Abstract: A game which two or more players can play, such as cards and mahjong, is played by connecting a home TV game machine with portable game machines having displays, where images for a common field are displayed on the TV, and private hands of a player, which should be concealed from the other players, are displayed only on a display of the player's local machine so that strategies an actual game is enjoyed. A plurality of portable game machines with displays are connected via a cartridge to a home TV game machine to which a ROM cassette is inserted for playing a game. The cartridge of which one end is inserted to the portable game machine for connection has a connection terminal on the other end, and the connection terminal and a controller connection terminal of the home TV game machine are connected with a communication cable.

Abstract: A data carrier obtains necessary electric power and information by receiving a radio wave from a reader through an antenna and an information communication unit, and a control unit executes a required process based on the above information and information stored in a multi-value memory. A surface/underside judging unit detects the surface or the underside of the data carrier from a direction of an electric current flowing across a coil, and has different functions executed based on a result of this detection.

Abstract: A game system utilizes a first game machine and a second game machine. The backup data obtained through playing a first game on the first game machine is memorized in a first game cartridge. The first game cartridge is attached to an extension adapter, and the extension adapter is in turn mounted on a controller for the second game machine. Accordingly, the backup data of the first game machine is taken into the second game machine. The second game machine is attached with a second game cartridge. The second machine executes a second game by processing the backup data according to a second game program set up in the second game cartridge.

Abstract: A video game apparatus includes an external ROM. This external ROM is previously memorized with player object data, basic shadow object data and light object data. A direction in which a shadow is thrown is determined according to the player object data and the light object data, to thereby determine a length of each leg of the player object. Based on the length of the leg and the height of the light, a length of the shadow is determined. Based on the height of each leg, a depth of the shadow is determined. A shape of a displaying shadow object is determined from a state of a ground object to which the shadow is thrown.

Abstract: A video game machine, which comprises a CPU for executing a program and a memory in which, based on the control provided by the CPU consonant with the execution of the program, are stored data that are read from the program and concern a plurality of characters to be displayed on a display device, provides a pseudo-sense of reality, as though a character projected on a display were a living entity. In such a video game machine, inheritance probabilities are defined for individual portions, of the data concerning a plurality of characters, that constitute the characters, and under a predesignated condition available during the execution of the program, a portion constituting one character, of portions constituting two characters, is maintained at a predetermined inheritance probability that has been defined, and data for new characters are prepared.

Abstract: Each character that makes an appearance in a game is provided with a program, which is independent of other programs, for deciding the action of the character, and with a program counter. These mutually independent programs are run in parallel. The speed at which the program advances differs for each character. A character representing the player is endowed with the highest speed of advance, and this character is given the highest priority in parallel processing as well. Interaction among characters is realized by communication among the programs, and an order of priority is assigned to communication among programs. As a result, the game is provided with a greater sense of surprise and the program game is easier to create.

Abstract: This invention relates to a game system. The game system has a window image including an action command frame and a non-action command frame. When it is a player's turn to designate an action parameter, the window image including the action command frame and the non-action command frame is displayed on a display plane of display means of the game player to enable the game player to select a command in the action command frame or the non-action command frame and accept the selected command. Concurrently, a window image solely including the non-action command frame is displayed on a display plane of display means of the game player who is not assigned with the turn to enable the non-assigned game player to designate the command in the non-action command frame on the window image and accept the designated command while allowing the game player to see an overall image in a game space through the window image.

Abstract: In a portable game machine 10, formed on the upper portion of a body portion 20 is a camera portion 30. An image display device 22 is arranged on one main surpace of the body portion 20, and operating switches 23, 24, etc., are arranged on other areas. The camera portion 30 is rotatably supported to the body portion 20, and a user can shoot images in both forward and backward directions when viewed from the user. Preferably, the camera portion 30 is supported having a prescribed angle to the body portion 20 so that its focal axis tilts with respect to main surfaces of the body portion 20.

