JPS62286489A - TV game system - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention 3. Detailed Description of the Invention Summary of the Invention A TV game machine is connected online to a center equipped with a storage means in which software data of a plurality of types of TV games are stored. When a desired type of TV game is selected using a human power device installed in the TV game machine, a request to transfer software data corresponding to the selected type of TV game is transmitted from the TV game machine to the center. Ru. When software data is transferred from the center to the TV game machine based on this transfer request, the transferred software data
A TV game is executed based on the data.

Background of the invention The present invention relates to a TV game system.

2. Description of the Related Art As TV game machines, there are conventionally known TV game machines, including those for business use installed in game centers and the like, and those for home use that are used at home.

Commercial TV game machines are dedicated machines that can only run one type of game, so in order to provide multiple types of games, multiple TV game machines are required.
In this industry where games are extremely popular, there is a problem that the operating efficiency of TV game machines is low.

On the other hand, with home TV game machines, you can store multiple SSDs on one machine by exchanging storage media such as cassette tapes and floppy disks that store TV game software data (TV game programs). type T
Although V-games can be executed, there is a problem in that the game software must be transferred from the storage medium and stored in the storage device of the TV game machine each time.

Summary of the Invention This invention provides the ability to play Ijlfi types of T games with one TV game machine.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a TV game system that allows a V game to be executed relatively easily.

The TV game system according to the present invention is composed of a center and a TV game machine connected to the center online, and the center is provided with a first storage means in which software data of a plurality of types of TV games are stored. The game machine includes a display device for displaying the game screen, an input device 2 for selecting the type of desired TV game, and a selected TV.
means for requesting the center to transfer software data corresponding to the type of game; second storage means for storing the software data transferred from the center based on the transfer request; and second storage means. The present invention is characterized by comprising means for executing a TV game using a display device based on software data stored in the computer.

The player uses the human power device of the TV game machine to select the desired TV.
When the type of game is selected, a request to transfer the software data of the input TV game is transmitted from the TV game machine to the center. Based on this transfer request, the corresponding software
Data is transferred from the center to the TV game machine and stored in its storage means. The TV game is then executed based on the stored software data.

According to this invention, one TV game machine can play multiple types of T.
In addition to being able to enjoy V-games, even if the user wants to play a different type of TV game, the desired TV game can be played relatively quickly.

Description of the embodiment The TV game system can play multiple types of game software.
Center that holds the data 1. (see Figure 2), and a TV game machine 2 (second
(see figure).

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the TV game machine 2. As shown in FIG. On the top of the TV game machine 2, there is a game execution screen,
A CRT II is provided for displaying a game menu screen showing fJ types of games that can be executed by the player, an idle screen demonstrating part of the content of each game, and the like. Rule manuals 12 for each game are attached to both sides of the top surface of the TV game 1lt2.

On the front end of the TV game machine 2, a 100 yen coin is displayed.
．． 100 yen coin return slot 14. Insertion and return slot for TV game value card C15. A game operation unit 1B equipped with a coin and card return button (not shown), m keys and levers operated during the game, and for inputting a game number representing the type of desired TV game in order to select it. A game type selection operation section 17 is provided which includes a game type selection key and a menu screen display request key.

A connector 18 for connecting one communication control device is provided on the lower side of the TV game machine 2.

The TV game value card C is a card that allows you to play games for a predetermined number of days or for a predetermined amount of money.
It has a readable and writable storage section that stores the number of valid remaining games, etc. - Figure 2 shows an overview of the electrical configuration of the TV game system.

The TV game machine 2 is controlled by a CPU 20. C
The PU 20 includes a memory 21 that stores its programs and various data.

The CPU 20 includes the CRT 11. Game operation unit 1
6 and a game type selection operation section 17, an audio output section 22 that outputs game sounds, and a card reader/write 23 that reads and writes data on the value card C.
．． and a communication control device 24 for communicating with the center 1.
is connected.

Center 1 also includes a CPU 3G. The CPU 30 stores the program, multiple types of game software data, idle screen data for each game, and menu screen data in advance, and also has a memory 31. A communication control device 32 for communicating with the TV game machine 2 is also connected.

FIG. 3 shows the contents of the memory 21 of the TV game machine 2. As shown in FIG. The memory 21 includes an area El for storing the program, and an area E2 for storing menu screen data sent from the center 1. Area E3 for storing idle screen data sent from center 1. An area library 4 and the like are provided for storing games, software, and data sent from the center 1.

Area E3 is provided with storage locations E31 to E3n for storing n types of idle screen data.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a menu screen displayed on the CRTII. The menu screen displays the names of a plurality of TV games that can be executed by the TV game machine 2, game numbers assigned to each TV game, and the past highest score for each TV game. The TV game name, the corresponding game number, and the highest score are sequentially flashed line by line. An example of an idle screen is shown in FIG. 5, and the corresponding game number is displayed on the left-hand side of the screen.

