JPS62114581A - Household tv game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) This invention relates to a home video game machine, and particularly to one in which a television (hereinafter abbreviated as TV) receiver is used as a monitor to play games. This invention relates to improvements in displaying high scores of players.

(Prior Art) As a prior art for displaying a high score or a top score, a home video game machine that displays only the highest score after the power is turned on is known. This is R
An external storage means such as an OM cartridge is provided in a removable manner.
The game is played based on a program stored in the ROM, but since only a limited number of people, such as owners of the ROM cartridge, usually play the game, the name of the person with the highest score was not registered.

As a second conventional example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55-151゜978 is known. This is mainly applied for business purposes. During a game, the highest score in the past is compared with the score from the current game, and when the highest score is updated, the name of the new highest scorer is entered after the end of one game. The current score is written into the memory as a new maximum score along with the name of the person with the highest score input this time.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In the first conventional example, when the power is turned off, the registration of the highest score is lost. Furthermore, when a ROM cartridge or floppy disk on which a game program is stored or recorded is lent or borrowed between friends, it is not possible to compare one's own high score with the high score of another person. Even if data regarding the highest scores were recorded on a non-volatile medium such as a floppy disk, it would not be possible to know the high scores of each player.

In the second conventional example, the highest score and the name of the highest scorer are simply displayed, so it is not possible to know the high scores and rankings of each of the players. In particular, home TV game machines do not have an unspecified number of players playing games like commercial machines, and the number of player names and number of players are limited, so player names can be registered in advance and each There is a desire to record one's highest score (highest score when compared with others), but this conventional example cannot satisfy such a desire. Furthermore, since the past highest scores of each player are displayed during the game, it is not possible to play the game with the goal of breaking one's own record while looking at one's own high scores.

By the way, it is also possible to display high scorers in order of their scores. However, in that case, the rankings are decided based on scores, so even if the same player is playing the game, if they get a high score, most of the registered areas on the table will be occupied by the same player, and other players will The number of high scores that can be registered is small, and it is not possible to display each player's high score (his/her own best score).

Therefore, the main purpose of the present invention is to be able to register identification data such as the names of multiple players in advance, regardless of whether or not they have achieved excellent results such as the highest score. It is an object of the present invention to provide a home video game machine that allows you to know the numerical data shown.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a first and a second
A TV signal related to a game is generated based on a program stored in a storage medium including a storage unit, and is supplied to a TV receiver, comprising: a mode selection means, an input means, and a first writing means. The present invention is a home-use television game machine comprising: an operating means, a TV signal generating means, a counting means, a determining means, and a second writing means.

(Function) When the registration mode is selected by the mode selection means,
The first writing means writes the player identification data input by operating the input means into the second storage section. On the other hand, when the game mode is selected by the mode selection means, T
The V signal generating means responds to the operation of the operating means and generates a TV signal for the game based on the game program stored in the first storage section, and provides the generated TV signal to the TV receiver.

A counting means counts numerical data indicating a game result such as a score, points, or time during the game. When the game ends, the determining means determines whether the counted value of the counting means is better than the numerical data corresponding to the identification data of the player currently playing the game, which is stored in the second storage section. In response to determining that the second writing means is superior, the second writing means writes the counted value of the counting means to the second writing means.
Updatedly written to the storage means of.

(Embodiment) FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing the system configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the external appearance, and FIG.
The figure shows its block diagram. A home video game machine (hereinafter abbreviated as a game machine) 10 includes a housing 11 . Two controllers 12, 12' are connected to the housing 11. One controller 12 has an A button 12a and a B button 12a.
It includes a button 12b, a cross-shaped switch 12c, a select switch 12d, and a start switch 12e.