Abstract: A programmable device such as a toy or novelty item wherein there is a body. There is also a keyboard on an independent cartridge with a microprocessor which can be activated by a user to selectively cooperate with the body and set up any one of multiple different motions of the toy. Sounds and lights in the body can be activated to coordinate with the movement. The toy can be a car or other device capable of moving in the environment. The keyboard on the cartridge can also be used independently to play a game programmed with the microprocessor in the cartridge, the game being independent of the body. The game can relate to issues of vehicle driving. An alarm clock feature can be included in the cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention comprises at least a serial data interface unit, a data buffer unit, a data processing unit, and a serial/parallel data interface unit. It is designed for compressing and transferring recorded data signals stored in the memory card employed by various game players currently available in the market; and acting as a data-transfer device for compressing and transferring data signals and for transmitting control signals between the specific game player and the non-specific memory card.

Abstract: A hand-held video game system having a microprocessor controller with address and data buses for providing memory accesses during memory cycles to a plurality of cartridge slots for electrically connecting cartridges containing memory to the address and data buses. An output terminal of the microprocessor controller provides cartridge-select signal which identifies a first memory containing cartridge to be accessed during an initial memory cycle with the microprocessor controller controlling the output terminal to change the cartridge-select signal for transparently accessing a second memory containing cartridge for a subsequent memory cycle. The cartridge slot may also provide a port for transferring and receiving information over a bi-directional communication link in which a communication cartridge allows communication over the internet, and allows for interactive play of a video game.

Abstract: In a video reproducing apparatus, operating devices and recording devices are connected with a simple structure to record game information while operating the game, and a plurality of small capacity of external secondary memory can be used as a large capacity of external secondary memory. The main body of the video game machine is connected to a plurality of the operating devices with a serial interface so that serial data is communicated bidirectionally in accordance with a predetermined communication procedure while at the same time connecting recording devices to the serial interface respectively corresponding to a plurality of operating devices to allow the main body of the game machine to write predetermined data into and read it from recording devices in accordance with a communication procedure.

Abstract: A video game system includes a game cartridge which is pluggably attached to a main console having a main processor, a 3D graphics generating coprocessor, expandable main memory and player controllers. A multifunctional peripheral processing subsystem external to the game microprocessor and coprocessor is described which executes commands for handling player controller input/output to thereby lessen the processing burden on the graphics processing subsystem. The player controller processing subsystem is used for both controlling player controller input/output processing and for performing game authenticating security checks continuously during game play. The peripheral interface includes a micro-processor for controlling various peripheral interface functions, a read/write random access memory, a boot ROM, a coprocessor command channel interface, a player controller channel interface, etc.

Abstract: A video processing system is described including a video processing device which generates a sequence of video display frames on a display unit under the control of a stored program, and a unique operation controlling device which is connected to the video processing device and which supplies signals in response to an operator's manipulation, to change the video data generated by the video processing device. The video processing device includes a replaceable program memory, first data receiving circuitry, a central processing unit, first data sending circuitry and a video signal generation circuitry. The operation controlling device may include various operation controlling buttons, switches, an operation member, rotor bodies, rotation detection mechanisms, counting circuitry, reset signal generation circuitry, second receiving circuitry, transfer circuitry and second sending circuitry.

Abstract: A data compression device includes a data compression circuit for compressing data being transferred between a TV game player and a memory card, and for decompressing data sent from the memory card to the game player. The device is arranged to be inserted into the card receptacle of the TV game player, and includes an opening for receiving the memory card, thereby serving as an adapter between the game player and the memory card.

Abstract: A home TV-game apparatus of this invention has a memory storing a game program, a CPU for processing the game program, and time management elements managing a time of the game in correspondence with real time. In the home TV-game apparatus, therefore, a virtual reality type game using real time, e.g., a roll playing game, is easy to play and easy to make since the clock control of the game program does not have to be considered, and the development cost of the virtual reality type game is not expensive.

Abstract: LED arrays where a plurality of LEDs are vertically arranged are lit up in luminance corresponding to tone values on digital image data. Light beams in line emitted from the LED arrays are scanned in a horizontal direction to display a two-dimensional image. Clocks A, B, C are selectively gated according to the tone values D0, D1 on the digital image data to generate a drive pulse for driving each of the LEDs on the LED arrays. Each LED thus emits light in luminance corresponding to the tone value on the digital image data. Pulse widths of the clocks A, B, C are changed by one screen. Luminance of each light emitting element corresponding to the tone data on the digital image data is thus changed to increase the substantially representable number of tones.

