US20050192100A1 - Video game system, video game apparatus, controlling method therefor and a recording medium for video game program - Google Patents
Video game system, video game apparatus, controlling method therefor and a recording medium for video game program Download PDFInfo
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- US20050192100A1 US20050192100A1 US11/119,080 US11908005A US2005192100A1 US 20050192100 A1 US20050192100 A1 US 20050192100A1 US 11908005 A US11908005 A US 11908005A US 2005192100 A1 US2005192100 A1 US 2005192100A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- video game
- printing
- printer driver
- software program
- recording medium
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/90—Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
- A63F13/95—Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/45—Controlling the progress of the video game
- A63F13/49—Saving the game status; Pausing or ending the game
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
- A63F2300/20—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of the game platform
- A63F2300/206—Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
- A63F2300/30—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by output arrangements for receiving control signals generated by the game device
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
- A63F2300/50—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by details of game servers
- A63F2300/55—Details of game data or player data management
- A63F2300/5526—Game data structure
- A63F2300/554—Game data structure by saving game or status data
Definitions
- This invention relates to a video game system for executing a video game in accordance with a video software program, a video game apparatus, a controlling method therefor and a recording medium for a video game program.
- domestic video games there are, for example, a game for carrying out a motor-cycle or car racing, and a roll playing game in which a character moved by a player operation combats against a fighting character.
- Such video game proceeds to the next game stage, as the player clears a game stage, and comes to a close when the layer clears the last stage.
- the present invention provides a video game system in which a video game is progressed in accordance with a game software program read out form a video game program recording medium and, if there exist contents to be printed in the course of the progress of the video game, the contents are converted into printing data to be printed, said system comprising a video game apparatus which comprises video game software program readout means for reading out a video game software. Programs from a video game program recording medium, having recorded thereon said video game software program, said video game software program being made up of a main portion of the video game software program,.
- printing contents data and a printer driver for printing said printing contents data a non-volatile memory for storing the printer driver along with the information on game progress, printer driver updating means for updating the printer driver stored in said non-volatile memory by the new printer driver contained in the game software program read out by said video game software program readout means, and printing controlling means for reading out the printer driver stored in said non-volatile memory to a work memory and for converting the printing contents data read out from said video game program recording medium by said video game software program readout means into printing data by using the printer driver on said work memory to output the printing data, and a printing apparatus for printing said printing data.
- the present invention provides a video game apparatus used in a video game system in which a video game is progressed in accordance with a game software program read out form a video game program recording medium and, if there exist contents to be printed in the course of the progress of the video game, the contents are converted into printing data to be printed
- said video game apparatus comprising video game software program readout means for reading out a video game software program from a video game program recording medium, having recorded thereon said video game software program, said video game software program being made up of a main portion of the video game software program, printing contents data and a printer driver for printing said printing contents data, a non-volatile memory for storing the printer driver along with the information: on the game progress, printer driver updating means for updating the printer driver stored in said non-volatile memory by the new printer driver contained in the game software program read out by said video game software program readout means, and printing controlling means for reading out the printer driver stored in said non-volatile memory to a work memory and for converting the printing contents data
- the present invention provides a method for controlling a video game apparatus comprising the steps of reading out a video game software program from a video game program recording medium, having recorded thereon said video game software program, said video game software program being made up of a main portion of the video game software program, printing contents data and a printer driver for printing said printing contents data to execute a video game in accordance with said video game software program, updating the printer driver stored in a non-volatile memory along with information on the game progress by a new printer driver contained in the game software program read out from said video game program recording medium, and reading out the printer driver stored in said non-volatile memory to a work memory and converting the printing contents data read out from said video game program recording medium into printing data by using the printer driver on said work memory to print the printing data.
- the present invention provides a video game program recording medium having recorded thereon a computer-readable video game software program, wherein said video software program comprises a main portion of a video game software program, printing contents data; and a printer driver for printing said printing contents data.
- a video game software program is read out from a video game program recording medium, having recorded thereon a video game software program comprised of a main portion of the video game software program, printing contents data, and a printer driver for printing the printing contents data.
- the video game is progressed in accordance with the video game software program so read out.
- the printer driver stored in the non-volatile memory along with the information pertinent to the game progress, is updated by a new printer driver stored in the non-volatile memory contained in the video game software program read out from the video game program recording medium.
- the printing contents data, read out from the video game program recording medium is converted by the printer driver on the work memory into printing data which are printed. Therefore, even if the printer driver stored in the video game program recording medium is of an old version, printing can be executed using the latest version of the printer driver.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a domestic game system according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a video game apparatus of the domestic game system shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 schematically shows a software configuration for realizing a printer controlling function in the video game apparatus shown in FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 schematically shows the structure of a video game program recording medium used in the domestic game system shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart for illustrating the sequence of execution of the video software program by a processor of the video game apparatus shown in FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 6 is typical printing of privileges for the domestic game system.
- FIG. 7 schematically shows the stored contents of the memory card of the video game apparatus.
- FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the updating sequence of a printer driver in the memory card.
- FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the printing sequence in the domestic game system.
- FIG. 10 is a flowchart for illustrating the specified sequence of the printer driver updating processing.
- FIG. 11 schematically shows typical updating processing of the printer driver.
- the present invention is applied to a domestic game system 100 configured as shown for example in FIG. 1 .
- This domestic game system 100 is made up of a video game apparatus 10 , a memory card 10 A, comprised of a non-volatile memory, detachably mounted on this video game apparatus 10 , a controller 20 connected to the video game apparatus 10 , an image display device 30 and a printer 40 .
- the video game apparatus 10 is configured for progressing a video game in accordance with a video software program read out from a video game program recording medium 50 , such as CD-ROM or DVD, having the video software program recorded thereon.
- the video game apparatus 10 includes a processor 11 , a disc drive 12 , a memory 13 , a memory supervising unit 14 , an I/O controller 15 and a network adapter 16 , as hardware, interconnected over an inner bus.
- the input/output equipment management function, image processing function, sound processing function, image display controlling function, printer controlling function and the network supervising function, for progressing the video game in accordance with the video software program and for enabling the printing of the privilege information corresponding to the game stage of the video game cleared, is implemented by software using the hardware described above.
- a USB universal serial bus
- a printer driver installed in the game application using a printer driver API, printing can be performed by a printer 40 connected over the USB.
- the printer controlling function in this video game apparatus 10 is implemented by the software configuration shown in FIG. 3 .
- the printer driver installed in the game application using the printer driver API, is made up of a common engine module, performing the processing not dependent on the printer type, and a dedicated engine module, proper to the machine type, performing the processing dependent on the printer type, and performs the following processing on printing contents delivered from the game application (RGB bitmap image).
- the resolution conversion (resizing) is executed, using the common module, and the dedicated module proper to the machine type is called.
- the processing for color conversion of printing contents such as the processing of converting the eight bits for each of RGB per pixel into eight bits for each of the CMY per pixel, or the half-toning of converting into each two bits of CMYK per pixel, is executed, using the module proper to the machine type.
- the printing control command translation processing proper to the machine type then is executed to generate printing data PDL.
- the common engine module then is used to transmit the printing data PDL to the USB driver of the I/O controller 15 .
- the USB driver of the I/O controller 15 transmits the printer command over the USB cable to the USB port of the printer 40 connected over the USB.
- the video game program recording medium 50 used in the video game apparatus 10 , has recorded therein a video software program made up of a main portion of the video software program 50 A, the privilege information 50 B corresponding to the game stage of the video game progressed in accordance with the video software program, and a printer driver 50 C for enabling the printing of the privilege information corresponding to a game stage when the game stage is cleared, as shown in FIG. 4 .
- the video software program is read out from the video game program recording medium 50 , such as CD-ROM or DVD, by the disc drive 12 , to a memory 13 used as a work memory, so as to be executed by the processor in accordance with the video software program.
- the image and the speech are generated in accordance with the video software program as the video software program proceeds.
- the I/O controller 15 detects the state of a player acting on operating means; such as a pad, a button or a lever, not shown, to transmit the detected state to the processor 11 .
- the processor 11 executes the video software program to progress the video game in accordance with the sequence shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 .
- the processor 11 sets a stage number N (step S 1 ) to execute the game of the game stage of the stage number N (step S 2 ).
- step S 3 It is then verified at step S 3 whether or not the game stage of the stage number N has been cleared. If the result of decision at step S 3 is NO, that is if the game stage has not been cleared, the processor 10 reverts to step S 2 to repeat the steps S 2 and S 3 to continue the execution of the game stage having the stage number N. If the result of decision at step S 3 is YES, that is if the game stage has been cleared, the privilege information corresponding to the stage number N is taken out at step S 4 to convert the privilege information into printing data (step S 5 ).
- the printer driver then is read out from the video game program recording medium 50 by the disc drive 12 to send the printing data to the printer 40 to execute the printing (step S 6 ). It is then verified at step S 7 whether or not the printing has come to a close as nonnally. If the result of decision at this step S 7 is NO, that is if the printing has not come to a close as normally, the controller 10 reverts to step S 6 to re-execute the printing.
- step S 9 It is then verified whether or not the selection for terminating the game has been made (step S 9 ) and, if the result of decision is YES, that is if the selection for terminating the game has been made, the game is terminated. If the result of decision is NO, that is if the selection for continuing the game is made, the controller reverts to step S 2 to execute the game of the game stage of the next stage number N.
- the game player on clearing the game stage progressed in accordance with the video game software program read out from the video game program recording medium 50 acquires, as the privilege, the right to print the privilege information corresponding to the game stage of the stage number N cleared.
- the printed matter acquired as the printing result of the privilege information, is the printed matter valuable for the player in that it furnishes entertainment and profit apart from the game.
- the printed matter may be a writing, such as 4-frame caricature, coupon ticket, certificate, collector's items, trading card, bromide, guides for commercial articles for customers, game software discount card and an ID password for accessing the service provider, passwords and addresses.
- FIGS. 6A to D show printing examples of coupon tickets, certificates, collector's items and game software discount cards.
- printing is executed at a time point when the game stage is cleared.
- the right for printing may be reserved or abandoned.
- the game player may be prompted to enter the name, address or the telephone number by way of the printing data in addition to the contents.
- the printer driver may be taken out before starting the game.
- the printer driver is stored, along with the information as to the progress of the game, in a memory card 10 A, comprised of anon-volatile memory, as shown in FIG. 7 .
- a memory card 10 A comprised of anon-volatile memory, as shown in FIG. 7 .
- the printer driver is read out from the video game program recording medium 50 (step S 11 )
- the version of the printer driver read out is checked (step S 12 ). If the printer driver is of the new version, the printer driver in the memory card 10 A is updated (step S 13 ).
- the processor 11 reads out the printer driver from the memory card 10 A onto the memory 13 (step S 21 ) to wait for the printing executing command to be input (step S 22 ).
- the printer driver When the printing executing command is input, the contents to be printed is converted into printing data (step S 23 ) and, using the printer driver on the memory 13 , the printing data is sent to the printer 40 to execute the prinking (step S 24 ) to wait for the end of the printing (step S 24 ).
- the printer driver in the present video game apparatus 10 is made up of a module of the common driver portion and a module of a printer inherent portion. If the driver supports plural printers, there are plural printer inherent portions. In the respective modules, there are included the module sort information and the version information as the ancillary information.
- the processing 11 on booting sets the module number N to 1 at step S 31 in the flowchart of FIG. 10 .
- the ancillary information of the module of the module number N is read out from the video game program recording medium 50 to confirm the sort and the version (step S 32 ). It is then checked whether or not there is the same sort of the module on the memory card 10 A (step S 33 ). If there is no module of the same sort on the memory card 10 A, the module is read from the video game program recording medium 50 to write the module so read on the memory card 10 A (step S 34 ).
- step S 35 If there is the same sort of the module on the memory card 10 A, it is checked whether or not it is the version of the module on the video game program recording medium 50 that is new (step S 35 ). If the result of decision at step S 35 is YES, the module is read from the video game program recording medium 50 for use in substitution for the module on the memory card 10 A (step S 36 ).
- step S 37 It is then checked whether or not there is the next module (step S 37 ). If there is the next module, the module number is incremented. The processor then reverts to step S 32 to repeat the processing as from step S 32 to step S 37 . When the module to be processed is depleted, the printer driver updating processing comes to a close.
Abstract
In progressing a video gate in accordance with a game software program read out from a video game program recording medium and in converting the contents for printing into printing data, which is printed, the printer driver stored in a non-volatile memory is to be updated to enable the printing by the latest printer driver. To this end, as a printer driver is read from the video game program recording medium at step S11, the version of the printer driver as read out is checked at step S12. If the printer driver as read out is of a new version, the printer driver in the memory card is updated at step S13.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention relates to a video game system for executing a video game in accordance with a video software program, a video game apparatus, a controlling method therefor and a recording medium for a video game program.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- Among domestic video games, there are, for example, a game for carrying out a motor-cycle or car racing, and a roll playing game in which a character moved by a player operation combats against a fighting character. Such video game proceeds to the next game stage, as the player clears a game stage, and comes to a close when the layer clears the last stage.
