Cartridge programming system for game programs

摘要

The game programming system uses rewritable cartridges that are compatible with commercially available game systems to produce game cartridges at a rental outlet. It provides just-in-time delivery of the desired game. The manufacturing system comprises a programming device for loading digital content from computer storage to program a rewritable game cartridge. The game cartridge incorporates reprogrammable flash memory. The flash rewritable cartridge manufacturing system honors only cartridges containing identification hardware that provide verification of it as proprietary to a particular manufacturer or authorized dealer. The system provides for the game content to be erased from the cartridge when it is returned to the dealer and new game content can be programmed and the cartridge can be reused. The game manufacturing process includes the steps of a customer's game selection being used to initiate the manufacturing process by scanning a bar code from an empty box or selection slip. An appropriate cartridge is identified and erased. The manufacturing system then writes the game cartridge from content data in a games storage computer and sends information to a printer for producing identification and instructional inserts for the game. The game computer has stored therein the game content for all of the games. After the game-to-be-"burned" indicia is provided to the game storage computer, and a cartridge is installed, the sequence of loading the game and additional identifying information into the flash RAM is commenced. The manufacturing system functions so that if timely connections are not made between the game storage computer and a host computer, the game burner application time counter will not be reset by regularly transmitted and expected transactional data, and the system will only operate for a limited period of time and will then cease to function.