The A button 12a or the B button 12b is used to instruct the character's action B (for example, jumping, firing a gun, etc.) in the game mode. The cross switch 12C is used to select a desired character from a character pattern such as English letters or kana in the registration mode of player identification data such as a player's name, initials, or code, and is used to select a desired character from character patterns such as English letters or kana in the game mode. It is used to specify a direction (for example, four directions: top, bottom, left, and right). The select switch 12d is used to select the type of game and to select the name of the player who is about to play the game from among a plurality of registered players. The start switch 12e is used to proceed from the main routine shown in FIG. 1 to the next subroutine, in other words, to select the player identification data registration mode and game mode. Note that for these mode selections, a dedicated switch may be provided instead of the method based on the number of times the start switch 12e is pressed. Further, in the embodiment, the cross switch 12G is used both as an input means for name registration and as an operation means for the game, but they may be provided separately. The other controller 12' has a select switch L.
2d and the start switch 12e are not included.
It is configured similarly to the controller 12.

Furthermore, an insertion opening (not shown) for inserting a ROM cartridge (not shown) is provided on the top surface of the housing 12. An edge connector 13 is housed inside this insertion port. The edge connector 13 has an input/output (I 10
) interface 14 is connected. Controllers 12 and 12' are connected to the I10 interface 14, and a CPU (central processing unit) 15 and p
A pu (image processing device) 16 is connected. A signal from the controller 12.12' is then given to the CPU 15 via the I10 interface 14.

Data read from an external memory (eg, ROM cartridge or RAM adapter 20) attached to edge connector 13 is provided to CPU 15 and PPU 16 via I10 interface 14. CPU15
The video R is used to store one screen worth of image data.
AM17V, and working RAM1 for temporarily storing score data during the game and various other processing data.
7W is connected. Therefore, the area for recording scores in the working RAM 17w and the CPU 15 constitute a counting means.

The PPU 16 generates an image signal for the game based on the image data from the CPU 15 and supplies it to the RF modulation circuit 18. The RF modulation circuit 18 includes, for example, the edge connector 1
Activated when external memory is connected to P
The image signal given from the PUI 6 is converted into, for example, an NTSC TV signal. This TV signal is applied to the antenna terminal of the home TV receiver 1 via the connector and coaxial cable. Therefore, CPU15 and PPUI6 and RF
The modulation circuit 18 constitutes a TV signal generation means.

A RAM adapter 20 is connected to the edge connector 13 of the game machine 10. This RAM adapter 20 includes a case 22 that houses a board 21 and is formed into a T-shape. This substrate 21 has one or more (in the illustration, a first
RAM23.23 consisting of LSIs
′ is implemented. Then, connect the board 21 to the edge connector 1
3 , the plurality of electrodes formed on the edge portion of the substrate 21 are electrically connected to the edge connector 13 .

A magnetic disk drive device (hereinafter abbreviated as FDD) 30 is connected to the RAM adapter 20 via a cable. FDD 30 includes a housing 31. An insertion opening 32 for inserting a floppy disk (magnetic recording medium) 2 is formed on the front side of the housing 31 . Inside the insertion port 32,
A disk drive system 33 and a magnetic head 34 are provided.

The disk drive system and magnetic head 34 are connected to a T/○ interface 35. Then, the disk drive system 33
While rotating the floppy disk 2, the magnetic head 34 reads various programs and other data prerecorded on the floppy disk 2, or writes data to be updated.

The floppy disk 2 includes a plurality of storage (or recording) v4 areas 2a-2e as shown in FIG. 4A. The storage area 2a is an area for storing initialization data for initializing the floppy disk 2. Storage area 2b
is the program for displaying the initial screen (8 in Figure 1).
1 to S5). The storage area 2c is an area for storing a program for registering player identification data such as a player's name, initials, or code. The storage area 2d is an area for storing game programs. This game program includes audio data for generating music or sound effects during the game,
Program data (data other than audio data) such as characters, game control, display control, etc. are recorded.

As shown in detail in FIG. 4B, the storage area 2e is an area for storing, for each of a plurality of players, player identification data as well as numerical data indicating their own excellent performance, and is used as a table. Here, as player identification data, the player's name (kana or alphabet, etc.)
, initials or codes. Numerical data that indicates one's excellent performance is one's highest score (or high score) obtained in previous games if the game is a competition for the highest score (or high score), and one screen is cleared. In a game where you compete for the shortest amount of time to move a character or to move a character a certain distance, it means time. In the following explanation, as an example, a case will be described in which one's own high score is registered by name.

