MXPA99007565A - Portable electronic device and entertainment system - Google Patents

Abstract

Un dispositivo electrónico portátil tiene un conector para ser conectado a una unidad maestra que tiene una función de ejecución de programas, medios de control, el cual tiene una memoria de programa para almacenar un programa, para controlar la ejecución del programa, y medios de almacenamiento (no mostrados) para almacenar la presencia de sucesos, en donde un suceso que ha sido almacenado en los medios de almacenamiento se transfiere a la unidad maestra en respuesta a una petición proveniente de dicha unidad maestra.

Description

PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a portable electronic device used as an auxiliary storage device, such as a memory card inserted in the master unit of the information equipment, as well as an entertainment system, such as a video game station having a function. to store the game data or the like in an auxiliary storage device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A portable or slave electronic device that serves as an auxiliary storage device, such as a conventional memory card used when inserted into the master unit of the information equipment, such as a video game machine, is equipped with an interface to make a connection with the console (master unit) of the information equipment and a non-volatile storage element for storing data. Figure 26 (a) illustrates an example of the arrangement of the main components of the memory card, which is an example of said portable electronic device according to the prior art. A memory card according to the prior art has the control means 11 for controlling the operation of the memory card, a connector 12 for making a connection to a terminal provided in a slot of the information equipment or the like, and a memory non-volatile 16 to store data. The connector 12 and the non-volatile memory 16 are connected to the control means 11. The control means 1 1 is constituted by a microcomputer, as an example. An instantaneous memory, such as an EEPROM, for example, is used as the non-volatile memory 16. There are also examples in which the interface for connecting to the information equipment or the like employs a microcomputer as a means of control to interpret the protocols. Figure 26 (b) illustrates the elements controlled by the control means 1 1 of the conventional memory card 10. As illustrated, the memory card has only one interface connected to the console for connection to the computer console of the computer. information or the like, and a memory interface for data entry and exit to and from non-volatile memory. In addition, the conventional video game station, such as a home television game station has a function for storing the game data and the like in an auxiliary storage device. The video card mentioned above is also used as an auxiliary storage device of said video game station. Figure 27 illustrates an example of a conventional video game station employing a memory card as an auxiliary storage device. This conventional video game station 1 has a console 2 accommodated inside a substantially quadrangular box and is constituted by a mounting unit with disk in the center 3 on which an optical disc is mounted which serves as a recording medium in which the application program of a video game is recorded. A reset switch 4 for restarting the game at will, a power supply switch 5, a disk operation switch 6 manipulated to mount the optical disk, and two slots 7A and 7B, as an example. The memory card 10 used as an auxiliary storage device is inserted into the slots 7A, 7B so that the results of a game, for example, that has been executed in the video game station 1, are sent from the middle of control (CPU) 19 and write in the non-volatile memory 16. A provision may also be adopted in which a plurality of control devices (controllers) (not shown) are connected to the slots 7A, 7B, thereby enabling a plurality of users to play competing games with each other at the same time. More specifically, between a master unit and a slave unit, as shown in Figure 28, the data from the master unit is analyzed on the side of the slave unit in response to a read request from the master unit. The results of the analysis are sent to the master unit as data for the master unit t and this data is treated as read data on the side of the master unit. Consideration has been given to providing a slave, which is connected using the memory card slot of a video game station or the like that serves as the master, not only with the storage function of an auxiliary storage device, but also with a function to execute programs, for example games. Said slave can also be used as a portable electronic device as such, and by making it easy to communicate with other equipment, a wider range of applications can be achieved. On the other hand, this can stimulate the new demand. The present invention, which has been designed in view of these circumstances, aims to provide a portable electronic device and an entertainment system, characterized in that the portable electronic device can be connected to a master, can be used even as an isolated slave and communicate with ease with other elements of the team.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A portable electronic device, in accordance with the present invention is equipped with an interface for making a connection to a master unit having program executing a function, the portable electronic device comprises a program storage means for storing a program, means for control to control the execution of the program, and storage means for storing the events that occur, wherein an event that has been stored in the storage means is transferred to the master unit in response to a request from the master unit. In addition, a portable electronic device in accordance with the present invention is equipped with an interface for making a connection to a master unit having a program execution function, the portable electronic device consisting of program storage means for storing a program, control means for controlling the execution of the program and conversion means for converting a program address, which has been stored in the storage medium of the program, with respect to the control means, wherein the control means directly executes the program, whose addresses have been converted by the conversion means, stored in the program storage medium. In addition, a portable electronic device in accordance with the present invention comprises an information processor that allows executing the program data, storage means for storing program data that have been downloaded, address conversion means for acquiring the position information. of the program data in the storage medium and, when the storage means have been ceased by the information processor, to direct the storage means based on pertinent access information, input means of operation information to meter information of operation to the information processor, and means of output to extract images and audio that the information processor has produced based on at least the entry of operation information through the means of inputting operation information An entertainment system according to the present invention consists of a unit ad master that has a program execution function and a slave unit equipped with an interface to make a connection to the master unit, where the master unit has control means to transfer the information that accompanies the execution of the program to the unit. slave and to read the information from the slave, and the slave has program storage means for storing a program, control means for controlling the execution of the program, and conversion means for converting a program address, which has been stored in the program storage means, with respect to the control means, wherein the control means directly executes the program, whose address has been converted by the means by the conversion means, stored in the program storage means. In this way, the present invention is such that when an event occurs in an internal device, the presence of that event is stored and then the presence of the event is communicated to the master unit in response to a request from the unit. teacher.

As a result, the origin of an operation is not only the master unit but also an internal device. In the present invention, therefore, the degree of freedom of operation of the slave unit is increased in relation to the master unit. In addition, the present invention can be executed directly without rearranging the programs in the memory. As a result, the time required for ordering is eliminated in the present invention, thereby making it possible to execute processing at a high speed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating the appearance of a video game station that serves as a master unit in which a portable electronic device is used as a slave unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear view showing the appearance of the slot in the video game station that serves as a master unit; Figure 3 is an external perspective view showing the appearance of the video game station that serves as a master unit; Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of ordering the main components of the video game station that serves as a master unit; Figure 5 is a plan view illustrating the appearance of a portable electronic device mode in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the modality of the portable electronic device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a cover element in the open state in the embodiment of the portable electronic device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 8 is a front view showing the appearance of a modality of the portable electronic device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the main components of the modality of the portable electronic device according to the present invention; Figure 10 is a diagram useful for describing a wireless communication function of the portable electronic device mode in accordance with the present invention; Figure 11 is a diagram useful for describing the cooperative operation between a slave unit which is a mode of the portable electronic device in accordance with the present invention and the console of the video game station that serves as the master unit; Figure 12 is a diagram showing the flow of program data downloaded from the video game station console (master unit) to the portable electronic device (slave unit); Fig. 13 is a flow diagram showing the procedure for lowering of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a diagram showing another flow of program data downloaded from the console of the video game station (master unit) to the portable electronic device (slave unit); Figure 15 is a flow chart showing the downloading procedure shown in Figure 14; Fig. 16 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the communication mode between a slave unit and a master unit; Figure 17 is a block diagram schematically showing a protocol that refers to the presentation of events factors; Figure 18 is an example of the slave's unalterable programs; Figure 19 is another example of the unalterable slave programs; Figure 20 is a flow diagram illustrating a series of steps executed on the side of a master unit; Fig. 21 is a flow diagram illustrating a series of steps executed on the slave side according to the prior art; Figure 22 is a flow chart showing a series of steps executed on the side of a master unit in accordance with the prior art; Figure 23 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the address conversion of a memory; Figure 24 is a diagram showing a sorting of memory blocks at run time; Fig. 25 is a flow chart illustrating a series of steps of address conversion; Figure 26 is a diagram showing an example of ordering the main components of a conventional memory card; Fig. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a video game station using a memory card as an auxiliary storage device; and Figure 28 is a block diagram for describing the communication mode between a slave and a master unit in accordance with the prior art.

BEST WAY TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A portable electronic device representing the embodiment of the present invention can be used as a memory card used in an entertainment system, such as a video game station that serves as the master unit. The portable electronic device can also be used separately as a gaming machine that can be held between hands. It should be noted that the master unit is not limited to a video game station and that the portable electronic device that serves as a slave does not at all need to have a memory card function. In the following description the present invention is described with respect to a video game station which is an example of a master unit in which a portable electronic device representing the embodiment of the present invention is employed as a slave. The figural shows the appearance of a video game station that serves as the master unit in which the electronic device comprising the embodiment of the present invention is inserted. The video game station 1 serves to read a game program that has been recorded on an optical disc or the like and to execute the program in accordance with the commands of a user (the game player). The execution of the game mainly means to make the game continue and control the video and audio that fit the content of the game. The video game station 1 has a console 2 accommodated inside a substantially quadrangular box and is constituted by a disk mounting unit arranged at the center 3 on which an optical disk is mounted, such as a CD-ROM that serves as a recording medium for providing an application program for a video game or the like, a reset switch 4 for restarting the game at will, a power supply switch 5, a disk operation switch 6 manipulated to mount the optical disk , and two slots 7A and 7B, as an example. It should be noted that the recording medium for supplying the application program is not limited to an optical disc. In addition, a provision may be adopted in which the application program is provided by a communication line. Two controllers 20 can be connected to the slots 7A, 7B so that two users can play competition games or similar to each other. The memory card mentioned above or the portable electronic device comprising the embodiment of the present invention can be inserted into the slots 7A, 7B. Although Figure 1 exemplifies a structure having the slots 7A, 7B of two systems, the number thereof is not limited to the two. The controller 20 has first and second control portions, 21, 22, as well as a left button 23 L, a right button 23 R, a start button 24, and a selection button 25. In addition, the controller has the portions of control 31, 32 with capability for analog control, a mode selection switch 33 with ability to select the mode of operation of the control portions 31, 32, and a display portion 34 to show the selected mode of operation. The controller 20 has a vibration-emitting mechanism, which is not illustrated. Figure 2 shows the appearance of the slots 7A, 7B disposed at the front end of the console 2 of the video game station 1. According to this embodiment as in the slots 7A, 7B are each formed to have 2 levels. The upper levels of the respective slots have insertion portions for memory card 8A, 8B for inserting the memory card mentioned above 10 or a portable electronic device 100, described below, in the lower levels of the respective slots provided with controller connection portions (sets) 9A, 9B, for connecting a connection terminal (connector) 26 of the controller 20. Structurally the insertion hole (slots) of each of the memory card insertion portions 8A, 8B is constructed to have a transverse elongated rectangular shape, and the corners at both ends of the lower end thereof are more rounded than the corners at both ends of the upper end so that a memory card is not inserted in the wrong direction. The insertion portions of the memory card 8A, 8B have shutters that protect the connection terminals that have insertion portions of the memory card in order to obtain an electrical connection. Structurally the controller connection portions, 9A, 9B, on the other hand each has an insertion hole of a transverse elongated rectangular shape, and the corners at both ends of the lower end thereof are more rounded than the corners of both ends at the upper end, so that the terminal of connection 26 of controller 20 will not connect in the wrong direction. The insertion portions of the memory card 8A, 8B are structured to have insertion holes of different shapes in such a way that a memory card is not inserted by mistake. Figure 3 shows a state in which the portable electronic device 100 (described below) comprised in the embodiment of the present invention has been inserted into the memory card insertion portion 8A of the slot 7A at the front end of the game station of video 1. Figure 4 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the circuitry of the main components of the video game station described above 1. The video game station 1 has a control system 50 comprising a central processing unit (CPU) 51 and its peripherals; a graphics system 60 comprising a graphics processing unit (GPU) 62, etc., for drawing graphics in a frame buffer 63 a sound system 70 comprising a sound processing unit (SPU) 71, etc. ., to generate music and sound effects, etc .; an optical disk controller 80 for controlling an optical disk in which an application program is recorded; a communications controller 90 for controlling the input and output of data to and from the memory card 10, which stores signals and game settings from the controller 20 for which the user commands are the input, or the portable electronic device 100, described below; and a bus highlighted as a BUS to which each of the previous components are connected. The control system 50 has the CPU 51, a peripheral controller 52 for carrying out the control, such as interrupt control and control of direct memory access transfer (DMA), a main memory 53 comprising a random access memory (RAM); and a read-only memory (ROM) 54 that stores a program, such as a so-called operating system that controls the main memory 53, the graphics system 60 and the sound system 70. The main memory mentioned here refers to a memory in which the programs can be executed. The CPU 51, which carries out the overall control of the video game station 1 by running the operating system that has been stored in the ROM 54, by a 32-bit RISC-CPU, as an example.

When the energy is introduced to the video game station 1, the CPU 51 or the control system 50 executes the operating system stored in the ROM 54, whereby the CPU 51 controls the graphics system 60 and the sound system 70, etc. In addition, when the operating system is executed, the CPU performs the initialization of the global video game station 1, as the verification of the operation thereof, and then controls the controller of the optical disk 80 to execute an application program, like a game that has been recorded on an optical disc. In response to the execution of a program, such as a game, the CPU 51 controls the graphics system 60 and the sound system 70, etc., in accordance with the inputs from controller 20, by which the display is controlled of images and the generation of sound and music effects. The graphics system 60 has a geometry transfer engine (GTE) 61 to execute the coordinated and similar transformation, the GPU 62 for the graphics of drawings in accordance with a drawing command of the CPU 51, a frame buffer 63 for storing an image drawn by the GPU 62, and an image decoder 64 for decoding the data of the image that was decompressed and encoded by an orthogonal transformation as a discrete cosine transformation. The GTE 61, which has a parallel operation mechanism for executing a plurality of arithmetic operations in parallel, has the ability to execute a coordination transformation, a light source calculation and a vector or matrix operation, etc., at high speed in response to a request for operation of the CPU 51. More specifically, in the case of a calculation where a polygon of a triangular shape is subject to a flat shading so that it is present in the same color, the GTE 61 has the ability to calculate the coordinates of a maximum of 1, 5000,000 polygons in a second. As a result, the video game station has the ability to reduce the load on the CPU 51 and to calculate the coordinates at high speed. The GPU 62 draws polygons and the like in the frame buffer 63 in accordance with a drawing command of the CPU 51. The GPU 62 has the ability to draw a maximum of 360,000 polygons in one second. The frame buffer 63, comprising a dual port RAM has the ability to simultaneously perform the transfer of drawing data from the GPU 62 or main memory and display to show what has been drawn. The frame buffer 63, which has the capacity of one MB, is treated as a 16-bit array composed of 1024 pixels in the horizontal direction and 512 pixels in the vertical direction. Furthermore, apart from a display area from which the data is output as video, the frame buffer 63 has a CLUT area in which a color table (CLUT) is stored that is referenced when the GPU 62 draws polygons or similar, and a texture area in which textures are stored subject to a coordinated transformation at the time of the drawing and then inserted into (mapped to) the polygon drawings by the GPU 62. The CLUT area and the texture area they change dynamically in accordance with a change, etc., in the display area. In addition to performing the aforementioned flat shading, the GPU 62 has the ability to execute the shading of Gouraud, which decides the color in a polygon by interpolating from the colors and apexes of the polygon, and the texture mapping in the one that the texture that has been stored in the texture area is registered in a map for the polygons. In a case where Gouraud shading or texture mapping is carried out, GTE 61 has the ability to calculate the coordinates of a maximum of 500,000 polygons in one second. Furthermore, under the control of the CPU 51, the image decoder 64 decodes the image data that still represents or moves images stored in the main memory 53 and stores the decoded data in the main memory 53. In this way, the the reproduced image are stored in the frame buffer 63 by the GPU 62, whereby the image data has the ability to be used as the background of the image drawn by the GPU 62. The sound system 70 has a SPU 71 for generating music and sound effects based on a command of the CPU 51, a sound buffer 72 in which the data, in the form of waves are stored by the SPU 71, and a speaker 73 to output the music and the effects of sound, etc., generated by the SPU 71.

The SPU 71 has an ADPCM decoding function to reproduce audio data obtained through the adaptive differential PCM (ADPCM) using 16-bit audio data as a differential signal of 4 bits a reproducing function for generating sound effects and the like by reproducing data in the form of waves that have been stored in the sound buffer 72, and a modulating function for modulating and reproducing the data in the form of slings that have been recorded in the sound buffer 72. The arrangement of these functions enables the sound system 70 to be used as a sample sound source, which generates music and sound effects based on the data in the form of slings recorded in the buffer of sounds 72, in response to a command from the CPU 51. The optical disk controller 80 has an optical disk device 81 for playing back programs, data and the like that have been recorded on an optical disk, a decoder 82 for decoding programs, data and the like that have been recorded after the assignment of, for example, error correction codes (ECC) for them, and a buffer 83 e n the data of the optical disk device 81 is temporarily stored, whereby the reading of data from the optical disk is accelerated. A subordinate CPU 84 is connected to the decoder 82. In addition to the ADPCM data, the so-called CPMs, which are the result of the clamping of an audio signal to a digital analog conversion, are an example of audio recorded on the optical disc and are read by the optical disc device 81. With respect to the ADPCM data, the audio data that has been recorded using 4 bits to express, for example, a digital data differential of 16 bits is decoded by the decoder 82, after that the decoded data is supplied to the SPU 71. Here the data is subject to processing, such as an analog / digital conversion and then used to address the horn 73. With respect to the PCM data, the audio data that has been recorded as , for example, 16-bit digital data is decoded by the decoder 82 and then output to the horn 73. The communication controller 90 has a communication controller 91 for control the communication with the CPU 51 via the bus highlighted as BUS. The communication controller 91 has controller connecting portions 9A, 9B, to which the controller 20, for entering user commands, is connected, and with the memory card insertion portions 8A, 8B, to which it is connected the memory card 10 or the portable electronic device 100, described below, serve as an auxiliary storage device for storing game setting data and the like. The controller 20 connected to the connected portions of the controller 9A, 9B has, say, 16 instruction keys so that the user can enter the commands. In accordance with a command of the communication controller 91, the controller 20 transmits the states of these instruction keys to the communication controller 91 in a cycle of 60 times per second through synchronous communication. The communication controller 91 transmits the states of the instruction keys of the controller 20 to the CPU 51. As a result, the user's command enters the CPU 51 which, in the base of the game program, etc., which is running in At that moment, execute the processing that is in accordance with the user's command. It requires a large amount of image data to be transferred at high speed when reading, image display and drawing of program graphics, etc., are executed between main memory 53, GPU 62, image decoder 64 and the decoder 82. Accordingly, the video game station is so adapted to the so-called DMA transfer can be made for the direct transfer of data between the main memory 53, the GPU 62, the image decoder 64 and the decoder 82 by controlling from the controller of the peripherals 52 without the intervention of the CPU 51. As a result, the load on the CPU 51 that accompanies the data transfer can be lightened and high-speed data transfer can be performed. When it is necessary to store the fixation data of a game that is currently running, the CPU 51 transmits the data that will be stored in the communication control circuit 91. Upon receiving the data sent from the CPU 51, the controller communication 91 writes the dice to the memory card 10 or to the portable electronic device 100 that has been inserted into the slot of the insertion portion for the memory card 8A or 8B. It should be noted that the communication controller 91 has an integrated protection circuit to prevent electrical destruction. The memory card 10 and the portable electronic device 100 that are separated from the bus, highlighted as BUS, can be inserted and removed in a state in which the game station console has power supply. In situations where the storage capacity of the memory card 10 or the portable electronic device 100 is no longer adequate, therefore, a new memory card can be inserted without interrupting the power to the console. As a result, game data that requires power backup will not be lost; a new memory card can be inserted and the necessary data can be written to the new memory card. A parallel I / O interface (PIO) 96 and a cereal I / O interface (SIO) 97 are interfaces for connecting the memory card 10 and the portable electronic device 100 to the video game station 1. The portable electronic device comprised in the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. It is further assumed that the portable electronic device 100 in accordance with the present invention is employed as a slave upon insertion into the video game station described above, which serves as the master unit. The portable electronic device 100 serving as the slave is inserted into the insertion portions for the memory card 8A, 8B provided in the slots 7A, 7B, respectively, of the video game station 1 which serves as the master unit. Portable electronic devices can also be used as single memory cards corresponding to a plurality of connected controllers 20. For example, in an example where two users (game players) play the game, the two portable electronic devices 100 function so that the game results of the individual users are taxed on the two respective portable electronic devices. The connector of the memory card 10 or the portable electronic device 100 is so adapted that the conductor of the connection terminal for the power supply or for the ground is built to be larger than the other terminals in such a way that the The power supply terminal or the ground terminal will first form an electrical connection when the memory card 10 or the portable electronic device 100 is inserted into the insert portions for the memory card 8A, 8B. This is to guarantee the safety and stability of the electrical operation. A provision may be adopted in which the connection leads of the insert portions for the memory card 8A, 8B provided in the video game station 1 are constructed to be of size, or in which both conductors are constructed to be larger. In addition, the connector portions are formed to have a left / right asymmetry to prevent erroneous insertion. Figures 5 to 7 illustrate the appearance of the portable electronic device 100 comprised in the embodiment of the present invention, in which Figure 5 is a plan view of the portable electronic device 100, Figure 6 is a perspective view in which the member of the cover 1 10 for the protection of the connector portion appears closed, and figure 7 a perspective view showing the member of the cover 1 10 open. As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the portable electronic device 100 in accordance with the present invention has a housing 101. The housing 101 has an operating section 120 having one or a plurality of operating elements 121, 122 for entering events and performing various choices, a display section 130 comprising a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, and a window 140 for performing wireless communication, by wireless or infrared communication means, described below. The housing 101 comprises an upper shell 101a and a lower shell 101 b and encloses a substrate 151 for mounting the memory devices and the like. The housing 101 has the ability to be inserted into the slots 7A, 7B in the console of the video game station 1. The base end of the housing has a side surface that has a connector portion 150 formed to have a rectangular-shaped opening . The window 140 is at the other generally semicircular end of the housing 101. The viewing section 130 is located in a position proximate the window 140 at the upper end of the housing 101 and occupies an area that is approximately half of the upper end. The operating section 120 is on a portion opposite the window 140 on the upper side of the housing 101 and occupies an area that is approximately half the upper surface. The operating section 120 has a substantially quadrangular shape and is constituted by a cover member 110 having pivot supports in the housing 101 and having one or a plurality of operating elements 121., 122, and switch drivers 102, 103 located in an open and closed position by the cover member 110 in the housing 101. The operating elements, 121, 122 are arranged by passing through the cover member 110 from the upper side to the lower side. The operating elements 121, 122 are held in the cover member 110 in such a way that they are movable in a direction in which they recoil from the upper side of the cover member 110. The breaker impellers 102, 103 have momentum elements held at the housing 101 in such a way that they are movable in a direction in which they recede from the upper side of the housing of the cover 101. By pressing the pulse elements from above, the pressure switches, such as the diaphragm switches arranged on the substrate 151 in the housing 101 are pressed. The switch drivers 102, 103 are disposed in the positions corresponding to the positions of the operating elements 121, 122 when the cover member 1 10 is closed. More specifically, when the operating elements 121, 122 are pressed from above in a direction in which they retract from the upper side of the cover member 1 10 in the closed position, the operating elements 121, 122 push the corresponding pulse switches. in the housing 101 by the pulse elements of the corresponding switch drivers 102, 103. As shown in Fig. 8, the signal and power terminals 152 are disposed in the substrate 151 in the window of the connector portion 150. The shape, measurements, etc. of the connector portion 150 are common with respect to those of the ordinary memory card 10 used with the video game station 1. Figure 9 (a) is a block diagram showing a example of the arrangement of the main components of the portable electronic device. In a manner similar to the ordinary memory card 10 described above, the portable electronic device 100 has a control means 41 for controlling its operation, a connector 42 for making a connection to the slot of the information equipment or the like, and a non-volatile memory 46 that serves as a device for storing data. The control means 41, which is constituted by, say, a microcomputer, has a program memory placed therein 41 a. A semiconductor memory device in which the state of recorded data remains intact even when the power is interrupted, as in the manner of a flash memory, is used as the non-volatile memory 46. It should be noted that the reason for the electronic device laptop 100 according to the present invention is configured to be equipped with a battery 49, as will be described below, a static random access memory (SRAM) capable of outputting / inputting high-speed data can be used as the non-volatile memory 46 The portable electronic device 100 differs from that in addition to the aforementioned components, it has operation input means (event) 43, such as operation buttons for operating a stored program, display means 44, such as a display device liquid crystal (LCD) which serves as a display means for displaying various information in accordance with the aforementioned program, wireless communication means 48 for sending data and receiving data to and from another memory card or the like by infrared radiation, and a 40 battery to supply energy to each of the aforementioned components.

The portable electronic device 100 internally accommodates a miniature battery 49 as a means of power supply. This means that the portable electronic device is capable of operating independently even if it has been removed from the slots 7A, 7B of the video game station 1 that constitutes the master unit. A secondary rechargeable cell can be used as the battery 49. It is arranged in such a way that the power is supplied from the video game station 1 which serves as the master unit when the portable electronic device 100 serving as the slave has been inserted into the the slots 7A, 7B of the video game station 1 that serves as the master unit. That is, a power supply terminal 50 is connected to the connection terminal of the battery 49 via the diode 51 to prevent reverse current. When the portable electronic device has been connected by insertion into the slot of the master unit as the video game station 1, power is supplied from the master unit to the slave. In addition, in a case where the secondary cell is being used, the secondary cell load also occurs. The portable electronic device 100 further includes a clock 45 and a horn 47 which serves as a sound generating means for generating sound in accordance with the program. It should be noted that the components mentioned above are connected to the control means 41 and operate in accordance with the control exercised by the control means 41.

Figure 9 (b) shows the elements controlled by the control means 41. Although the only interfaces with which the ordinary memory card 10 is equipped are the interface for the connection to the information equipment console and the interface of the computer. memory for input / output of the data with respect to the memory, the portable electronic device 100 of this mode has, in addition to these interfaces, a screen interface, an operation input interface, an audio interface, an interface of wireless communication, a clock interface and a program transfer interface. In this way, the interfaces (controllers) for the administration of the functions added by the present method are arranged in the control means (microcomputer) 41 independently of the connection interface of the console (master) and independently of the administration of the console. non-volatile memory, which are the conventional functions. For this reason, compatibility with conventional functions can be retained. Further, since the portable electronic device 100 has an input means 43, such as a boto switch, to operate a executed program, and the display means 44 using the liquid crystal display (LCD) device or the like, the device Portable electronic 100 has the ability to be used as a gaming machine that is held between hands to execute a game application.

Furthermore, since the portable electronic device 100 has a function for storing the application programs, which are transferred from the console of the video game station 1, to the program memory 41a in the microcomputer 14, the application programs can run on the portable electronic device 100. The stored application programs and the various types of driver software can be easily altered. The portable electronic device 100 according to this embodiment can be controlled independently from the video game station 1, as described above. On the side of the portable electronic device 100, therefore, the data that is based on an application program that is stored in the program memory 41a that serve as the storage medium of the program can be created independently of the application software in question. the side of the video game station 1, By exchanging this data with the video game station 1, the portable electronic device 100 and the video game station 1 have the cooperative (linked) operation capability. In addition, the fact that the portable electronic device 100 is equipped with the clock 45 makes it possible for the time data to be shared with the video game station 1. In other words, not only are time data made to coincide, but the video game station and the portable electronic device also share data destined to control, in real time, the progress of the games that are executed in them independently. A specific example of the cooperative operation between the video game station 1 and the portable electronic device 100 will be described later. Figure 10 illustrates schematically the way in which wireless communication is made between portable electronic devices 100 in accordance with the present invention thus using wireless communication means 48, portable electronic device 100 can exchange internal data with a plurality of wireless cards. memory sending and receiving data through window 140, which is a wireless communication window for performing wireless communication by infrared light or the like. The internal data also includes data that has been transferred from the side of the information equipment, such as the video game station, and stored in the storage medium on a memory card. In the aforementioned embodiment, the portable electronic device 100 is described as being used as an auxiliary storage device of a video game station. However, the object of the application is not limited to a video game station, and the device is of course applicable to, for example, the retrieval of varied information.

The invention will now be described with respect to the cooperative operation between the portable electronic device 100 and the video game station 1 which serves as the master unit. As mentioned above, the portable electronic device 100 and the video game console 1 can share game data generated by the microcomputer 41 which serves as the control means, time data obtained by the clock 45 on the memory card and data generated by another memory card and obtained by the wireless communication means 48, etc. Figure 1 1 schematically illustrates the manner in which the video game station 1 serving as the master unit and the portable electronic device 100 serving as the slave performs a cooperative operation. Described below as an example of such cooperative operation is the case in which an optical disc (CD-ROM) which is a recording medium in which an application software program was recorded, was transferred into the game station video 1 which serves as the master unit, and the reading of the disk program is transferred to the portable electronic device 100 which serves as the inserted slave in any of the slots 7A, 7B of the console of the video game station 1. The transfer of a program on the assumption that it is to effect a cooperative operation will be discussed before giving a specific description with respect to the cooperation operation.

Figure 12 illustrates the flow of the data in an example in which the application program of the video game supplied from an optical disk (CD-ROM), etc., mounted on the disk mounting unit 3 of the station of master video game 1 is directly loaded (transferred) to the program memory 41a which serves as a means of storing the program in the microcomputer 41, which is the control means of the portable electronic device 100 that serves as the slave, by means of the control means (CPU) 51 of the video game station 1. Figure 13 illustrates the transfer procedure of figure 12. In step ST1, the application program of a video game running on the microcomputer in the portable electronic device slave 100 (hereinafter referred to as "slave") is read as data from the CD-ROM that was mounted on the disk mounting unit 3 of the master video game station tra 1 (hereinafter referred to to simplify as "master unit"). As mentioned before, this application program is generally different from those executed in the master video game station 1. Next, in step ST2, the CPU 51 which serves as the control means of the unit The master issues a "program transfer request command" to the microcomputer 41 which serves as the control means of the portable electronic slave device 100. The CPU 51 performs the polling to accept the "program transfer authorization status" from the microcomputer 41. The survey mentioned here refers to a method to carry out a service by requesting it as if the service has been requested or not. The microcomputer 41 of the portable electronic device 100 serving as the slave accepts the "program transfer request command" of the CPU 51 of the master unit in step ST3. When the microcomputer 41 at the end of the slave ends the routine that is being processed at that moment and a state is reached in which the program transfer can be executed, the microcomputer sends "program transfer authorization status" back to the CPU 51 of the master unit in step ST4. Then, by accepting the "program transfer authorization status" from the computer 41 at the end of the slave in step ST5, the CPU 51 of the master unit loads (transfers) and writes the program, which was read from the CD -ROM in step ST1 to the program memory 41a which serves as the storage medium of the program of the portable electronic device 100. The CPU 51 performs polling to accept the "program start authorization state" from the microcomputer 41. The address of the memory of the program 41a in which the transferred data is described is administered by the microcomputer 41 of the slave at this time. In the description given above, an example is taken in which the program transferred from the master unit is stored in the program memory 41a in the microcomputer 41. However, an arrangement can be adopted in which the program is stored in a storage device, like a SRAM that has the ability to input and output data at high speed. The microcomputer 41 of the memory card accepts the program that was transferred from the master unit as data and writes this data to the program memory 41 a in step ST6. From the point of view of the CPU 51 of the master unit, it appears that the program data is being written directly from the program memory 41a of the portable electronic device 100 serving as a slave. In addition, the address of the program memory 41a is administered by the microcomputer 41. By accepting the final program data from the master unit and then establishing an environment in which the program can be executed, the microcomputer 41 of the portable electronic device 100 sends the "program start authorization status" returned to the CPU 51 of the console in step ST7. CPU 51 of the master unit accepts the "program start authorization state" from the microcomputer 41 of the portable electronic device 100 and issues a "program start command" in step ST8. Upon receiving the "program start command" from the CPU 51 of the master unit, the microcomputer 31 of the portable electronic device 100 begins to execute the program from a predetermined start address. By the above procedure, the application program is directly loaded (transferred) from the master video game station 1 to the program memory 41a in the microcomputer 41 of the portable device 100 which serves as the slave, which is inserted. As mentioned above, the medium that supplies the application program is not limited to a storage medium, such as the optical disk, and an arrangement in which it is supplied via a communication line can be adopted. Only step ST1 would be different in the procedure described above in that case. It should be noted that the above transfer procedure was described for a case in which the application program is transferred directly from the video game station 1 of the master unit to the program memory 41a in the microcomputer 41 which serves as the slave control means of the portable electronic device 100 that is inserted. In contrast, there is also a case in which the CPU 51 of the master unit transfers the data from an application program to the non-volatile memory 46 in the portable electronic slave device 100, after which this data is copied to the memory of the program 41a in the microcomputer 41, where the program is then executed.

Figure 14 illustrates the flow of the data in said case. Specifically, the application program of a video game supplied from an optical disk or the like mounted on the disk mounting unit 3 of the master video game station 1 is loaded (transferred) into the non-volatile memory 46 in the portable electronic device 100 which serves as the slave by the CPU 51 which serves as the control means of the video game console 1, after the program is copied into the program memory 41a in the microcomputer 41 as the means control and it runs. Figure 15 illustrates the transfer procedure. In step ST11, the application program of a video game running on the microcomputer in the portable electronic device 100 that serves as the slave is read as data from the CD-ROM that was mounted on the mounting unit of disk 3 of the video game station 1 that serves as the master unit. Then, in step ST12, the CPU 51 of the master unit loads (transfers the program data read from the CD-ROM to the non-volatile memory 46 of the portable electronic device serving as the slave.) This procedure is similar to of the case where the data is backed up in the conventional video game station, then, in step ST13, by means similar to those of conventional data backup, the microcomputer 41 which serves as the control means of the device The portable electronics 100 accepts as data the application program that was transferred from the CPU 51 of the master unit and writes this data to the non-volatile memory 46. Then the step ST14 wherein, the reception of a "program start request command" of the CPU 51 of the master unit, the microcomputer 41 of the portable electronic device 100 copies the data of a designated size from an address of the non-volatile memory 46 designated by the command mentioned with Priority in the program memory 41a in the microcomputer 41. The microcomputer 41 of the portable electronic device 100 executes the program, which was copied into the program memory 41a, from the starting address of this memory. By the above procedure, the application software program is transferred (loaded) as data, by non-volatile memory 46, from the master video game station 1 in the program memory 41a to the microcomputer 41 of the electronic device laptop 100 that was inserted. It should be noted that the application program downloaded from the video game station 1 to the portable electronic device 100 is generally different from that running in the master video game station 1. Of course, the aforementioned application program can be one that is executed in the video game station 1 and in the portable electronic device 100. In such a case, however, the disadvantage is that the CPU at the end of the video game station 1 and the microcomputer at the end of the portable electronic device 100 are identical processors. Next, the cooperative operation performed while the application software that was downloaded from the master video game station 1 through the above procedure is executed in the portable electronic slave device 100 independently and the result of the execution is returned to interchange with the video game station 1. Here, the attribute data of the characters appearing in the so-called game with characters running in the video game station 1 of the master unit is downloaded to the portable electronic device 100 of the slave. Attribute data is data that represents the degree of growth, personality, etc. By feeding the characters that appear in the program executed by the microcomputer 41 in the slave electronic device 100, the attributes thereof are changed independently of the program executed by the console of the video game station 1 that serves as the master unit. The portable electronic device 100 that is comprised in this embodiment of the present invention is configured to operate independently and is also small in size and easy to carry. As a result, the characters making an appearance that is attributed to the program executed on the portable electronic device 100 can be carried from one side to the other and fed by the user (the game player) at any time. The attributes of the characters that appear, fed under the care of the user can also be transferred (uploaded) of the portable electronic device 100 to the console of the video game station 1 by the user. In this case, the characters that appear, whose attributes have been changed can be incorporated into the program that is running in the master video game station 1 and have them act in the program. In this way, as described above, it is possible to implement a video game in which the cooperative operation can be performed by sharing attribute data of the characters and the like with the video game station 1 which constitutes the master unit and the portable electronic device 100 that constitutes the slave, and causing the attribute to change in each of these devices. Then, a game played by the aforementioned video game station 1 serving as the master unit and the portable electronic device 100 that serves as the slave will be described in detail. For the sake of simplicity, the video game station 1 will be referred to as the "master unit" and the portable electronic device 100 as the "slave" below. Next, an electrical system is described in which an internal device can give rise to an event in a slave.

When an event occurs in an internal device in a slave, the event that is presented is stored and then the presence of the event is communicated to the master unit in response to a request from the master unit. As a result, the origin of an operation is not only the master unit but it can also be an internal device. Additionally, an external device also the source of an operation by an internal device, namely infrared communication. For example, when the infrared receiver of the slave receives infrared radiation, a section called residence, which is a program to detect this fact, detects the fact of reception and sends the response to the master unit as a state. If an event has been presented on the slave side, the slave also sends the status back to the master unit. However, the state can not be sent back unless there is a state request command from the master unit. Therefore, a continuous monitoring between the slave and the master unit is required using a status request command. However externally, it seems that the status is sent automatically. The slave has the ability to provide a command to investigate whether an event has been presented or not. By calling this command repeatedly, the circumstances of the presence of an event can be monitored. If an event has been presented, the event is acquired and various operations are performed depending on the content of the event. In response to the command, any operation can be initiated on the slave side, where from now on a reaction is only made to a command coming from the master unit. The elements that can give rise to events in the slave are accessory devices such as an infrared block, a speaker, a microphone and a clock, as well as programs that run in the slave. The fact that these accessory devices and programs want to make something happen can be communicated to the master unit. Examples of usage methods are "want to do ... when the time comes ...", "if a voice is detected, then ..." and "if ... it is received by infrared communication from another slave, then ...", etc. The relationship established above will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in Figure 16. The data from an external remote control constituting an external device is data received from a light receiver in the slave. This is converted into data for the master unit. The presence of an event inside the slave is also converted into data to the master unit and these are read by the master unit. That is to say, when these events are presented, a decision "Yes" is made considering the presence of the event and the steps of presence of the event are executed. A read request is sent to the slave and the data to the master unit is readings from the slave as read data. In a case where an event of the aforementioned type does not occur, a "No" decision is made in the master unit considering the presence of the event and the occurrence processing of the event is not executed. A protocol will be described in reference to the event presence factors with reference to figure 17. The remote control, the clock can be mentioned as examples of event presence factors. These are communicated to the unalterable programs of the slave. More specifically, the remote control, the clock and the voice are sent to the unalterable programs on the slave side via a transceiver of a remote control, alarm and microphone, respectively. An example of the steps in the unalterable slave program will be described with reference to the flow diagram illustrated in Figure 18. The events are monitored as step S1 1 1 by communication of the occurrence factors of events. The occurrence of events is monitored in the next step S1 12. An "YES" decision is made and the control proceeds to step S113 if an event has been presented, and a "NO" decision is made and the control returns to step S1 1 1 if an event has not occurred.

The events are accumulated in step S1 13. The control then returns to step S111. Another example of the steps in the unalterable slave program will be described with reference to the flow diagram shown in FIG. 19. A communication port is monitored in an initial step S121 with respect to the communication coming from the master unit. Then the control proceeds to step S122. The processing is bifurcated in steps S122 depending on the communication coming from the master unit. Specifically, a "YES" decision is made and control proceeds to step S125 if the communication from the master unit is an event request, and a "NO" decision is made and the control proceeds to step S123. The event accumulation information is transmitted in the master unit in step S125 and then this series of steps is output. Processing is bifurcated in step S123 depending on whether the master communication is a request for event acquisition or not. Specifically, a decision "YES" is made and the control proceeds to step S124 if the communication from the master unit is a request for acquisition of events, and a "NO" decision is made and the control proceeds to step S121. The content of the event is transmitted to the master unit in step S124 and then this series of steps is exited.

