Game programming flash memory cartridge system including a programmer and a reprogrammable cartridge
US5828862A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 13, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 13, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63F2300/206
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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. A sequencer generates addresses, proper commands, control signals, and timing signals, and sends the game content from the FIFO memory to the game programmer which passes the information to the reprogrammable game cartridge. The…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.