Memory cartridge and information processor unit using such cartridge

A cartridge for a gaming machine includes a case having tapered surface formed along a side edge of the rear face thereof which cooperates with a protrusion in the cartridge receiving tray in the gaming machine main unit to prevent an inverted insertion of the cartridge into the machine. 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. The gaming machine includes a picture processing unit 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 identical 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. Finally, a protrusion attached to the cartridge loading device in the machine cooperates with a recess in the cartridge case to prevent the loading of a counterfeit cartridge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a cartridge for gaming machine and a 
gaming machine using the same. More specifically, the present invention 
relates to a memory cartridge incorporating a memory and an information 
processing apparatus for operating as a game in accordance with a program 
stored in the cartridge memory. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
For example, a ROM cartridge having a general or common shape and structure 
is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,149,027. 
Also, a gaming machine wherein a ROM cartridge is loaded in a gaming 
machine main unit by so-called front loading is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,095,791. 
Any mechanism or structure which prevents a so-called reverse insertion and 
allows only an authentic cartridge to be used is not disclosed at all in 
either of the above-described prior art systems. 
The prior art for preventing a reverse insertion discloses the use of a 
connector for the cartridge which is shifted from the center of the 
opening of the cartridge. 
In the case where the connector is shifted from the center in the direction 
of length of the opening, an extra length is required in the direction of 
length, and accordingly a problem of restricting miniaturization of the 
cartridge occurs. Also, in the case where the connector is shifted from 
the center in the direction of thickness of the connector, a built-in 
printed circuit board is biased up or down in the direction of thickness 
of the cartridge, and therefore electronic components can be mounted only 
on one face of the printed circuit board, and accordingly a problem of 
restricting the degree of integration of the printed circuit board occurs. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Therefore, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a 
cartridge for a gaming machine having a novel shape or structure which 
prevents an inverted insertion and allows only an authentic cartridge to 
be used. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine 
which uses a novel cartridge for gaming machine. 
One aspect of the prsent invention can be broadly summarized as a cartridge 
for a gaming machine which comprises a case, a side surface including a 
keying surface cooperating with the front end loading device in the gaming 
machine to prevent an inverted insertion of the cartridge, an opposing 
side surface having a configuration in cross section, which when inverted 
is different from the corresponding cross sectional shape of the other 
side surface, a printed circuit board accommodated in the case, game 
information generating means for generating information required for a 
game, a data processing means mounted on the printed circuit board for 
executing predetermined data processing to determine authenticity of the 
cartridge. 
A second aspect of the invention can also be summarized as a gaming machine 
having a main unit adapted to receive a memory cartridge, wherein the 
cartridge includes a case, a side surface including a keying surface 
cooperating with a front end loading device in the gaming machine to 
prevent an inverted insertion of the cartridge, an opposing side surface 
having a configuration in cross section, which when inverted is different 
from the corresponding cross sectional shape of the other side surface, a 
printed circuit board accommodated in the case, game information 
generating means mounted on the printed circuit board for generating 
information for a 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, while the gaming machine 
main unit comprises a cartridge inserting portion for receiving the 
cartridge, a contacting portion formed at the cartridge inserting portion 
and being 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 game information from the game 
information generating means, a second semiconductor memory associated 
with the first 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. 
When the cartridge is normally inserted with the top surface thereof facing 
upward, the keying surface formed on the side surface of the case is 
inserted smoothly without any trouble. On the other hand, when the case is 
inserted with the bottom surface thereof facing upward, that is, inserted 
upside down, the inverted keying surface interferes with the front end 
loading device and prevents the insertion of the cartridge. Furthermore, 
the data processing means mounted on the printed circuit board determines 
whether the cartridge is authentic or forged. 
In accordance with the present invention, an inverted insertion of the 
cartridge can be prevented without shifting the connector of the cartridge 
from the center as in the prior art. Accordingly, in accordance with the 
present invention, the cartridge can be made smaller and also an inverted 
insertion of the cartridge can be prevented effectively without reducing 
the degree of integration of the built-in printed circuit board. Also, in 
accordance with the present invention, the authenticity of the cartridge 
is verified by the data processing means. Accordingly, a determination as 
to 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 
unauthorized cartridges can be excluded. 
