Game machine controller

• US 5,759,100 A
• Filed: 08/19/1996
• Issued: 06/02/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Optec (Verado Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Optec (Verado Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nakanishi, Yutaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US08/699,442
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 463/36, 463/37, 463/38, 463/39, 463/44, 273/148 B, 345/157, 345/162, 341/21, 341/22, 340/825.15, 340/825.19
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1018 Calibration; Key and button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards

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.

Claims

1. A game machine controller connected to a game machine body for operating a software program executed by said game machine, comprising:

operation buttons conforming to a standard of said game machine;

one or more of command buttons for an operation to execute commands;

a memory pack provided in a body of said game machine controller in such a manner to be attached and detached freely and equipped with a nonvolatile memory storing a plurality of command programs for executing a plurality of commands;

command program storage means for storing a desired command program in said nonvolatile memory in said memory pack according to an operation of said operation buttons during a mode of preparing command programs; and

command program execution means for retrieving a desired command program stored in said nonvolatile memory in said memory pack according to an operation of said command buttons and transmitting a command in accordance with said command program to said game machine body.

2. The game machine controller according to claim 1, comprising:

a main/sub switching button for an operation to select main or sub command program and a number of said command buttons;

wherein said command program execution means retrieves one command program from a number of command programs which is twice the number of said command buttons according to an operation of said main/sub switching button and said number of command buttons.

3. The game machine controller according to claim 1, further comprising:

a number of first buttons and a number of second buttons consisting of said operation buttons and said command buttons, and command execution mode selection means for selecting a single mode or a double mode; and

wherein said command program execution means retrieves one command program from a number of command programs equal to said number of first buttons according to an operation of said first buttons when said command execution mode selection means selects said single mode, and retrieves one command program from a number of command programs equal to said number of first buttons multiplied by said number of second buttons according to a combined operation of said first buttons and said second buttons when said command execution mode selection means selects said double mode.

4. The game machine controller according to claim 1, further comprising:

a main/sub switching button for an operation to select a main or sub command program, a number of first buttons and a number of second buttons consisting of said operation buttons and said command buttons, and command execution mode selection means for selecting a single mode or a double mode; and

wherein said command program execution means retrieves one command program from a number of command programs equal to twice the number of first buttons according to an operation of said main/sub switching button and said first buttons when said command execution mode selection means selects said single mode, and retrieves one command program from a number of command programs equal to the number of first buttons multiplied by the number of second buttons according to a combined operation of said main/sub switching button, said first buttons and said second buttons when said command execution mode selection means selects said double mode.

5. A game machine controller connected to a game machine body for operating a software program executed by said game machine, comprising:

operation buttons conforming to a standard of said game machine;

one or more of command buttons for an operation to execute commands executed in a predetermined operational procedure of said operation buttons;

a nonvolatile memory storing a plurality of command programs for executing a plurality of commands;

command program storage means for storing a desired command program in said nonvolatile memory according to an operation of said operation buttons during a mode of preparing command programs;

operational time setting means for setting an operational time of said each operation button of said command program; and

command program execution means for retrieving a desired command program stored in said nonvolatile memory according to an operation of said command buttons and transmitting a command in accordance with said command program to said game machine body.

6. A game machine controller connected to a game machine body for operating a software program executed by said game machine, comprising:

operation buttons conforming to a standard of said game machine;

one or more of command buttons for an operation to execute commands executed in a predetermined operational procedure of said operation buttons;

a nonvolatile memory built in a body of said game machine controller and storing a plurality of command programs for executing a plurality of commands;

a memory pack provided in the body of said game machine controller in such a manner to be attached and detached freely and equipped with a nonvolatile memory storing a plurality of command programs for executing a plurality of commands;

command program storage means for storing a desired command program in said nonvolatile memory built in the body of said game machine controller, or said nonvolatile memory in said memory pack according to an operation of said operation buttons during a mode of preparing command programs;

copying means for copying a desired command program from said nonvolatile memory built in the body of said game machine controller to said nonvolatile memory in said memory pack, or from said nonvolatile memory in said memory pack to said nonvolatile memory built in the body of said game machine controller; and

command program execution means for retrieving a desired command program stored in said nonvolatile memory built in the body of said game machine controller or said nonvolatile memory in said memory pack according to an operation of said command buttons and transmitting a command in accordance with said command program to said game machine body.

7. The game machine controller according to claim 6, wherein said copying means inverts a crosswise direction of a direction key of a command program according to a prescribed command operation so as to copy said command program.