Abstract: An electronic bingo device for use in dispensing bingo cards and tracking the cards for bingo during play. The apparatus is equipped with a conventional computer hardware platform and software tailored to track a bingo game by use of a game key with memory for storing data representative of a set of bingo game data including winning patterns and wild cards used during each game. In addition, a player's allocation of bingo cards are stored on the game key. Bingo cards stored in the device corresponding to the number allocated are used for game play. As the player enters the numbers are called out in the bingo hall. The device monitors each card for bingo.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a data processing system which can realize a variety of process. A secondary memory cassette 31 includes a connector 32 which can be connected to both a primary memory cassette 21 or a processing device body, and address transfer circuit 39 which judges whether the connector has been connected to the primary memory cassette 21 based upon the connection state of the connector and outputs an address transfer signal, and a memory 38 which outputs data corresponding to the address transfer signal and the address signal supplied from connector 32. The primary memory cassette 21 includes a mask ROM 28, a connector 22 for connection with the processing device body, and a connector 24 which can be connected with the secondary memory cassette 31. A predetermined pin of connector 24 is connected to a ground.

Abstract: In a developing environment, a game program exists in a product ROM and a debug program exists in another ROM which is a test ROM. The debug program includes a time adjusting program and other debug routine programs. The game program includes some statements for the debug program. When a ROM cartridge is produced as a product ROM cartridge, the test ROM is detached from the ROM cartridge and the statements for the debug program are deleted from the game program in the product ROM. The deleted area in the product ROM is left as an unusable area. However, the deleted area is very few, because the size of the statements for debug program is much fewer than the size of the debug program. Therefore, the game program is able to use almost all product ROM area.

Abstract: A hand-held LCD game machine is used as a hand-held LCD fish finder, in addition to its original game functions. Instead of a typical ROM game cassette, another device, which includes a cassette portion, a main body, and a float sensor having an ultrasonic transmitter, is inserted into the LCD game machine, so that the topography of the water bottom and the fish in water are displayed on a LCD panel by means of a program ROM having a memory to display the same based on an echo signal issued and received through the ultrasonic transmitter.

Abstract: A storage medium designed to simulate a standard information storage medium such as a floppy disk, video tape, or compact disc. A toy playback system accesses information stored on a printed circuit board, integrated circuit or other storage area, disposed on the storage medium. The storage medium comprises a plurality of memory locations each of which stores a sequence of analog or digital signals representative of a different block of stored information. Upon insertion into the toy playback system based upon user input, the printed circuit board or integrated circuit comes into selective contact with a contact plate, which activates the contacted memory location or locations to provide the selected information as sounds image, or video via a speaker, display screen, or combination thereof. The sound or audio information may be stored in a plurality of voice chips on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An operating device is connected to an image processing apparatus that generates image data to be displayed on a display according to a program. The operating device supplies a signal for varying the image data to be generated by the image processing apparatus. A joystick includes a lever and a disc interlocked therewith, and the rotation of the disc is detected by a photo-interrupter. Pulses from the photo-interrupter are counted by a resettable counter. A reset signal is supplied to the counter when three buttons are simultaneously depressed, when a power supply is turned on, or otherwise when a signal is received from a CPU of the image processing apparatus.

Abstract: Each character that makes an appearance in a game is provided with a program, which is independent of other programs, for deciding the action of the character, and with a program counter. These mutually independent programs are run in parallel. The speed at which the program advances differs for each character. A character representing the player is endowed with the highest speed of advance, and this character is given the highest priority in parallel processing as well. Interaction among characters is realized by communication among the programs, and an order of priority is assigned to communication among programs. As a result, the game is provided with a greater sense of surprise and the program game is easier to create.

Abstract: A game cartridge is inserted into a game device, and a controller is operated to display and perform a game stored in the game cartridge on a display monitor. The game cartridge has a ROM for storing a game program and a RAM for storing data of a play character having unique abilities. The controller is operated to instruct a play character to repeat various patterns of speech and action to increase the number of "remaining experience credits". Obtained "remaining experience credits" are assigned to abilities of the play characters to achieve desired ability values for thereby growing the play character until it develops unique abilities.

