Hand held video game
First Claim
1. A hand held video game system comprising:
- a microprocessor controller having address and data buses for providing memory accesses during each of a plurality of memory cycles;
a plurality of cartridge slots for electrically connecting cartridges containing memory to the address and data buses;
a plurality of memory containing cartridges each electrically connected to the address and data buses;
at least one output terminal of the microprocessor controller providing a cartridge-select signal, said signal identifying a first memory containing cartridge to be accessed during the memory cycle; and
said microprocessor controller controlling the output terminal to change the cartridge-select signal for transparently accessing a second memory containing cartridge in a subsequent memory cycle.
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Accused Products
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.
198 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A hand held video game system comprising:
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a microprocessor controller having address and data buses for providing memory accesses during each of a plurality of memory cycles; a plurality of cartridge slots for electrically connecting cartridges containing memory to the address and data buses; a plurality of memory containing cartridges each electrically connected to the address and data buses; at least one output terminal of the microprocessor controller providing a cartridge-select signal, said signal identifying a first memory containing cartridge to be accessed during the memory cycle; and said microprocessor controller controlling the output terminal to change the cartridge-select signal for transparently accessing a second memory containing cartridge in a subsequent memory cycle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A hand held video game unit comprising:
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a controller having a plurality of controller memory locations for the storage of programs and data; a video display unit responsive to the operation of the controller for displaying images on the video display unit; a first cartridge connection circuit for electrically connecting a cartridge containing computer memory to the controller; a second cartridge connection circuit for electrically connecting a second cartridge containing computer memory to the controller; apparatus for sensing the connection of a cartridge to the first and second cartridge connectors; the controller responds to the sensed presence of a cartridge by controlling the video display unit to display an indication of the connected cartridge; and said controller transparently changes from one cartridge to another cartridge accessed in a subsequent memory cycle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. In a hand held game unit a method of marking a memory containing cartridge connected to the unit for subsequent access in response to a user selection or a program instruction, comprising the steps of:
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first reading data from a first predetermined memory location of the cartridge; first determining the validity of the data in the first predetermined memory location; second reading cartridge identity data from a second predetermined memory location of the cartridge; decoding the cartridge identity data to determine a plurality of memory location addresses; reading security data from the memory locations determined in the decoding step; second determining the validity of the security data; and marking a valid cartridge for subsequent access including via transparent switching. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification