KR20050116545A - Game interface apparatus having a rf reset function - Google Patents

Abstract

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a game interface device having a wireless reset function that enables a video game service operation by providing a capability-based charging function to a general home console type video game machine.

The game interface device of the present invention is installed between a home video game machine (300) equipped with a game program disc of a hard disk or a CD or a DVD and a PC monitor 250 or a TV monitor 260 or a commercial game machine (200). A game interface device which can be used for a commercial business of a charging method, and has an A / V detector 112, a program pack 400, a key input mapping module 120, a controller 111, and an OSD driver 113. The control unit 111 of the interface device 100 is configured to generate and output a reset signal for resetting the video game machine 300, and the reset signal of the control unit 111 is reset. A specific reset frequency signal inputted to the set remote controller signal generator 118 to generate a specific reset frequency signal for resetting the video game machine 300, and generated by the reset remote controller signal generator 118. The set frequency signal is configured to be modulated and output into an infrared radio control signal by the infrared diode 119, and the video game machine 300 having a reset remote control receiver 314 is connected to the infrared radio control signal emitted from the infrared diode. It is characterized by being configured to be reset.

Description

Game interface apparatus having a wireless reset function

The present invention relates to a game interface device that allows a home console type video game machine to be used for commercial purposes by providing a charging function according to the progress of the game with only external signal processing technology without the internal modification of the console type video game machine used for personal use in a general home. In particular, the present invention relates to a game interface device having a wireless reset function that allows a reset necessary for initialization of the console type video game machine to be executed by an interface-integrated remote control device.

In the past, many attempts have been made to convert home video game machines to commercial use. The representative method was to install an interface device for relaying data and signals between the video game machine and the commercial game device in order to connect the console type video game machine to the commercial game device so that the business can be paid for.

The interface device basically inputs the key operation button on the main body of the game machine equipped with the monitor when the coin is used and the valid condition is applied to the game pad input terminal side of the video game machine. It performs the function of delivering to the monitor and speaker in the game console. After that, when no coin is inserted or all coins are used, the signal transmission line such as a key operation button to be transmitted from the commercial game device side to the video game machine side is blocked so that the game is prohibited without the coin input.

These traditional interface devices tried to apply the part-time method and the ability system to pay for game devices. Here, the time system refers to a method of designing the game machine to be executed only for a predetermined time when a coin is input, and the ability system refers to a system designed to play a game while extending the game time according to the gamer's ability.

It is a very simple and common technique to design an interface device in a simple part-time manner so that a console video game machine can be used for commercial use. But designing it in a competent way is not straightforward. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that every game program must be designed with a detailed and reasonable means of evaluating gamers' abilities. It requires a full analysis of the content of every game to be applied to the interface device, so that the work load requires a huge amount of time equivalent to the development of a new game. In addition, the problem of limiting the design freedom, which requires developing an ability-based game operation program using only an external signal without modifying the video game machine, is difficult to convert the home video game machine into a commercial capability system.

Indeed, it has been confirmed from the prior art that many attempts have been made to convert home video game consoles using interface devices for commercial use.

Korean Patent Registration No. 10-343889, Utility Model Registration No. 20-191318, and Patent Registration No. 1993-625-3 offer various methodologies for operating the interface device as a capability agent. Is focused on finding the point of game ending (game end) while running the game program of home video game machine, and managing the game based on this.

Looking at the contents of the prior art of the competency system, it is necessary to recognize the end of the game in order to grasp the charging time, the source end of the screen or the end of the audio signal is defined as a reference value. Therefore, the conventional interface device determines that the game end screen or the game end sound during the game is the end of the power game.

However, since the specific factors for judging the end of the game are different for many game programs, it cannot be normalized to any one value.

In particular, in the above prior art, in order to recognize the game over or the end of the game, the corresponding ending screen is captured and used as the reference value of the image image, and the game is terminated by continuously capturing the game progress screen and comparing the image image. Since it is trying to determine the timing, it is difficult to sync the game speed due to the excessive operation load on the control processor of the interface device, the capture and comparison error, the demand of the high performance control processor, and the circuit is unstable. In addition, the price of the product has been increased due to the demand for a high performance processor.

Therefore, the interface device between the competency home video game machine and the commercial game device based on the preceding inventions has a disadvantage in that it cannot realistically perform its original functions.

The problem of the existing technology as described above is solved in 10-2004-0031202 "game interface device" previously filed by the present applicant.

