CA1296428C

CA1296428C - Cartridge for gaming machine and a gaming machine using the same

Info

Publication number: CA1296428C
Application number: CA000615741A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Katsuya Nakagawa; Masayuki Yukawa
Original assignee: Nintendo Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nintendo Co Ltd
Priority date: 1985-10-04
Filing date: 1990-05-22
Publication date: 1992-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 2006-09-30
Also published as: NO863960L; CN1010062B; AU595836B2; FI863981A; CN86106983A; EP0217668A3; NO863960D0; EP0217668B1; AU650454B2; AU7809191A; NO178514C; US4865321A; FI95855B; AU6346286A; JPH074449B2; AU605058B2; KR870003805A; NO178514B; CA1294049C; FI863981A0

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cartridge for a gaming machine is disclosed which includes a case having tapered portions formed at opposite sides thereof and edge portions formed at opposite sides thereof and having a shape different from the tapered portion to prevent insertion of the cartridge into the machine in an inverted condition. A character ROM, a first semiconductor memory storing a program for determining authenticity of the cartridge and a first microcomputer for executing that program are mounted on a printed circuit board accommodated in the case. Contacting portions capable of contacting the tapered parts when the cartridge is inserted are formed at a cartridge inserting portion of a gaming machine main unit. The gaming machine includes a picture processing unit for generating an image signal based on data from the character ROM, a second semiconductor memory which stores the same program for determining authenticity of the cartridge as the program in the first semiconductor memory, and a second microcomputer which is similar to the first microcomputer for executing the program stored in the second semiconductor memory. The second microcomputer determines authenticity of the loaded or inserted cartridge.

Description

f` `

The present invention relates to a cartridge for a gaming machine and to a gaming machine for using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a memory cartridge incorporating a memory for a game and to a gaming machine for using the same.
For example, a ROM cartridge having a general or common shape and structure is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
4,149,02~.
Also, a gaming machine wherein a ROM cartridge is loaded into a main unit of a gaming machine by so-called front loading is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
4,095,791.
A mechanism or structure which prevents a so-called reverse insertion and allows only an authentic cartridge to be used is, however, not disclosed at all in either of the above-described prior art references.
The prior system for preventing a reverse insertion, in general, describes the use of a connector of the cartridge which is shifted from the center of the opening of the cartridge.
In the case where the connector i8 shifted from the center in the longitudinal direction of the opening, extra length is required in the longitudinal direction, and accordingly a problem arises which restricts miniaturization of the cartridge. Also, in the case where the connector is shifted from the center in the direction of the thickness of the connector, a built-in printed circuit board is biased up or down in the direction of the thickness of the cartridge, and therefore electronic components can be mounted only on one face of the printed c~rcuit board, and accordingly a problem arises which restricts the degree of integration of the printed circuit board.
Therefore, it is an ob~ect of the present invention to provide a cartridge for a gaming machine having a novel shape or structure which prevents a reverse insertion and allows only an authentic cartridge to be used.

; ' ' ' . ' ~ .

~ Q~ 8 Another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine which uses a novel cartridge.
The invention provides a cartridge for a gaming machine, the cartridge being insertable into a gaming machine main unit and comprising a case, a tapered portion formed at at least one side edge of said case, an edge portion formed at at least one corresponding side edge of the case and having a shape di~ferent from the tapered portion to prevent insertion of the case in an inverted condition into the main unit, a printed circuit board accommodated in the case, gaming information generating a means mounted on the printed circuit board for generating information required for a game, and data processing means mounted on the printed circuit board for executing predetermined data processing to determine authenticity of the cartridge.
The invention further provides a gaming machine capable of playing a game on insertion of a cartridge into a gaming machine main unit, the cartridge comprising a ca~e, a tapered portion formed at at least one side edge of the case, an edge portion formed at at least one corresponding side edge of the case and having a shape different from the tapered portion, a printed circuit board accommodated in the case, gaming information generating means mounted on the printed circuit board for generating information for game, a first semiconductor memory mounted on the printed circuit board for storing a program for determining authenticity of the cartridge, and first data processing means for executing the program stored in the first semiconductor memory, and the gaming machine main unit comprising a cartridge insertion portion for receiving the cartridge, a contacting portion formed : ; at the cartridge insertion portion and able to contact the tapered portion when the cartridge is inserted, display signal generating means for generating a display signal for an image displaying means based on the game : information from the game information generating means, a second semiconductor memory associated with the first 8 i semiconductor memory for storing a program for determining authenticity of the cartridge, and second data processing means having the same performance as that of the first data processing means for executing the program stored in the second semiconductor memory.
A particular aspect of the invention provides a cartridge for an electronic gaming apparatus having a front loading unit adapted to receive said cartridge, comprising: a printed circuit board, a relatively flat cartridge case containing said printed circuit board and being adapted for slideable endwise insertion into and connection with the front loading unit, and having a connection end, a manually grippable end opposite said connection end, and top and bottom surfaces lying in substantially parallel planes and joining said connection end and grippable end, and further having first and second side surfaces ~oining said top and bottom surfaces, at least one of said side surfaces having a keying surface adapted for cooperatlng with the front loading unit to prevent an inverted insertion of the cartridge therein, and said printed circuit board having a plurality of edge contacts that are substantiaIly centered widthwise between said side surfaces at said connection end so that, but for said keying surface, said cartridge and said printed circuit board therein, when inverted, would be connectable to the front loading unit, game data memory means mounted on said printed circuit board for generating data that is adapted to be communicated to the olectronic gaming :~: apparatus via connection therewith at said plurality of ~0 edge contacts, and data processing means mounted on said printed circuit board for executing a predetermined data ~: processing program that determines authenticity of said cartridge when loaded lnto the front loading unit.
A further particular aspect of the invention provides an electronic gaming apparatus comprislng: a main ~;~ unit, a frame structure mounted to the main unit, a cartridge tray pivotally mounted to said frame structure for rotation within a predetermined angular range between ~ ' , `: .

a cartridge loading and a cartridge operating position, said cartridge tray including a bottom plate, a side wall forming an intersection with the bottom plate and a cartridge keying structure disposed at said intersection, means biasing said cartridge tray toward the loading position, means for releasably locking the tray in the operating position, connector means mounted in said main unit at one end of said cartridge tray, and a memory cartridge adapted to be slideably inserted into said cartridge tray when in said loading position for engaging said connector means, said memory cartridge including a case having top and bottom surfaces and a side surface joining said top and bottom surfaces, and said memory cartridge further having a keyed surface intersecting the side and bottom surfaces and cooperating with said ~eying structure to prevent an inverted insertion of the cartridge in said cartridge tray.
When the cartridge is inserted normally, with an upper surface thereof facing upwardly, the tapered portion is inserted smoothly without any trouble. On the other hand, when an attempt i8 made to insert the case with an inclined face thereof facing upwardly, that is, to insert the case upside down or inverted, the edge portion of the surface thereof prevents the insertion of the cartridge.
Furthermore, the data processing means mounted on the printed c~rcuit board determines whether the cartridge is authentic or forged.
Thus, reverse insertion of the cartridge can be reliably prevented by the tapered portion formed at at least one side edge of the case without offsetting a connector in the cartridge from the center, as in the conventional cases. Accordingly, the present cartridge can be made smaller and also the reverse insertion of the cartridge can be prevented effectively without reducing the degree of integration of the built-in printed circuit board. Also, the data processing means executes data processing for determining whether or not the cartridge is authentic, and therefore a cartridge is obtained which is so adapted to the gaming machine as to be different from other cartridges. Furthermore, determination of whether the cartridge is authentic or forged can be made by cooperative actions of the gaming machine and the cartridge, and the use of any non-adapted cartridge can be excluded.
Thus, only the authentic cartridge can be used, and thereby copying or forging of programs (software) of the game information generating means in the cartridge or of the gaming machine itself can be prevented reliably, and protection of software is performed more completely.
The present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: ~
Figure lA is a perspective view of a cartridge for a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the surface thereof;
Figure lB is a perspective view of the same as viewed from the rear face thereof;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of Figure l;
Figure 3 i8 a perspective view showing one example of a main unit of a gaming machine which can be used with a cartridge in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a front loading apparatus in the main unit of the gaming machine;
Figure 5 is a plan view of the front loading apparatus;
Figure 6 is a front view of the front loading apparatus;
Figure ~ is an illustrative cross-sectional view taken on line VII-VII in Figure 5;
Figure 8 is an illustrative view showing a locking mechanism;
Figure 9 (which appears on the same sheet as Figure 3) is an illustrative cross-sectional view showing an edge connector;
Figure 10 ls a block diagram showing a whole system configuration including the cartridge and the gaming machine main unit;
Figure 11 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a key microprocessor;
Figure 12 is a timing chart showing the operation of the microprocessor illustrated in Figure 11;
and Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment shown in Fisure 10 and Figure 11.
In Figures lA and lB, a cartridge 10 is shown which includes a case 12, and this case 12 is constituted with a lower half 14 and an upper half 16. A rectangular opening 18 is formed at the leading end of the case 12, in the direction of insertion thereof, and a leading end 20a of a printed circuit board accommodated in the case 12 is exposed in that opening 18.
The cartridge 10 i8 inserted and loaded into a main unit 42 o~ 2 gaming unit as described below (Figure 3) in the direction shown by an arrow in Figure lA, with the upper half 16 facing upwardly. In the vicinity of the leading end of the case 12 in the direction of insertion, stepped portions 22 are formed at both sides thereo~. The case 12 i8 formed in such a manner that the width of the leading end in the direction of insertion is relatively narrow and the width of the remainder, behind the same, is relatively wide as a result of these stepped portions 22.
A configuration similar to these stepped portions 22 is disclosed, for example, as a "neck portion 25" as shown in Figure 1 of U.S. Patent No. 4,500,8~9. However, in this embodiment, a so-called front loading mechanism is adopted wherein the whole of the cartridge 10 is inserted into the main unit 42 (Figure 3) of the gaming machine, and therefore, unlike that in U.S. Patent No, 4,500,879, these stepped portions 22 do not define the portion of the ~ cartridge to be exposed beyond the main unit, but act as : stops for maintaining constant the amount of the cartridge ;

~8 10, that is, the case 12, which can be inserted.
A recessed portion 24 is formed at the rear end, in the direction of insertion, of the ~pper half 16 of the case 12 and a recessed portion 26 is formed at the corresponding position of the lower half 14. These recessed portions 24 and 26 serve as pinch portions when removing the cartridge 10 from the main unit 42 (Figure 3). For this purpose, these recessed portions 24 and 26 are formed in a size large enough to be pinched by human fingers.
The recessed portion 26 o~ the lower half 14 also acts to inhibit a normal loading of any cartridge other than a predetermined one into the gaming machine main unit. More specifically, the recessed portion 26 of the lower half 16 allows loading of only a specially shaped cartridge wherein a recessed portion of a certain depth is formed at the position of the recessed portion 26 and prevents a normal loading of any cartridge having a shape other than that in cooperation with a cylindrical protrusion 144 as shown in Figure 6 and as described later. Meanwhile, in the illustration, to serve also as a pinch portion, the recessed portion 26 is formed so that the area thereof is considerably larger than the tip face of the cylindrical protrusion 144, but the recessed portion 26 may alternatively be formed as a small notched portion or through-hole just allowing this protrusion 144 to be inserted. In this case, whether or not the cartridge is adaptable can be diRtinguished by a positional relationship or shape relationship between the cylindrical protrusion 144 and the notched portion or through-hole.
As can be seen from Figure lB, tapered or bevelled portions 28 having a certain inclination are formed at opposite sides of the bottom face of the lower half 14. These tapered portions 28 are for preventing so-called reverse insertion with the cartridge 10 inserted upside down. In that case, edge portions having a shape different from the tapered portions 28 are located at ~8 opposite sides of the top face of the upper half 16.
However, as an edge portion, a tapered portion having a different inclination from that of the tapered portion 28, a rounded edge portion having a radius smaller than the tapered portion 28, or a simple corner portion can be considered. Also, this tapered portion 28 or a different edge portion corresponding thereto may be formed at only one side, in the width direction of the case~
With reference to Figure 2, the interior of the case 12 formed by the lower half 14 and the upper half 16 accommodates a printed circuit board 20, which is retained at a predetermined position by a spacer 42, and the leading edge 20a of this printed circuit board 20 is exposed at the opening 18 of the case 12. The leading edge 20a of the printed circuit board 20 is positioned inwardly from the leading edge of the opening 18 of the case 12 to prevent the leading edge 20a from being damaged. On the leading edge 20a, a plurality of connecting electrode~ 30, 30, are provided which are connected to ROMs 32 and 34, a microprocessor 36 and the like, which are mounted on the printed circuit board 20 and distributed across the width thereof. The printed circuit board 20 is fixed by screwing through a hole 38 formed on the printed circuit board 20 and a hole 40 formed on the lower half 14.
In this embodiment, the ROM 32 functions as a program ROM for storing a program for a game, and the ROM
34 works as a character ROM for generating a character signal or data for a game. The microprocessor 36 functions as data processing means for performing data processing for determining whether or not the main unit 42, wherein the cartridge 10 is loaded, is of the kind which is allowed to be used. Accordingly, a determination of whether or not the cartridge 10 is authentic is executed by cooperative actions of the microprocessor 36 and a microprocessor 202 of the main unit 42.
Such a cartridge 10 is inserted into the main unit 42 as shown in Figure 3. This main unit 42 includes ~8 a case 44, and a lid 46 which is supported so as to allow opening or closing on a front end portion of the top face of this case 44. In the case 44, a front loading apparatus 62 is incorporated, which is described below in detail in reference to Figures 4 to 7.
Jacks 48 and 50 are provided on the front face of the case 44, and controllers 194a and 194b (Figure 10) to be operated during the game by the operator are connected through these jacks 48 and 50. Also, on the lower front face of the case 44, a power switch 52, a light emitting diode 54 for indicating when the power switch 52 is turned on and a reset switch ~6 are installed. Furthermore, on the right side face of the case 44, an external terminal 58 for a sound signal and an external terminal 60 for a video signal are installed for providing signals to an image displaying apparatus, for example a CRT 196 (Figure 10), from the main unit 42.
The front loading apparatus 62 includes a frame 66 fixed by screws through spacers 64 in the case 44 (Figure 3) as shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 5, this frame 66 has a front wall 68 formed in the front thereof and side walls 70 and 72 formed at both sides thereof, and these right and left side walls 70 and 72 are connected to connecting portions 74 and 76 (Figure 4) at the rear end portions. Between these connectin~ portions ~2 and 74, a slender opening 80 is formed 80 that an opening 170 of an edge connector 78 can be inserted therein.
In the vicinity of the end portions of the side walls 70 and 74 in the direction of insertion of the cartridge 10, L-shaped stepped portions 82 and 84 are formed. Also, flange portions 86 and 88 are formed on the outside faces of the side walls 70 and 72, and mounting holes for fixing this frame 66 to the case 44 are formed in these flange portions 86 and 88.
On the side faces, and approximately midway along the side walls 70 and 72 in the direction of insertion of the cartridge, cylindrical spring shoes 90 ~8 and 92 as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 are formed.
Beyond these spring shoes 90 and 92 in the direction of insertion, engaying grooves 96 and 98 (Figure 5) for defining the rotation range of a tray 94 (Figure ~) as described later are formed on the inner faces of the side walls 70 and 72. These engaging grooves 96 and 98 extend from the bottom ends of the side walls ~0 and 72 to nearly two-thirds of the height thereof. Then, in the vicinity of the stepped portion 82 and 84 of the side walls ~0 and 1~ 72, shaft holes 100 are formed for rotatably supporting the tray 94, and grooves 102 extending from the top end portions of the side walls 70 and ~2 to these shaft holes 100 are formed at those positions.
~n the frame 66, the tray 94 for holding the inserted cartridge is supported rotatably by a shaft inserted into the shaft holes 100. This tray 94 includes a bottom plate 104 and side walls 106 and 108 formed at both sides of this bottom plate 104. Protruding bars 110 and 112 having a triangular cross-section are fixed to the junction corner portions formed by the bottom plate 104 and the side wallfi 106 and 108. The inclination of these protruding bars 110 and 112 with respect to the bottom plate 104 corresponds to the inclination of the tapered portions 28 of the cartridge 10 (Figure lB) as described above. Accordingly, the faces of these protruding bars 110 and 112 act as contacting faces for contact with the tapered portions 28. This means that insertion of the cartridge 10 in an inverted state is prevented by the tapered portions 28 and the protruding bars 110 and 112.
On the top surface of the bottom plate 104 of the tray 94, protruding bars 114 and 116 having a rectangular or circular arc in cross-section are disposed in the vicinity of the side end portions extending in the direction of insertion of the cartridge 10. These protruding bars 114 and 116 prevent the rear face of the cartridge 10 from being inserted into the tray 94, that is, they prevent the surface of the lower half 14 from being brought in face-contact with the bottom plate 104, c~,8 thereby serving to reduce the contact resistance. Also, these protruding bars 114 and 116 act as reinforcing members for the bottom plate 104. More specifically, even if some warping of the bottom plate 104 in the direction of insertion takes place, space for inserting the cartridge 10 is sufficiently ensured by these protruding bars 114 and 116.
Stepped portions 118 and 120 corresponding to the stepped portions 82 and 84 of the frame 66 are formed at the end portions of the side walls 106 and 108 in the direction of insertion. These stepped portions 118 and 120 engage with the stepped portions 22 of the cartridge 10 so as to limit the amount of insertion of the cartridge 10 to a constant value.
As shown in Figures 4 and 5, pieces 122, 124, 126 and 128 protruding inwardly are formed at the top ends of the side walls 106 and 108 of the tray 94. The interval between the bottom end faces of these protruding pieces 122-128 and the top end faces of the protruding bars 114 and 116 is selected e~ual to or a little larger than the thickness of the case 12 of the cartridge 10.
Accordingly, the cartridge 10 is inserted between the protruding bars 114 and 116 and the protruding pieces 122-128. Then, the protruding pieces 122-128 act to prevent the cartridge 10 from being displaced upwardly when the tray 94 is rotated downwardly in the state in which the cartridge 10 is inserted, as described below.
A reinforcing plate 130 composed of metal or the like is mounted on a pair of protruding pieces 122 and 124 at the rear, with respect to the direction of insertion of the cartridge 10. This reinforcing plate 130 prevents the bottom plate 104 from warping, and also acts to check insertion of the cartridge 10 when the tray 94 is pressed downwardly.
Furthermore, the reinforcing plate 130 is composed of a conductive material, and acts also as means for preventing electric bombardment by discharging charges which build up on the case 12 upon inserting the cartridge ~8 10, when this reinforcing plate 130 is connected electrically to the frame 66. More specifically, when the cartridge 10 is inserted into the tray 94, the surface of the upper half 16 of the case 12 is brought in contact with the reinforcing plate 130. Then, charges on the case 12 are discharged to the electric potential of the frame 66, that is, ground potential through the reinforcing plate 130. Accordingly, electric bombardment of the electronic components 32, 34, 36 and the like mounted on the printed circuit board 20 of the case 12 is prevented, and these electronic components 32, 34 and 36 and the like are protected ef~ectively from electrostatic charges.
On the top end portions of the side walls 106 and 108 of the tray 94, sprin~ stopping pieces 132 and 134 are formed in an outward-protruding fashion at the positions of the spring shoes 90 and 92 which àre installed on the side walls of the frame 66. Coil springs 136 are held between these spring stopping pieces 132 and 134 and the spring shoes 90 and 92, respectively. The tray 94 is supported by a shaft (not illustrated), extending through the shaft holes 100, so as to be rotatable around this shaft, and therefore the tray 94 is resiliently urged upwardly by these coil springs 136. Engaging protrusions 138 (Figure ~) for defining the upper limit of the upward rotation by the springs 136 of the tray 94 are formed on the outside faces of the side walls 106 and 108 facing the engaging grooves 96 and 98.
A stepped portion 140 is formed at the rear end of the bottom plate 104 in the direction of the depth of : 30 the tray 94, and a through-hole 146 is formed in this ; stepped portion 140. Inside the front wall 68 of the frame 66, a holding plate 142 is formed under the through-hole 146. A cylindrical protrusion 144 is formed in an upright fashion on this holding plate 142. The outer diameter of the cylindrical protrusion 144 is selected a little smaller than the inner diameter of the through-hole 146, and a height thereof protrudes beyond the top surface of the bottom plate 104 by a length equivalent to the depth of the concave portion 26 ~Figure lB) of the lower half 14. In addition, the cylindrical protrusion 144 is positioned at the concave portion 26 when the cartr~dge 10 is inserted into the tray 94, and accordingly, downward rotation of the tray 94 is allowed until the concave face of the concave portion 26 contacts with the top end of the cylindrical protrusion 144. Thereby, the normal loading of the cartridge 10 is made possible.
If any cartridge wherein the concave portion 26 is not formed is inserted, the top end of the cylindrical protrusion 144 is brought in direct contact with the rear face of the cartridge, and thereby the downward rotation of the tray 94 is checked. Thus, the cylindrical protrusion 144 acts to inhibit loading of any cartridge other than the one having a predetermined shape and in particular the concave portion 26 of the lower half 14.
Furthermore, a locking mechanism 148 is installed in association with the front wall 68 of the frame 66 and the stepped portion 140 of the bottom plate 104 of the tray 94. This locking mechanism 148, as shown in Figure 7, includes a key mechanism 150 which is provided on the front wall 68 and is equivalent to a key, and a cam mechanism 152 for locking, which is provided under the stepped portion 140 and is equivalent to a lock.
As shown in Figure ~, the key mechanism 150 includes an engagement groove 154 formed on rear side of the front wall 68, and a plate spring 156 is fixed in this engagement groove 154. A U-shaped hook pin 158 is resiliently urged towards the cam mechanism 152 by the plate spring 156, and further a holder 159 secures the top end of the hook pin 158 and supports the bottom end thereof so that it is capable of swinging.
As shown in Figure 8, the locking cam mechanism 152 includes a heart-shaped groove 160, which is a iittle wider than the thickness of the above-described hook pin 158 and is formed in a heart-shape as a whole at an upper portion thereof. An engaging protrusion 162 is formed by an island portion surrounded by this heart-shaped groove s~8 160, and a groove 164 extending downwardly from the bottom end of the heart-shaped groove 160 is formed, and a trumpet-shaped groove 166 is formed further under the groove 164.
In loading the cartridge 10, the cartridge 10 is inserted into the tray 94, and thereafter this tray 94 is pressed down against the spring force of the coil springs 136 (Figure 4). At this time, since the top end of the hook pin 158 is fixedly supported by the holder 149, the cam mechanism 152 is guided by the bottom end of the hook pin 158 and the trumpet-shaped groove 166, the groove 164 and the heart-shaped groove 160 at the right-hand side of the engagement protrusion 162. Accordingly, the bottom end of the hook pin 158 is brought to the position shown 15 ~ by a point P1 in Figure 8. This means that the cam mechanism 152 depicts a locus, as shown by a dash-dot line in Figure 8, by the movement of the bottom end of the hook pin 158 in the heart-shaped groove 160. Accordingly, the bottom end of the hook pin 158 moves to the position shown by the point P1. Thereafter, by reduction of the force pressing downwardly against the tray 94, the tray 94 is restored upwardly by the resilience of the coil springs 136 (Figure 4). Then, the bottom end of the hook pin 158 engages the U-shaped concave portion at the upper side of the engaging protrusion 162, that is, the portion as shown by a point P2 in Figure 8. Thereby the tray 94 is put in the locked state. In this state, the tray 94 stays in the downward-pressed state.
On the other hand, when the cartridge 10 is to be removed, the tray 94 is pressed downwardly again.
Then, a point P3 of the heart-shaped groove 160 reaches the bottom end of the hook pin 158, and by reduction of the downward pressing force against the tray 94, the bottom end of the hook pin 158 moves along the heart-shaped groove 160 at the left side of the engagingprotrusion 162, the groove 164 and the trumpet-shaped groove 166, being brought to the bottom end of this trumpet-shaped groove 166. That is, the bottom end of the ~8 hook pin 158 moves so as to depict a locus as shown by a dotted line in Figure 8, and the locked state of the tray 94 is released.
As described above, the cam-system locking mechanism 148 of this embodiment first locks the tray 94 at the position of the frame 66 by pressing-down the tray 94, and this locking is released by a second pressing, and therefore it is not required to install an additional e~ecting mechanism. Accordingly, the configuration of the loc~ing mechanism 148 of the tray 94 can be simplified and miniaturized. However, the configuration may be made in a manner that such a loc~ing mechanism is constituted by a lever or the like, and locking by this lever can be released in interlocking with an operation of an eject 1~ button (not illustrated).
As shown in Figure 4, an opening 1~0 in the edge connector ~8 is engaged in the opening 80 at the front end of the frame 66 in the direction of insertion of the cartridge 10. This edge connector 78 has a U-shaped side face and includes a case 168, which is laterally elongate when viewed from the front. On the front face of the case 168, the two openings 170 and 1~2 are vertically spaced with a gap between them. The printed circuit board 20 and the edge portion of a printed circuit board 182 are inserted into these openings 170 and 1~2, being connected to the connecting electrodes, respectively.
As shown in Figure 9, the front of the upper portion of the case 168 protrudes forwardly beyond the front of the lower portion thereof, and accordingly the opening 170 is positioned further forward than the opening 1~2. The printed circuit board 20 of the cartridge 10 is inserted obliquely into the opening 1~0. This means that an edge of an upper open portion 168a of the case 168 extends inwardly in an oblique fashion. On the other 3~ hand, the edge of a lower open portion 168b of the base 168 extends nearly horizontally.
A number of pairs of spring electrodes 1~8 and 180 are accommodated in the case 168. A plurality of s pairs of these spring electrodes 1~8 and 180 are arranged in the direction of width of the edge connector 78 with constant intervals maintained between them. To maintain the spring electrodes 1~8 and 180 with constant intervals between them in such a manner, grooves or partitions may be formed at the inner face of the case 168. The respective lower ends of the spring electrodes 1~8 and 180 are bent in a V-shape to form contacting portions 1~8b and 180b which face each other.
The upper end of each spring electrode 1~8 is bent in a V-shape to form contacting portion 1~8a, and the upper end of each spring electrode lB0 is bent outwardly in a V-shape in the vicinity of the opening 170 and further the tip is bent back in a V-shape, and thereby the contacting~ portion 180a is formed. Each contacting portion 180a and the respective contacting portion 1~8a are positioned so as to be shifted from each other in the direction of insertion of the cartridge 10, and when viewed in the direction of insertion of the cartridge 10 ~from obliquely above), an interval nearly equal to or a 1ittle larger than the thicl~ness of the printed circuit board 20 is kept between them. A stop protrusion 184 for def ining the insertion depth of the printed circuit board 20 is formed under the contacting portion 178a.
The reason why the contacting portions 1~8a and 180a are disposed at a spacing in the direction of insertion of the cartridge is that the printed circuit board 20, i.e. the cartridge 10 is inserted until the tip portion 20a (Figure 2) of the printed circuit board 20 of the cartridge 10 strikes against the stop protrusion 184, and thereafter the rear end of the printed circuit board 20 is pressed downwardly on the contact portion 180a which acts as a fulcrum, to the position where the printed circuit board 20 becomes parallel with the printed circuit board 182, and thereby the printed circuit board 20 can be loaded easily. This downward pressing of the printed circuit board 20 is achieved by the downward rotation of the tray 94 as described above.

~ Q'` ~8 1~
When a game ls played using the gaming machine main unit 42 tFigure 3), first ~he external terminal 58 for sound and the external terminal 60 for video are connected to a CRT 196 (Figure 10), such as a home TV set.
Thereafter, the lid 46 is opened, and the cartridge 10 is inserted into the tray 94 with the lower half 14 thereof underneath (Figure ~). At this time, the stepped portions 22 of the cartridge 20 engage with the stepped portions 118 and 120 of the tray 94, and the amount of insertion of the cartridge 10 is defined. Then the upper opening 1~0 of the case 168 of the edge connector ~8, that is, the whole of the upper open portion 168a, enters the opening 18 (Figure lA) of the case 12 of the cartridge 10. In this state, as shown in Figure 9, the printed circuit board 20 of the cartridge 10 has an inclination of, for example, about 10 degrees in comparison with the normally loaded state, that is, the state in which it is parallel with the printed circuit board 182 of the gaming machine main unit 42, and therefore the spring electrodes 1~8 are not in perfect contact with the conductive patterns 30, 30 --- (Figure 2) of the printed circuit board 20.
Subsequently, the cartridge 10, that is, the tray 94 is pressed downwardly from above. At this time, when a cartridge having a predetermined shape, that is, an authentic cartridge has been inserted, the tray 94 is pressed downwardly, and the locking mechanicm 148 locks the tray 94 while holding the same in the horizontal state. Accordingly, the conductive patterns of the printed circuit board 20 are pressed against the corresponding spring electrodes 178 in the upper opening 1~0 of the edge connector 78, in a state of good contact therewith to provide a good electrical contact.
Thereafter, the lid 46 (Figure 3) is closed and the game can be played using the controllers 194a and 194b (Figure 10).
If any cartridge, wherein the concave portion 26 ~Figure lB) is not formed, that is, a forged cartridge, is inserted into the tray 94, the tray 94 cannot be pressed down because the cylindrical protrusion 144 (Figure 6) stri~es against the rear face of the cartridge.
With reference to Figure 10, the controllers 194a and 194b are connected to the gaming machine main S unit 42 through the jacks 48 and 50 and the CRT 196 is connected through the external terminals 58 and 60 (Figure 3). Also, the printed circuit board 182, connected by contacting portions 1~8b and 180b of the above-described edge connector ~8, is accommodated in the gaming machine main unit 42. A game microprocessor 198 is mounted on the printed circuit board 182, and the above-described controllers 194a and 194b and the CRT 196 are connected to this microprocessor 198 through an I/O interface 206. A
PPU (picture processing unit) 200, a microprocessor 202 for determining authenticity and a clock oscillator 204 are further connected to the printed circuit board 182.
The PPU 200 is composed, for example, of the IC "2C03"
manufactured by Nintendo and outputs image information processed by the microprocessor 198 as a video signal for the CRT 196.
The microprocessor 202 for determining authenticity ~s composed, for example, of a four-bit microprocessor, li~e the microprocessor for determining authenticity 36 which is mounted on the printed c~rcuit board 20 of the cartridge 10. The reset switch 56 is connected to the microprocessor 202. A reset condenser 56a is further connected to the reset terminal of the microprocessor 202 in parallel with the reset switch 56.
This reset condenser 56a is charged when the power switch 52 (Figure 3) is turned on, thereby performing so-called initial reset (power on clear) that holds the microprocessor 202 in the reset state for a predetermined time.
As described above, the ROM 32 for storing a program and the ROM 34 for generating character information are mounted on the printed circuit board 20 of the cartridge 10. As shown in Figure 9, the printed circuit board 20 of the cartridge 10 and a printed circuit L~--J 8 ~