Incidentally, each of the storage areas 2a to 2e included in the floppy disk 2 is non-volatile and can be written to and read from, but has the disadvantage that access time is long. Therefore, in this embodiment, the RAM 23.23' is used corresponding to all or part of the storage areas 2a to 2e of the floppy disk 2, and the data on the floppy disk 2 is temporarily stored in the corresponding area of the RAM 23.23'. be done. Therefore, in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the 41 area 2a of the floppy disk 2 is
The storage area of RAM23.23' corresponding to ~2e is 23
Shown as a to 23e. Further, the RAM 23° 23' further includes an area 23e' for storing the name of the player who is about to play the game and the score of the current game, which have been entered manually prior to the start of the game.

RAM23. 23' (7) The audio data temporarily stored in the i and 'l areas 23d is read out by access from the CPU 15, and is sent to the I10 interface 35.
The signal is applied to the sound source circuit 36 via. The sound source circuit 36 synthesizes audio data (digital data) to generate an audio signal (analog signal).

This audio signal is amplified by the audio amplification circuit 37, and the RA
The signal is applied to the RF modulation circuit 18 via the board 21 of the M adapter 20 and the edge connector 13.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the TV receiver 1. As shown in FIG. The screen of the TV receiver 1 is divided into a character display area 1a and a plurality of character or number display areas 1b to 1r in game mode.

The display area 1b displays the score of the player currently playing the game. The display areas 1c and 1d are high score display areas for displaying the player's previous high score and his or her name when the name of the player currently playing the game is already registered in the storage area 2e or 23e. be. The display areas 1e and 1f are top score display areas for displaying the highest scores and their names among the top high scorers registered in the storage area 2e or 23e. Note that the high score display areas 1c and ld and the top score display area 1
Either one of e and lf may be displayed as set by the program, or one may be displayed based on the player's selection.

1, 6, 7, and 8 are flowcharts of one embodiment of the present invention, in particular, FIG. 1 shows the outline, and FIG. 6 shows the player name registration mode (subroutine). FIG. 7 shows the flow of the game mode, and FIG. 8 shows the flow of the personal high score rewriting mode.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

(1) Initial screen mode Prior to powering on the game machine 10, the RAM adapter 2
The board 21 of 0 is inserted into the edge connector 13, and the game machine 10 is connected to the antenna input terminal of the TV receiver 1. Furthermore, floppy disk 2 is FDD3
0.

When the power switch (not shown) of the game machine 10 is turned on, the main routine shown in FIG. 1 starts. That is, in step S1, the CPU 15 provides a drive command signal to the disk drive system 33 and a read command signal to the magnetic head 34. Accordingly, the data stored in each storage area of the floppy disk 2 is read out and loaded into the RAM 23, 23'. At this time, C
The PU 15 may determine whether or not the inserted floppy disk 2 is a usable predetermined one based on the initialization data loaded into the storage area 23a.

Next, an initial screen display operation is performed based on the initial screen display program loaded in the jQil area 23b. That is, in step s2, a title screen of software such as a game is displayed on the screen of the TV receiver 1. In step s3, start switch 1
It is determined whether or not 2e is pressed (ON). If it is determined that the button is not pressed, a demonstration screen is displayed in step S4. Subsequently, in step S5, the names and personal high scores of a plurality of players are stored on the TV receiver 1 based on the data stored in the storage area 23e.
will be displayed. More preferably, the names of each player and their high scores are displayed as a performance ranking table in the order of their performance. As a specific method for that purpose, the storage area 23e
The names and high scores of the players are loaded in the order of registration (input) regardless of the score, and when displayed, they are sorted and displayed in the order of the highest score. Another method is to update the high score if the score of the player who played the game exceeds the player's own high score after the game ends, and at the same time, compare the high scores of other players and score the data in the recording area 23e. They may be stored in order and displayed in that order based on this stored data. After this operation, the process returns to step S2 and the operations of steps 82 to S5 are repeated until the start switch 12e is pressed.

