Data reading and image processing system for CD-ROM

• US 5,437,464 A
• Filed: 08/18/1992
• Issued: 08/01/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
• Inventors: Asai, Toshinori, Kawahori, Masaki, Terasima, Junichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Millin, Vincent
• Assistant Examiner(s): Owens, Kerry
• Application Number:
  US07/931,715
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 273/433-438, 345/213, 345/199, 395/200, 360/32, 360/48, 364/410, 364/131, 364/133, 364/134, 434/308, 434/309, 434/318, 434/323, 434/335
• US Class Current: 463/43
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/065 Combinations of audio and video presentations, e.g. videotapes, videodiscs, television systems
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/00 Driving, starting, stopping record carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form, or of supports therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function ; Driving both disc and head
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/02 Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/0037 with discs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus

Abstract

A data reading and image processing system for a video entertainment system with a CD-ROM capability is disclosed with a pair of separate computer systems that are controlled through a controller for accessing data from a memory unit. A first computer system can control the reading of data and the storing of the data in the memory unit in coordination with a first synchronization time period while the second computer system can control the processing of video data signals in an image processing circuit during a second synchronization time period. The data can be appropriately enabled to a position within the memory unit to assist in parallel processing by both computer systems.

Claims

1. A video computer game system that enables an operator to play a game stored as data on a compact disc that is read at a first synchronization time period that is different from a second synchronization time period necessary for processing the data to provide video drive signals including a data processing system comprising:

a memory unit;

means for reading data stored on a compact disc;

a first computer system for controlling the reading of data by the reading means and storing the read data in the memory unit in coordination with the first synchronization time period;

image processing means for processing the read data to provide video drive signals in coordination with the second synchronization time period;

a second computer system for controlling the processing of video drive signals during the second synchronization time period, the second computer system operating also when the first computer system is operating to provide parallel processing of data; and

control means for coordinating the storage of read data into the memory unit and reading of data out of the memory unit to enable a coordination of the processing of data by the first and second computer systems so that the same data is not being accessed in the memory unit by either the first and second computer systems at the same time period.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the control means includes a gate array circuit.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein the control means includes a switch member controlled by one of the first and second computer systems.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein the control means accesses data stored in the memory unit in a third synchronization time period to enable the second computer system to process video drive signals.

5. The invention of claim 1, further including a video display member and means for providing a switching image on the video display member.

6. The invention of claim 5, further including means to scroll the identification of data available on the compact disk to the operator.

7. The invention of claim 6, further including an operator control panel to provide a cursor for interface with the switching image.

8. A combination of a video computer game system with a compact disk data processing system for a television game system, comprising:

means for reading data stored on a compact disk;

a first memory unit;

a second memory unit;

a first computer system for controlling the reading of data by the reading means and storing the read data in one of the first memory unit and the second memory unit in coordination with a first synchronization time period;

image processing means for processing the data read from one of the first memory unit and the second memory unit to provide video drive signals;

a second computer system for controlling the processing of video drive signals by the image processing means in coordination with a second synchronization time period; and

controller means for enabling the parallel processing of reading data to the first memory unit while processing read data from the second memory unit so that the same data is not being accessed by either the first and second computer systems at the same time period.