- In the conventional domestic game apparatus, only the picture or the sound, changing with the game progress, can be enjoyed. Moreover, if the last stage of the game is cleared, or many points are won, it is not possible to acquire a certificate which testifies to it.
- It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a video game system for executing a video game in accordance with a video software program, a video game apparatus, a controlling method therefor and a recording medium for the video game program, in which, when a video game is to be progressed in accordance with a game software program read out from the video game program, and contents to be printed are converted into printing data for printing, a printer driver stored in a non-volatile memory is updated to enable printing to be executed even on a printer apparatus of an unknown type.
- In one aspect, the present invention provides a video game system in which a video game is progressed in accordance with a game software program read out form a video game program recording medium and, if there exist contents to be printed in the course of the progress of the video game, the contents are converted into printing data to be printed, said system comprising a video game apparatus which comprises video game software program readout means for reading out a video game software. Programs from a video game program recording medium, having recorded thereon said video game software program, said video game software program being made up of a main portion of the video game software program,. printing contents data and a printer driver for printing said printing contents data, a non-volatile memory for storing the printer driver along with the information on game progress, printer driver updating means for updating the printer driver stored in said non-volatile memory by the new printer driver contained in the game software program read out by said video game software program readout means, and printing controlling means for reading out the printer driver stored in said non-volatile memory to a work memory and for converting the printing contents data read out from said video game program recording medium by said video game software program readout means into printing data by using the printer driver on said work memory to output the printing data, and a printing apparatus for printing said printing data.
- In still another aspect, the present invention provides a video game apparatus used in a video game system in which a video game is progressed in accordance with a game software program read out form a video game program recording medium and, if there exist contents to be printed in the course of the progress of the video game, the contents are converted into printing data to be printed, said video game apparatus comprising video game software program readout means for reading out a video game software program from a video game program recording medium, having recorded thereon said video game software program, said video game software program being made up of a main portion of the video game software program, printing contents data and a printer driver for printing said printing contents data, a non-volatile memory for storing the printer driver along with the information: on the game progress, printer driver updating means for updating the printer driver stored in said non-volatile memory by the new printer driver contained in the game software program read out by said video game software program readout means, and printing controlling means for reading out the printer driver stored in said non-volatile memory to a work memory and for converting the printing contents data read out from said video game program recording medium by said video game software program readout means into printing data by using the printer driver on said work memory to output the printing data.
- In still another aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling a video game apparatus comprising the steps of reading out a video game software program from a video game program recording medium, having recorded thereon said video game software program, said video game software program being made up of a main portion of the video game software program, printing contents data and a printer driver for printing said printing contents data to execute a video game in accordance with said video game software program, updating the printer driver stored in a non-volatile memory along with information on the game progress by a new printer driver contained in the game software program read out from said video game program recording medium, and reading out the printer driver stored in said non-volatile memory to a work memory and converting the printing contents data read out from said video game program recording medium into printing data by using the printer driver on said work memory to print the printing data.
- In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a video game program recording medium having recorded thereon a computer-readable video game software program, wherein said video software program comprises a main portion of a video game software program, printing contents data; and a printer driver for printing said printing contents data.
- According to the present invention, as described above, a video game software program is read out from a video game program recording medium, having recorded thereon a video game software program comprised of a main portion of the video game software program, printing contents data, and a printer driver for printing the printing contents data. The video game is progressed in accordance with the video game software program so read out. The printer driver, stored in the non-volatile memory along with the information pertinent to the game progress, is updated by a new printer driver stored in the non-volatile memory contained in the video game software program read out from the video game program recording medium. The printing contents data, read out from the video game program recording medium, is converted by the printer driver on the work memory into printing data which are printed. Therefore, even if the printer driver stored in the video game program recording medium is of an old version, printing can be executed using the latest version of the printer driver.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a domestic game system according to the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a video game apparatus of the domestic game system shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 schematically shows a software configuration for realizing a printer controlling function in the video game apparatus shown inFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 schematically shows the structure of a video game program recording medium used in the domestic game system shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for illustrating the sequence of execution of the video software program by a processor of the video game apparatus shown inFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 6 is typical printing of privileges for the domestic game system. -
FIG. 7 schematically shows the stored contents of the memory card of the video game apparatus. -
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the updating sequence of a printer driver in the memory card. -
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the printing sequence in the domestic game system. -
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for illustrating the specified sequence of the printer driver updating processing. -
FIG. 11 schematically shows typical updating processing of the printer driver. - Referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail.