(2) Name registration mode In the initial screen mode mentioned above, press the start switch 12
When e is pressed (one time of the mouth), it is determined in step S3, and the process proceeds to step S6, where the memory area 2 is
A player name registration mode is executed prior to the game based on the data loaded in 3c. That is,
In step S11, storage area 23. The character (for example, English, character, or kana) pattern data loaded in c is read out, and the character pattern is displayed on the TV screen a1. In step S12, it is determined whether the cross switch 12C has been operated. If it has not been operated, it is determined in step S13 whether or not the A button 12a has been pressed. If the start key 128 has not been pressed, it is determined in step S7 whether the start key 128 has been pressed (second press), and if it has not been pressed, the process returns to step Sll.

In this manner, when the operations of steps 311 to S13 and S7 are repeated, if the cross switch 12C is operated, this is determined in step S12, and the process proceeds to step 314. In step S14, it is determined whether or not the upper one of the four pressing points of the cross switch 12c, up, down, left and right, has been pressed. When it is determined that the upper push point has been pressed, the cursor for designating any character on the character pattern is moved upward by one character in step S15. After that, or when it is determined that the upper push point has not been pressed, it is determined in step 316 whether or not the lower push point of the cross switch 12G has been pressed. If the lower push point is pressed, step S17
, the cursor is moved down by one character. Similarly, in steps SL8 to S21, the cursor is moved to the left or right by one character based on whether or not the left or right pressing point of the cross switch 12c is pressed.

In this way, a player who is about to play the game operates the cross switch 12e to select a character consisting of his or her name or initial, and then presses the A button 12a to instruct the registration of that character. . Then, in step S13, it is determined that this is the case, and step S22
Proceed to. In step S22, it is determined whether the cursor is located at a character indicating the end of the name registration operation (for example, END). If it is determined that the position is not the END character, the code of the one character specified by the cursor at that time is loaded into area 23e'. When the above-described operations are repeated and registration of a plurality of characters indicating the player's name, etc. is completed, the name data is loaded into the area 23e'.

Thereafter, when the player moves the cursor to the END position and presses the A button 12a or the start key 128, this is determined in step S22 or S7, and the name registration mode ends.

(3) Game mode When the start key 12e is pressed in the above-mentioned name registration mode, the operation for the game shown in FIG. 7 is started based on the game program loaded in the jQ area 23d in step S8. . That is, in step S24, the first screen data of the game loaded in the three-player area 23d is sequentially read out and loaded into the video RAM 17. In step S25, part of the data in the video RAM 17V is changed (rewritten) in order to change the screen based on the game program.

In step S26, it is determined whether the cross switch 12C has been operated. If this has been operated, the data in the video RAM 17V is rewritten in step S27 in order to move the character in the direction corresponding to the operation of the cross switch 12c. After that, or after determining that the cross switch 12c is not operated, the A button 12 is pressed in the next step S28.
It is determined whether or not a is pressed. If this has been operated, the A button 12a is pressed in step S29.
In order to make a change corresponding to the operation of
7V data rewriting is performed. After that, or after determining that the A button 12a is not pressed, it is determined in step S30 whether or not the B button 12b is pressed. If this has been operated, in step S31, the data in the video RAM 17V is rewritten in order to make a change corresponding to the operation of the B button], 2b. After that, or after determining that the B button 12b is not pressed, the process advances to the next step S32.

In this step S32, it is determined whether the game state has reached a state in which points should be awarded. If it is in the scoring state, the score for the current game is calculated (added) in step S33.

The score calculated in this way is displayed in the display area 1b. At this time, if the same name as the name of the player currently registered in the area 23e' is already registered in the storage area 23e, the player's previous high scores and his/her name are read out as necessary. It is displayed in the high score display areas 1c and 1f. Looking at this display, the player can continue playing the game with the goal of updating his previous high score. More preferably, the highest scores and their names among the plurality of players already registered in the storage area 23e are read out and displayed in the top score display areas 1e, lf.

