Abstract: A communication adapter which is used with a plurality of game sets for transmitting and receiving data related to the game states of the game sets. Each game set including a serial interface and a buffer memory for temporarily storing transmit/receive data. The adapter including: a housing; a connection terminal for each game set; data input, data output and clock output ports, a clock signal generator, format converter and transmit/receive storage means. The clock signal generating means applies the same clock signal used for data communication with the game sets to each clock output port so that data to be transmitted to each game set and data received from each game set is synchronized with the clock signal whereby reliable communication is obtained with two or more game sets without the use of modems.

Abstract: An X-axis counter (101) and a Y-axis counter (102) detect velocities of the movement of a mouse in X-axis and Y-axis directions, respectively. A comparator (103) detects which of the velocities of the movement of the mouse in the X-axis and Y-axis directions is higher. An X-axis displacement amount correction data ROM (106) and a Y-axis displacement amount correction data ROM (107) correct a detection result by the X-axis counter (101) and a detection result by the Y-axis counter (102) with the same correction rate based upon detection results by the comparator (103) to output displacements in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

Abstract: A memory cartridge is loaded in a main unit of a personal computer when used. The memory cartridge comprises a case, and a printed circuit board which is installed therein and on which a large-capacity, one-chip ROM is mounted. Storage area of the one-chip ROM is divided into a plurality of banks respectively having memory addresses of a number accessible by a central processing unit of the main unit, and one specific bank among them is allocated to an address space accessible all the time by the central processing unit. Bank selecting data for selecting other banks is stored in that specific bank. The bank selecting data is read out with progress of a program stored in the specific bank, being loaded in a counter. The content of the counter is inputted to the most significant three bits of address of the one-chip ROM. The most significant three bits of the address function as bank designating bits.

Abstract: A locking groove extending in the horizontal direction is formed approximately at the center of a front surface of a cartridge. A power switch is turned on/off in response to an operation of a slide switch. When the power switch is turned on by the slide switch, a lock plate rotates in response to the operation of the slide switch. At this time, a projecting portion provided on one side of the lock plate is fit in the locking groove. Consequently, simultaneously with the turning on/off the power, the cartridge is locked so as not to be ejected.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic game machine for use with attachable/detachable memory game packs wherein the game machine includes a case of a size which may be held by a hand and capable of being sandwiched by both hands with a first switch disposed at a position such that during a game it can be operated by one thumb on a front surface of the case, a second switch disposed at a position such that during a game it can be operated by the other thumb on the first surface of the case and a third operation switch means provided in a region of said front surface where imaginary loci of both thumbs intersect with each other on the front surface, and wherein the game machine can be connected with others for simultaneous multiple player competition.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic game machine includes a computer accommodated in a case and a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel provided at an upper portion of a front surface of the case. When an external memory is inserted to a receiving port formed on a rear surface of the case at a portion opposite to the LCD panel, a first character data being set in advance in the computer is compared with a second character data stored in a predetermined area of the external memory. Prior to such comparison, the computer displays the characters represented by the second character data on the LCD panel. If the first and second character data are coincident with each other, the computer can access to the external memory.

Abstract: A system for determining a truth comprises a main unit which is employed together with an external memory, for example, ROM cartridge, floppy disk or the like. The main unit is operated following a program contained in the external memory. In the external memory and the main unit, the same semiconductor devices, for example, microprocessors are incorporated respectively, and the former device acts as a key device and the latter device acts as a lock device. The key device and the lock device are synchronized with each other, executing the same arithmetic operation following the same program. The results of this operation are exchanged with each other, and the two devices compare the result of operation by their own with the result of operation by the other, respectively. If the both coincide, software is determined to be true and the main unit is allowed to operate, but if not coincide, software is determined to be false and the main unit is left reset intact.

Abstract: A memory cartridge (10) is attachably/detachably loaded to a game machine (22) which includes a microprocessor (24) and a working RAM (26) provided in association with the microprocessor. When the memory cartridge is loaded to the game machine, a program ROM (18) included in the memory cartridge is connected to the microprocessor and the working RAM through data bus and address bus such that the data can be communicated between them. When a game is terminated, a password is generated in accordance with a program stored in the program ROM in advance by modifying game status data including data of score, power or energy and the stage number which are stored in the working RAM. The password thus generated is displayed on a display.

Abstract: A memory cartridge having a case and a printed circuit board housed in the case is connected, in use, to a data processing unit including a microprocessor and a picture processing unit. A memory cooperating with the data processing unit is installed on the printed circuit board, and an area of the memory is divided into a plurality of banks. A multi-memory controller installed on the printed circuit board includes a plurality of registers into which microprocessor generated data, representing bank switching conditions, are loaded. An address for switching the memory banks is output in response to the content of at least one of a plurality of registers. Thus, by changing the above-described data, the microprocessor can specify a specific bank at a specific time and utilize that bank.

Abstract: A cartridge for a gaming machine includes a case having tapered surface formed along a side edge of the rear face thereof which cooperates with a protrusion in the cartridge receiving tray in the gaming machine main unit to prevent an inverted insertion of the cartridge into the machine. A character ROM, a first semiconductor memory storing a program for determining authenticity of the cartridge and a first microcomputer for executing that program are mounted on a printed circuit board accommodated in the case. The gaming machine includes a picture processing unit generating an image signal based on data from the character ROM, a second semiconductor memory which stores the same program for determining authenticity of the cartridge as the program in the first semiconductor memory, and a second microcomputer identical to the first microcomputer for executing the program stored in the second semiconductor memory. The second microcomputer determines authenticity of the loaded or inserted cartridge.