to the game machine 60.

FIG. 14 shows a cassette writer 1 according to a write control program.
5 is a flowchart showing a first operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows a cassette writer 1 according to a write control program.
5 is a flowchart showing a second operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 shows a cassette writer 1 according to a write control program.
6 is a flowchart showing a third operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation of the game machine 60.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Game cassette 11 ... Connector 12 ... Flash memory 121 ... Main area 122 ... Related information storage area 13 ... SRAM 14 ... Memory controller 15 ... Backup IC 16 ... Backup battery 17 ... Check IC 20 ... Cassette writer 21 ... CPU 22 ... CD-ROM drive 23 ... RAM 24 ... Flash memory 25 ... ASIC 26 ... Connector 30 ... In-store terminal 40 ... CD-ROM 50 ... Electronic cash register 60 ... Game machine 61 ... CPU 62 ... PPU 63 ... Working RAM 64 ... Video RAM 65 I / O interface 66 Connector 67 Check IC 70 Controller 80 Television receiver

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Motofumi Yoshino, Nintendo Co., Ltd. 60, Fukuinakami Takamatsucho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto (72) Inventor Teruyuki Yoshioka 60, Takamatsucho, Fukuinakami, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto Nintendo Co., Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A system for rewriting a software program stored in a storage medium brought by a customer, comprising: a software storage unit storing a plurality of types of software programs to be sold to the customer; Purchased software selecting means for selecting one or more software to be purchased by the customer from among a plurality of types of software, and the free space of the storage medium is calculated based on the total data amount of the software selected by the purchased software selecting means. And a write control unit for sequentially writing the selected software program to the storage medium only when it is determined that the size is larger than the predetermined value. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first display unit that displays a list of a plurality of types of software stored in the software storage unit, wherein the purchased software selection unit is displayed on the first display unit. The software rewriting system according to claim 1, wherein one or more software to be purchased by the customer is selected from a list of a plurality of types of software. 3. The software rewriting system according to claim 2, further comprising a second display unit that displays a list of software selected by the purchased software selection unit and a total data amount. 4. A third display means for displaying a list of software written on the storage medium, and at least one software to be erased from the software list displayed on the third display means. The software rewriting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: an erasing software selecting unit for selecting a program; and an erasing unit for erasing a software program selected by the erasing software selecting unit from the storage medium. 5. The erasing means according to claim 1, wherein said free space of said storage medium when said software selected by said erasing software selecting means is erased from said storage medium is determined by said software selected by said purchasing software selecting means. The software rewriting system according to claim 4, wherein the software program selected by the erasing software selecting means is erased from the storage medium based on the determination that the software program is larger than the total data amount. 6. The storage device according to claim 5, further comprising: a fourth display unit that displays a free space of the storage medium when it is assumed that the software selected by the deletion software selection unit has been deleted from the storage medium. Software rewriting system. 7. The software storage means stores a plurality of types of software programs to be sold to customers and a software selection program for displaying a software selection screen for selecting software to be executed when using the software. The writing control means writes the software selection program to the storage medium together with the software selected by the purchased software selection means.
Software rewriting system according to. 8. A portable data rewritable storage medium, comprising: a first writable / readable storage area for storing a program for an intended use of the program by a customer; And a second rewritable storage area for storing a software selection program for selecting a type of program when a plurality of types of programs are written in the storage area. When set in a computer system that sells, a program of the selected software is written, and in the second storage area, when a plurality of software programs are written in the first storage area, A software selection program for selecting one type of program is provided in the computer system. Written I when, set in the information processing apparatus for executing software written in the first storage area, the second
The software selection program written in the storage area is executed, the software to be executed is selected, and the software program of the selected type is read from the first storage area and executed. A storage medium, characterized by the following. 9. A third storage area for storing data related to a program, wherein the third storage area has software corresponding to each type of software written in the first storage area. The storage medium according to claim 8, wherein the name data and the data amount of the software are written by the computer system. 10. The program written in the first storage area is a game program, the information processing device is a game machine, and the game machine executes the game program. And a backup data storage means for storing backup data generated by the progress of the game and used in connection with the progress of the game, wherein the backup data storage means includes software of the software written in the first storage area. 10. The storage medium according to claim 9, wherein backup data corresponding to each software is written in accordance with the type of the game in accordance with the progress of the game. 11. A recording medium for introducing a program recording a plurality of types of software programs to be sold to customers and a write control program for writing the software programs to a storage medium set in a computer system. The computer system executes the write control program to select one or more software purchased by the customer from the plurality of types of software,
Determining whether the free space of the storage medium is larger than the total data amount of the selected software, and sequentially writing the program of the selected software to the storage medium only when it is determined to be larger A recording medium for introducing a program, characterized in that: