US20030166416A1 - Game machine apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A game machine having a plurality of controllers with memory devices corresponding one-to-one to the controllers so that it is possible to store game control processes and the like personal to individual game users and improve the freedom with which a game can be joined, played and left by each of a plurality of players.

A game machine having a plurality of controllers is removably provided with memory devices corresponding one-to-one to respective controllers and a structure allowing live unplugging of the controllers and the memory devices is adopted so that for example even during a game they can be freely unplugged/plugged with respect to the game machine proper.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates to a game machine apparatus and particularly to a game machine apparatus provided with a plurality of controllers having controls for operating the apparatus wherein for each controller there is provided a memory for storing a control state controlled by the respective controller.[0001]
• Among conventional game machine apparatuses, those wherein a controller is mounted on a game machine proper and various games are played by operating the game machine by means of this controller are widely known.[0002]
• In this kind of game machine apparatus, the game machine proper is provided with a memory device for storing game control processes and the like.[0003]
• This memory device is either incorporated into the game machine proper or incorporated into a software cartridge or recording is performed on a backup card; data is suitably saved in the memory device so that after a temporary break in a game saved data on the state of the game can be read out and the game reopened.[0004]
• However, in the conventional game machine apparatus described above, with respect to one game machine proper there is only one memory device provided as memory for saving game control processes and the like and it is not possible to save game control processes and the like personal to each of a plurality of game users. Also, there has been the problem that there are limits on the capacity and management of data saved.[0005]
• Furthermore, in conventional game machine apparatuses, because connection terminals of the controller and the memory device for storing game control processes do not allow live unplugging (do not have electrical provision allowing peripheral devices to be disconnected while the power supply to the apparatus is on), it is necessary to turn the power supply of the game machine proper off before fitting and thereby electrically connecting the controller and the memory device to the game machine proper. It has also been necessary to turn the power supply of the game machine proper off when removing them from the game machine proper.[0006]
• Because of this, there has been the problem that when a player or players join a game mid-way through a game or store their own respective data in the memory device mid-way through a game it is necessary to turn the power supply of the game machine proper off and break off the game each time.[0007]
• Accordingly, there has been a need to realize a memory device for storing game control processes and the like personal to individual game users and a controller and a memory device with which it is possible for example to join a game already in progress.[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• To solve the above-mentioned problems, a game machine apparatus according to this invention comprises a game machine made up of a game machine proper into which a game medium is suitably loaded and which controls the state of a game and a plurality of controllers provided with a plurality of controls for controlling the game by way of the game machine proper and memory devices provided in one-to-one correspondence with the controllers.[0009]
• In a game machine apparatus according to the invention, the memory devices can store control situations of one or a plurality of players; the memory devices are removable; the memory devices are disposed on the game machine proper side or the controller side; connection terminals of the memory devices are of a type allowing live unplugging; grip portions of the controllers and memory devices fitted to the game machine proper are substantially the same shape; non-slip machining has been carried out on the grip portions; the memory devices are provided with non-volatile memory; and connection terminals of the controllers are of a type allowing live unplugging.[0010]
• Having the above constitution, a game machine apparatus according to the invention has the following features:[0011]
• Because a game machine apparatus according to the invention is made up of a game machine proper and a plurality of controllers provided with controls for controlling this game machine proper and it is possible for a plurality of controllers to be simultaneously connected to the game machine proper, and there are provided individual memory devices corresponding to each of a plurality of controllers, it becomes possible for a plurality of players to store data on game control processes and the like in their own individual memory devices.[0012]
• Because the memory devices are removable it is possible to store and freely carry around game control processes personal to individual game users.[0013]
• Because the connection terminals of the individual memory devices are of a type allowing live unplugging, the connection terminals can be plugged/unplugged freely even when power is being supplied to the game machine proper.[0014]
• Because the grip portions of the memory devices and the controllers are made substantially the same shape, whether or not they are correctly fitted to the game machine proper can be judged easily by visual observation.[0015]
• Because non-slip machining has been carried out on the grip portions, it is possible for unplugging/plugging of the memory devices with respect to the main body or to the controllers to be carried out simply and certainly.[0016]
• Because the memory used in the memory devices is non-volatile memory, it is unnecessary for the memory devices themselves to have a power source or the like for the memory, and it is possible to make the memory devices small and simple.[0017]
• Having the constitution described above, a game machine apparatus according to the invention has the following merits:[0018]
• As a result of it being possible to connect a plurality of controllers to the game machine proper simultaneously and there being provided memory devices corresponding to each of a plurality of controllers, it is possible for a plurality of game users to store game data in their own individual memory devices and there is the valuable merit that it is possible to contribute to the convenience of users using the game.[0019]