board 182 of the gaming machine main unit 42 are connected electrically by the edge connector 78. A clock signal from the clock oscillator 204 is also applied to the microprocessor for determining authenticity 36 which is 5 mounted on the printed circuit board 20 of the cartridge 10, through the edge connector ~8, that is, the contacting portions 1~8b, 180b, 1?8a and 18Oa.
Next, further detailed description is made of the microprocessor 36 for determining authenticity, with reference to Figure 11. In addition, the microprocessor 202 of the gaming machine main unit is of a c~imilar configuration, and therefore in Figure 11, reference symbols relating thereto are shown in parentheses, and duplicate description is omitted herein.
As described above, the microprocessors 36 and 202 cooperate to determine whether the cartridge 10 is authentic or forged. The functions of these two microprocessors 36 and 202 can be compared to the relationship between a key and a lock. Accordingly, in the following description, the microprocessor 36 is referred to as the key microprocessor and the microprocessor 202 is referred to as the lock microprocessor.
As shown in Figure 10, a predetermined terminal of the lock microprocessor 202 is grounded, while a predetermined terminal of the key microprocessor 36 i8 connected to a power source Vcc. Thereby, the microprocessors 36 and 202 can determine whether they themselves function as a key or a lock.
In t he key micropr ocessor 36 and the lock microprocessor 202, corresponding terminals I, O and R are connected by the edge connector ~8 to give and receive data. Also, as described above, a clock signal CLK from the common clock oscillator 204 is applied to the two microprocessors 36 and 202. The microprocessors 36 and 202 operate in such a state that respective operation periods and phases are perfectly synchronized.
With reference to Figure 11, the key ~8 ' microprocessor 36 is, for example, of four-bit configuration, and this microprocessor 36 comprises a CPU
36a as data processing means, a ROM 36b as a semiconductor memory, and a RAM 36c for storing various data required for data processing of the CPU 36a. The ROM 36b stores operation programs of the CPU 36a, and these operation programs comprise two arithmetic operation programs. One of the arithmetic operation proyrams contains a plurality of kinds of arithmetic operation formulas and data of random numbers for arithmetic operation. Also, the operation programs contain a determining program for comparing and chec~ing the results of the operations of the other arithmetic operation program against that of the lock microprocessor 202 and a determining program of one arithmetic operation -against that of the key microprocessor 36. When these determining programs are executed, the CPU 36a functions as determining means.
Furthermore, the operation programs contain a controlling program for controlling reset or release of reset state of the gamlng machine main unit 42 based on the results of determination by the above-described determining program.
An accumulator 36d is connected to the CPU ~6a, while a register 36e is connected to the ROM 36b. The register 36e is for temporarily storing the program data accessed from the ROM 36b. The CPU 36a, the accumulator 36d and the register 36e are connected by a data bus 36h.
This data bus 36h is connected to an I~O port 36g, through which data is outputted to the lock microprocessor 202, and data from that microprocessor 202 is received.
Furthermore, in the key microprocessor 36, a frequency divider 36f for receiving the clock signal CLK
from the clock oscillator 204 (Figure 10) and for frequency dividing the same is installed, and the frequency dividing ratio of the frequency divider 36f is selected, for example, at one-fourth.
Next, brief description is made on operation of the frequency divider 36f with reference to a timing chart in Figure 12. As described above, the frequency divider 36f makes 1~4 frequency-division of the c}ock signal CLK
from the clock oscillator 204. Accordingly, four signals having different phases ~1, 02, ~3 and ~4 are obtained from the frequency divider 36f. These signals 01 - ~Z14 are given to the CPU 36a. The CPU 36a performs predetermined operations in sequence in synchronism with these four signals 01 - 0g. For example, it reads data from the I/0 port 36g in synchronism with the signal ~1, performs a predetermined arithmetic operation processing ~data processing) in synchronism with the signals ~2 and ~3, and outputs data from the I/0 port 36g in synchronism with the final signal ~4.
In addition, these signals 01 - ~4 are given also to the lock microprocessor 202, and accordingly the two microprocessors 36 and 202 operate in perfect synchronism. More specifically, for the key microprocessor 36 and the lock microprocessor 202, the numbers of steps of the operation program and the architecture are the same and the hardware and clock signals therèof are also completely the same, and theref ore the respective machine cycles coincide completely.
With reference to Figure 13, after the cartridge 10 is loaded in the gaming machine main unit 42, when the power switch 52 (Figure 3) of the main unit 42 i8 turned on or the reset switch 56 is turned on, a reset operation of the lock microprocessor 202 is performed, and in step S10, this lock microprocessor 202 starts to operate.
In the following step S11, the lock microprocessor 202 determines whether it is to function as a lock or as a key. As explained with reference to Figure 10, this determination is made by determining whether the predetermined terminal is grounded or connected to the power source. In this case, the microprocessor lock 202 should determine that it is to function as a lock, but when it determines that it is to function as a key, for example, due to wrong wiring, malfunction or the like, it ~,Q`~1,~8 is put in the unstable state, not performing any operation.
When "YES" is determined in step S11, in st~p S12 the lock microprocessor 202 resets each circuit so that the gaming machine main unit 42 does not execute the game program, and this reset state is continued. More specifically, the CPU 198 and the PPU 200 (Figure 10) are put forcedly in the reset state and disabled until the reset i8 released in step S21 as described later. Also, in this step S12, the key microprocessor 36 is reset.
In the following step S13, the lock microprocessor 202 releases the reset of the key microprocessor 36, and synchronizes the two microprocessors 36 and 202. More specifically, the machine cycle of the lock microprocessor 202 is set so that the reset signal given to the key microprocessor 36 from the lock microprocessor 202 is outputted between a signal of a specific period of the clock signal CLK, for example, 04 and the signal 01 of the next period.
Consequently, the key microprocessor 36 is sure to start operation with that signal ~S1. Accordingly, the key microprocessor 36 starts operation with the same machine cycle as that of the lock microprocessor 202, whereby, the two microprocessors 36 and 202 are synchronized, and thereafter the respective microprocessors perform operations in the perfectly synchronized state.
When the reset of the key microprocessor 36 is released in step S13, the key microproce~sor 36 determines whether it itself is to function as a lock or a key in the next step S11'. The determination in this step S11' is made by determining whether the predetermined terminal of the key microprocessor 36 is grounded or connected to the power source in similar manner to the above-described determination in step S11. When "N0" is determined in this step S11', an unstable state exists and no operations are performed at all.
However, when "YES" is determined in step S11', operations in step S14' and subsequent steps are executed.

