High performance/low cost video game system with multi-functional peripheral processing subsystem
US6383079B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 19, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 7, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2221/2109
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A video game system includes a game cartridge which is pluggably attached to a main console having a main processor, a 3D graphics generating coprocessor, expandable main memory and player controllers. A multifunctional peripheral processing subsystem external to the game microprocessor and coprocessor is described which executes commands for handling player controller input/output to thereby lessen the processing burden on the graphics processing subsystem. The player controller processing subsystem is used for both controlling player controller input/output processing and for performing game authenticating security checks continuously during game play. The peripheral interface includes a micro-processor for controlling various peripheral interface functions, a read/write random access memory, a boot ROM, a coprocessor command channel interface, a player controller channel interface, etc., which components interact to efficiently process player controller commands while also performing other important functions without requiring significant main processor processing time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.