1 is a conceptual example of a game interface device pre- filed by the applicant of the present invention, the business game machine main body 200 having a monitor 211 and 1P, 2P key buttons 215, 216 including a selection button and a direction key; The state of connecting the PC monitor 250 or the TV monitor 260 to the home console type video game machine 300 through the interface device 100 is shown.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an entire circuit including the game interface device of FIG. 1 and a video game machine, a commercial game machine, a PC monitor 250, and a TV monitor 260, which are peripheral devices to be coupled to the interface device.

Here, the business game machine main body 200 includes an A / V signal processor 210 for processing A / V signals input from the video game machine 300, a monitor 211 and a speaker 212 connected to the A / V signal processor. The coin box 213 generates a coin input signal for coin input and provides the control unit 111 of the interface device 100, and generates a key operation signal according to game execution, and generates a key of the interface device 100. The PC monitor 250 and the TV monitor 260 each having 1P and 2P key buttons 215 and 216 provided to the input mapping unit 120 and having charging devices 251 and 261 are respectively provided with VGA output and A / V of the interface device. It is configured to drive by output.

The interface device 100 includes an A / V detection unit 112 that picks up a portion of the A / V signal transmitted from the video game machine 300 to the business game machine body 200, the PC monitor 250, and the TV monitor 260. , Automatic presetting information for each game program, coordinate values of multiple points for checking a specific video screen for each game program, color signal information of the coordinate value points, mute information for checking a specific video screen, and key input mapping information for each game program. A key input mapping module for relaying the program pack 400 and the 1P and 2P key buttons 215 and 216 signals of the game machine main body 200 to the 1P and 2P ports 315 and 316 for game pad connection of the video game machine 300 ( 120 and the A / V detection unit 112 based on the charging signals from the coin boxes 213, the PC monitor 250, or the charging apparatuses 251, 261 in the commercial game machine main body 200. Mute audio from A / V signal for each game in progress Extracting the color signal information of the specific coordinate point of the beam and the image screen and comparing it with the reference value set in the program pack 400 to determine the game progress status and the key input mapping module according to the game progress status determination information ( Game connected to the 1P, 2P key button 215, 216 of the game machine main body 200 or the 2P, 1P game pad socket 180, 190 selectively through the 1P, 2P key input mapping unit 115, 116 in the 120. The control unit 111 for controlling the key input signals of the pads 181 and 191 to be transmitted to the 1P and 2P ports 315 and 316 of the video game machine 300, and the game progress control and progress information by the control unit 111. The OSD driver 113 for outputting to the monitor of the main body 200 is organically combined.

In addition, the control unit 111 is configured by combining a setting and function selection unit 114 for manipulating functions such as selection of various modes of the interface device, reset, volume, mono / stereo, power LED, RGB autoset, and the like. have.

The video game machine 300 processes a mechanism part 312 for driving a game program recorded on a large data recording medium such as a hard disk, a CD, a DVD, a semiconductor memory, and the A / V signal generated by the mechanism part. A / V signal output section 311 to be output, 1P, 2P ports (315, 316) for physical connection with the game pad, and the game pad operation signals connected to the 1P, 2P ports (315, 316) are received. The controller 310 controls the execution of a game program on a hard disk, a CD, a DVD, and a semiconductor memory driven by the mechanism unit 312.

The video game machine 300 is provided with a reset button 313 for providing a reset signal to the control unit 310 for initialization of the game program, the reset button is configured to be operated by the actuator 450 However, the actuator is configured to be operated by the reset signal generated by the control unit 111 of the interface device 100.

Looking at the operation of this prior invention,

First, the key input mapping module 120 and the program pick 400 are inserted into the mapping module socket 121 and the program pack socket 150 of the interface device 100, respectively, and the VGA connector 131 or the RCA jack thereof. The PC monitor 250 or the TV monitor 260 is connected to the 132, and the A / V signal output cable of the video game machine 300 is connected to the A / V connector 130, and the 1P and 2P pads of the interface device are connected. Signal pads 170 and 160 are connected to game pad cables for connecting 1P and 2P ports 315 and 316 of the video game machine 300, and game pads are connected to 1P and 2P game pad sockets 190 and 180 of the key input mapping module 120. 191 and 181, and the operation signal cable of the reset button operation actuator 450 mounted on the video game machine 300 is connected to the reset signal connector 140 of the interface device 100. Hard disk, CD, DVD, semiconductor memory based game program to the game machine 300 Configure the home video game console based on the power of the game system as root, then when the power supply system is a system initialization and games standby mode.

In this state, a coin is put into the coin box 213 provided in the main body of the game machine 200 for business, or a coin of the amount set in each of the charging devices 261 and 251 provided in the TV monitor 260 or the PC monitor 250 is put or When the card payment is made, the coin box or the charging device counts the quantity or settlement amount of the input coin by the normal mechanism operation or the electronic operation and sends the count information, that is, the charging information, to the control unit 111 of the interface device 100. .

When the controller 111 in the interface apparatus 100 receives charging information from the coin box 213 or the charging apparatuses 251 and 261, the controller 111 generates a reset signal and generates game pads 181 and 191 or a game machine for business. The start key input of the 1P key button 215 or the 2P key button 216 of the main body 100 is monitored. In this state, the start buttons of the game pads 251 and 261 or the 1P and 2P key buttons 215 and 216 are monitored. When the keying input is detected, the program stored in the program pack 400 is automatically executed to execute the game option pre-setting program registered in the program pack 400 to automatically proceed to the game playable state by the video game machine.

This shortens the access time from the start of the game start button to the completion of the game option selection that allows the actual game to be started, and eliminates the variation in the option selection time according to the proficiency difference of the gamers, thus creating a fair game condition for everyone. Given.

When the reset signal output from the control unit 111 is applied to the actuator 450 disposed in close proximity to the reset button 313 of the video game machine 300 through the reset signal connector 140, the reset signal of the actuator 450 By the operation, the reset button 313 of the video game machine 300 is pressed to apply the reset signal to the controller 310. This initializes the video game machine. The actuator 450 uses a solenoid or a motor.

The game option presetting at the start of the game start is performed by the PC of the game machine main body 200 side 1P, 2P key buttons 215 and 216 or the key input mapping module 120 so that gamers for game execution cannot directly control and select options. Presetting is performed while the key input lines of the game pads 191 and 181 connected to the 1P and 2P game pad sockets 190 and 180 for controlling the monitor / TV monitor are blocked.

Basically, the 1P, 2P key buttons 215 and 216 of the game machine main body 200 side or the key buttons of the game pads 191 and 181 connected to the 1P and 2P game pad sockets 190 and 180 of the key input mapping module 120 are included. Unlike other buttons, the start button selection signal is designed to be placed entirely under the control of the control unit 111 without a mapping operation of the 1P and 2P key input mapping units 115 and 116 of the key input mapping module 120.

This means that even if the gamers press the start buttons provided on the 1P and 2P key buttons 215 and 216 or the game pads 191 and 181 of the commercial game machine main body 200, the control unit 111 switches to this start button generation signal (in a pause mode during the game). Block the path to the video game machine and selectively generate a start key button signal to the video game machine only when necessary.

That is, the key buttons of the game pads 191 and 191 connected to the 1P and 2P key buttons 215 and 216 of the game machine main body 200 or the 1P and 2P game pad sockets 190 and 180 for the PC / TV of the key input mapping module 120. The signal, in particular, the start key button input signal is relayed to the video game machine 300 by the interface device 100 so that the signal transmission between the main body of the game machine (or TV monitor, PC monitor) and the video game machine is transmitted to the interface device 100. Will be operated in a fully controlled state.

On the other hand, when the game is started, the control unit 310 of the video game machine 300 drives the mechanism unit 312 for operating the game program recording medium based on the hard disk, CD, DVD, semiconductor memory to execute the game A / The game signal and the game audio signal are output through the V signal output unit 311.

The A / V signal output from the A / V signal output unit 311 is connected to the A / V detector 112, the A / V processor 117, and the game machine through the A / V connector 130 of the interface device 100. The A / V signal processing unit 210 of the main body 200 is provided.

Accordingly, the A / V signal processor 210 processes the corresponding game screen and sound output from the video game machine 300, that is, the video signal and the audio signal, and outputs the same to the monitor 211 and the speaker 212, respectively, Since it is output to the TV monitor or PC monitor through the V processing unit 117, the gamer controls the 1P, 2P key buttons 215 and 216 or the game pads 191 and 181 while looking at the monitor screen of the corresponding device. The key signal and the select button signal are transmitted and input to the respective 1P and 2P ports 315 and 316 of the video game machine 300 through the 1P and 2P key input mapping units 115 and 116 of the interface apparatus 100, respectively.