FIG. 6 shows a game processing procedure by the CPU 20 of the TV game machine 2, and FIG. 7 shows how telegrams are exchanged between the TV game machine 2 and the center 1.

The TV game f12 sends a message requesting transfer of initial image data (menu screen data and idle screen data) to the center 1 (step 41). Upon receiving this message, the center 1 sends a message including menu screen data to the TV game machine 2. When the TV game machine 2 receives this message (step 42).

The menu screen data in the received message is stored in area E2 of the memory 21 (step 43).

When the menu screen data is stored in the memory 21, a message indicating this (accumulation OK message) is sent to the center 1.

Upon receiving this message, the center 1 sends a message including idle screen data for each game included in the menu screen to the TV game machine 2. When the TV game Iso 2 receives this message (step 44), it stores the idle screen data in the received message in the memory location E31 in the area E3 of the memory 21.
- E3n is stored in order from E31 (step 45).

If the number of types of idle screen data sent from the center 1 is more than n, it is preferable to store the frequently used data in priority over the less frequently used data. When the idle screen data is stored in the memory 21, the TV game machine 2 sends a message to the center 1 (storage OKW!4 message) indicating this.

Next, a menu screen is displayed on the CRT II for a certain period of time based on the menu screen data stored in area E2 of the memory 21 (step 4G).

Thereafter, each idle screen is sequentially displayed on the CRTIL based on the idle screen data stored in area E3+S of the memory 21 (step 47).

and by the menu screen display request key.

It is determined whether the display of the menu screen has been requested (step 48), and if there is no request to display the menu screen, it is determined whether the game number has been input using the game type selection key (step 49). If the game number is not entered.

Return to step 46. Therefore, the menu screen and the idle screen are repeatedly displayed on CR, T11 until a menu screen display request is made using the menu screen display key or a game number is input using the game type selection key.

When playing one game, the player inserts a 100 yen coin into the coin slot 13 or inserts the value card C into the card insertion/return slot 15. 1. Normally, the menu screen display request key is pressed. If the player knows the game number of the game he or she wants to play, the player may input the game number using the game type selection key without pressing the menu screen display request key.

When the menu screen display request key is pressed by the player, the answer is YES in step 48, and the process proceeds to step 50, where the menu screen is displayed on the CRT II.

The player looks at the menu screen, and if there is a game he wants to play, he inputs the name of each game using the game type selection key, and if there is no game he wants to play, he presses the coin and card return button to play the game that he has already played. Request the return of the coin or value card C that has been inserted or inserted.

If the game number is not entered manually within a certain period of time after the menu screen is displayed in step 50 (No in step 51), it is determined that the game the player wants to play is not among the games shown on the menu screen. death,
Return to step 4B.

If the game number is entered manually within a certain period of time after the menu screen is displayed in step 50 (YES in step 51), first, a game/software/data transfer request message is sent to the center 1, In response, after receiving the data transfer OK telegram from the center 1, a telegram containing data representing the manually input game number is sent to the center 1 (step 52).

Upon receiving this telegram, the center 1 sends a telegram containing game software data corresponding to the game number in the received telegram to the TV game machine 2. When the TV game machine 2 receives this telegram (step 53), it stores the game software data in the received telegram in the area E4 of the memory 21 (step 54).

The game is then executed based on the game software data stored in the memory 21 (step 55).

When the game ends (YES in step 56), the process returns to step 46.

If the player inputs the game number using the game type selection key without pressing the menu screen display request key,
YES in step 49, and in the same way as when the game number is input in step 51 above, steps 52 to 56
processing is performed.

This invention is applicable not only to commercial-use TV game machines but also to home-use TV game machines.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the TV game machine, Figure 2 is a T
A block diagram showing the electrical outline of the V-game system (1 yen configuration), Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the contents of the memory of the TV game machine, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the menu screen, Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the contents of the memory of the TV game machine. A diagram showing an example of the idle screen, Figure 6 is C of the TV game machine.
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the game processing procedure by the PU, and is a diagram showing the communication of telegrams between the TV game machine and the center. 1...Center, 2...TV game machine. 11...CRT, 17... Game type selection operation unit. 20...CPU, 21...Memory. 24... Communication control device, 30... CPU. 31...Memory, 32...Communication control device. Patent applicant: Tateishi Electric Co., Ltd. Hiyo Hiyo Patent attorney: Kenji Ushiku (1 other person) Figure 1 Figure 7 Figure 3 Figure 42! ! Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] Consisting of a center and a TV game machine connected to the center online, the center is provided with a first storage means in which software data of a plurality of types of TV games are stored, and each A means for the TV game machine to request the center to transfer software data corresponding to a display device for displaying a game screen, an input device for selecting a desired TV game type, and a selected TV game type. , a second storage means for storing the software data transferred from the center based on the transfer request, and a TV game using the display device based on the software data stored in the second storage means. A TV game system equipped with means for executing.