• As a result of the memory devices being able to store the control situations of one or a plurality of players, there is the valuable merit that it is possible to freely carry them around as backup personal to individual players.[0020]
• As a result of the memory devices being removable it is possible to store and freely carry game control processes personal to game users and there is the valuable merit that it is possible to greatly improve the game use form.[0021]
• As a result of the connection terminals of the memory devices being of a type allowing live unplugging, there is the valuable merit that unplugging/plugging of the connection terminals when power is being supplied to the game machine proper does not affect other game users using the game.[0022]
• As a result of the grip portions of the memory devices and the controllers being substantially the same shape, there is the valuable merit that judgment of whether or not they are correctly fitted to the game machine proper is extremely easy.[0023]
• As a result of non-slip machining having been carried out on the grip portions, it is possible for unplugging/plugging into the game machine proper to be carried out simply and certainly, and there is the valuable merit that electrical connection effected by unplugging/plugging can be carried out correctly.[0024]
• As a result of the connection terminals connecting the controllers to the game machine proper being of a type allowing live unplugging, there is the valuable merit that even during control with other controllers unplugging/plugging of a controller does not affect other players in mid-game.[0025]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a simplified view showing the overall constitution of a game machine apparatus according to the invention;[0026]
• FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus;[0027]
• FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus;[0028]
• FIG. 4 is a front view of a connection terminal part of the apparatus;[0029]
• FIG. 5 is a plan view of the same connection terminal part;[0030]
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view on the line A-A of the connection terminal part shown in FIG. 5;[0031]
• FIG. 7 is a side view of a connection terminal part of a controller according to the invention;[0032]
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view on the line C-C as of when a connection terminal part is connected to a game machine proper shown in FIG. 1;[0033]
• FIG. 9 is a simplified front view of a memory device according to the invention;[0034]
• FIG. 10 is a plan view of the memory device;[0035]
• FIG. 11 is a rear view of the memory device;[0036]
• FIG. 12 is a side view of the memory device;[0037]
• FIG. 13 is a simplified plan view of a circuit board inside the memory device; and[0038]
• FIG. 14 is a simplified view showing the connection state of a game machine apparatus according to the invention.[0039]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• A preferred embodiment of a game machine apparatus according to the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.[0040]
• As shown in FIG. 1, a[0041]game machine apparatus1 according to this preferred embodiment is made up of a game machine proper2, acontroller17 having a substantially rectangularconnection terminal part26 for connecting to this game machine proper2, and amemory device38 of the same shape as theconnection terminal part26. These will be described in the following order:
• [1] game machine proper[0042]
• [2] controller[0043]
• [3] memory device[0044]
• [4] connection arrangement[0045]
• [1] Game Machine Proper[0046]
• As shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, the game machine proper[0047]2 is substantially rectangular and is made up of adisc loading part3 in a central position thereof into which is loaded a disc constituting a game medium and in other suitable positions on the game machine proper areset switch4 for freely resetting a game, apower switch5 for switching a power supply ON and OFF, adisc control switch6 for controlling loading of the disc, and connectingparts7A,7B . . . to which a plurality ofcontrollers17 andmemory devices38 are connected. The game medium is not limited to a disc.
• As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of[0048]controllers17A and17B andmemory devices38A and38B can be connected to this game machine proper2. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, connectingparts7A and7B to which two sets of acontroller17 and amemory device38 can be connected are provided, but of course the invention is not limited to two sets.
• As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, each of the connecting[0049]parts7A and7B is formed with two levels; a memory insertion part8 to which amemory device38 is connected is disposed in the upper level and a connectionterminal insertion part12 to which aconnection terminal part26 of acontroller17 is connected is disposed in the lower level.
• The insertion opening in the memory device insertion part[0050]8 is rectangular and long in the horizontal direction, and the corners at the ends of the lower side thereof are more rounded than the corners at the ends of the upper side so that amemory device38 cannot be inserted upside-down.
• As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 8, the memory device insertion part[0051]8 is provided with a shutter9 which protects terminals inside effecting electrical connection, and a memory connection terminal part11 to which amemory device38 is connected is disposed inside the memory device insertion part8.
• As shown in FIG. 8, the shutter[0052]9 is so mounted that it is at all times urged outward by acoil twist spring10. As a result, when amemory device38 is plugged in, the shutter9 is opened inward by the front end of thememory device38 as it enters, and when thememory device38 is unplugged the shutter9 is returned by the urging force of thespring10 and automatically closes, fulfilling a role of keeping dust out of the memory connection terminal11 and a role of protecting it from shock from outside.
• The memory connection terminal part[0053]11 is made up of terminals not shown in the drawings for suitably writing data controlled in a game into a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and comprises power supply terminals and signal terminals.
• As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the connection[0054]terminal insertion part12 has an insertion opening which is rectangular and long in the horizontal direction and of which the corners at the ends of the lower side are more rounded than the corners at the ends of the upper side so that theconnection terminal part26 of acontroller17 cannot be inserted upside-down, and also the shape of the insertion opening is different so that amemory device38 will not enter either. Thus the sizes and shapes of the insertion openings for thememory device38 and thecontroller17 are made different so that they will not be mutually mistakenly inserted.
• As shown in FIG. 8, the internal structure of the connection[0055]terminal insertion part12 is made up of necked-bottle shaped cylindrical power supply andsignal connection parts13 in a substantially central position which connect with power supply and signal contact pins34 of aconnection terminal part26 of acontroller17,guide grooves14A and14B in positions above and below these power supply andsignal connection parts13 which guide theconnection terminal part26 of thecontroller17 when it is positioned and inserted, and ashield connector part16 having ashield contact15 above theguide groove14B for shielding to block radiation from the game machine proper2.
• When the[0056]connection terminal part26 of acontroller17 is fitted into the game machine proper2 thus constructed, it is guided by theguide grooves14A and14B and becomes connected to theshield contact15. As will be further discussed later, the power supply andsignal connection parts13 and the cylindrical contact pins are connected. At this time, because the contact pins on thecontroller17 side are in a positional relationship such that the power supply contact pins project further than the signal contact pins, the power supply is supplied first and the signal contact pins are connected thereafter.
• When a[0057]memory device38 is fitted, it opens the shutter9 by pushing it inward with its front end and becomes connected with the memory connection terminal part11. At this time, because like thecontroller17 described above there is the positional relationship that the power supply terminals project further than the signal terminals, the power supply terminals are connected and power is supplied and then the signal terminals are connected thereafter.
• In this way, the game machine proper[0058]2 can control the so-called state of the game. Here, control of the state of the game is mainly control of the progress, display, and sound of the game.
• [2] Controller[0059]
• As shown in FIG. 1, the[0060]controller17 is of a structure such that it can be held in the palms of both hands and five fingers of each hand can move freely to operate the controls, and is made up of left-right symmetrically disposed round first andsecond controls18 and19, first andsecond support parts20 and21 projecting angularly from the first andsecond controls18 and19, aselect switch22 and astart switch23 disposed on a waisted part between these first andsecond support parts20 and21, third andfourth controls24 and25 projecting from the front surfaces of the first andsecond controls18 and19, and theconnection terminal part26 which electrically connects thecontroller17 to the game machine proper2 by way of acable27. A construction dispensing with thecable27 may alternatively be adopted.
• As shown in FIG. 14, inside this[0061]controller17 connected to the game machine proper and connected to respective switches SW of the first andsecond controls18 and19, theselect switch22, thestart switch23 and the third andfourth controls24 and25.
• As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 through FIG. 8, the[0062]connection terminal part26 is attached to the end of thecable27 for electrically connecting to the game machine proper and is made up of a substantiallyrectangular housing30 which can be split into anupper shell28 and alower shell29 and anengaging part33 at the front end of thishousing30 which engages with and restrains the power supply and signal contact pins.
• [0063]Grip portions31A and31B non-slip machined (for example knurled) in a corrugated, notched pattern are provided on both side surfaces of the exterior of thehousing30, and acable engaging portion32 for gripping thecable27 is provided at the rear end of thehousing30.
• The[0064]grip portions31A and31B constitute a so-called unplugging/plugging portion, and the size thereof, i.e. the width W and length L thereof, is the same as that of a grip portion of thememory device38 which will be further discussed later.
• As shown in FIG. 6, the engaging[0065]part33 has a plurality of contact pins34 disposed in a line in an interior molded into a substantially rectangular shape and effects electrical connection to the game machine proper2; its base end engages with and is restrained by thehousing30, and its front end is divided into threecompartments35A,35B and35ceach grouping three contact pins34. In this way, the contact pins34 are covered so that the ends of the projecting contact pins34 are protected from shocks and the like from outside.
• The contact pins[0066]34 consist of threecontact pins34 in each of the threecompartments35A,35B and35c, in a positional relationship such that one of them is longer than the other two.
• In this preferred embodiment, pins nos.[0067]2,4 and7 are power supply contact pins34A and project further than the signal contact pins34B. This constitution wherein the ends of the pins project like this allows so-called live unplugging.
• That is, if the power supply contact pins[0068]34A are made the long pins (pins nos.2,4 and7), when theconnection terminal part26 of acontroller17 is plugged into the game machine proper2 while it is operating, first power is supplied and a stable operating state is established before the signal contact pins34B are connected, and malfunctioning such as runaway can be prevented. Reversely, during unplugging the power supply contact pins34A are unplugged after the signal contact pins34B have all been unplugged.
• As a result, even during a game for which a plurality of[0069]controllers17 are being used, theconnection terminal part26 of acontroller17 can be freely unplugged/plugged into the game machine proper2 without affectingother controllers17 in mid-game and participation in and withdrawal from the game can be carried out freely.
• As shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, three suitably spaced[0070]apertures36A,36B and36C are provided in the vicinity of the center of the front end of theengaging part33, and ashield member37 for blocking radiation from the game machine proper2 is inserted on the inner side thereof.
• Of the three[0071]apertures36A,36B and36C, the twoapertures36A and36C at the sides restrain the game machine proper2 in a half-lock state when they engage therewith, and themiddle aperture36B is connected to theshield contact15 of the game machine proper2.
• That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when the[0072]connection terminal part26 of acontroller17 is fitted into the game machine proper2, first it is inserted guided by theguide grooves14A and14B from the front end of theengaging part33. Then first theshield member37 facing out of theaperture36B is connected to theshield contact15, substantially simultaneously with this the power supply contact pins34A are connected and power is supplied, and the signal contact pins34B are connected thereafter. Although not shown in the drawings, the surrounding of the contact pins34 is also shielded with a shield member.
• [3] Memory Device[0073]
• As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 and especially FIG. 9 through FIG. 12, the[0074]memory device38 is made up of ahousing41 consisting of a substantially flat rectangularupper shell39 andlower shell40 and acircuit board46 inside thishousing41 on which is mounted a memory.
• The[0075]housing41 is made up of non-slip machined (for example knurled)grip portions42A and42B on both side surfaces of its rear portion and afitting portion43 which is fitted into the game machine proper2; the front end surface of thisfitting portion43 is provided with arectangular window portion44.
• The[0076]grip portions42A and42B constitute a so-called unplugging/plugging portion which is plugged into the game machine proper2, and their size, i.e. their width W and length L, is the same as the size of thegrip portions31A and31B of theconnection terminal part26 of thecontroller17 described above.
• That is, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the[0077]controller17 and thememory device38 can be fitted into the game machine proper2 so that viewed from above, viewed from below or viewed from either side they overlap in the same shape. As a result, it is possible to easily discern visually whether or not they are correctly fitted.
• The surface of the[0078]fitting portion43 is provided with a direction indicating mark45ashowing the direction for fitting into the game machine proper2. By means of this mark45a, users using the game can easily distinguish the direction and the front and back of thememory device38 when fitting it into the game machine proper2.
• A[0079]label affixing portion45bis provided on the end surface of the end opposite thewindow portion44 so that thememory device38 can easily be identified.
• Inside the[0080]memory device38, amemory terminal part47 of thecircuit board46 comprising power supply and signal terminals faces outward through thewindow portion44.
• A shown particularly in FIG. 13, the[0081]circuit board46 has mounted thereon in a predetermined position a substantially flat,rectangular memory50 and comprises thememory terminal part47 connected to this memory.
• The[0082]memory terminal part47 is made up ofpower supply terminals48A and signal terminals48B, and thepower supply terminals48A project further than the signal terminals48B and are disposed in an aligned state.
• That is, when the[0083]memory device38 is electrically connected to the game machine proper2, first thepower supply terminals48A,48A become connected and power is supplied to the memory so the memory can operate fully and then after that the signal terminals48B are connected and connection of thememory50 mounted in thememory device38 and the game machine proper2 is completed.
• By adopting this type of structure allowing so-called live unplugging wherein power is first supplied to the[0084]power supply terminals48A before the signal terminals48B are connected, when thememory device38 is fitted to the game machine proper2, even if the game machine proper2 is operating, that is, even during a game, it is possible to unplug/plug thememory device38 freely. As described above, this structure allowing live unplugging is also applied to theconnection terminal part26 of thecontroller17 described above.
• As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the memory mounted on the[0085]circuit board46 is connected to the game machine proper2 and also connected to thememory50.
• The[0086]memory50 used here is a non-volatile memory, for example flash EEPROM, NAND EEPROM, UV/EPROM or the like typified by EEPROM, and consists of semiconductor memory in which stored information is retained after the power supply is cut off.
• As a result, a battery of a power source or the like and circuit thereof for holding the information can be dispensed with, and the structure can be made small and simple. In this preferred embodiment the[0087]memory device38 is fitted to the game machine proper2 side, but it may alternatively be made removably connectable to thecontroller17 side.
• [4] Connection Arrangement[0088]
• As described above, in a constitution wherein[0089]controllers17 andmemory devices38 can be connected to the game machine proper2, as shown in FIG. 14, a plurality ofcontrollers17 can be connected andrespective memory devices38 corresponding torespective controllers17 connected can be fitted.
• That is, if the constitution is such that from a[0090]controller17A and amemory device38A of a first set to acontroller17B and amemory device38B of an Nth set can be connected to the game machine proper2, when thecontroller17A of the first set is fitted, amemory device38A of the first set corresponding thereto personal to a user controlling the game can be fitted and the game content controlled by thecontroller17A of the first set can be suitably recorded in thememory device38A of the first set.
• In the above preferred embodiment the description was of a game apparatus, but the invention is of course not limited to a game apparatus and can be used for a form of business dealing, for example securities trading or information reference, for instance for access to a certain database or the like. In this case, connections with devices required for the loading of the medium replacing the game medium and communication in both directions and the like are necessary.[0091]
• Related applications include Japanese Patent Application Nos.[0092]
• 05-190763 (File Date: Jun. 3, 1993),[0093]
• 05-190764 (File Date: Jul. 2, 1993),[0094]
• 05-258625 (File Date: Oct. 15, 1993),[0095]
• 06-027405 (File Date: Jan. 31, 1994),[0096]
• 06-094988 (File Date: May 9, 1994),[0097]
• 06-238898 (File Date: Oct. 3, 1994) and[0098]
• 06-142454 (File Date: Jun. 1, 1994),[0099]
• submitted by the present applicant. Each of the above applications is owned by the assignee of the present invention and is hereby incorporated by way of reference. (U.S. Patents corresponding to these seven Japanese applications are currently being applied for.)[0100]