Abstract: A fully programmable, graphics microprocessor is embodied in a removable external memory unit for connection with a host information processing system. In an exemplary embodiment, a video game system is described including a host video game system and a pluggable video game cartridge housing the graphics microprocessor. The game cartridge also includes a read-only program memory (ROM) and a random-access memory (RAM). The graphics coprocessor operates in conjunction with a three bus architecture embodied on the game cartridge. The graphics processor using this bus architecture may execute programs from either the program ROM, external RAM or its own internal cache RAM.

Abstract: A game programming system uses rewritable cartridges that are compatible with commercially available game systems to produce game cartridges at a point-of-sale location so that retailers only need to stock sufficient uniquely designed game blanks to meet consumer demand. A game programmer or programming device loads digital content from computer storage to a rewritable game cartridge incorporating reprogrammable flash memory. The system includes flash rewritable cartridge identification hardware that allows verification of the cartridge to identify it as proprietary to a particular manufacturer or authorized dealer. The system provides for game content to be erased from the cartridge and new game content to be programmed so that the cartridge can be reused time after time to house any number of programs. During a cartridge write operation, a game programmer interface accepts data stored in a personal computer (PC) and fills first in first out (FIFO) memory.

Abstract: In a game apparatus and a method of debugging a game program, a based time is determined, then a start time of a debugging process in a game is set. Next, the based time is compared with the start time. If the based time is bigger than the start time, the start time of the debugging process in the game must be set again. In the game apparatus and the method of the present invention, therefore, the time in the game program is not inconsistency with a contents of a game history. The game program can be debugged correctly. Further, in developing a game program, a game program debug dose not waste working-time and working-load of a developer.

Abstract: A body device 2 is attachably/detachably equipped with a program cartridge. The program cartridge 4 stores a game program, image data and a column table. The body device 2 reads the game program from the game cartridge 4 and executes the game program, and reads and refers to the image data to display a stereoscopic image with parallax in left and right display systems. At this time, the body device 2 reads timing data from the column table in the program cartridge 4 to control light emitting intervals of each LED in the display units. Thus, the dot pitch of the image is corrected to appropriate widths.

Abstract: A software cartridge which is extensible with additional programs and/or data and the method of fabricating the same are provided. The software cartridge may connect with an add-on cartridge including additional data and/or programs of at least one game. A game console connected with the software cartridge and the add-on cartridge determines whether the additional game data stored in the add-on cartridge support the game of the software cartridge under control of the control programs stored in the software cartridge, and then use the additional program and/or data which support the game to enhance the content of the game.

Abstract: A game machine controller according to the present invention is provided with a memory pack equipped with a nonvolatile memory. The memory pack is able to store a plurality of commands designated by a predetermined button operation as command programs. Once the data is stored, it is retained unless it is compulsorily rewritten or deleted. The command program stored in the memory pack is retrieved and executed by a simple operation of the command buttons. The memory pack can be attached and detached freely so that it can conform to each software. As a result, once the command programs are stored, there is no need to renew the command programs every time the game software is replaced.

Abstract: A sports commemorative having an exterior which resembles a sportscard and also having the capacity to store a video highlight sequence. The video highlight sequence features an entity, most commonly an athlete, and is stored as data in a video storage means 12. A decorated housing means 10 surrounds and houses the video storage means 12. The decorated housing means 10 also has, as a part of its structure, an interface means 14. When the interface means 14 is removably connected with a display means, the video highlight sequence may be displayed by the display means. The decorated housing means 10 also supports an identification means 20. The identification means 20 resembles the front of a sportscard and serves to commemorate the featured entity in that fashion.

Abstract: A recording medium, a method of loading games program code, and a games machine is provided. The recording medium has a program code relating to an auxiliary game and a program code relating to a main game. The size of the auxiliary game program code is small compared to the size of the main-game program code, and the relationship between the auxiliary game program code and the main-game program code is such that the auxiliary game program code is loaded first, before the main game program code. Unnecessary wastage of time can be prevented by first loading the smaller, auxiliary game program code into the games machine, before the main-game program code is loaded, then loading the main-game program code while the auxiliary game is running.