During game execution, the control unit 111 of the interface device 100 executes a check mode for each game stage stored in the program pack 400. In the check mode, the color signal levels of the corresponding coordinate values on the real-time screen through the A / V detection unit 112 are determined by referring to the plurality of video screen coordinate values to be checked in the current game progress state and the color signal levels of the corresponding coordinate points. We read and compare.

When the reference to find the result of the execution of the check mode is found, the time is divided into the end of the game or the entry of the next stage to control the execution of the ability system according to the charging.

Above, the development story of the game is subdivided so that the reference of the check mode for each step (the step-by-step reference according to the progress of the game is included in the program pack) is defined as the specific coordinate value of the video screen. Increasing the number of set coordinate values to be checked can significantly increase the match success rate for a particular screen. In the practice of the present invention, the experiment was set to about 10 check points (coordinate value) per screen, the error occurred (screen check error) was hardly seen. In addition, the mute time of the audio signal may be used for the reference setting of the step-by-step check mode, which may be parallel to the color signal level check of the coordinate value of the video screen.

Unlike the intelligent interface device of the present invention, which has accurate and fast situational processing capability according to such a step-by-step tracking method for each game situation and plural checkpoints in the corresponding step, the conventional interface device compares audio mute or image image. By checking the specific screen or the specific sound state of a single point through a simple and only to recognize the end of the game for charging, it is possible to predict the accuracy of the operation of the two interface devices, the data processing speed and the reliability of the operation. It is easy to see the difference.

The control unit 111 of the interface device 100 controls the game performance main body 200 through the OSD driving unit 113 when the competency-level game execution control through charging, the game information and the step-by-step game control information and the situation information that the gamer should know. Display on a monitor 211 screen or a monitor screen of a TV or a computer. This supports interactive game information between gamers and game consoles, enabling gamers to smoothly use commercial game consoles coupled to interface devices.

The prior invention which operates as described above is a console type video game machine for personal use in a general home, and can perform the charging function according to the progress of the game in the interface device coupled to a commercial game device using only external signal processing technology without its internal modification. It is also possible to use a type video game machine for commercial use, and simply purchase and replace a program pack containing a program that synchronizes the corresponding game program to an existing interface device, thereby changing the game contents of the commercial game machine.

However, in the prior invention, an actuator such as a solenoid or a motor, which is an expensive component, must be used for the reset of the video game machine 300 using the reset output signal of the interface device 100 necessary for each initialization of the game program. The need to install actuators in front of a reset button on a video game machine has fueled the cost of interface products.

The present invention is to solve the problems of the conventional interface device as described above, an object of the present invention is a game interface device having a wireless reset function to enable a cheap and accurate reset of the video game machine by the interface device To provide.

The game interface device of the wireless reset function of the present invention for achieving the above object is installed between a home video game machine equipped with a hard disk or a game program disc of a CD or DVD and installed between a PC monitor or a TV monitor or a commercial game machine. In the game interface device having an A / V detection unit, a program pack, a key input mapping module, a control unit and an OSD driving unit, the control unit of the interface device is used to reset the video game machine. And generating and outputting a set signal, wherein the reset signal of the controller is input to a reset remote controller signal generator to generate a specific reset frequency signal for resetting the video game machine. Specific reset frequency generated by the signal generator Arc is characterized in that the configuration is configured to be modulated output to the infrared remote control signal by the infrared diode and causes the video game machine is reset with a reset IR receiver by the infrared remote control signal emitted from the infrared diode

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a circuit diagram of a game interface device having a wireless reset function of the present invention.

As referred to herein, the home video game device 300 is installed between the home video game machine 300 and the PC monitor 250 or the TV monitor 260 or the commercial game machine 200 in which a game program disc of a hard disk or CD or DVD is mounted. The interface device 100, which enables the game machine to be used for the billing type business, includes an A / V detector 112, a program pack 400 having coordinate values and key input mapping information for checking a specific screen, and a game pad. The key input mapping module 120 relays the key input signal to the 1P and 2P ports of the video game machine. When the charging signal is input from the charging device, the color signal information of the specific coordinate point game screen and the voice information of the specific time point are monitored. The game progress is judged by comparing with the reference value of the program pack and delivered to the 1P and 2P ports of the video game machine 300 through the key input mapping module according to the game progress. The control unit 111 for controlling the key input signal and the OSD control unit 113 for outputting the game progress control status information on the monitor are organically combined.