On the other hand, the lock microprocessor 202 executes step S13 and thereafter executes operations in step S14 and subsequent steps. Thereafter, in the lock microprocessor 202 and the key microprocessor 36, the same operations can be performed in synchronism, that is, in coincidence in the time axis.
Firstly, in Step S14', the lock microprocessor 202 and the key microprocessor 36 output ciphered codes in a random ~umber fashion ~rom respective program ROMs 202b and 36b (Figure 11) (steps S14 and S14'). These outputs of ciphered codes are performed using the same random function. Then, conditions given to the random function are the same for the two microprocessors 36 and 202.
Accordingly, when the cartridge is authentic, the ciphered codes generated in the key microprocessor 36 become the same.
Next, in steps S15 and S15', the lock microprocessor 202 and the key microprocessor 36 exchange data and receive the ciphered codes generated by each other, respectively. Then, in steps S16 and S16', both perform predetermined data processings based on the ciphered codes inputted from the counterportions.
Arithmetic operation formulae used or these arithmetic operation processings are the same in the two microprocessors 36 and 202, and therefore when the inputted ciphered codes are the same, the results of these arithmetic operations also become the same. Then, in steps S1~ and S1~', the lock microprocessor 202 and the key microprocessor 36 send the result of arithmetic operation to each other. In response thereto, in steps S18 and S18', the two microprocessors 36 and 202 receive the results of arithmetic operations inputted from each other. Here, since the key microprocessor 36 and the lock microprocessor 202 perform the same operation with the same timing, the results of arithmetic operations inputted from each other are to be inputted at the same timing.
Accordingly, in this embodiment, not only coincidence in the resultant of arithmetic operation but also coincidence C t~;~8 in the time axis are taken into consideration to determine whether or not the cartridge is authentic.
Next, in step S18, the locl~ microprocessor 202 compares and checks the result of arithmetic operation done by itself against the result of arithmetic operation o1~tained from the key microprocessor 36 to determine whether or not both coincide with each other. As a result of this check, if "N0'l is determined, the lock microprocessor 202 holds the reset state of each circuit 10 in the gaming machine main unit 42, namely, the CPU 198, the PPU 200 and the like in the next step S20. In this manner, the gaming machine main unit 42 is inhibited from executing the game program.
In addition, in place of such a holding of the 15 reset state, an alarm may be raised in response to a determination of non-coincidence, or processing may be returned to the initial state, namely, step S11.
As a result of checking in step S19, if "YES" is determined, the lock microprocessor 202 releases the reset 20 state of these circuits, that is, the CPU 198, the PPU 200 and the like in the next step S21.
Subsequently, in step S21, the lock microprocessor 202 generates two sets of random numbers, a first set and a second set, based on a predetermined 25 random function. Then, in step S23, the lock microprocessor 202 selects the kind of arithmetic operation formula by the second set of random numbers, and sets the first and the second sets of random numbers as values to be substituted into the selected arithmetic 30 operation formula. More spec~fically, in this embodiment, n (positive integer) kinds of arithmetic operation formulae .are set in advance as the second arithmetic operation processing (data processing) in the arithmetic operation program and an arithmetic operation formula is 35 selected from among them in response to the second data of random numbers. Next, in step S24, arithmetic operation by the first set and the second set of random numbers is executed based on the selected arithmetic operation ~ J ~ j L~ j~ 8 formula. These operations are also performed in steps S19 - S24 in the key microprocessor 36 in the same manner and with the same timing. Then, the random function for generating the first set and the second set of random 5 numbers employed here is also the same as that employed in the lock microprocessor 202. The conditions given to the random function for generating the first set and the second set of random numbers are the same for the lock microprocessor 202 and the key microprocessor 36.
Accordingly, if the cartridge 10 is applicable to the main unit 42, in the two microprocessors 36 and 202, the same arithmetic operation formula is selected, and the results of the arithmetic operation are also the same.
Next, in step S25, the lock microprocessor 202 gives the result of arithmetic operation performed in step S24 to the key microprocessor 36, and receives the result of arithmetic operation by the key microprocessor 36. The same operation is performed also in the key microprocessor 36, Next, in step S26, the lock microprocessor 202 compares and checks the result of arithmetic operation by itself against the result of the arithmetic operation received from the key microprocessor 36, and determines whether or not both coincide with each other.
If the cartridge 10 loaded in the gaming machine maln unit 42 is not authentic, the result of arithmetic operations by both do not coincide, and therefore the lock microprocessor 202 forcedly puts the CPU 198, the PPU 200 and the like in the reset state so as to stop the following operations in step S27.
On the other hand, when the result of arithmetic operation by the lock microprocessor 202 and the result of arithmetic operation received from the key microprocessor 36 coincide with each other, processing in the lock microprocessor 202, returns again to step S22, thereafter repeating the operations in steps S22 - S26. This means that, in this embodiment, the second arithmetic operation program is executed as long as the gaming machine main ~8 unit 42 operates, and if a non-coincidence takes place even once during operations, the step S2~ is executed, and operations of the CPU 198 and the PPU 200 are stopped. As a result, execution of the game program in the main unit 42 is inhibited.
Meanwhile, the same operations as in steps S26 and S2~ are also performed in the key microprocessor 36.
However, the key microprocessor 36 does not respond on reset and release of reset of each circuit of the gaming machine main unit 42.
Also, for the operation of the key microprocessor 36, since terminals for chip selection are installed normally in the ROMs 32 and 34, it is also possible that these terminals for chip selection may be disabled and thereby the microprocessor 198 and the PPU
200 of the gaming machine main unit 42 side may be made inaccessible.
Although a sufficient determination of authenticity can be made by checking the result of the first arithmetic operation in step S19, in the above-described embodiment, the second arithmetic operation and the checking of the result thereof are further performed in steps S22 - S26 as long as the gaming machine main unit 42 operates, and therefore the determination of whether or not the cartridge 10 is authentic can be made nearly completely. Accordingly, when any cartridge is used which copies the ROMs 32 and 34 in the cartridge lO or comprises ROMs storing pro~rams similar thereto, such a protection for software cannot be broken unless hardware the same as the key microprocessor 36 is obtained. Also, by using custom ICs as the key microprocessor 36 and the lock microprocessor 202, such protection can be made more completely.
Thus, the microprocessor 36 for determining authenticity is installed in the cartridge 10, and by co-operation therewith of the microprocessor 202 of the gaming machine main unit 42, the protection of software of the cartridge 10 can be made completely, and accordingly ~-~.Q ~ 8 use of any copies or forged cartridge, that is any cartridge other than the authentic one, is excluded.
By means of special shaping of the cartridge 10 and by the data processing means accommodated in the cartridge 10, it can be determined whether or not the cartridge is authentic, and thereby use of any cartridge other than the authentic one can be excluded.
In addition, the cartridge 10 is applicable also to gaming machines wherein the inserting port is adaptable to the cartridge 10 and the cartridge is inserted from the upper portion of the main unit, and is not limited to gaming machines having front loading systems as shown in Figures 4 to ~.
Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear face thereof. The cartridge 10' of this embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in Figure lA
to 2 in the following points. More specifically, in the opening 18 of the upper half 16, a partitioning plate 210 is formed, which has a notched portion 208 into which the tip 20a of the printed circuit board 20 is engaged and in the vicinity of the both sides of the portioning plates 210, there are formed protrusions 212 and 214 for positioning. These positioning protrusions 212 and 214 are L-shaped or step-shaped, corresponding to the form of the sides of the printed circuit board 20. The form and the position of the right and left sides of the positioning protrusions 212 and 214 are different from each other, whereby positioning of the printed circuit board 20 in the case 12 is facilitated, and therefor, the surface and the rear face of the printed circuit board 20 are prevented from being mounted in reverse in the case 12.
Instead of the single printed circuit board 20, a printed circuit board unit 20' may be used, which includes a first printed circuit board 216, a second printed circuit board 218 and a double-sided connector 220 for interconnecting the printed circuit boards 216 and ' ' 218. The reason why such printed circuit board unit 20' is used is to make the printed circuit board 218 having no key microprocessor 36 applicable to the gaming machine main unit 42 of the embodiment shown, or to provide a cartridge 10' having changeability or convertibility, the printed circuit board 218 being suitable for another kind of game and having a number of connecting electrodes different from that of the edge connector ~8. In this case, the number of the connecting electrodes formed on the edge 20a of the first printed circuit board 216 is selected to be equal to the num~er of the connecting electrodes of the printed circuit board 20 of the above described embodiment and the number of the connecting electrodes formed at the rear of the first printed circuit board 216 is selected to be equal to the number of the connecting electrodes of the second circuit board 218.
Further, the key microprocessor 36 is mounted on the first printed circuit board 216. Then, the rear end of the first printed circuit board 216 is inserted into one insertion slot of the double-sided connector 220 and the second printed circuit board 218 is inserted into the other insertion slot of the double-sided connector 220.
At both the right and left sides of the double-sided connector 220, a mounting piece 224 having a mounting hole is formed. The ROMs 32 and 34 are mounted on the second printed circuit board 218. In the center of the second printed circuit board 218, a hole 226 is formed and a hole 228 is formed at a position offset from the hole 226.
In the case where the printed circuit board unit 20' is used, mounting posts 230 and 232 having a threaded hole are formed on the upper half 16, a positioning post 234 also being formed thereon. On the outer periphery of the mounting post 232, fin-shaped protrusions 236 are formed below the position corresponding to the thickness of the second printed circuit board 218. Therefore, it is made easy to mount the printed circuit board unit 20' and the surface and rear face of the unit 20' are prevented from being mounted in reverse. Further, by such structure, it is possible to secure stably the printed circuit board unit 20' to the case 12.
Although embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same are by way of illustration and example only and are not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the term~ of the appended claims.

Claims

E EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An electronic gaming apparatus comprising:
a main unit;
a frame structure mounted to the main unit;
a cartridge tray pivotably mounted to said frame structure for rotation within a predetermined angular range between a cartridge loading and a cartridge operating position, said cartridge tray including a bottom plate, a side wall forming an intersection with the bottom plate and a cartridge keying structure disposed at said intersection;
means biasing said cartridge tray toward the loading position;
means for releasably locking the tray in the operating position;
connector means mounted in said main unit at one end of said cartridge tray; and a memory cartridge adapted to be slideably inserted into said cartridge tray when in said loading position for engaging said connector means, said memory cartridge including a case having top and bottom surfaces and a side surface joining said top and bottom surfaces, and said memory cartridge further having a keyed surface intersecting the side and bottom surfaces and cooperating with said keying structure to prevent an inverted insertion of the cartridge in said cartridge tray.

2. An electronic gaming apparatus comprising:
a main unit;
a frame structure mounted to the main unit;
a cartridge tray pivotally mounted to said frame structure for rotation within a predetermined angular range between a loading and an operating position;
means biasing said cartridge tray toward the loading position;
means for releasably locking said cartridge tray in the operating position;
a memory cartridge adapted to be slideably inserted into said cartridge tray when in its loading position, said memory cartridge including a case having a bottom surface, said bottom surface having a recess therein; and, security means for preventing the use of an unauthorized cartridge in said main unit, said security means including a protrusion extending upward from said frame member and positioned such that as the cartridge tray is rotated toward the operating position, the protrusion enters the recess and allows said cartridge and cartridge tray to assume the operating position.