Abstract: A hand held electronic book is adapted to receive any number of replaceable cartridges. Each cartridge holds an alternate text and requires a separate set of functions. A predetermined set of function keys on the keyboard of the electronic book at predetermined positions are color coded. Each cartridge of a set of replaceable cartridges has the same number of similarly positioned and similarly color coded key-like designations. These designations provide an indication of the new function that the corresponding key on the keyboard has when the book accesses the cartridge involved. Thus color and position are the codes used to select the function indicated on the cartridge to the key on the keyboard that performs the function.

Abstract: A modular electronic game system, mountable on the head of a user or contained in a console, including a viewing surface, an image projection assembly and an image generating module which has a transparent image screen.

Abstract: A cartridge for game machine includes a flat housing (11) consisting of a front half (11F) and a rear half (11R), a board (30) contained in the housing, and a female connector(20) to be connected to a male connector having a plurality of terminal pins. A circuit pattern is formed on the board, and part of the conductive circuit pattern is drawn out to the end of the board so as to form distribution electrodes (32, 32F, 32R). A plurality of terminal holes (21) are formed in corresponding to the plurality of terminal pins, and a plurality of connection terminals (22F, 22R) electrically connected with the distribution electrodes are fitted in the terminal holes, whereby the terminal pins are connected to the distribution electrodes through the connection terminals.

Abstract: Disclosed in a video game of enhanced realism in which actual combat is closely simulated. The game is so adapted that an enemy character on a display screen may launch an attack against a player character on the same screen, even while the player character is in the process of inputting a command, at elapse of a set time period specific to the enemy character. The attack is made without an interruption in the flow of time of the game.

Abstract: An electronic casino gaming system includes an unalterable ROM for storing a casino game authentication program, including a message digest algorithm program, a decryption program and a decryption key. A casino game data set containing casino game rules and image data is stored in a mass storage device, such as a local disk memory or a remote network file server, along with the signature of the casino game data set. The signature is an encrypted version of the message digest of the casino game data set, prepared using a hash function. Prior to permitting game play by a player, the casino game data set is transferred from the mass storage device to main memory and during this process the message digest is computed from the image data using a hash function stored in the ROM. The encrypted version of the message digest transferred from the mass storage device is decrypted using the decryption program and decryption key stored in the unalterable ROM.

Abstract: A video game cartridge that can be plugged into a video game machine to enable a user to request and play a video game for a predetermined number of video frames. The cartridge has a receiver for receiving the video game program and the predetermined frame count in response to a request from the user. The program and frame count is then stored in a memory of the cartridge. Finally, the cartridge has a counter which changes its value when the user is actively playing the video game program. The counter ceases to change its value when the user is not playing the video game program. When the counter reaches a predetermined limit, the user is no longer authorized to play the video game program.

Abstract: A compact electronic apparatus comprises a main unit having at least a power supplying section and a display, at least one of several processing units having a key input section and a memory adapted to be removably attached to the main unit and a connecting section for connecting one of said processing units to the main unit. Each of the processing units has a different function.

Abstract: A memory cartridge for use in a video game console includes an interface and a compact game catridge removably attachable to the interface. The compact game cartridge has a Read Only Memory in it storing at least one game program to be executed by the game console. The compact game cartridge may so include other components dedicated to the at least one game program necessary for the game console to execute the game program. The interface has electrical circuitry therein such as for example, a bank switching controller, graphics memory, a security circuit to satisfy a security system in the gaming console etc, which is not dedicated to any specific game program but which nonetheless, is necessary for the game console to execute a game program stored in a compact game cartridge.

Abstract: A television game set comprises an operation button used to operate a game, a game control section for controlling the game, a display section for displaying the progress of the game, and a connector to which either a game cartridge storing a game program therein or a tuner cartridge for receiving television broadcasting is coupled. At least one terminal of the connector is used to handle a cartridge changeover signal. The other terminals of the connector are changed in function on the basis of the cartridge changeover signal received on the one terminal as to handle either game signals or tuner signals.