Game memory

• US 5,273,294 A
• Filed: 04/09/1993
• Issued: 12/28/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jun Amanai
• Original Assignee: Tengen Limited
• Inventors: Amanai, Jun
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US08/044,107
• Time in Patent Office: 263 Days
• Field of Search: 273/433, 273/434, 273/435, 273/436, 273/460, 273/148 B, 273/DIG. 28, 273/85 G, 364/410
• US Class Current: 463/24
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/49 Saving the game status; Pausing or ending the game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/493 Resuming a game, e.g. after pausing, malfunction or power failure
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 involving process of starting or resuming a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games

Abstract

Game equipment having a read-only memory storing a game program, as well as a microprocessor, random-access memories (RAMs), an operation keyboard and a picture display screen, wherein the microprocessor controls registers such as those constituting a screen RAM and a data RAM in accordance with the program stored in the read-only memory. The equipment includes a backup battery and a backup memory to which the supply of power is ensured by the backup battery, and also includes a recognition section for recognizing information on particular registers used to display a picture on the picture display screen, a transfer section for transferring the information on the registers recognized by the recognition section to a storage provided in the backup memory, and a drive section for causing the transfer means to automatically repeat transfer operations at a required timing. The storage is adapted, when new information on particular registers has been transferred by the transfer means, to erase the previously stored information and store the new information.

Claims

1. Game equipment having a read-only memory for storing a game program, a microprocessor for controlling the game program stored in the read-only memory, random-access memories having registers for storing informations of a game and, a screen RAM, said game equipment being adapted to be operated by an operation keyboard and the microprocessor associated therewith in accordance with the game program stored in the read-only memory, game operated by the keyboard being adapted to be displayed on a picture display score, said game equipment comprising:

a backup battery,

a backup memory actuated by the backup battery,

recognition means for recognizing information of registers in the random-access memories used to display on the picture display screen, said information being changed continuously in accordance with process of the game,

transfer means for transferring the information of the registers recognized by the recognition means to the backup memory, and

drive means for automatically actuating the transfer means repeatedly at a substantially predetermined interval without a specific command, said backup memory, when new information recognized by the recognition means is transferred to the backup memory by the transfer means, storing the new information by erasing information stored already therein, said game equipment, when started, reading the information in the backup memory so that the game can be started based on the information stored in the backup memory.

2. Game equipment according to claim 1, wherein said read-only memory, said backup battery, and said backup memory are all incorporated in a single board of said equipment, while said microprocessor, said random-access memories, said operation keyboard and said picture display screen are all incorporated in a game machine of said equipment.

3. Game equipment according to claim 1, wherein said read-only memory is incorporated in a first board of said equipment, and said backup battery and said backup memory are incorporated in a second board of said equipment which is different from said first board.

4. Game equipment according to claim 3, wherein said first board incorporating said read-only memory comprises an IC card.

5. Game equipment according to claim 1, wherein said backup battery and said backup memory are incorporated in a game machine of said equipment.

6. Game equipment according to claim 1, wherein said backup memory is supplied with electric power from a drive power supply provided in said game machine when said drive power supply is in operation, said backup memory being supplied with electric power from said backup battery only when said drive power supply is not in operation.

7. Game equipment according to claim 6, wherein said drive power supply comprises a power source connected with an adapter.

8. Game equipment according to claim 1, wherein said backup battery is the sole power supply of said backup memory.

9. Game equipment according to claim 1, wherein said picture display screen comprises the screen of a cathode-ray tube.

10. Game equipment according to claim 1, wherein said picture display screen comprises the screen of a television receiver.

11. Game equipment according to claim 1, wherein said recognition means memorizes new information whenever information of the registers is changed.

12. Game equipment according to claim 1, wherein said transfer means operates whenever information of the registers for displaying on the screen is changed.