After the score is calculated or after it is determined in step S32 that no points are given, it is determined in step S9 whether or not the game has ended. The conditions for ending the game vary depending on the type of game, but include failures (mistakes) reaching a predetermined number of times, time-up, and the like. If it is determined that the game has not ended, the process returns to step S25 and the aforementioned operations are repeated. and,
When the game ending condition is detected in step S9, the game mode is ended.

It should be noted that the operation of the game mode as described above is merely an example, and it goes without saying that it differs depending on the type of game.

(4) Self-high score rewriting mode When the game end condition is detected in step S9 of the game mode described above, the self-high score rewriting mode of step S10 starts. That is, in this mode, as shown in detail in FIG. 8, in step S34 it is determined whether the name of the player who played the current game has already been registered in the storage area 23e. If it is not registered, the score of the player who played the current game will be stored in the storage area 23.
It is determined whether the score is higher than or equal to the score of the lowest ranked player (highest score of the lowest rank) among the plurality of players registered in e. If it is determined that the above is the case, the name of the current player loaded in the area 23e' in step S35 is updated to the name storage area of the lowest player included in the storage area 23e. . Subsequently, in step S35, the warging register 17w
(or the area 23c'), the scores of the player who played the current game are updated to the high score storage area of the player included in the storage area 23e.

Thereafter, if it is necessary to arrange and store the results in order of performance, steps S38 to S40 are performed. That is, in step S38, it is determined whether the high score is greater than the high score of the player one rank higher. If a larger item is folded, in step S39, the name and high score data of the player are written with their rankings interchanged (up and down) with those of the player with the 1st rank. Subsequently, in step S40, it is determined whether or not the ranking after the replacement is the first place, and if it is not the first place, the process returns to step 338.

In this way, the process is repeated until it is determined in step 538 that the high score is lower than the high score of the player one rank higher, or until it is determined in step S40 that the ranking after the replacement is in first place.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S34 that the name of the current player is registered in the storage area 23e, the process advances to step S41.

In step S41, it is determined whether the current score of the same player exceeds the previous high score registered in the storage area 23e. If it is determined that the score has been exceeded, the current score is written in the high score storage area corresponding to the same player's name in step S42, and then the process advances to step 338.

Note that when it is determined in step S35 that the score is lower than the high score of the player in the lowest position, and when it is determined in step S38 that the high score is lower than the high score of the player one rank above, the rank after the replacement is determined in step S40. When it is determined that it is the first place, or in step S4
If it is determined in step 2 that the current score is lower than the previous high score, the process proceeds to step S5 (or S2) described above. Further, after these determinations, if there is a change in the data, the data in the storage area 23e may be written to the storage area 2e of the floppy disk 2, and then the process may proceed to step S5.

Note that if it is not necessary to store the high scores for each player's name registered in the storage area 23e in line with scores,
The operations of steps 338 to 340 described above are required.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, a case is shown in which the storage medium is composed of the Frembie disk 2 and the RAM 23, 23', but instead of this, a ROM cartridge containing an EEPROM may be used.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, identification data such as the names of a plurality of players can be registered in advance, regardless of whether or not they achieve excellent results such as the highest score. In addition, numerical data indicating the best performance, such as personal high score for each player, can be known. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, it is possible to register player identification data for a certain number of players and numerical data indicating their performance, regardless of the magnitude of their high scores.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an outline of an embodiment of the present invention. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing the system configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, in particular, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view, and FIG.
The figure shows its block diagram. Figures 4A and 4B show the floppy disk storage (
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a storage area of a RAM included in a recording area and a RAM adapter. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the screen of the TV receiver in game mode. 6, 7, and 8 are flowcharts showing one embodiment of the present invention, in particular, FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a player name registration mode, and FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a game mode. FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the self-high score rewriting mode. In the figure, 1 is a TV receiver, 2 is a floppy disk, 10 is a home video game machine, 12° 12' is a controller, 15 is a CPU (first writing means, counting means,
judgment means, second writing means), 16 is ppu, 18 is R
F modulation circuit, 20 is a RAM adapter, 21 is a board, 23
．． 23' is a RAM, and 30 is an FDD.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (1) A home-use television game that is connected to the television receiver and supplies a television signal related to the game to the television receiver based on a program stored in a storage medium. In the machine, the storage medium includes a first storage unit that stores in advance a game program for the game and a registration program for registering player identification data, and player identification data and each player identification data for each of a plurality of predetermined players. a writable/readable non-volatile second storage unit that stores numerical data indicating the player's best performance up to the previous time; the home video game machine operates at least in a player identification data registration mode; and mode selection means for selecting one of the game modes; input means for inputting player identification data in response to an operation by a player when the registration mode is selected by the mode selection means; and operation of the input means. a first writing means for writing player identification data inputted by the user into the second storage section; an operating means operated by the player during the game; when a game mode is selected by the mode selecting means, the operating means television signal generation means that operates in response to an operation of the computer and generates a television signal for a game and supplies it to the television receiver based on a game program stored in the first storage unit; , a counting means for counting numerical data indicating the performance during the game; when one game is completed, the numerical data counted by the counting means corresponds to the player identification data stored in the second storage section; A determining means for issuing an update command when determining that the data is superior to the numerical data, and in response to an update command issued by the determining means,
a second writing means for updating the numerical data counted by the counting means into a storage area of numerical data corresponding to the identification data of the player who played the current game stored in the second storage unit; A home video game machine equipped with (2) When player identification data for a plurality of players is registered in the second storage unit, the determining means determines whether the same player identification data input for the current game has already been registered. The television signal generating means, in response to the determining means determining that the same player identification data is registered, stores information in the second storage unit corresponding to the player identification data. 2. The home video game machine according to claim 1, wherein the stored numerical data is supplied to the television receiver as a television signal for displaying the stored numerical data during a game period. (3) The home video game machine according to claim 2, wherein the television signal generating means derives a television signal for displaying identification data of the player currently playing the game. (4) The determining means determines whether, when player identification data for a plurality of players is registered in the second storage unit, the same player identification data input for the current game has already been registered. and when it is determined that the player is registered, whether the numerical data counted by the counting means is better than the numerical data stored in the second storage unit corresponding to the player identification data. If it is judged to be excellent, an update order is issued and the second
The writing means updates the numerical data counted by the counting means into a storage area for numerical data corresponding to the identification data of the player who played the current game in response to an update command. The home video game machine according to item 1. (5) The determining means determines whether, when player identification data for a certain number of registrable players are registered in the second storage unit, the same player identification data input for the current game has already been registered. When it is determined that the number is not registered, the numerical data counted by the counting means is one of the numerical data indicating excellent performance among a certain number of people registered in the second storage unit. It is determined whether the numerical data is better than the numerical data of the worst player, and when it is determined that it is superior, an update command is issued and the second
The writing means updates the currently inputted player identification data and the numerical data counted by the counting means into the storage area corresponding to the lowest player in response to an update command. A home video game machine as described in Scope 1. (6) The television signal generating means is configured to rearrange the player identification data and the numerical data indicating the results of each player registered in the second storage unit in the order of the results and display a score sheet for each player. The home video game machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a signal of: is given to the receiver. (7) The second writing means writes player identification data and numerical data indicating the results of each player registered in the second storage unit in the order of the results. The home video game machine according to item 4 or 5. (8) The television signal generating means generates a signal for displaying a score sheet for each player based on player identification data registered in the second storage unit and numerical data corresponding thereto. A home video game machine according to claim 4, which is provided to a television receiver. (9) The home video game machine according to claim 1, wherein the selection means and the input means are also used as the operation means. (10) The home video game machine according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is an external storage means that can be inserted into and removed from the home video game machine. (11) The storage medium includes: an external storage means that can be freely inserted into and removed from the home video game machine; and information that is provided in relation to the home video game machine and is stored in the external storage means. 2. The home video game machine according to claim 1, further comprising a semiconductor memory for temporarily storing.