Abstract: When a character is lent from a first game device to a second game device, clocks of those two game devices are synchronized, a shared lending/borrowing expiration time is set, the use of the character is temporarily disabled in the first game device, and the use of the character is temporarily enabled in the second game device. Then, a character return timing is determined, based on a time of the clock and the lending/borrowing expiration time, in the respective game devices. In accordance with the determined timing, the use of the character is enabled in the first game device, and the use of the character is disabled in the second game device. Thus, it is possible to lend/borrow a character as an item in the real world without generating a copy thereof, and the lent character is sure to be returned at the expiration of a predetermined lending/borrowing period.

Abstract: A microcomputer which is an integrated circuit including an electrically erasable and programmable nonvolatile semiconductor memory and a central processing unit is used for control of a disk drive. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory holds an application program such as a recorded information reproducing control program in an application program area, and holds a reboot program used for updating the application program in a reboot program area. The central processing unit executes the reboot program to rewrite the application program in whole or part, in response to a rewrite command for the application program which is supplied from the outside.

Abstract: The configuration of a microcomputer to be used as the control device of a medium reading apparatus is such that writing unit by unit into and erasion block by block from a prescribed area, such as a user data storage area, in a nonvolatile memory built into the microcomputer makes possible, if any writing into the user data storage area is needed, for data to be successively written while updating the units, data included in the prescribed area to be erased when all the units have been written into, and the next data to be written into the erased blocks.

Abstract: A microcomputer (5) which is an integrated circuit including an electrically erasable and programmable nonvolatile semiconductor memory (56) and a central processing unit (51) is used for control of a disk drive (2). The nonvolatile semiconductor memory holds an application program such as a recorded information reproducing control program in an application program area (561), and holds a reboot program used for updating the application program in a reboot program area (560). The central processing unit executes the reboot program to rewrite the application program in whole or part, in response to a rewrite command for the application program which is supplied from the outside.

Abstract: There is provided an information recording/recording device that can easily modify the respective reproduction control programs and other programs of plural disk drive units simply by mounting an information recording medium in one disk drive unit. One disk drive unit uses predetermined recording information of a mounted information recording medium to rewrite a program stored in a nonvolatile memory of the one disk drive unit, and transfers a program to another disk drive unit over an interface bus to instruct program rewriting. According to the rewriting instruction from the one disk drive unit, the other disk drive unit rewrites a program stored in a nonvolatile memory thereof. If the information recording medium is reproduced in one disk drive unit, program information can be transferred to a different disk drive unit.

Abstract: When a character is lent from a first game device to a second game device, clocks of those two game devices are synchronized, a shared lending/borrowing expiration time is set, the use of the character is temporarily disabled in the first game device, and the use of the character is temporarily enabled in the second game device. Then, a character return timing is determined, based on a time of the clock and the lending/borrowing expiration time, in the respective game devices. In accordance with the determined timing, the use of the character is enabled in the first game device, and the use of the character is disabled in the second game device. Thus, it is possible to lend/borrow a character as an item in the real world without generating a copy thereof, and the lent character is sure to be returned at the expiration of a predetermined lending/borrowing period.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antimicrobial agent consisting of glass which comprises 50 to 60 mole % of ZnO, 20 to 30 mole % of at least one member selected from the group consisting of B2O3 and P2O5, 1 to 10 mole % of at least one member selected from the group consisting of Al2O3 and ZrO2, 5 to 10 mole % of an alkali metal oxide and 0 to 15 mole % of SiO2 and an antimicrobial agent consisting of glass which comprises 50 to 70 mole % of ZnO, 20 to 35 mole % of P2O5, 0.5 to 10 mole % of Al2O3, 0.5 to 10 mole % of SnO2, 0 to 5 mole % of SiO2 and 5 to 10 mole % of an alkali metal oxide as well as an antimicrobial resin composition and antimicrobial artificial marble, each of which comprises a resin and the antimicrobial agent blended therewith. The antimicrobial resin composition and the antimicrobial artificial marble are excellent in their antimicrobial properties, resistance to color change and water resistance.

Abstract: There is provided an information recording/recording device that can easily modify the respective reproduction control programs and other programs of plural disk drive units simply by mounting an information recording medium in one disk drive unit. One disk drive unit uses predetermined recording information of a mounted information recording medium to rewrite a program stored in a nonvolatile memory of the one disk drive unit, and transfers a program to another disk drive unit over an interface bus to instruct program rewriting. According to the rewriting instruction from the one disk drive unit, the other disk drive unit rewrites a program stored in a nonvolatile memory thereof. If the information recording medium is reproduced in one disk drive unit, program information can be transferred to a different disk drive unit.

Abstract: A microcomputer (5) which is an integrated circuit including an electrically erasable and programmable nonvolatile semiconductor memory (56) and a central processing unit (51) is used for control of a disk drive (2). The nonvolatile semiconductor memory holds an application program such as a recorded information reproducing control program in an application program area (561), and holds a reboot program used for updating the application program in a reboot program area (560). The central processing unit executes the reboot program to rewrite the application program in whole or part, in response to a rewrite command for the application program which is supplied from the outside.

Abstract: A microcomputer (5) which is an integrated circuit including an electrically erasable and programmable nonvolatile semiconductor memory (56) and a central processing unit (51) is used for control of a disk drive (2). The nonvolatile semiconductor memory holds an application program such as a recorded information reproducing control program in an application program area (561), and holds a reboot program used for updating the application program in a reboot program area (560). The central processing unit executes the reboot program to rewrite the application program in whole or part, in response to a rewrite command for the application program which is supplied from the outside.

Abstract: The configuration of a microcomputer to be used as the control device of a medium reading apparatus is such that writing unit by unit into and erasion block by block from a prescribed area, such as a user data storage area, in a nonvolatile memory built into the microcomputer makes possible, if any writing into the user data storage area is needed, for data to be successively written while updating the units, data included in the prescribed area to be erased when all the units have been written into, and the next data to be written into the erased blocks.

Abstract: A videographics/video game fabricating system includes a multiprocessor based game processor console which includes a main central processing unit (CPU) which controls editing operations and operating system task execution and a game CPU for executing the model video game which is loaded into a pluggable RAM cartridge. The model video game provides a starting point from which a user can readily create an original video game including desired aspects of the model software. The system permits a user to modify any of the game's moving objects, background screens, music or sound effects. The main CPU and game CPU cooperate in the game execution and editorial process such that an editing screen generated by the main CPU is superimposed on a game screen generated by the program executing CPU. The game processing console includes ports for interconnection with a wide variety of peripheral devices.

Abstract: A videographics/video game fabricating system includes a multiprocessor based game processor console which includes a main central processing unit (CPU) which controls editing operations and operating system task execution and a game CPU for executing the model video game which is loaded into a pluggable RAM cartridge. The model video game provides a starting point from which a user can readily create an original video game including desired aspects of the model software. The system permits a user to modify any of the game's moving objects, background screens, music or sound effects. The main CPU and game CPU cooperate in the game execution and editorial process such that an editing screen generated by the main CPU is superimposed on a game screen generated by the program executing CPU.

Abstract: A videographics/video game fabricating system includes a multiprocessor based game processor console which includes a main central processing unit (CPU) which controls editing operations and operating system task execution and a game CPU for executing the model video game which is loaded into a pluggable RAM cartridge. The model video game provides a starting point from which a user can readily create an original video game including desired aspects of the model software. The system permits a user to modify any of the game's moving objects, background screens, music or sound effects. The main CPU and game CPU cooperate in the game execution and editorial process such that an editing screen generated by the main CPU is superimposed on a game screen generated by the program executing CPU.

Abstract: A videographics/video game fabricating system includes a multiprocessor based game processor console which includes a main central processing unit (CPU) which controls editing operations and operating system task execution and a game CPU for executing the model video game which is loaded into a pluggable RAM cartridge. The model video game provides a starting point from which a user can readily create an original video game including desired aspects of the model software. The system includes security features to prevent unauthorized use and copying of proprietary data and program software files. The security features include a unique ID card for insertion into the system console having stored ID DATA corresponding to matching ID DATA associated with certain files stored on floppy disks. In addition, the ID card and a game cartridge may include customized security circuits that authenticate one another.

Abstract: A videographics/video game fabricating system includes a multiprocessor based game processor console which includes a main central processing unit (CPU) which controls editing operations and operating system task execution and a game CPU for executing the model video game which is loaded into a pluggable RAM cartridge. The model video game provides a starting point from which a user can readily create an original video game including desired aspects of the model software. The system permits a user to modify any of the game's moving objects, background screens, music or sound effects. The main CPU and game CPU cooperate in the game execution and editorial process such that an editing screen generated by the main CPU is superimposed on a game screen generated by the program executing CPU.

Abstract: A still picture display apparatus comprises a VRAM and a character ROM. The VRAM is allocated first coordinate addresses corresponding to display positions of a raster scan type display, and a character code representing a character to be displayed is stored in each of the first coordinate addresses. The character ROM is divided into a plurality of storage areas, and dot data of the character is stored in an address designated by the above character code in each of the storage areas. An extended RAM is also allocated second coordinate addresses similarly to the VRAM, and modifying data (character modifying data and/or color modifying data) corresponding to the character code stored in the VRAM is stored in each of the second coordinate addresses.

Abstract: A digital sound source apparatus includes a semiconductor memory connected to a central processing unit. The memory has a quantized data storage area and a program data storage area. A quantized data train and a stop code are stored in a series of addresses in the quantized data storage area, a start address is set in a certain address in the program data storage area. When the start address is read from the program data storage area, the quantized data are sequentially read from the quantized data storage area and are sequentially loaded into a data register. When the stop code is read from the quantized data storage area, loading of the data into the data register is inhibited by a read/write control circuit, the quantized data loaded into the data register are converted into an analog sound signal by a D/A conversion circuit.

Abstract: The chemical setting receptacle comprises a receptacle body loading chemical and a lid covering the top opening of the receptacle body, wherein the lid is formed by connecting more than one vertical plate and a passage connected to a chemical loading section of the receptacle body is installed between the vertical plates. Urine and water hitting the ridge of the vertical plate separate and fall into the chemical loading section and also, urine and water entering the passage hit the side of the vertical plate and fall into the chemical loading section. Therefore, urine and water do not splash outward. The receptacle body and lid are made of decomposable plastic material containing an additive having a decomposition by microorganisms and sunlight characteristic. After the receptacle is used, the additive is naturally decomposed in a short time by activity of microorganisms and irradiation of sunlight, the plastic material collapses into a granular resin, and the receptacle loses its original form.

Abstract: A signal transmitting system including a spurious radiation preventing circuit which comprises a differentiating circuit coupled to a signal line connected to a signal source for differentiating an original signal for emphasizing high frequency components of the signal, an adder circuit for adding the output from the differentiating circuit and the original signal, and a current booster for boosting the output from the adder circuit. The output from the current booster is applied to an output device through a high cut filter, so that spurious radiation from the signal line connecting the signal source with the output device is reduced.