The controller 111 of the interface apparatus 100 is designed to generate and output a reset signal for resetting the video game machine 300 every time the game is initialized.

The control unit 111 is configured to generate a specific reset frequency signal for resetting the video game machine 300 by inputting the reset signal to the reset remote control signal generator 118.

The specific reset frequency signal generated by the reset remote controller signal generator 118 is configured to be modulated and output by an infrared ray radio control signal by the infrared diode 119 so that the infrared ray radio control signal emitted from the video game machine 300 is generated. It is configured to be applied to the reset remote control receiver 314 coupled to the control unit 310 of the.

Referring to the operation of the present invention configured as described above is as follows.

The video game machine 300 and the TV monitor 260 and the charging device 261 or the video game machine 300 and the PC monitor 250 and the charging device 251 or the commercial game machine using the interface device 100 as a medium. When the system 200 is initialized and the system is initialized, the control unit 111 of the interface device 100 generates a reset signal and outputs the signal to the reset remote controller signal generator 118.

The reset remote controller signal generator 118 generates a predetermined frequency signal, that is, a video game machine reset frequency signal, which is set in advance when the reset signal from the controller 111 is input, and outputs it to the infrared diode 119. do. Accordingly, the infrared diode modulates the input signal into infrared rays and outputs an infrared beam, which is wirelessly transmitted to the reset remote controller receiver 314 coupled to the controller 310 of the video game machine 300.

Accordingly, the reset signal of the interface device 100 is wirelessly transmitted to the video game machine 300 so that the video game machine can be reset every time the game is initialized without a separate actuator.

As described above, the present invention provides an interface device by organically coupling an infrared reset device to an interface device that can be used as a commercial game device by giving a power system charging function to a home console type video game machine. It is effective to reduce cost and simplify assembly structure.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a connection between a conventional game interface device and a peripheral device thereof.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a conventional game interface device, a video game machine to be coupled to the interface device, and various display devices.

3 is a circuit diagram of a game interface device having a wireless reset function of the present invention.

※ Explanation of symbols about main part of drawing ※

100: interface device 111: control unit

112: A / V detector 113: OSD driver

114: setting and function selection section 115: 1P key input mapping section

116: 2P key input mapping unit 117: A / V processing unit

118: reset remote control signal generator 119: infrared diode

120: key input mapping module 138: charging signal input terminal

150: Program pack socket 160,170: 2P, 1P pad signal connector

180,190: 2P, 1P Gamepad Socket 181,191: Gamepad

200: business game machine body 210: A / V signal processing unit

211: monitor 212: speaker

213: coin box 215: 1P key button

216: 2P key button 250: PC monitor

251,261: Charging device 260: TV monitor

300: video game machine 310: control unit

311: A / V signal output section 312: mechanism section

313: reset button 314: reset remote control receiver

315: 1P port 316: 2P port

400: Program Pack 450: Actuator

Claims (1)

It is installed between a home video game machine 300 equipped with a game program disc of a hard disk or a CD or a DVD, and a PC monitor 250 or a TV monitor 260 or a commercial game machine 200 for a commercial business of charging. A / V detector 112, a program pack 400 having coordinates and key input mapping information for checking a specific screen, and relaying a key input signal of a game pad to 1P and 2P ports of a video game machine. When the charging signal is input from the key input mapping module 120 and the charging device, the color signal information of the specific coordinate point game screen and the voice information of the specific time point are monitored and compared with the reference value of the program pack to determine the game progress situation. Control unit 111 and game progress control for controlling the key input signal transmitted to the 1P, 2P port of the video game machine 300 through the key input mapping module according to the game progress situation In the game interface device 100 including an OSD driver 113 for outputting sulfur information on a monitor, the control unit 111 of the interface device 100 is reset to reset the video game machine 300. Further generate and output a signal, and the reset signal of the controller 111 is input to the reset remote controller signal generator 118 to generate a specific reset frequency signal for resetting the video game machine 300. And a specific reset frequency signal generated by the reset remote controller signal generator 118 to be modulated by an infrared wireless control signal by the infrared diode 119, and radiated by the infrared diode. According to the control signal, the video game machine 300 having the reset remote controller receiver 314 is configured to be reset. Game interface device.