Claims (14)

What is claimed is:

1. A game machine apparatus having a game machine proper which is loaded with a program medium and controls the state of a game and a controller for controlling the game machine proper, comprising:

a connector attached to the controller;

a connector socket provided in the game machine proper into which the connector is removably fitted;

a memory device for storing information relating to the controller; and

a memory device socket into which the memory device is removably fitted provided in the game machine proper in the vicinity of the connector socket.

2. A game machine apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein:

the memory device can store control states of one or a plurality of players.

3. A game machine apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein:

the memory device has plurality of signal terminals and power supply terminals and the power supply terminals extend further outward than the signal terminals.

4. A game machine apparatus according toclaim 3, wherein:

the power supply terminals include two terminals between which are disposed the signal terminals.

5. A game machine apparatus according toclaim 4, wherein:

grip portions of the controller and the memory device are substantially the same shape.

6. A game machine apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein:

the grip portions are non-slip machined.

7. A game machine apparatus according toclaim 6, wherein:

the memory device is provided with non-volatile memory.

8. A memory device for insertion into a game apparatus having a game machine proper which is loaded with a program medium and controls the state of a game and a controller for controlling the game machine proper and a connector attached to the controller and a connector socket in the game machine proper into which the connector is removably fitted, the memory device being for recording information relating to the controller and being fitted removably with respect to the game machine proper into a socket provided in the game machine proper in the vicinity of the connector socket.

9. A memory device according toclaim 8, wherein:

the memory device can store control states of one or a plurality of players.

10. A memory device according toclaim 9, wherein:

the memory device has a plurality of signal terminals and power supply terminals and the power supply terminals extend further outward than the signal terminals.

11. A memory device according toclaim 10, wherein:

the power supply terminals include two terminals between which are disposed the signal terminals.

12. A memory device according toclaim 11, wherein:

grip portions of the controller and the memory device are substantially the same shape.

13. A memory device according toclaim 12, wherein:

the grip portions are non-slip machined.

14. A memory device according13, wherein:

the memory device is provided with non-volatile memory.

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