- The present invention is applied to a
domestic game system 100 configured as shown for example inFIG. 1 . - This
domestic game system 100 is made up of avideo game apparatus 10, amemory card 10A, comprised of a non-volatile memory, detachably mounted on thisvideo game apparatus 10, acontroller 20 connected to thevideo game apparatus 10, animage display device 30 and aprinter 40. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , showing the hardware structure of thevideo game apparatus 10, thevideo game apparatus 10 is configured for progressing a video game in accordance with a video software program read out from a video game program recordingmedium 50, such as CD-ROM or DVD, having the video software program recorded thereon. Thevideo game apparatus 10 includes aprocessor 11, adisc drive 12, amemory 13, amemory supervising unit 14, an I/O controller 15 and anetwork adapter 16, as hardware, interconnected over an inner bus. The input/output equipment management function, image processing function, sound processing function, image display controlling function, printer controlling function and the network supervising function, for progressing the video game in accordance with the video software program and for enabling the printing of the privilege information corresponding to the game stage of the video game cleared, is implemented by software using the hardware described above. - In this
video game apparatus 10, a USB (universal serial bus), as physical connection means to outside, is mounted on the I/O controller 15, so that, by a printer driver installed in the game application using a printer driver API, printing can be performed by aprinter 40 connected over the USB. - The printer controlling function in this
video game apparatus 10 is implemented by the software configuration shown inFIG. 3 . - In this
video game apparatus 10, the printer driver, installed in the game application using the printer driver API, is made up of a common engine module, performing the processing not dependent on the printer type, and a dedicated engine module, proper to the machine type, performing the processing dependent on the printer type, and performs the following processing on printing contents delivered from the game application (RGB bitmap image). - The resolution conversion (resizing) is executed, using the common module, and the dedicated module proper to the machine type is called.
- Next, the processing for color conversion of printing contents, such as the processing of converting the eight bits for each of RGB per pixel into eight bits for each of the CMY per pixel, or the half-toning of converting into each two bits of CMYK per pixel, is executed, using the module proper to the machine type. The printing control command translation processing proper to the machine type then is executed to generate printing data PDL.
- The common engine module then is used to transmit the printing data PDL to the USB driver of the I/
O controller 15. - The USB driver of the I/
O controller 15 transmits the printer command over the USB cable to the USB port of theprinter 40 connected over the USB. - It is noted that the video game program recording
medium 50, used in thevideo game apparatus 10, has recorded therein a video software program made up of a main portion of thevideo software program 50A, theprivilege information 50B corresponding to the game stage of the video game progressed in accordance with the video software program, and aprinter driver 50C for enabling the printing of the privilege information corresponding to a game stage when the game stage is cleared, as shown inFIG. 4 . - In this
video game apparatus 10, the video software program is read out from the video gameprogram recording medium 50, such as CD-ROM or DVD, by thedisc drive 12, to amemory 13 used as a work memory, so as to be executed by the processor in accordance with the video software program. The image and the speech are generated in accordance with the video software program as the video software program proceeds. The I/O controller 15 detects the state of a player acting on operating means; such as a pad, a button or a lever, not shown, to transmit the detected state to theprocessor 11. - The
processor 11 executes the video software program to progress the video game in accordance with the sequence shown in the flowchart ofFIG. 5 . - On booting the video software program, the
processor 11 sets a stage number N (step S1) to execute the game of the game stage of the stage number N (step S2). - It is then verified at step S3 whether or not the game stage of the stage number N has been cleared. If the result of decision at step S3 is NO, that is if the game stage has not been cleared, the
processor 10 reverts to step S2 to repeat the steps S2 and S3 to continue the execution of the game stage having the stage number N. If the result of decision at step S3 is YES, that is if the game stage has been cleared, the privilege information corresponding to the stage number N is taken out at step S4 to convert the privilege information into printing data (step S5). - The printer driver then is read out from the video game
program recording medium 50 by thedisc drive 12 to send the printing data to theprinter 40 to execute the printing (step S6). It is then verified at step S7 whether or not the printing has come to a close as nonnally. If the result of decision at this step S7 is NO, that is if the printing has not come to a close as normally, thecontroller 10 reverts to step S6 to re-execute the printing. - If the result of decision at step S7 is YES,. that is if the printing has come to a close as normally, N is set so as to be equal to N+1 (N=N+1), that is the stage number N is incremented by 1 (step S8).
