Computer-controlled game device with cassette ROM and CD-ROM

Details Computer-controlled game device with cassette ROM and CD-ROM Computer-controlled game device with cassette ROM and CD-ROM

1999-11-15

2001-09-11

Cao, Allen T. (Department: 2754)

Dynamic information storage or retrieval

With particular cabinet structure

Reexamination Certificate

active

06288993

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a computer-controlled processing device and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a computer-controlled game device which operates with multiple external information storage media such as CD-ROM, cassette ROM, IC cards or the like.
A popular information storage medium for supplying a home use game device with computer game software is a semiconductor ROM assembled in a cassette or cartridge type housing. Another type of information storage medium is a CD-ROM that is recently being used popularly for supplying game software.
An example of a conventional processing device or a home use game device, which can be supplied with game or other software by way of both a cassette ROM and a CD-ROM, is shown in FIG.
18
. The processing device
1
is comprised of a disk regenerator unit
3
and a cassette ROM regenerator unit
4
. Cassette ROM unit
4
may be a conventional home use game device to which a game software program is supplied by way of a semiconductor ROM housed in a cartridge or a cassette
5
.
The disk unit
3
has a flat main body portion
3
a
having a squared flat upper surface and an elevated portion
3
b
that is provided with a plug connector (not shown) at a side wall facing to the squared flat upper surface. The cassette ROM operating unit
4
has a socket connector
4
a
provided correspondingly to the plug connector of the elevated portion
3
b
. The cassette ROM unit
4
may be used independently as a game processing device to which a game software program is supplied from a ROM cassette or cartridge
5
mounted to the cassette port. The cassette operating unit
4
may be mounted on the flat surface of the main body portion
3
a
so that the socket connector of the cassette operating unit
4
is electrically connected with the plug connector of the disk operating unit
3
whereby an application software of music or a game program is supplied from a compact disk
2
loaded on a tray
2
A of disk operating unit
3
.
Another example of a conventional device is shown in FIG.
19
. The device
6
comprises a connecting unit
7
, a disk unit
8
and a cassette unit
9
. Connecting unit
7
is formed with a thin support portion
7
d
and an elevated portion
7
c
with a pair of connector sockets
7
a
and
7
b
provided at a side wall thereof facing the support portion
7
d
. Disk unit
8
and Cassette unit
9
may be detachably connectable by locating on the flat surface of thin support portion
7
d
so as to be electrically connected to the sockets
7
a
and
7
b
, respectively, whereby disk unit
8
is electrically connected to cassette ROM unit
9
through sockets
7
a
and
7
b.
The above-mentioned examples have the following shortcomings. In reference to device
1
shown in
FIG. 18
, a cassette ROM unit
4
is installed on the flat main body portion
3
a
and electrically connected with connecting portion
3
b
of disk unit
3
, both units are connected together firmly. The mechanism for loading the compact disk becomes complex because of the tray-loading which requires a tray for loading disks, a tray guide and a tray-driving motor, which results in increasing costs because of an increase in the number of parts and assembly steps.
In reference to device
6
shown in
FIG. 19
, as the device is composed of three separate units as a whole, each being provided as an independent unit, which also causes an increase of costs. Furthermore, as the device has many connecting portions, it has a tendency to result in bad electrical connections and cause malfunctions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved computer-controlled processing device with multiple information media loading ports.
According to one aspect of this invention a processing device is provided with a disk loading port and a cassette or cartridge loading port both formed on a top face of the device so that a CD-ROM as well as a ROM cassette is loaded from the top, which can decrease number of parts and assembling steps.
According to another aspect of this invention both of the disk loading port and the cassette loading port are formed at a common top face of the processing device, and a main circuit board, on which a CPU, data processors and other circuits are assembled, is disposed so as to underlie both of the disk loading port and the cassette loading port, which can decrease space required for installing and assembling of the processing device.
According to a further aspect of this invention a disk operating unit is formed so that a cassette operating unit, which may be a conventional home use game device, is detachably connectable to the disk operating unit. The disk operating unit is formed with two portions, one having a lower surface on which the cassette unit is detachably mounted, and the other having an elevated portion in which the disk loading port as well as disk driving mechanism is installed.

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