Thus, in accordance with the present invention, 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. 
These objects and object objects, features, aspects and advantages of the 
present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed 
description of the embodiments of the present invention when taken in 
conjunction with accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a cartridge as viewed from the front 
surface thereof, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the same as viewed 
from the rear face thereof. A cartridge 10 includes a case 12, and this 
case 12 includes a lower half 14 and an upper half 16. A rectangular 
opening 18 is formed at the end of the case 12 in the direction of 
insertion thereof, and an edge 20a of a printed circuit board accommodated 
in the case 12 is exposed in that opening 18. 
The cartridge 10 is inserted and loaded in a gaming machine main unit 42 as 
described later (FIG. 3) in the direction as shown by an arrow in FIG. 1A 
with the upper half 16 facing upward. Then, in the vicinity of the end of 
the case 12 in the direction of insertion, stepped portions 22 are formed 
at both side ends thereof. The case 12 is formed in a manner that the 
width of end portion in the direction of insertion is made narrower and 
the width of rest behind the same is made wider by these stepped portions 
22. A configuration similar to these stepped portions 22 is disclosed, for 
example, as a "neck portion 25" as shown in FIG. 1 in the U.S. Pat. No. 
4,500,879. However, in this embodiment a so-called front loading mechanism 
is adopted wherein the whole of the cartridge 10 is inserted into the 
gaming machine main unit 42 (FIG. 3), and therefore, unlike the one in the 
U.S. Pat. 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 setting the insertion amount of the cartridge 10, that is, the 
case 12 to a constant value. 
A concave or recess portion 24 is formed at the rear end of the upper half 
16 of the case 12 in the direction of insertion, and a concave or recess 
portion 26 is formed at the corresponding position of the lower half 14. 
These concave portions 24 and 26 serve as gripping surfaces for the 
fingers in taking the cartridge 10 out of the gaming machine main unit 42 
(FIG. 3.). 
The concave portion 26 of the lower half 14 also acts to inhibit the normal 
loading of any cartridge other than an authentic one into the gaming 
machine main unit. More specifically, the concave portion 26 of the lower 
half 16 allows loading of only a specially shaped cartridge wherein a 
concave portion of a certain depth is formed at the position of the 
concave portion 26 and prevents normal loading of any cartridge having a 
shape other than that in cooperation with a cylindrical protrusion 144 as 
shown if FIG. 6 as described later. Meanwhile, in the illustration, to 
serve also as a pinch portion, the concave portion 26 is formed so that 
the area thereof is considerably larger than the tip face of the 
cylindrical protrusion 144, but the concave portion 26 may be formed in a 
small notched portion or hold just large enough to allow this protrusion 
144 to be inserted. In this case, whether or not the cartridge is 
adaptable can be distinguished by a positional relationship or shape 
relationship between the cylindrical protrusion 144 and the notched 
portion or hole. 
As is well understood from FIG. 1B, keying surfaces 28 here provided by a 
chamfer having a certain inclination are formed at both side ends of the 
bottom face of the lower half 14. These keying portions 28 are for 
preventing the so-called reverse insertion, ie, attempted insertion of the 
cartridge 10 upside down. Then, edge portions having a shape different 
from the keying surfaces 28 are formed at both sides of the top face of 
the upper half 16. However, a surface having a different inclination from 
that of the keying surface 28, such as an edge portion having a smaller 
radius than the tapered portion 28, or a simple corner portion can be 
considered. Also, this keying surface 28 and the edge portion 
corresponding thereto may be formed along only one side of the case. 
In reference to FIG. 2, inside the case 12 formed by the lower half 14 and 
the upper half 16, a printed circuit board 20 is accommodated with a 
predetermined interval maintained by a spacer 42, and the edge portion 20a 
of this printed circuit board 20 is exposed to the opening 18 of the case 
12. The edge portion 20a of the printed circuit board 20 is positioned 
inward from the edge face of the opening 18 of the case 12 to prevent that 
portion from being damaged. On the edge portion 20a, a plurality of 
connecting electrodes 30 are connected to ROMs 32 and 34 and a 
microprocessor 36 which are mounted across the width of the printed 
circuit board 20. The printed circuit board 20 is fixed by inserting 
screws 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 the game. The microprocessor 36 functions 
as data processing means for determining whether or not the gaming machine 
main unit 42 in which the cartridge 10 is loaded is authentic and hence is 
allowed to be used. Accordingly, a determination on whether or not the 
cartridge is authentic is executed by cooperative actions of the 
microprocessor 36 and a microprocessor 202 of the gaming machine main 
processor unit 42. 
Cartridge 10 is inserted into the gaming machine main unit 24 as shown in 
FIG. 3. This main unit 42 includes a case 44, and a lid 46 is supported in 
a manner that permits opening or closing of the front end portion of the 
top face of this case 44. Then, in the case 44, a front loading apparatus 
62 is incorporated, which is described in detail later in reference to 
FIG. 4 through FIG. 7. 
Jacks 48 and 50 are provided on the front face of the case 44, and 
controllers 194a and 194b (FIG. 10), operated by the user 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 the power 
switch position and a reset switch 56 are installed. Furthermore, on the 
right side of the case 44, an external terminal 58 for sound signal and an 
external terminal 60 for video signal are installed, which provide signals 
to an image displaying apparatus, for example, a CRT 196 (FIG. 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 (FIG. 3) as shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, 
this frame 66 has a front wall 68 formed in the front thereof and side 
walls 70 and 72 formed at both sides thereof. These right and left side 
walls 70 and 72 are connected to connecting portions 74 and 76 at the end 
portions thereof in the direction of depth. Between these connecting 
portions 72 and 74, a slender opening 80 is formed so that an opening 170 
of an edge connector 78 can be inserted in it. 
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, brim 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 brim portions 86 and 88. 
On the outside faces of the side walls 70 and 72 cylindrical spring shoes 
90 and 92 as well understood from FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are formed. In front 
of these spring shoes 90 and 92, that is, in the rear thereof in the 
direction of insertion, engaging grooves 96 and 98 (FIG. 5) for defining 
the rotation limits of a tray 94 (FIG. 7) 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 70 and 72 to a height of 
nearly two-thirds of the height of the wllls. Then, in the vicinity of the 
stepped portions 82 and 84 of the side walls 70 and 72, shaft holes 100 
for rotatably supporting the tray 94 are formed respectively, and grooves 
102 extending from the top end portions of the side walls 70 and 72 to 
these shaft holes 100 are formed to those positions. 
In 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 walls 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 keying surfaces 28 of the cartridge 
10 (FIG. 1B) as described above. Accordingly, the faces of these 
protruding bars 110 and 112 work as contacting faces with the keying 
surfaces 28. This means that an inverted insertion of the cartridge 10 is 
prevented by the keying surfaces 28 and the protruding bars 110 and 112. 
On the top surface of the bottom plate 104 of the tray 94, rails 114 and 
116 having a rectangular or circular arc in cross-section are disposed in 
the vicinity of the side end portion extendingly in the direction of 
insertion of the cartridge 10. These rails prevent the surface of the 
lower half 14 from being brought in face-contact with the bottom plate 
104, thereby serving to reduce the contact resistance. Also, these rails 
act as reinforcing members of the bottom plate 104. 
Stepped portions 118 and 120 corresponding to the stepped portions 82 and 
84 of the frame 66 are formed in the side walls 106 and 108. These stepped 
portions 118 and 120 engage with the stepped portions 22 of the cartridge 
10, working to define the amount of insertion of the cartridge 10 at a 
constant value. 
As well understood from FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, inwardly protruding pieces 122, 
124, 126, and 128 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 pieced 122-128 and the top end faces of the rails 114 and 116 
is selected equal to or a little larger than the thickness of the case 12 
of the cartridge 10. Accordingly, the cartridge 10 is inserted between the 
rails 114 and 116 and the protruding pieced 122-128. The protruding pieces 
122-128 cause the cartridge 10 to move with the tray when it is rotated 
downward. 
A reinforcing plate 130 composed of metal or the like is mounted on a pair 
of protruding pieces 122 and 124 at the rear end side in the direction of 
insertion of the cartridge 10. This reinforcing plate 130 presents the 
bottom plate 104 from warping, and also acts to prevent downward rotation 
of the tray unless the cartridge is fully inserted. 
Furthermore, because the reinforcing plate 130 is composed of a conductive 
material and connected to frame 66, it acts also as means for preventing 
electric interference of the cartridge by discharging charges on the case 
12. 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 to 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, 36 and the like are protected effectively from 
electrostatic electricity. 
On the top end portions of the side walls 106 and 108 of the tray 94, 
spring stopping pieces 132 and 134 are formed in an outward-protruding 
fashion at the positions of the spring shoes 90 and 92 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 rotatably mounted to a shaft (not illustrated) passing 
through holes 100 and biased upwardly by these coil springs 136. Then, 
engaging protrusions 138 (FIG. 7) 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 front end of the bottom plate 104 
and a hole 146 is formed in this stepped portion 140. Inside the front 
wall 68 of the frame 66, a holding plate 142 is formed beneath portion 
140. A cylindrical protrusion 144 extends upward from plate 142. The outer 
diameter of the cylindrical protrusion 144 is a little smaller than the 
inner diameter of hole 146, and the height thereof protrudes beyond the 
top surface of the bottom plate 104 by a length equivalent to the depth of 
the concave portion 26 of the cartridge (FIG. 1B). In addition, the 
cylindrical protrusion 144 is positioned such that when the cartridge 10 
is inserted into the tray 94, and the tray 94 is rotated downward into the 
operating position, the top end of the cylindrical protrusion 144 contacts 
the bottom of portion 26. Thereby, the normal loading of the cartridge 10 
is made possible. 
If any cartridge not having the concave portion 26 is inserted, the top end 
of the cylindrical protrusion 144 will contact the rear face of the 
cartridge when the tray is rotated downward, preventing loading of the 
cartridge. Thus, the cylindrical protrusion 144 acts to inhibit loading of 
any cartridge other than the one having a concave portion substantially 
identical to concave portion 26. 
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 FIG. 7, 
includes a key mechanism 150 which is provided on the front wall 68 and is 
equivalent to a key. It also includes a cam mechanism 152 for locking 
which is provided under the stepped portion 140 and is equivalent to a 
lock. As shown in FIG. 7, the key mechanism 150 includes an engaging 
groove 154 formed on rear side of the front wall 68, and a plate spring 
156 is fixed to this engaging groove 154. A U-shaped hook pin 158 is 
forced into contact with the cam mechanism 152 by the plate spring 156, 
and further a holder 159 fixes the top end of the hook pin 158 and 
supports the bottom end thereof in a manner capable of swinging. 
As shown in FIG. 8, the cam mechanism 152 includes a heart-shaped groove 
160 which is a little wider than the thickness of the above-described hook 
pin 158. An engaging protrusion 162 is formed by an island portion 
surrounded by this heart-shaped groove 160, and a groove 164 extending 
downward 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 (FIG. 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 side of 
the engaging protrusion 162. Accordingly, the bottom end of the hook pin 
158 is brought to the position shown by a point p1 in FIG. 8. The dash-dot 
line in FIG. 8 represents the path followed by the bottom end of the hook 
pin 158 in the heart-shaped groove 160. Thereafter, if the downward force 
against the tray 94 is relaxed, this tray 94 is restored upward by the 
elastic force of the coil springs 136 (FIG. 4). Then, the bottom end of 
the hook pin 158 engages with 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 FIG. 8. Thereby the tray 94 is retained in the locked state. 
On the other hand, when the cartridge 10 is to be removed, the tray 94 is 
pressed downward again. When the bottom end of the hook pin 158 reaches 
point p3, the downward force against the tray 94 is relaxed and the bottom 
end of the hook pin 158 moves along the heart-shaped groove 160 at the 
left side of the engaging protrusions 162, the groove 164 and the 
trumpet-shaped groove 166, to the bottom end of this trumped-shaped groove 
166. That is, the bottom end of the hook pin 158 moves so as to depict a 
locus as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 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 ejecting mechanism. 