- It is then verified whether or not the selection for terminating the game has been made (step S9) and, if the result of decision is YES, that is if the selection for terminating the game has been made, the game is terminated. If the result of decision is NO, that is if the selection for continuing the game is made, the controller reverts to step S2 to execute the game of the game stage of the next stage number N.
- That is, in this
domestic game system 100, the game player, on clearing the game stage progressed in accordance with the video game software program read out from the video game program recordingmedium 50 acquires, as the privilege, the right to print the privilege information corresponding to the game stage of the stage number N cleared. - The printed matter, acquired as the printing result of the privilege information, is the printed matter valuable for the player in that it furnishes entertainment and profit apart from the game. For example, the printed matter may be a writing, such as 4-frame caricature, coupon ticket, certificate, collector's items, trading card, bromide, guides for commercial articles for customers, game software discount card and an ID password for accessing the service provider, passwords and addresses.
-
FIGS. 6A to D show printing examples of coupon tickets, certificates, collector's items and game software discount cards. - In the sequence shown in the flowchart shown in
FIG. 5 , printing is executed at a time point when the game stage is cleared. However, the right for printing may be reserved or abandoned. In preparing printing data, the game player may be prompted to enter the name, address or the telephone number by way of the printing data in addition to the contents. Moreover, the printer driver may be taken out before starting the game. - In the present
video game apparatus 10, the printer driver is stored, along with the information as to the progress of the game, in amemory card 10A, comprised of anon-volatile memory, as shown inFIG. 7 . Referring to the flowchart ofFIG. 8 , when the printer driver is read out from the video game program recording medium 50 (step S11), the version of the printer driver read out is checked (step S12). If the printer driver is of the new version, the printer driver in thememory card 10A is updated (step S13). - Referring to the flowchart of
FIG. 9 , theprocessor 11 reads out the printer driver from thememory card 10A onto the memory 13 (step S21) to wait for the printing executing command to be input (step S22). When the printing executing command is input, the contents to be printed is converted into printing data (step S23) and, using the printer driver on thememory 13, the printing data is sent to theprinter 40 to execute the prinking (step S24) to wait for the end of the printing (step S24). - Specifically, the printer driver in the present
video game apparatus 10 is made up of a module of the common driver portion and a module of a printer inherent portion. If the driver supports plural printers, there are plural printer inherent portions. In the respective modules, there are included the module sort information and the version information as the ancillary information. - When the video game
program recording medium 50 is inserted into thevideo game apparatus 10, theprocessing 11 on booting sets the module number N to 1 at step S31 in the flowchart ofFIG. 10 . The ancillary information of the module of the module number N is read out from the video gameprogram recording medium 50 to confirm the sort and the version (step S32). It is then checked whether or not there is the same sort of the module on thememory card 10A (step S33). If there is no module of the same sort on thememory card 10A, the module is read from the video gameprogram recording medium 50 to write the module so read on thememory card 10A (step S34). If there is the same sort of the module on thememory card 10A, it is checked whether or not it is the version of the module on the video gameprogram recording medium 50 that is new (step S35). If the result of decision at step S35 is YES, the module is read from the video gameprogram recording medium 50 for use in substitution for the module on thememory card 10A (step S36). - It is then checked whether or not there is the next module (step S37). If there is the next module, the module number is incremented. The processor then reverts to step S32 to repeat the processing as from step S32 to step S37. When the module to be processed is depleted, the printer driver updating processing comes to a close.
- If, by such printer driver updating processing, there exists the proper portion of the printer B in the
memory card 10A, but not in the video gameprogram recording medium 50, as shown for example inFIG. 11 , the proper portion of the printer B is left intact and the proper portion of the printer C not present in thememory card 10A is written as what may be called a supplement. On the other hand, the module already existing on the memory card 11A is replaced by the latest module.
