Game machine apparatus

Abstract

A game machine having a plurality of controllers with memory devices corresponding one-to-one to the controllers so that it is possible to store game control processes and the like personal to individual game users and improve the freedom with which a game can be joined, played and left by each of a plurality of players. A game machine having a plurality of controllers is removably provided with memory devices corresponding one-to-one to respective controllers and a structure allowing live unplugging of the controllers and the memory devices is adopted so that for example even during a game they can be freely unplugged/plugged with respect to the game machine proper.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A game machine apparatus having a game machine proper which is loaded with a program medium and controls the state of a game and a controller for controlling the game machine proper, comprising: 
 a connector attached to the controller;    a connector socket provided in the game machine proper into which the connector is removably fitted;    a memory device for storing information relating to the controller; and    a memory device socket into which the memory device is removably fitted provided in the game machine proper in the vicinity of the connector socket.    
     
     
         2 . A game machine apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the memory device can store control states of one or a plurality of players.    
     
     
         3 . A game machine apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the memory device has plurality of signal terminals and power supply terminals and the power supply terminals extend further outward than the signal terminals.    
     
     
         4 . A game machine apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the power supply terminals include two terminals between which are disposed the signal terminals.    
     
     
         5 . A game machine apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 grip portions of the controller and the memory device are substantially the same shape.    
     
     
         6 . A game machine apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the grip portions are non-slip machined.    
     
     
         7 . A game machine apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein: 
 the memory device is provided with non-volatile memory.    
     
     
         8 . A memory device for insertion into a game apparatus having a game machine proper which is loaded with a program medium and controls the state of a game and a controller for controlling the game machine proper and a connector attached to the controller and a connector socket in the game machine proper into which the connector is removably fitted, the memory device being for recording information relating to the controller and being fitted removably with respect to the game machine proper into a socket provided in the game machine proper in the vicinity of the connector socket.  
     
     
         9 . A memory device according to  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the memory device can store control states of one or a plurality of players.    
     
     
         10 . A memory device according to  claim 9 , wherein: 
 the memory device has a plurality of signal terminals and power supply terminals and the power supply terminals extend further outward than the signal terminals.    
     
     
         11 . A memory device according to  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the power supply terminals include two terminals between which are disposed the signal terminals.    
     
     
         12 . A memory device according to  claim 11 , wherein: 
 grip portions of the controller and the memory device are substantially the same shape.    
     
     
         13 . A memory device according to  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the grip portions are non-slip machined.    
     
     
         14 . A memory device according  13 , wherein: 
 the memory device is provided with non-volatile memory.