A series of steps on the side of the master unit will be described with reference to FIG. 20. An event investigation is performed in an initial step S131 by communication with the slave. The control then proceeds to step S132. Processing is bifurcated in step S132 depending on whether or not there is an event. Specifically, a "YES" decision is made and control proceeds to step S133 if an event exists, and a decision is made "NO" and the control returns to step S131 if an event does not exist. An event is acquired by communication with the slave in step S133 and the event is reacted in step S134. Then the control returns to step S131. Communication based on the conventional protocol will be described shortly for purposes of comparison with the mode described above. As shown in Figure 21, the steps on the slave side include monitoring a communication port with respect to the data from the master unit in step S145. Then the control proceeds to step S142. The processing is bifurcated in step S142 with respect to whether or not the master unit issued a read request. Specifically, a "YES" decision is presented and control proceeds to step S144 if the master unit issued a read request, and a "NO" decision is made and the control proceeds to step S143 if the master unit did not issue a request for reading. The processing is bifurcated in step S143 depending on whether the master unit has issued a written request. Specifically, an "YES" decision is presented and control proceeds to step S145 if the master unit issued a written request, and a "NO" decision is presented and the control returns to step S141 if the master unit did not issue a request for written. The slave sends the data back to the master unit in step S144. Then control returns to step S141. Data from the master unit is received in step S145. Then control returns to step S141. The communication protocol on the side of the master unit will be described with reference to Fig. 22. In case of data reading, the master unit sends a data request to the slave and the received data sent from the slave as a result of the data request, as shown in A in Figure 22. In case of data recording, as shown in Figure 22, B, the master unit interrogates the slave about whether data communication is allowed or do not. If data communication has been allowed, the master unit transmits the data to the slave.

A protocol used in relation to the communication described above between the master unit and the slave will now be described in detail. First it is defined in the name of the protocol. The protocol used in the communication between the master unit and the slave is referred to as a "controller protocol", here as "PC". In addition, a protocol that accepts only 00 as the master command of the fourth byte is referred to as CP 1.0, and a protocol in which commands 01 to 03 can also be interpreted in addition to 00 is referred to as CP 2.0. When a read operation is performed, CP 1.0 is as indicated in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 CP 1.0 READING When a write operation is performed, CP 1.0 is as indicated in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 CP 1.0 WRITING Here "zz" represents high or undefined impedance, "Stat" represents the state of the memory card, and "SecH" and "SecL" represent high sector number and low sector number, respectively. The special purpose protocol CP 2.0 is as indicated in Table 3 below.

TABLE 3 SPECIAL PURPOSE PROTOCOL CP: 2.0 In Table 3, "52", which is the value of the second byte, the master unit, represents reading, and "57" represents writing. Here the length of data prepared by the memory card is sent by "sizes" on a command basis, and the communication is terminated with tx (n) / rx (n) after the byte [size]. As for the command "Cmd", "01", "02", "03" and "04" represent the information of the memory card, read / write context to save, accessory device of memory card for acquisition of information and accessory read / write device of the memory card, respectively. The communication content when each command is executed is indicated later. The information of the slave is indicated in table 4 below. This content is read-only content.

TABLE 4 READING ONLY Here "rev" represents a revision code of the unalterable program of a slave. For example you have "01" regarding CP 2.0 rev 1.0.

In addition, "sn3" to "snO" represent the serial numbers of the memory card, and "blkl" to "blkO" represent the numbers of blocks that can be stored. It should be noted that one block is equivalent to 8 kilobytes. Additionally, "altl" to "altO" represent the numbers of alternative sectors, and "dev" means the numbers of accessory devices of a memory card. Read / write context save will be described below. The protocol that refers to the save context is as shown in table 5 when the reading is performed as shown in table 6 when writing is performed.

TABLE 5 READING TABLE 6 WRITING Here "run" represents a state that immediately follows a mode of the master unit or a state to which a change is made after it has left the master unit mode. That is, "0", "1", "2", and "3" represent sleep, clock screen, "summary" status that immediately proceeds to the master unit mode, and execution of the application of the memory card from the designated addresses, respectively. Additionally, "top" represents the block number in which the start of an application has been executed or executed, "start" represents the address in which execution was started after the master unit mode has been exited , that is, the address after the rearrangement of a memory management unit (MMU), and "argl" to "arg4" indicate the arguments provided when an application starts to be executed. It should be noted that the arguments are replaced by records that are used as arguments. A protocol used in the acquisition of information of the device belonging to a slave is as indicated in table 7 below. The protocol used in acquiring device information is read-only.

TABLE 7 READ ONLY Here, "dev" represents the device category number and "size" represents the reading size of data from and written to a device. That is, "0" represents 128 bytes fixed, "1" to "127" represents the fixed byte size, and "-1" to "-128" represents 1 to (-size) variable bytes. The names of the devices and the data structures are as indicated in the following table 8.

TABLE 8 Specifically, the numbers "1", "2", "3", "4", "5" and "6" correspond to clock, infrared remote controller, PCM 4-bit horn / microphone data, DTMF for a buzzer , backlighting for LCD and detection of low battery voltage, respectively. The following tables 9 and 10 show some protocols used in reading / writing accessory devices.

TABLE 9 READING TABLE 10 WRITING Here "dev" represents the device category number, "rx1" represents the reading data, "tx1" means the writing data, "size" indicates the desired size of the writing data. The desired size of the write data is valid only when the data is of variable length data.

A so-called infrared protocol, in which infrared radiation is used, is used as the transmission medium, it can be used in the normal communication of the previous protocol. This infrared remote controller protocol will now be described. A transmission flag in progress and a reception flag in progress are examples of commands properly provided for sending and receiving data. Regarding a request Info, that is, a request for information, used in this infrared protocol, when a mask is applied as the mode of use, the type and serial number of the device and a request command info the corresponding devices This mask responds in unison and send the information back. Examples of the information sent in response at this time are the mode of use, namely whether the device is being used independently or not, whether the device has been connected to the controlling terminal of a master unit or not, to the terminal memory card of the master unit or the SIO terminal of the master unit, the type of device, namely, master unit, slave or infrared transceiver, and serial number, tamper-proof program revision number and accessory device. If there is a device that has started responding previously, a new response is expected until this response ends.

To order it properly so that the sound is not emitted endlessly in response to the signal interruption during the operation, it is always ordered so that the operating time is adjusted in consideration of a device that does not turn off automatically. Next, a distinction between programs and data will be described. An execution program can be read / written using a "00" command in the same way as the data. The data and programs are distinguished from one another as follows: The initial block of a memory card is a FAT, and there is a data area of 128 bytes for each block. However, since only 32 bytes are currently used, new information is added to the empty area. Since the reading / writing of a portion greater than 32 bytes can not be carried out with the current library, a program identification flag can not be adjusted except for data (copied via OSD) written directly from a game disc. It is considered that a volatile memory portion is equipped with an MMU, information that is added on its real address information and a program / data identification flag. If the MMU can not be joined, then what is executed is only the continuous program starting from block 1. Therefore, "real address information" is not necessary, but it is necessary to provide a collection function of trash in the unalterable program to properly make the area coming from block 1 empty. The reason for this is that the transfer of data by communication with the master unit is very slow. If an alternative sector is being used, the application codes will no longer be continuous. Therefore, it can not be used as an area accessed by an application. When the codes of an application can not be written in this block or the codes can not be written completely due to an inadequate capacity, an indication of this fact must be given. To properly prevent write failure due to the life of the volatile memory even in a state in which an application has been left written, it is necessary to submit the data area to a periodic writing check. In this way, a command is provided in the slave to investigate if an event has been presented or not. By calling this command repeatedly, you can monitor the circumstances of the presentation of the event. If an event has not occurred, the command to monitor this event is called again. If an event has been presented, this event is acquired and various operations are performed depending on the content of the event.

In response to the command, any operation can be initiated from the side of the memory card, where from now on only one reaction to a command from the master unit is made. The elements that can give rise to an event in the slave are "accessory devices" such as an "infrared communication block, speaker, microphone and clock", as well as the programs that run on the memory card. The fact that these by themselves wish something to happen can be communicated to the master unit. Examples of method of use are "you want to do ... when the time comes ..." and "if a voice is detected, then ...", etc, the direct start of a program on a recording device will be described below using a FAT system that is being submitted to address mapping. The direct start of a program in this recording device is such that when a memory 203 is operated from a CPU 201, as shown in FIG. 23, the addresses of consecutive non-consecutive names are displayed consecutively. an address conversion 202 using a file location table (FAT). By converting the addresses of blocks 1, 2 and 3, which are arranged non-consecutively in the memory, in the address converter 202, these are made to appear as consecutive blocks 1, 2 and 3 to CPU 201. These blocks are prescribed units of information stored in memory 203.

Performing the address conversion using this system FAT, the blocks are sequentially ordered in apparent terms as shown in a in B of figure 24 when a program is executed. As a result, the program can be executed as such. Hereinafter, the blocks disposed non-consecutively as shown in b in A of Fig. 24 are rearranged consecutively as shown in a in Fig. 24. A series of steps will be described considering this address conversion with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 25. A file is designated in an initial step S1 1, an address is designated in step S12, the information of the guidance sector is acquired in step S13 and the address is preserved. start direction of the sector in step S14.

Then the control proceeds to step S15. The processing is bifurcated in step S15 depending on whether the sector is the final address or not. Specifically, a decision is made "YES" and control proceeds to step S17 if the sector is the final address, and a "NO" decision is made and the control proceeds to step S16 if the sector is not the final address. The information of the following sector is acquired in step S16. Then the control proceeds to step S14. The setting n = 0 is made in step S17, and a direction Kn is set in an MMU as an address M in step S18. Then control proceeds to step S19.

The processing is bifurcated in step S19 depending on whether n is the final address or not. Specifically, a "YES" decision is made and control proceeds to step S22 if n is the final address of the object file, and a "NO" decision is made and control proceeds to step S20. The setting n = n + 1 is made in step S20, and the setting M = M + S is made in step S21. Then control proceeds to step S18. In step S22 a program is executed and then this series of steps is exited. It should be noted that the direct execution of a program in memory by the address conversion in the FAT described above is usually carried out in the slave. However, this does not impose a limitation on the present invention. For example, the present invention can also be used in ordinary information equipment.

Claims (12)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A portable electronic device equipped with an interface for making a connection to a master unit having a program execution function, characterized in that it consists of: program storage means for storing a program; control means for controlling the execution of said program; and storage means for storing the presence of events; characterized in that an event that has been stored in said storage means is transferred to said master unit in response to a request from said master unit.

2. The portable unit device according to claim 1, further characterized in that it additionally comprises means for generating events, wherein an event generated by said means for generating events is stored in said storage means.

3. The portable unit device according to claim 1, further characterized in that it additionally comprises wireless communication means for sending and / or receiving data to and / or from another device.

4. - The portable unit device according to claim 3, further characterized in that an event generated in response to a signal from another device received by said wireless communication means is stored in said storage means.

5. A portable independent device equipped with an interface for making a connection with a master unit having a program execution function, characterized in that it consists of: storage means of programs for storing a program; control means for controlling the execution of said program; and conversion means for converting a program address, which has been stored in said program storage means, with respect to said control means; wherein said control means directly execute the program, whose address has been converted by said conversion means, stored in said program storage means.

6. The portable unit device according to claim 5, further characterized in that it additionally comprises wireless communication means for sending and / or receiving data to and / or from another device.

7. The portable unit device according to claim 5, further characterized in that the connected master unit is a video game station, and the program that has been stored in said program storage means is executed based on the - information from the connected master unit.

8.- A portable electronic device characterized because it consists of: an information processor that allows the execution of data of the 5 program; storage media to store the program data that has been downloaded; address conversion means for acquiring the position information of the program data in said storage means and, when said storage means are accessed from said information processor, for directing said means of storage. 4"10 base storage has the relevant access information, means of inputting operation information to enter the operation information to said information processor, and output means to output images and audio in which they have been produced by said information processor at least based on the information input of 15 operation through said means of inputting operation information.

9. An entertainment system consisting of a master unit having a program execution function and a slave equipped with an interface to be a connection to the master unit, characterized in that: said master unit has control means for 20 transfer information that accompanies the execution of said program to said slave and to read the information coming from the slave; and said slave has: program storage means for storing a program; control means for controlling the execution of said program; and storage means for storing the presence of events; wherein an event that has been stored in said storage means is transferred to said master unit in response to a request from said master unit.

10. The entertainment system according to claim 9, further characterized in that said slave also has means to generate events, and an event generated by said means to generate events is stored in said storage means.

11. An entertainment system consisting of a master unit having a program execution function and a slave equipped with an interface to make a connection with the master unit, characterized in that: said master unit has control means for transferring information that accompanies the execution of said program to said slave and to read the information coming from the slave; and said slave has: program storage means for storing a program; control means for controlling the execution of said program; and conversion means for converting a program address, which has been stored in said program storage means, with respect to said control means; wherein said control means directly execute the program, whose address has been converted by said conversion means, stored in said program storage means.

12. - The entertainment system according to claim 11, further characterized in that the connected master unit is a video game station, and the program that has been stored in said program storage means is executed on the basis of the information coming from the connected master unit. «V