Accordingly, the configuration of the locking mechanism 148 of the tray 94 
can be simplified and miniaturized. Obviously, the configuration may be 
made in a manner that such a locking mechanism is constituted with a lever 
or the like, and locking by this lever can be released in interlocking 
with an operation of an eject button (not illustrated). 
As shown in FIG. 4, the opening 170 of the edge connector 78 is engaged 
with the opening 80 at the front end of the frame 66 in the direction of 
insertion of the cartridge 10. Case 168 of edge connector 78 has a 
U-shaped cross section and two vertically spaced openings 170 and 172. The 
edge portions of printed circuit board 20 and a printed circuit board 182 
are inserted into these openings 170 and 172, respectively. 
To be further detailed, as shown in FIG. 9, the front end of the upper 
portion of the case 168 protrudes forward beyond the front end of the 
lower portion thereof, and accordingly the opening 170 is positioned 
forward beyond the opening 172. Then, the printed circuit board 20 of the 
cartridge 10 is inserted obliquely into the opening 170. In order to 
accommodate the circuit boards, upper opening 170 is oriented in the 
direction of insertion of board 20 whereas lower opening 172 is oriented 
horizontally as shown. 
A number of pairs of spring electrodes 178 and 180 are accommodated in the 
case 168 and these pairs are uniformly spaced in the direction of width of 
the edge connector 78. To locate the spring electrodes 178 and 180 in the 
case, grooves or partitions may be formed on the inner face of the case 
168. The respective lower open ends of the spring electrodes 178 and 180 
are bent in a V-shape, being formed as contacting portions 178b and 180b 
which are faced each other. 
The upper open end of the spring electrode 178 is bent in a V-shape to form 
the contacting portion 178a, and the upper open end of the spring 
electrode 180 is bent outward 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. The contacting portion 180a and the 
contacting portion 178a are positioned so as to be spaced 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 little larger than the thickness of the 
printed circuit board 20 is kept between them. Then, a stopper protrusion 
184 for defining the insertion depth of the printed circuit board 20 is 
formed under the contacting portion 178a. 
In order to load the cartridge it is inserted in the tray until the tip 
portion 20a (FIG. 2) of the printd circuit board 20 of the cartridge 10 
strikes against the stopper protrusion 184. Next the tray and cartridge 
are rotated downward, pressing circuit board 20 against 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. Thereby the 
printed circuit board 20 can be loaded easily. 
When a game is played using the gaming machine main unit 42 (FIG. 3), first 
the external terminal 58 for sound and the external terminal 60 for video 
are connected to the CRT 196 (FIG. 10) such as a home TV set. Thereafter, 
the lid 46 is opened, and the cartridge 10 is inserted into the tray 94 so 
that the lower half 14 thereof becomes the down side (FIG. 7). 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 170 of the case 168 of 
the edge connector 78, that is, the whole of the upper open end 168a fits 
into the opening 18 (FIG. 1A) of the case 12 of the cartridge 10. In this 
state, as shown in FIG. 9, the printed circuit board 20 of the cartridge 
10 has an inclination of about 10 degrees to printed circuit board 182 of 
the gaming machine main unit 42. In that position the spring electrodes 
178 are not in perfect contact with the contacts 30 of the printed circuit 
board 20. 
Subsequently, the cartridge 10 and the tray 94 are pressed downward from 
above. When an authentic cartridge is inserted, and the tray 94 is pressed 
downward, and the locking mechanism 148 locks the tray 94 while holding 
the same in the horizontal state. Accordingly, the conductive patterns of 
the printed circuit board 20 are brought into firm electrical contact with 
the corresponding spring electrodes 178 and 180 in the upper opening 170 
of the edge connector 78. Thereafter, the lid 46 (FIG. 3) is closed and 
the game can be played using the controllers 194a and 194b (FIG. 10). 
If any cartridge not having a concave portion analogous to concave portion 
26 (FIG. 1B) is inserted into the tray 94, the tray 94 cannot be pressed 
down because the cylindrical protrusion 144 (FIG. 6) strikes the rear face 
of the cartridge. 
In reference to FIG. 10, the controllers 194a and 194b are connected to the 
gaming machine main unit 42 through the jacks 48 and 50 and the CRT 196 is 
connected through the external terminals 58 and 60 (FIG. 3). Also, the 
printed circuit board 182 connected by contacting portions 178b and 180b 
of the above-described edge connector 78 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 preferably is composed 
of a four-bit microprocessor like the microprocessor for determining 
authenticity 36 mounted on the printed circuit 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 (FIG. 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. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the printed circuit 
board 20 of the cartridge 10 and printed circuit board 182 of the gaming 
machine main unit 42 are connected electrically by the edge connector 78. 
Then, a clock signal from the clock oscillator 204 is given also to the 
microprocessor for determining authenticity 36 mounted on the printed 
circuit board 20 of the cartridge 10 through the edge connector 78; that 
is, the contacting portions 178b, 180b, 178a and 180a. 
Next further detailed description is made of the microprocessor 36 for 
determining authenticity in reference to FIG. 11. In addition, the 
microprocessor 202 of the gaming machine main unit side is of a similiar 
configuration, and therefore in FIG. 11, reference symbols relating 
thereto are shown in parentheses, and duplicate description is omitted 
here. 
As described above, the microprocessors 36 and 202 determine whether the 
cartridge 10 is authentic or forged in cooperation with each other. The 
functions of these two microprocessors 36 and 202 can be compared to the 
relation 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 FIG. 10, a predetermined terminal of the lock microprocessor 
202 is grounded, while a predetermined terminal of the key microprocessor 
36 is 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 the key microprocessor 36 and the lock microprocessor 202, corresponding 
terminals I, O and R are connected respectively through the edge connector 
78 to give and receive data therebetween. Also, as described above, a 
clock signal CLK from the common clock oscillator 204 is given to these 
two microprocessors 36 and 202. The microprocessors 36 and 202 operate in 
the state that respective operation periods and phases are perfectly 
synchronized. 
In reference to FIG. 11, the key microprocessor 36 is preferably 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 programs contains a plurality of kinds of arithmetic operation 
formulas and data of random numbers for arithmetic operation. Also, the 
operation programs contains a determining program for comparing and 
checking the result of operation 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 the reset or release of reset state of the gaming machine main 
unit 42 based on the result of determination by the above-described 
determining program. 
An accumulator 36d is connected to the CPU 36a. On the other hand, a 
register 36e is connected to the ROM 36b. The register 36e is for 
temporary 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 this I/O port 
36g, 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 (FIG. 10) and 
for frequency dividing the same in 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 
in reference to a timing chart in FIG. 12. As described above, the 
frequency divider 36f makes a 1/4 frequency-division of the clock signal 
CLK from the clock oscillator 204. Accordingly, four signals having 
different phases o1, o2, o3 and o4 are obtained from the frequency divider 
36f. These signals o1-o4 are given to the CPU 36a. The CPU 36a performs 
predetermined sequential operations synchronized with these four signals 
o1-o4. For example, it reads data from the I/O port 36g synchronized with 
the signal o1, performs a predetermined arithmetic operation processing 
(data processing) synchronized with the signals o2 and o3, and outputs 
data from the I/O port 36g synchronized with the final signal o4. 
In addition, these signals o1-o4 are given also to the lock microprocessor 
202, and accordingly the two microprocessors 36 and 202 operate in perfect 
synchronization. The architectures and the numbers of steps of the 
operation programs are the same as are the clock signals and hardware, so 
respective machine cycles coincide completely. 
In reference to FIG. 13, after the cartridge 10 is loaded in the gaming 
machine main unit 42, and the main unit power switch 52 or the reset 
switch 56 is turned on, a reset operation of the lock microprocessor 202 
is performed. In step S10, 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 to function as a key. As explained with 
reference to FIG. 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. If it determines that it is to function as a key, for 
example, due to wrong wiring, malfunction or the like, it is put in the 
unstable state, not performing any operation. 
When "YES" is determined in step S11, in step 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 (FIG. 10) are placed in the 
reset state and disabled until the reset is 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, o4 and the signal o1 
of the next period. Consequently, the key microprocessor 36 is sure to 
start operation with that signal o1. Accordingly, the key microprocessor 
36 starts operation with the same machine cycle as that of the lock 
microprocessor 202. Thereby, the two microprocessors 36 and 202 are 
synchronized, and thereafter the respective microprocessors perform 
operations in a perfectly synchronized state. 
When the reset of the key microprocessor 36 is released in step S13, the 
key microprocessor 36 determines whether it is to function as a lock or a 
key in the next step S11'. In this step S11' a determination is made 
whether the terminal of the key microprocessor 36 is grounded or connected 
to the power source similar to the above-described determination made in 
step S11. When "NO" is determined in the step S11', an unstable state 
takes place and no operations are performed at all. When "YES" is 
determined in step S11', operations in step S14' and following steps are 
executed. 
On the other hand, the lock microprocessor 202 executes step S13 and 
thereafter executes operations in step S14 and following steps. 
Thereafter, in the lock microprocessor 202 and the key microprocessor 36, 
the same operations can be performed in synchronization, that is, in 
coincidence in the time axis. 
First, in step S14'; the lock microprocessor 202 and the key microprocessor 
36 output ciphered codes in a random number fashion from respective 
program ROMs 202b and 36b (FIG. 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 
identical. 
Next, in steps S15 and S15', the lock microprocessor 202 and the key 
microprocessor 36 exchange data and receive the ciphered codes generated 
by the counterportion, respectively. Then, in steps S16 and S16', the both 
perform predetermined data processings based on the ciphered codes 
inputted fro mthe counterportions. Arithmetic operation formulas used for 
these arithmetic operation processings are identical in the two 
microprocessor 36 and 202, and therefore when the inputted ciphered codes 
are the same, the results of these arithmetic operation are identical. 
Then, in steps S17 and S17', the lock microprocessor 202 and the key 
microprocessor 36 send the result of arithmetic operation to the 
counterportion, respectively. Responsively, in steps S18 and S18', the two 
microprocessors 36 and 202 receive the result of arithmetic operation 
inputted from the counterportion, respectively. Here, since the key 
microprocessor 36 and the lock microprocessor 202 perform the same 
operation at the same timing, the results of arithmetic operations 
inputted from the counterportion are to be inputted at the same timing. 
Accordingly, in this embodiment, not only coincidence in the result of 
arithmetic operation but also coincidence in the time axis are taken into 
consideration to determine whether or not the cartridge is authentic. 
Next, in step S18, the lock microprocessor 202 compares and checks the 
result of arithmetic operation done by itself against the result or 
arithmetic operation given from the key microprocessor 36, determining 
whether or not both coincide with each other. As a result of this check, 
if "NO" is determined, the lock microprocessor 202 holds the reset state 
of each circuit in the gaming machine main unit 42, namely, the CPU 198, 
the PPU 200 and the like in the next step S20. Thereby, the gaming machine 
main unit 42 is inhibited to execute the game program. 
In addition, in place of such a holding of the reset state, an alarm may be 
raised in response to a determination of noncoincidence, 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 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 based on a predetermined 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 uses the two sets of 
random numbers as values to be substituted into the selected arithmetic 
operation formula. More specifically, in this embodiment, n (a positive 
integer) kinds of arithmetic operation formulas are set in advance as the 
second arithmetic operation processing (data processing) in the arithmetic 
operation program and an arithmetic operation formula is selected from 
among them in response to the second data of random numbers. Next, in step 
S24, arithmetic operation by the two sets of random numbers is executed 
based on the selected arithmetic operation formula. These operations in 
steps S19-S24 are performed also in the key microprocessor 36 in the same 
manner at quite the same timing. Then, the random function for generating 
the two sets of random numbers employed here is also the same as that 
employed in the lock microprocessor 202. Then, conditions given to the 
random function for generating the two sets of random numbers are quite 
the same for the lock microprocessor 202 and the key microprocessor 36. 
Accordingly, if the cartridge 10 is compatible with the main unit 42, the 
same arithmetic operation formula is selected, and the results of the 
arithmetic operation also be 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 they both coincide. 
If the cartridge 10 loaded in the gaming machine main unit 42 is not 
authentic, the result of arithmetic operation by the both do not coincide, 
and therefore the lock microprocessor 202 forcedly puts the CPU 198, and 
PPU 200 and the like in the reset state so as to stop the following 
operations in step S27. 
On the other hand, in the lock microprocessor 202, when the result of 
arithmetic operation by itself and the result of arithmetic operation 
received from the key microprocessor 36 coincide, processing 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 unit 42 operates, but if a 
non-coincidence takes place even once during operations, the step S27 is 
executed, and operations of the CPU 198 and the PPO 200 are stopped. 
Thereby, execution of the game program in the main unit 42 is inhibited. 
Meanwhile, the same operations as in step S26 ans S27 are performed also in 
the key microprocessor 36. However, the key microprocessor 36 has no 
effect 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, because terminals for 
chip selection are installed normally in the ROMs 32 and 34, it is also 
possible that these terminals are disabled and thereby the microprocessor 
198 and the PPU 200 of the gaming machine main unit 42 side are 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 checking 
of the result thereof are further performed in steps S22-S26 continuously 
as long as the gaming machine main unit 42 operates. Therefore the 
determination of whether or not the cartridge 10 is authentic can be made 
with a high degree of certainty. Accordingly, when any cartridge which 
copies the ROMs 32 and 34 in the cartridge 10 or comprises ROMs storing 
programs similar thereto is used, such a protection for software cannot be 
broken unless hardware identical to the key microprocessor 36 is obtained. 
Also, by using custom ICs as the key microprocessor 36 and the lock 
microprocessor 202, such a protection can be made more completely. 
Thus, with the cooperation of microprocessor 26 in the cartridge and 
microprocessor 202 in the gaming machine main unit 42, the software of the 
cartridge 10 can be protected completely. Accordingly use of any cartridge 
other than an authentic one is prevented. 
In accordance with the present invention, by means of a peculiar shape of 
the cartridge 10 and by the data processing means accommodated in the 
cartridge 10, whether or not the cartridge is authentic can be determined 
perfectly, and thereby use of any cartridge other than the authentic one 
can be excluded. 
In addition, the cartridge 10 in accordance with the present invention may 
be used with other gaming machines having an inserting port adapted to 
receive the cartridge where the cartridge is inserted from the upper 
portion of the main unit. 
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment in accordance 
with the present invention. The cartridge 10' of the embodiment is 
modified in some respects from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A through 
FIG. 2 to facilitate manufacture. More specifically, in the opening 18 of 
the upper half 16, a partitioning plate 210 having a notched portion 208 
is formed. Also, near both sides of the partitioning plates 210, there are 
formed protrusions 212 and 214 for positioning. These positioning 
protrusions 212 and 214 are formed in an L-shape or step-shape 
correspondingly to the form of the both 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, thereby 
preventing the mounting of printed circuit board 20 in reverse in the case 
12. 
Meanwhile, instead of the single printed circuit board unit 20, a printed 
circuit board unit 20' may be used. Board unit 20' includes a first 
printed circuit board 215, a second printed circuit board 218 and a double 
edge connector 220 for interconnecting the both printed circuit board 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. It 
will provide a cartridge 10' usable with printed circuit board 218 for 
another kind of game and having the number of connecting electrodes 
different from that of the edge connector 78. In this case, the number of 
the connecting electrodes formed on the tip 20a of the first printed 
circuit board 216 is selected equal to the number of the connecting 
electrodes of the printed circuit board 20 of the above described 
embodiment. Also the number of the connecting electrodes formed at the 
rear end of the first printed circuit board 216 is selected 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 part of the double edge connector 220 and, the 
second printed circuit board 218 is inserted into the other insertion part 
of the double edge connector 220. 
At the both right and left sides of the double edge 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 hold 228 is 
formed at the position shifted from the hole 226. 
On the other hand, in the case where the printed circuit board unit 20' is 
used, mounting posts 230 and 232 having threaded holes therein and 
positioning post 234 are formed on the upper half 16. On an outer 
periphery of the mounting post 232, a fin-shaped protrusion 236 is formed 
below the position corresponding to the thickness of the second printed 
circuit board 218. Therefore, the mounting of printed circuit board unit 
20' is facilitated and a reverse mounting of the board is prevented. 
Further, by such structure, it is possible to secure stably the printed 
circuit board unit 20' to the case 12. 
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in 
detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration 
and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit 
and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the 
appended claims.