Claims (2)
1-5. (canceled)
6. A video game system in which a video game is progressed in accordance with a game software program read out from a video game program recording medium and, if there exist contents to be printed in the course of the progress of the video game, the contents are converted into printing data to be printed, said system comprising:
a video game apparatus which comprises:
video game software program readout means for reading out a video game software program from a video game program recording medium, having recorded thereon said video game software program, said video game software program being made up of a main portion of the video game software program, printing contents data and a printer driver for printing said printing contents data;
a non-volatile memory for storing a printer driver along with information on game progress;
printer driver updating means for updating the printer driver stored in said non-volatile memory by the new printer driver contained in the game software program read out by said video game software program readout means; and
printing controlling means for reading out the printer driver stored in said non-volatile memory to a work memory and for converting the printing contents data read out from said video game program recording medium by said video game software program readout means into printing data by using the printer driver on said work memory to output the printing data; and
a printing apparatus for printing said printing data;
wherein said printer driver includes: a common engine module for performing a process which is not dependent on the printer type, and a plurality of dedicated engine modules, each corresponding to a respective type of printer, for performing a process which is dependent on the printer type.
wherein, in the respective modules, there are included the module sort information and the version information as the ancillary information.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/119,080 US20050192100A1 (en) | 2000-06-28 | 2005-04-29 | Video game system, video game apparatus, controlling method therefor and a recording medium for video game program |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2000-195067 | 2000-06-28 | ||
JP2000195067 | 2000-06-28 | ||
JP2000274194A JP2002078957A (en) | 2000-06-28 | 2000-09-08 | Video game system, video game device and control method therefor, and video game program recording medium |
JP2000-274194 | 2000-09-08 | ||
US09/892,915 US6887155B2 (en) | 2000-06-28 | 2001-06-26 | Video game system, video game apparatus, controlling method therefor and a recording medium for video game program |
US11/119,080 US20050192100A1 (en) | 2000-06-28 | 2005-04-29 | Video game system, video game apparatus, controlling method therefor and a recording medium for video game program |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/892,915 Continuation US6887155B2 (en) | 2000-06-28 | 2001-06-26 | Video game system, video game apparatus, controlling method therefor and a recording medium for video game program |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20050192100A1 true US20050192100A1 (en) | 2005-09-01 |
Family
ID=26594902
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/892,915 Expired - Fee Related US6887155B2 (en) | 2000-06-28 | 2001-06-26 | Video game system, video game apparatus, controlling method therefor and a recording medium for video game program |
US11/119,080 Abandoned US20050192100A1 (en) | 2000-06-28 | 2005-04-29 | Video game system, video game apparatus, controlling method therefor and a recording medium for video game program |
Family Applications Before (1)
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US09/892,915 Expired - Fee Related US6887155B2 (en) | 2000-06-28 | 2001-06-26 | Video game system, video game apparatus, controlling method therefor and a recording medium for video game program |
Country Status (3)
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US (2) | US6887155B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1175927A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2002078957A (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2002078957A (en) | 2000-06-28 | 2002-03-19 | Sony Corp | Video game system, video game device and control method therefor, and video game program recording medium |
JP2002078958A (en) | 2000-09-08 | 2002-03-19 | Sony Corp | Video game system, video game device and control method therefor |
AUPR161800A0 (en) | 2000-11-22 | 2000-12-14 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Peripheral driver forward compatibility |
US20040043817A1 (en) * | 2002-09-03 | 2004-03-04 | Daniel Willis | Autoconfiguration method for interactive on-line gaming systems |
US20160220903A1 (en) * | 2015-02-02 | 2016-08-04 | Kuato Games (UK) Limited | Systems and Methods for Dynamically Creating Personalized Storybooks based on User Interactions within a Virtual Environment |
KR102138193B1 (en) | 2018-10-19 | 2020-07-27 | 스노우 주식회사 | System having camera application comprising multiple camera packages and control method thereof |
CN111083349B (en) * | 2018-10-19 | 2021-10-26 | 韩国斯诺有限公司 | System including camera application program and camera function control method |
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- 2001-06-27 EP EP01305578A patent/EP1175927A3/en not_active Withdrawn
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1175927A3 (en) | 2003-10-15 |
JP2002078957A (en) | 2002-03-19 |
US6887155B2 (en) | 2005-05-03 |
US20020082089A1 (en) | 2002-06-27 |
EP1175927A2 (en) | 2002-01-30 |
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Legal Events
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |