JP2000312749A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of smoothly displaying changes in symbol images based on three-dimensional information. SOLUTION: First pose data and second pose data for indicating the first and second configurations of a fish object composed of a plurality of component objects are read from within a program ROM (T31). The number of frames required for the fish object to be deformed from the first configuration to the second configuration is deduced (T32). Intermediate pose data are calculated which are obtained when data about rotating angles involved in each pose data, by which the attitude of each component object is rotated, are interpolated according to the number of frames (T33). The first pose data, intermediate pose data, and second pose data are determined in order whereby the configuration of the fish object is changed from the first configuration to the intermediate configuration and from the intermediate configuration to the second configuration. As a result, the fish object can be displayed smoothly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine such as a pachinko machine, a slot machine or a coin game machine.
In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for displaying a change in an object in a virtual three-dimensional space.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a pachinko machine, a display image in which a reduced or enlarged two-dimensional picture image is superimposed on a two-dimensional background image drawn in advance using a perspective method or the like is generated. Display the image on the monitor. At this time, by changing the pattern image on the background image, a realistic display mode is realized, and the interest of the player playing the gaming machine is maintained.

[0003]

However, the conventional pachinko machines described above have the following problems. For example, in the case of performing a display in which a picture image is rotated to realize a more realistic display, it is necessary to prepare a two-dimensional picture image for each rotation angle. Problem. Also,
Even if a two-dimensional picture image is prepared for each rotation angle and the picture images are displayed in a rotating manner, only a predetermined number of picture images can be displayed, so that a monotonous display mode is obtained. That is inevitable. Therefore, in recent years,
An object composed of a plurality of three-dimensional polygons corresponding to a three-dimensional picture image is varied in a virtual three-dimensional space, and the state of the variation is displayed based on a given viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space. Thus, it has been attempted to display the fluctuation of the picture image.

However, in order to smoothly fluctuate the object placed in the virtual three-dimensional space, it is necessary to move the object finely. Therefore, a lot of pose data for indicating each form of the object is required. And the data amount becomes enormous. Specifically, when the pose data indicating one mode of a single object is 6 bytes, the display is updated at 30 frames per second, and when the change of the object is displayed for 20 seconds, 6 bytes × 30 frames × 20 Second = 3600
It is necessary to store the pause data for bytes in advance. Further, when the object is formed of n component objects, 3600 × n bytes of pause data are required. As a result, the data amount for changing the object becomes large, so that a storage area for storing the program must be large, and a storage area for a program or data for performing another type of display is pressed. The problem arises. On the other hand, if you simply reduce the pause data to prevent the program from growing too large,
There is a problem that the fluctuation of the object is not smooth.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a gaming machine that can smoothly change an object based on three-dimensional information with a relatively small amount of data. And

[0006]

The present invention has the following configuration in order to achieve the above object. 1. The configuration of the present invention displays a game state generating means for generating any one of at least two kinds of game states, an image changing means for changing a picture image according to the generated game state, and displaying the change of the picture image. A game machine provided with a display unit, wherein the image changing unit is configured to output the three-dimensional information corresponding to the pattern image based on form instruction information for designating a first form and a second form of the object. An intermediate information calculation unit configured to calculate intermediate form instruction information for designating at least one intermediate form between the first form and the second form of the object, based on the form instruction information and the intermediate form instruction information, The object is sequentially transformed from the first form to the intermediate form and from the intermediate form to the second form, and the transformed object is sequentially placed in the virtual three-dimensional space. An object changing means for changing the object in the virtual three-dimensional space by arranging, and an output means for displaying and outputting the change of the object in the virtual three-dimensional space to the display means. is there.

[0007] 2. Configuration 2 is a game state generating means for generating one of at least two types of game states, an image changing means for changing a picture image according to the generated game state, and a display means for displaying a change in the picture image. A game machine comprising: an object information storage unit that stores an object that is three-dimensional information corresponding to the picture image; and a first mode and a second mode of the object according to the gaming state. Instruction information storage means storing form instruction information for instructing each of the objects, and intermediate form instruction information for instructing at least one intermediate form between the first form and the second form of the object, Intermediate information calculating means for calculating based on the form instruction information stored in the instruction information storage means, and The object information the objects read from the storage means the first
From the form to the intermediate form and from the intermediate form to the second form, and the transformed object
An object changing unit that changes the object in the virtual three-dimensional space by sequentially arranging the object in the three-dimensional space; and an output unit that displays and outputs the change of the object in the virtual three-dimensional space to the display unit. It is a gaming machine characterized by the following. According to this configuration, the game state generating means generates one of at least two types of game states. The image changing means changes the picture image displayed on the display means according to the game state. At this time, the intermediate information calculation means reads the form instruction information indicating the first form and the second form of the object from the instruction information storage means, and determines the first form and the second form based on the form instruction information. Intermediate form instruction information of a single or a plurality of intermediate forms which are forms between them is calculated. The object changing unit reads the object from the object information storage unit and sequentially deforms the object from the first form to the intermediate form and from the intermediate form to the second form. Further, the object changing unit sequentially arranges the deformed objects in the virtual three-dimensional space. Thereby, the object is changed in the virtual three-dimensional space. The output means displays and displays the change of the object on the display means. As a result, since the object of the intermediate form is provided while the object is deformed from the first form to the second form, the deformation of the object can be displayed smoothly. Further, since the intermediate form instruction information indicating the intermediate form is calculated based on the form information of the first form and the second form, the form designating information indicating the form of the object is reduced as compared with the related art. Becomes possible. Therefore, the gaming machine can be manufactured at low cost, and the object, that is, the smooth variation of the three-dimensional picture image can be displayed, so that the interest of the player can be maintained.

[0008] 3. In the gaming machine according to the above configuration 1 or 2, the intermediate information calculation unit may determine the intermediate information of the intermediate form in accordance with an elapsed time within a time required to transform the object from the first form to the second form. This is for calculating the form instruction information. According to this configuration, the intermediate information calculation unit determines whether the first mode and the second mode are based on the ratio of the time required to transform from the first mode to the second mode and the elapsed time within the time. The intermediate form instruction information of the intermediate form is calculated. As a result, it is possible to more smoothly display the object that changes from the first mode to the second mode with the lapse of time.

4. In the gaming machine according to the above configuration 3,
The intermediate information calculating means may store the object in the first
Intermediate form instruction information is calculated such that the degree of deformation of the object changes at an accelerating rate in accordance with the elapsed time within the time required to transform from the form to the second form. According to this configuration, the intermediate information calculation means includes the first
The first mode and the second mode are determined based on the ratio between the time required to transform the mode to the second mode and the elapsed time within the time.
Intermediate form instruction information is calculated such that the degree of deformation of the intermediate form with the form becomes larger or smaller. As a result, when the object is transformed from the first form to the second form with the lapse of time, the degree of deformation of the object can be displayed so as to accelerate or decelerate, for example, and the interest of the player can be made permanent. .

[0010] 5. In the gaming machine according to the above configuration 3,
The intermediate information calculating means may store the object in the first
Intermediate form instruction information is calculated such that the degree of deformation of the object is changed at a constant speed in accordance with the elapsed time within the time required to transform from the form to the second form. According to this configuration, the intermediate information calculation means includes the first
The first mode and the second mode are determined based on the ratio between the time required to transform the mode to the second mode and the elapsed time within the time.
Intermediate form instruction information which is gradually deformed at a constant speed between the forms is calculated. As a result, the first
When the object is deformed from the form to the second form, the object can be displayed so as to be gradually deformed, for example, at a constant speed, and the fun of the player can be made permanent.

6. In the gaming machine according to the above configuration 2,
The object is a connected object formed by connecting a plurality of component objects, and the instruction information storage unit is configured to deform the connected object from a first form to a second form according to the game state. Posture instruction information that respectively designates a first posture and a second posture of each of the component objects constituting the connected object, and the intermediate information calculation unit stores the first and second posture information of each of the component objects. Calculating intermediate posture instruction information for instructing at least one intermediate posture between the posture and the second posture based on the posture instruction information of the first posture and the second posture of each of the component objects; The change unit is configured to change the component object from the first posture to the intermediate posture based on the posture instruction information and the intermediate posture instruction information. The connected object is changed in the virtual three-dimensional space by sequentially changing the connected object composed of the component objects of the changed posture in the virtual three-dimensional space while sequentially changing from the force to the second posture. Things. According to this configuration, the object is a connected object having a joint part in which a plurality of component objects are connected. The intermediate information calculating means and the object changing means change the posture of each component object constituting the connected object in order to deform the connected object. That is,
The intermediate information calculating means is configured to determine the first and second orientations of the component object based on the orientation instruction information.
Intermediate posture instruction information of an intermediate posture which is a posture between the posture and the second posture is calculated. The object changing means changes the posture of each part object from the first posture to the middle posture and from the middle posture to the second posture, and sequentially arranges the connected objects constituted by the respective part objects in the virtual three-dimensional space. . As a result, each of the plurality of component objects in the connected object is changed, so that a complicated and smooth display can be realized.

7. In the gaming machine according to the above configuration 6,
The intermediate information calculation means calculates intermediate posture instruction information of an intermediate posture of each of the component objects according to an elapsed time within a time period until the connected object is deformed from the first mode to the second mode. is there. According to this configuration, the intermediate information calculation unit determines the first posture of each component object based on the ratio between the time required to transform the connected object from the first mode to the second mode and the elapsed time within the time. Intermediate posture instruction information of an intermediate posture between the second posture and the second posture is calculated. As a result, an object that changes from the first mode to the second mode with elapsed time can be displayed in a complicated and smoother manner.

8. The gaming machine according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko machine. As a basic configuration of this pachinko machine, an operation handle is provided, and in response to the operation of the handle, a game ball is fired at a predetermined game area, and the game ball wins an operating port arranged at a predetermined position in the game area. As a necessary condition, the change of the picture image on the display means starts. During the occurrence of the specific game state, the winning opening arranged at a predetermined position in the game area is opened in a predetermined mode to enable the game balls to be won, and the value corresponding to the number of the winnings (for example, if only premium balls are used). Not including writing on a magnetic card). As a result, the fun of the player can be made permanent.

[0014]

The operation of the present invention is as follows. The game state generating means generates one of at least two types of game states. The image changing means changes the picture image displayed on the display means according to the game state. At this time, the intermediate information calculation means may include a single or a plurality of intermediate forms, which are forms between the first form and the second form, based on the form instruction information indicating the first form and the second form of the object. Is calculated. The object changing means sequentially transforms the object into the first form based on the form instruction information, the object into the intermediate form based on the intermediate form instruction information, and the object into the second form based on the form instruction information. Further, the object changing unit sequentially arranges the deformed objects in the virtual three-dimensional space. Thus, the object becomes virtual 3
Fluctuated in dimensional space. The output means displays and displays the change of the object on the display means.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A pachinko machine will be described as an example of a gaming machine that displays a three-dimensional image. The gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to a pachinko machine,
For example, the present invention can be applied to a slot machine, a coin game machine, and the like.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a pachinko machine according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control board and an image display device provided in the pachinko machine.

The pachinko machine of the present embodiment has a game board 7 having a control board 1 (see FIG. 2) for controlling the entire pachinko machine.
A frame 3 on which the game board 7 is mounted, an upper tray 4 provided below the game board 7, and a firing device (not shown) for firing the pachinko balls stored in the upper tray 4 onto the game board 7. Is connected to a rotary handle 5, a lower tray 6 provided below the upper tray 4, and a screen 4a of the liquid crystal monitor 4 for displaying an identification symbol for identifying a game state by a player. And an image display device 2 mounted so as to be disposed substantially at the center of the image display device. The control board 1 corresponds to the game state generating means in the present invention, the image display device 2 corresponds to the image changing means in the present invention, and the liquid crystal monitor 4 provided in the image display device 2 corresponds to the display means in the present invention.

The screen 4a of the liquid crystal monitor 4 shows a state of a change (movement, rotation, deformation, etc.) of a plurality of identification symbols, which are images based on three-dimensional information, and a change of a symbol other than the identification symbols. Is displayed according to the gaming state of the gaming machine. The identification symbol is an image for causing the player to recognize the gaming state of the gaming machine. For example, if three fluctuating identification symbols stop with the same type, the player recognizes that a specific gaming state has occurred. On the other hand, if the three identification symbols stop with different types, a normal gaming state. Is maintained by the player. Further, the symbols other than the identification symbols are auxiliary images displayed to enhance the effect of the display in the display mode. The identification design and other designs are
This corresponds to a picture image in the present invention. Further, as will become clear later, the identification symbol is an image in which a three-dimensional object arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space is displayed two-dimensionally, and the object is displayed on the image display device 2 in a virtual three-dimensional space. In this case, the identification symbol is changed and displayed on the screen 4a. The specific gaming state is a state that is advantageous to a player who can obtain a large number of pachinko balls, and the normal gaming state is a state that is disadvantageous to a player who consumes pachinko balls.

The game board 7 has a rail 7a for guiding the pachinko ball shot by the rotary handle 5 to the board surface,
A plurality of nails (not shown) for guiding pachinko balls to unspecified locations, a plurality of winning holes 7b for winning pachinko balls guided by the nails, and a pachinko ball guided substantially near the center of the game board 7 Is provided, and a large winning opening 7d is provided in which a relatively large number of pachinko balls can be simultaneously won in a specific game state. Each of the winning opening 7b, the starting opening 7c and the special winning opening 7d has a winning detecting sensor 11 for detecting the entry of a pachinko ball.
(See FIG. 2). When the winning detection sensor 11 detects the entry of a pachinko ball, a predetermined number of pachinko balls are supplied to the upper tray 4 by the control board 1 provided in the game board 7. A start start sensor 12 (see FIG. 2) is provided in the start port 7c. Further, an opening / closing solenoid 13 (see FIG. 2) is provided in the special winning opening 7d, and the operation of the opening / closing solenoid 13 allows the special winning opening 7d to be freely opened and closed. It should be noted that, in addition to the above, a holding lamp or the like for storing the number of pachinko balls entered into the starting port 7c is provided, but the description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.

The upper tray 8 has a tray shape.
The pachinko balls supplied from the ball supply port 8a to which the pachinko balls are supplied are stored. On the opposite side of the upper tray 8 where the ball supply port 8a is disposed, a ball feed port (not shown) is provided which communicates with a launching device that launches a pachinko ball toward the rail 7a. Further, on the upper part of the upper tray 8, there is provided a ball removing button 8b for transferring the stored pachinko balls to the lower tray 6, and when the ball removing button 8b is pressed, the pachinko balls stored in the upper tray 8 are pressed. Can be transferred to the lower tray 6. The lower receiving tray 6 has a receiving tray shape, and receives the pachinko balls transferred from the upper receiving tray 8. The lower tray 6 is provided with a ball removal lever (not shown) for removing the pachinko balls stored therein.

The rotary handle 5 is connected to a firing device for firing a pachinko ball toward the rail 7a. By rotating the rotary handle 5, the launching device launches a pachinko ball with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation. In addition,
At this time, the pachinko balls are fired one by one at predetermined intervals.

The control board 1 provided on the game board 7 supplies a predetermined amount of pachinko balls based on the detection of the ball detecting sensor at the winning opening 7b or the starting opening 7c, or operates a lamp or speaker (not shown). To execute various events. The control board 1 is connected to the image display device 2 so that information can be distributed, and a command or the like for displaying an identification symbol indicating a game state is displayed on the screen 4a of the image display device 2. What to send.

The image display device 2 includes a liquid crystal monitor 4 having a screen 4a, and a CPU for displaying an identification symbol on the liquid crystal monitor 4.
22 and the like.

Hereinafter, a block diagram of the control board 1 shown in FIG. 2 and an outline of processing performed by the control board 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control board 1 includes a main control unit 16 which is a microcomputer including a memory and a CPU, a counter 14 for outputting a value for determining a game state in the gaming machine, Mouth 7c (see FIG. 1)
A start start sensor 12 for detecting the entry of a pachinko ball with
The winning detection sensor 11 for detecting the entry of a pachinko ball at the winning opening 7b or the like (see FIG. 1), the open / close solenoid 13 for opening and closing the large winning opening 7d (see FIG. 1), and the interface 21 of the image display device 2. It is provided with an interface 15 and the like which are connected so that information can be distributed.

Hereinafter, the processing performed in each block of the control board 1 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Step S1 (Detection of Incoming Ball) The player hits the pachinko ball into the gaming board 7 with the rotary handle 5, and starts the pachinko game. Gaming board 7
A part of the pachinko ball hit into the inside is guided to near the center of the board and enters the starting port 7c. When the pachinko ball enters the start port 7c, the start start sensor 12 that detects the ball that has entered the start port 7c outputs a start start signal to the main control section 16c.
And the winning detection sensor 11 provided in the starting port 7c sends a winning signal to the main controller 16. In this embodiment, the start start sensor 12 and the winning detection sensor 1
1 is used together by the same sensor. Also, when a pachinko ball enters the winning opening 7b, each winning opening 7b
The winning detection sensor 11 sends a winning signal to the main control unit 16.

Step S2 (Supply pachinko balls) When the main control unit 16 detects a winning signal from the winning detection sensor 11, it activates a pachinko ball supplying mechanism (not shown) to supply a predetermined number of pachinko balls to the ball supply port 8a. And is supplied to the upper tray 8.

Step S3 (big hit lottery) When the main control unit 16 detects the start start signal from the start start sensor 12, the main controller 16 reads the output value of the counter 14 at this time and performs a big hit lottery. In the jackpot lottery, if the output value of the counter 14 is a predetermined value, a "big hit", that is, a specific game state is generated. On the other hand, if the output value of the counter 14 is other than the predetermined value, “missing”, that is, the normal game state is continued.

Step S4 (Transmit Command) The main controller 16 transmits a command corresponding to a normal game state or a specific game state to the image display device 2 via the interface 15. The command is a command for causing the image display device 2 to execute a predetermined display program. For example, in the case of a jackpot, the main control unit 16 transmits a command for instructing the start of a predetermined reach, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, a command for instructing the type of the jackpot identification symbol to be stopped at the final stage of the reach. Send Thus, after displaying the reach of the type specified by the command, the image display device 2 further displays the reach of the type designated by the command so as to stop at the jackpot identification symbol. After the stoppage of the jackpot identification symbol is displayed on the image display device 2, the main control unit 16 gives an opening signal to the open / close solenoid 13 to open the big winning opening 7d, and the player can use a large number of pachinko balls. In a state where it can be obtained. Further, in this game state, the control base 1 sets, for example, about 10 balls that have won the special winning opening 7d as one round, and instructs the end of the round or the start of the next round each time the round ends. The command is transmitted to the image display device 2. Thereby, the image display device 2 displays a display mode of a different pattern for each round. On the other hand, in the case of a loss, a command is sent to the image display device 2 to indicate the normal change of the identification symbol or the type of the identification symbol of the loss to be stopped at the final stage of the reach display. As a result, after displaying the reach, the image display device 2 displays the reach so as to stop at the identification pattern of the loss.

Step S5 (New ball detection?) The main controller 16 waits until it detects the presence or absence of a new start signal from the start sensor 12 (new ball). It should be noted that the start lamp 12 detects the entry of the pachinko ball during the variation of the identification symbol (reach, normal variation, etc.), and the above-described holding lamp for storing the number of the entered pachinko balls is used. When it is lit, the lighting of the holding lamp is detected as a new start start signal. If there is a new start start signal, steps T2 to T4 are repeated. If there is no new start start signal, this process is terminated and the process stands by until a new start start signal is detected. Note that the control base 1 that executes the above-described steps S1 to S5 also has a function as a so-called display mode instructing unit that instructs a display mode in the gaming state of the gaming machine.

Hereinafter, the image display device 2 will be described with reference to the block diagrams shown in FIGS. FIG.
Is a block diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of the VDP 27. As shown in FIG. 2, the image display device 2 includes a CPU 22
A first data bus 23 connected to the CPU 22;
Storing a program executed by the PU 22;
A program ROM 24 connected to the CPU 22 via the data bus 23, a work RAM 25 for storing various data obtained by the CPU 22 executing the program,
A DMA 26 for transferring data stored in the work RAM 25 to the VDP 27 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 22;
26, a VDP 27 for generating a visual field image based on the data transferred through the first data bus 23,
A second data bus 28 connected to DP 27 and VDP 2
A character ROM 29 storing an object composed of a plurality of polygons and a texture that is to be pasted on each polygon of the object,
A video RAM 30 for temporarily storing the visual field image generated in P27 and a liquid crystal monitor 4 for displaying the visual field image in the video RAM 30 are provided. Note that the program ROM 24 corresponds to the instruction information storage means in the present invention, and the character ROM 29 corresponds to the object information storage means in the present invention.
Corresponds to the intermediate information calculating means, the object changing means and the output means in the present invention.

The CPU 22 is a central processing unit that manages and controls the entire image display device 2 by a control program stored in the program ROM 24, and mainly instructs the VDP 27 to change the object unit. Specifically, the CPU 22 includes the interface 21
In accordance with the type of the command received, a display program for performing a display corresponding to the command is executed, the execution results of the display program are sequentially written into the work RAM 25, and at every predetermined interruption interval (for example, 1/30). , VDP 27 to the DMA 26. The execution result within the predetermined interrupt interval is
This is a configuration in the world coordinate system in which objects specified in units of objects are arranged, and is data for causing the VDP 27 to generate a field of view image for one screen. For example, the execution result includes three-dimensional arrangement coordinate data for arranging the object in the world coordinate system, posture rotation data for rotating the object, and an object composed of a plurality of polygons and each polygon. It contains data such as a storage address in the character ROM 29 in which a texture that is an image on which a pattern to be pasted is drawn is stored. The world coordinate system is a coordinate system corresponding to a virtual three-dimensional space for arranging a plurality of objects. The local coordinate system is an independent coordinate system unique to an object. The line-of-sight coordinate system is a coordinate system based on a given viewpoint in the world coordinate system. A polygon is a plurality of 3Ds arranged in a so-called world coordinate system corresponding to a virtual three-dimensional space in the present invention.
A polygon plane defined by the vertices of the dimensional coordinates. An object is a virtual object formed by a plurality of polygons. The texture is a two-dimensional image in which various patterns to be pasted on each polygon projected on a two-dimensional projection plane based on the visual line coordinate system are drawn.

The program ROM 24 is provided with a plurality of types of control programs to be executed first by the CPU 22 when the game machine is powered on, and a plurality of types of displays for displaying the types of commands sent from the control board 1. A display program and the like are stored. The display program includes
A data area (not shown) storing pose data for designating a plurality of predetermined forms of the object in the virtual three-dimensional space, arrangement coordinate data for arranging the object, and the like, and data in the data area And a program area (not shown) for storing an arithmetic processing program for causing the CPU 22 to execute the arithmetic processing for. The display program derives various data for realizing a display mode according to a command based on data prepared in advance in the data area. Note that the display program includes not only a program that is executed alone but also a program that generates a task for performing display according to the type of command by combining a plurality of tasks, for example. The pose data corresponds to the form instruction information in the present invention.

The work RAM 25 includes a first data bus 23
Character ROM 26 in which arrangement coordinate data, posture rotation data, objects and textures, which are execution results obtained by the CPU 22 connected via the
It temporarily stores various data such as the storage address in the server.

The DMA 26 is a so-called direct memory access controller capable of transferring data in the memory without going through the processing in the CPU 22. That is, the DMA 26 collectively transfers the data stored in the work RAM 25 to the VDP 27 based on a transfer start instruction from the CPU 22.

The VDP 27 is an image data processor having so-called geometry calculation processing and rendering processing functions. The VDP 27 mainly reads out an object specified by the CPU 22 from the character ROM 28, and stores coordinate data of vertices of each polygon constituting the object. , Respectively, and performs a rendering process of pasting a texture to each polygon of the object to generate a visual field image in a frame memory provided in the video RAM 30.

As shown in FIG. 4, VDP 27
26, an interface 27a for receiving data transmitted through the first data bus 23. The interface 27a performs a geometry operation process on a storage address in the character ROM 29 in which the object is stored, arrangement coordinate data for arranging the object in the world coordinate system, data for converting the world coordinate system to the line-of-sight coordinate system, and the like. In addition to providing the rendering address to the rendering unit 27d, the storage address in the character ROM 29 where the texture is stored is provided to the rendering processing unit 27d.
Further, the interface 27a gives the palette processing unit 27b color palette data specifying the color information of the texture included in the various data sent from the CPU 22 side.

The geometry operation processing section 27c reads an object composed of a plurality of polygons from a given storage address, and performs a geometry operation on each of the polygons based on attitude rotation data, arrangement coordinate data, and the like. is there. That is, the geometry calculation processing unit 27c rotates each polygon of the object arranged in the local coordinate system, which is the reference posture, based on the posture rotation data. Further, the coordinate data of each polygon when the object formed by each polygon after the rotation is arranged in the world coordinate system based on the arrangement coordinate data is calculated. Further, two-dimensional coordinate data of each polygon when the object is projected on a two-dimensional projection plane based on a line of sight based on a given viewpoint in a world coordinate system based on camera data is calculated. Then, the geometry calculation processing unit 27c gives the calculated two-dimensional coordinate data to the rendering processing unit 27d.

The pallet processing unit 27b includes a pallet RAM (not shown) for holding a color pallet, which is a plurality of types of color information pre-written by the CPU 22 at the time of initialization, for example. The corresponding color palette is provided to the rendering processing unit 27d. In addition,
The color information is determined by a combination of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). Giving a color palette means giving the storage address of the color palette stored in, for example, the palette RAM to the rendering processing unit 27d, and the rendering processing unit 27d stores the storage address at the storage address when generating the visual field image. Refer to color information.

The rendering processing unit 27d first reads out the texture stored at the storage address based on the storage address in the character ROM 29 where the texture is stored, and outputs the texture and each of the textures supplied from the geometry calculation processing unit 27c. Based on the two-dimensional coordinate data of the polygons, a color palette, and the like, a field-of-view image in which a texture is attached to each polygon projected on the projection plane is generated. At this time, the rendering processing unit 27d
RAM 29 alternately selected by selector unit 27e
In the first frame memory 30a or the second frame memory 30b, a field-of-view image to which a background image and a texture are pasted is written. The selector unit 27e reads out the field-of-view image from the frame memory side where writing has not been performed,
The visual field image is sent to the video output unit 27f. The video output unit 27f outputs the visual field image to the liquid crystal monitor 4.
The geometry calculation processing unit 27c and the rendering processing unit 27d include a clipping process for determining a portion to be displayed on the screen, a hidden surface process for determining a portion that can be seen and a portion that cannot be seen in the context of polygons, and a light hit from a light source. Processing such as shading calculation processing for calculating the condition and the state of reflection is also performed.

The character ROM 29 stores an object constituted by a plurality of polygons arranged in the local coordinate system, a texture which is an image of a pattern to be attached to each polygon of the object, and the like.
It is connected to the VDP 27 via the second data bus 28. As shown in FIG. 5, in the character ROM 29, as the above-mentioned objects, for example, a head object f1 (see FIG. 5 (a)), which is a fish head, and a body part object f2 (FIG. 5 (b), which is a body of a fish) ), And a plurality of types of component objects having different shapes, such as a tail fin object f3 (see FIG. 5C), which is a fish tail fin. Each of the component objects f1 to f3 is configured by arranging a plurality of polygons in an independent local coordinate system. As shown in FIG. 6, by connecting the objects f1 to f3 at predetermined connection points P1 and P2 in a separate independent local coordinate system, a fish corresponding to a connected object in the present invention is obtained. A shaped fish object F can be configured. For example, the connection point P1 is the origin of the local coordinate system where the head object f1 is arranged, and the connection point P2 is the origin of the local coordinate system where the tail fin object f3 is arranged. These origins are located at the center of the connection plane between the head object f1 and the body object f2,
It is determined at the center of the connecting plane between the tail fin object f3 and the body object f2.

The video RAM 30 sequentially stores the visual field images generated by the rendering processor 27d of the VDP 27. As described above, the first frame memory 30a is a storage area for storing the visual field image for one screen. And a second frame memory 30b.

The liquid crystal monitor 4 has a screen 4 a for displaying a visual field image output from the VDP 27, and is mounted so that the screen 4 a is exposed on the game board 7. The liquid crystal monitor 4 corresponds to a display unit in the present invention.

The processing performed by the image display device 2 based on the command sent from the control board 1 will now be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 are flowcharts mainly showing processing in the CPU 22, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart mainly showing processing in the VDP 27. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which, for example, a display mode as shown in FIG. 11 is realized based on a command sent from the control board 1. In this display mode, the upper identification symbol A1 is displayed on the upper part of the screen 4a of the liquid crystal monitor 4, and the lower identification symbol C1 is displayed on the lower part of the screen 4a while moving the tail fin. Between the symbols A1 and C1, a plurality of types of middle identification symbols (in the figure, middle identification symbols B1 and B2) displayed in the center portion of the screen 4a are displayed so as to swim in the horizontal direction and move. Although omitted in the present embodiment, each identification symbol includes a symbol number for making it easy for the player to grasp the identification symbol.

First, the processing on the CPU 22 side will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Step T1 (Initialization of CPU, RAM, etc.) When the power of the gaming machine is turned on, the image display device 2 is initialized. Specifically, the CPU 22 executes the program RO
By executing the control program stored in the M24, initialization such as bus width and interrupt processing, and initialization such as writing "0" data to the work RAM 25 are performed.

Step T2 (select a display program according to the received command) The interface 21 sequentially receives the commands sent from the control board 1, and sequentially passes the commands to the CPU 22. The CPU 22 stores the received command in a command buffer provided in the work RAM 25, for example. Further, the CPU 22 grasps the type of the command stored in the command buffer, selects a display program corresponding to the command from the program ROM 24,
Execute the display program. By executing the display program, the CPU 22 executes the following steps to realize the display mode shown in FIG.

Step T3 (determining the form of the object) As shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 22 determines the fish object F1 corresponding to the upper identification symbol A1 and the middle identification symbols B1, B2.
Fish objects F2 and F3 corresponding to, and the lower identification symbol C
The form in the world coordinate system with the fish object F4 corresponding to 1 is determined. Specifically, the CPU 22 reads the pose data in the display program, and reads the head object f1, the body object f2, and the tail fin object f3 (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as “part objects f1 to f1”).
f3), and these component objects f1 to f3 are connected at connection points P1 and P2 to determine the forms of the fish objects F1 to F4, respectively. The processing performed in step T3 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Step T31 (Reading Basic Pose Data of Fish Object) As shown in the plan view of FIG. 13, the CPU 22 executes first, second, and third instructions for instructing three basic forms of the fish object F. The basic pause data is read from the display program in the program ROM 24. The fish object F arranged in the world coordinate system is referred to as the fish object F.
1, F2, F3, and F4. Each of these basic pose data includes x-, y-, and z-axes in a local coordinate system for instructing the postures of the head object f1, the body object f2, and the tail fin object f3 constituting each of the fish objects F1 to F4. It is a set of rotation angle data. Specifically, the rotation angle data is _{(θ x, θ y, θ} z) format data for rotating respectively each component object f1-f3 x, y, around the z-axis. By connecting the component objects f1 to f3 rotated based on the rotation angle data, the form of each fish object F can be configured. For example, the first basic pose data includes the component objects f1 to f
3 is (0 °, 0 °, 0 °). In this case, as shown in FIG. 13A, the fish object F has a form in which the head, the body, and the tail fin of the fish are arranged in a straight line (hereinafter, referred to as a “first basic form”).
The second basic pose data is a head object f
1 is (0 °, 30 °, 0 °), and the rotation angle data of the body object f2 is (0 °, 0 °, 0 °).
°), and the rotation angle data of the tail fin portion object f3 is (0 °, -30 °, 0 °). In this case, FIG.
As shown in (b), the fish object F has a form in which the head and tail fin of the fish are bent in the −x direction (hereinafter, referred to as “second basic form”). In the third basic pose data, the rotation angle data of the head object f1 is (0 °,-
30 °, 0 °), the rotation angle data of the body part object f2 is (0 °, 0 °, 0 °), and the tail fin object f
The rotation angle data of No. 3 is (0 °, 30 °, 0 °).
In this case, as shown in FIG. 13C, the fish object F has a form in which the head and tail fin of the fish are bent in the x direction (hereinafter, referred to as a “third basic form”). Note that the first basic form, the second basic form, and the third basic form of the fish object F
The basic mode corresponds to the first mode or the second mode in the present invention, and each of the component objects f1 to f1 in each basic mode.
The posture of f3 corresponds to the first posture or the second posture in the present invention. The rotation angle data of each of the component objects f1 to f3 corresponds to the posture instruction information in the present invention.

Step T32 (Deriving the Number of Frames) The CPU 22 calculates the number of frames at a time during which the form of the fish object F is transformed into each basic form, for example, from the first basic form to the second basic form or the third basic form. Derive. The frame is a view image for one screen generated every 1/30 second, for example. Specifically, if the time between changing the form of the fish object F from the first basic form to the second basic form is 1 second, the number of frames between the first basic form and the second basic form , 30 frames are derived by the CPU 22.

Step T33 (Calculate Intermediate Pose Data for Each Part Object) The CPU 22 forms an intermediate form between the basic forms based on each basic pose data and the number of frames during which the basic form is changed to each basic form. To calculate intermediate pose data. Specifically, when the number of frames between the first basic mode and the second basic mode is 30 frames, each rotation angle data included in the first basic pose data and the second
By interpolating a value between each of the rotation angle data included in the basic pose data of each frame and each frame, the rotation angle data of each of the component objects f1 to f3 included in the intermediate pose data of each frame is calculated. I do. For example, each rotation angle data for each part object can be obtained by the following equation (1). The intermediate pose data corresponds to the intermediate form instruction information in the present invention.

(Rθ _x, rθ _y, rθ _z ) = (Δθ _x × t + θ _x1 , Δθ _y × t + θ _y1 , Δθ _z × t + θ _z1 ) (1) Δθ _x : (θ _x2 −θ _x1 ) ÷ T Δθ _y : (θ _y2 −θ _y1 ) ÷ T Δθ _z : (θ _z2 −θ _z1 ) ÷ T (rθ _x , rθ _y , rθ _z ): Rotation angle data (θ _x1 , θ) of each part object in the intermediate pose data _y1 , _θz1 ): rotation angle data of each part object in the basic pose data before deformation, for example, the first
Rotation angle data (θ _x2 , θ _y2 , θ _z2 ) of each part object in the basic pose data of the above: rotation angle data of each part object in the basic pose data after deformation, for example, the second
T: Total number of frames or total time between basic forms t: Number of intermediate frames (number with respect to total number) or elapsed time

The intermediate pose data is calculated by substituting each rotation angle data included in the first basic pose data and the second basic pose data into the above-described equation (1). For example, the rotation angle data (0 °, 0 °, 0 °) of the head object f1 of the first basic pose data is changed to (θ _x1 , θ _y1 , θ _z1 ), and the head object of the second basic pose data is changed. f1 rotation angle data (0 °, -30 °,
0 °) to (θ _x2 , θ _y2 , θ _z2 ) and 30 frames to T
Respectively, the rotation angle data of the head object f1 in the intermediate form between the first basic form and the second basic form is (0 °, −1 °, 0 °) in the first frame.
°) but in the second frame (0 °, -2 °, 0 °)
But,. . . . , In the 29th frame (0 °, -29
°, 0 °) but (0 °, -30) in the 30th frame
°, 0 °) are calculated respectively. As a result, intermediate pose data not prepared in advance between the first pose data and the second pose data can be obtained.

Step T34 (Determine the Object Form) The CPU 22 determines the pose data to be given to the VDP 27 in accordance with the frame from each of the basic pose data and the intermediate pose data calculated based on each of the basic pose data. I do. For example, as described above, when displaying the first basic form to the second basic form in one second, the first basic pose data is determined first, and then 1/30
During the period from second to 29/30 seconds, the intermediate pose data calculated for each frame is determined every 1/30 seconds, and finally the second basic pose data is determined.

Step T4 (Determining the Arrangement Position of the Objects) The CPU 22 determines the arrangement positions of the fish objects F1 to F4 in the world coordinate system. Specifically, CP
U22 derives the arrangement coordinate data of the arrangement position of each fish object F1 to F4 in the world coordinate system by referring to, for example, a table prepared in advance in the display program or performing arithmetic processing. When an arithmetic expression is used, a predetermined value is added to or subtracted from the arrangement coordinate data of the first arrangement position, and the arrangement coordinate data of the new arrangement position is sequentially calculated. For example, the fish object F1,
The fish object F1, F4 is stopped in the world coordinate system because the arrangement coordinate data of F4 always derives a constant value. On the other hand, the fish objects F2 and F3 are moved in the world coordinate system by sequentially changing the values of the arrangement coordinate data of the fish objects F2 and F3. Thereby, as described in FIG. 11, the identification symbols B1, B
2 can be displayed so as to swim and move within the screen 4a.

Step T5 (Deriving Data Provided to VDP) The pose data and the arrangement coordinate data of each of the fish objects F1 to F4 are calculated based on the form of the fish object F composed of a plurality of component objects f1 to f3 in the world coordinate system. This is to indicate the arrangement position. However, in the VDP 27, it is necessary to specify the arrangement position and the posture for each object, and therefore, each of the component objects f1 to f3 constituting each of the fish objects F1 to F4 is required.
In each case, posture rotation data indicating the posture and arrangement coordinate data indicating the arrangement position are derived. The processing performed in step T5 will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Step T51 (Deriving the arrangement coordinate data of each part object) When arranging the fish objects F1 to F4 in the world coordinate system as shown in FIG. Arrangement position coordinate data for indicating the arrangement position of the constituent object objects f1 to f3 in the world coordinate system is calculated. Specifically, when the fish objects F1 to F4 are arranged in the world coordinate system, the coordinate positions in the world coordinate system of each of the component objects f1 to f3 constituting the fish objects F1 to F4 are determined. Therefore, the CPU 22 derives the coordinate values in the world coordinate system of the connection points P1 and P2 of the component objects f1 to f3 as arrangement coordinate data of the component objects f1 to f3.

Step T52 (Deriving posture rotation data of each part object) Further, the CPU 22 converts the rotation angle data for rotating the posture of each of the part objects f1 to f4 included in the pose data determined in step T3. Based on this, posture rotation data for instructing the posture of each component object is generated. Note that the rotation angle data included in the pose data is simply angle data indicating a rotation angle for each axis of the local coordinate system, and therefore, these data alone cannot rotate three-dimensional coordinate data. Therefore, based on the rotation angle data, posture rotation data in a matrix format that enables rotation of the three-dimensional coordinate data is generated.

Here, the rotation angle data is (θ _x ,
θ _y , θ _z ), a rotation matrix for each rotation angle around each axis is obtained. Therefore, matrix (1) shows a y-axis rotation matrix showing rotation about the y-axis, matrix (2) shows an x-axis rotation matrix showing rotation about the x-axis, and matrix (3) shows rotation about the z-axis. Each shows a z-axis rotation matrix. In the present embodiment, the postures of the component objects f1 to f3 are set around the y axis, x
It is assumed that the rotation is performed in the order of the axis and then the z axis.

[0059]

(Equation 1)

[0060]

(Equation 2)

[0061]

(Equation 3)

A total rotation matrix is obtained by multiplying each of the rotation matrices (1) to (3). Matrix (4)
Shown in

[0063]

(Equation 4)

The CPU 22 substitutes the rotation angles (θ _x , θ _y , θ _z ) around the respective axes included in the rotation angle data into the respective angle elements (Cos θ _x, etc.) of all the rotation rows to obtain 3 × 3 is generated.

Step T6 (write to work RAM) The CPU 22 sets the part objects f1 constituting the fish objects F1 to F4 to be arranged in the world coordinate system.
Write the arrangement coordinate data and the posture rotation data for each of. Furthermore, each part object f
The storage addresses in the character ROM 29 where the characters 1 to f3 are stored, the storage addresses in the character ROM 29 where the textures to be attached to the polygons forming the component objects f1 to f3 are stored, and a given viewpoint in the world coordinate system. Is written in the work RAM 25.

Step T7 (Interruption Occurred?) The CPU 22 waits for an interrupt performed, for example, every 1/30 second. In step T7, the process shifts to step T8 by an interruption every 1/30 second. However, for example, the process may shift to step T8 for each vertical scanning signal (1/60 second).

Step T8 (DMA Transfer) The CPU 22 instructs the DMA 26 to transfer the data stored in the work RAM 25. The DMA 26 collectively transmits the data in the work RAM 25 to the VDP 27 according to the instruction.

Step T9 (Reception of New Command?) The CPU 22 grasps the command buffer in the work RAM 25, and if a new command has been received, proceeds to step T2 while receiving a new command. If not, the process proceeds to step T3.

Next, referring to FIG.
The processing on the side will be described. Step U1 (Receive Data?) The VDP 27 waits for reception of data in the work RAM 25, and upon receiving data, shifts to step U2.

Step U2 (Reading of Each Part Object) The VDP 27 determines, based on the received storage addresses of the part objects f1 to f3 in the character RAM 29, the respective part objects f1 of the fish objects F1 to F4 to be arranged in the world coordinate system. To f3.

Step U3 (rotate each polygon,
The VDP 27 multiplies the coordinate data of the vertices of each polygon of each of the component objects f1 to f3 by the posture rotation data,
Calculate the coordinate data of each vertex after rotation. In particular,
The coordinates (X ', Y', Z ') after rotation are obtained by the coordinates (X', Y ', Z') before rotation (posture rotation data in the above-described 3 × 3 rotation matrix format), An operation using this equation is performed on vertices of all polygons. As a result, a state where the postures of the component objects f1 to f3 are rotated is obtained. The VDP 27 arranges the component objects f1 to f3 in the posture after rotation at the arrangement positions in the world coordinate system specified by the arrangement coordinate data of the component objects f1 to f3, respectively. Therefore, each of the component objects f1 to f3
Are arranged in the world coordinate system, respectively. The predetermined form refers to any one of the first, second, third basic forms and the intermediate form determined in step T3 described above.

Step U4 (Projection to Screen Coordinate System) As shown in FIG. 12, the VDP 27 converts the fish objects F1 to F4 arranged in the world coordinate system into a line-of-sight coordinate system based on the viewpoint SP based on camera data. . Here, each of the fish objects F1 to F1 in the world coordinate system
The coordinate data of each polygon included in F4 is converted into coordinate data of a line-of-sight coordinate system. Further, each fish object F1 to F4 in the line-of-sight coordinate system is perspectively projected on a projection plane SC which is a screen coordinate system set perpendicular to the line-of-sight direction (z-axis) of the line-of-sight coordinate system. The projection plane SC is the screen 4
This is a coordinate system for displaying on a, and each fish object F1 to F4 included in the view range TM is projected. Here, the coordinate data of each polygon included in each of the fish objects F1 to F4 in the line-of-sight coordinate system is converted to the coordinate data in the screen coordinate system.
Convert to dimensional coordinate data.

Step U5 (reading of texture) The VDP 27 reads the texture to be attached to the polygons included in the fish objects F1 to F4 based on the received storage address in the character RAM 29.

Step U6 (Generation of View Image) The VDP 27 deforms the texture according to the shape of the polygon projected on the projection plane SC, and then pastes the texture onto the polygon. That is, VDP27
For a frame memory corresponding to the projection plane SC,
Draw the texture. As a result, in the first frame memory 30a or the second frame memory 30b, visual field images in which identification symbols A1, B1, B1, and C1, which are two-dimensional images of the fish objects F1 to F4, respectively, are generated. You.

Step U7 (interruption occurrence?) The VDP 27 waits for an interruption every 1/30 seconds, for example. When the interruption occurs, the VDP 27 outputs the visual field image stored in the frame memory in the video RAM 30 to the liquid crystal monitor 4.

Step U8 (Display) The liquid crystal monitor 4 sequentially displays the visual field images output from the VDP 27, and as shown in FIG. 11, the tail fin in a state where the upper identification symbol A1 and the lower identification symbol C1 are stopped. Is displayed smoothly and realistically, together with the state of fluctuation of swinging.

Another display mode in the pachinko machine of the above-described embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 14, the display screen 4a of the liquid crystal monitor 4 displays a crab design K on which a crab, which is a picture image displayed on the back side of the identification design, is drawn. This crab design K
Varies so as to bend and stretch to the left and right, as shown in FIGS. Hereinafter, the fluctuation of the crab pattern will be described.

The character ROM 29 stores a crab object which is a connected object corresponding to the crab design K. The crab object includes a plurality of component objects, for example, a torso object as a crab body, a head object as a crab head, a left scissor object as a scissor on the left side of the crab, and a crab object. A right scissor object, which is a right scissor, each left foot object on the left, and each right foot object on the right. The program ROM 24 stores pose data indicating three forms of the crab object constituted by each part object. As shown in FIG. 14 (c), the pose data includes a crab pattern K in a standard form.
, A left-handed crab object K2 corresponding to a crab pattern K in a form shifted to the left as shown in FIG. 14 (a), and a form shifted to the right-hand side as shown in FIG. 14 (e). Is pose data for instructing the right crab object K3 corresponding to the crab design K of FIG. CPU
22 generates pose data for designating an intermediate crab object K21 which is an intermediate form based on the pose data of the left crab object K2 and the reference crab object K1, and generates the reference crab object K1 and the left crab object. Based on each pose data with the object K3, pose data for indicating an intermediate crab object K13 which is an intermediate form is generated.

More specifically, based on the arrangement coordinate data and the rotation angle data of each part object of the left crab object K2 and the arrangement coordinate data and the rotation angle data of each part object of the reference crab object K1, each part object is obtained. Calculate the arrangement coordinate data and the rotation angle data indicating the intermediate posture between them, and generate the pose data of the intermediate crab object K21. Similarly, pose data for indicating an intermediate crab object K13 which is a form between the right crab object K3 and the reference crab object K1 is generated. Then, the CPU 22 first sets the pose data indicating the left crab object K2, the pose data indicating the intermediate crab object K21, the pose data indicating the reference crab object K1, and then the intermediate crab object K13. , And finally, the VDP 27 is sequentially provided with pose data indicating the right crab object K3. As a result, the form of each crab object is sequentially changed, and FIG.
As shown in (a) to (e), the bending and stretching motion of the crab pattern K is displayed. In addition, by repeating the above-described processing, it is possible to display the fluctuation of the crab design K which performs the bending and stretching movements right and left many times.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (e), the display screen 4a displays a fluctuation in which the crab symbol K moves the scissors right and left. Hereinafter, the fluctuation of the crab pattern will be described.

The program ROM 24 stores pose data indicating two different forms of the crab object of different forms. These pose data are shown in FIG.
A first crab object K4 corresponding to a crab design K in which left and right scissors are opened on both sides as shown in (a) and (e), and the left and right scissors as shown in FIG. Is pose data for instructing a second crab object K5 corresponding to the crab design K in the form set in FIG. CPU
Reference numeral 22 denotes an intermediate crab object K45 which is in the process of being transformed from the form of the first crab object K4 to the form of the second crab object K5 based on the respective pose data of the first crab object K4 and the second crab object K5. Along with pose data for designating an intermediate crab object K54 that is in the process of being transformed from the form of the second crab object K5 to the form of the second crab object K4.

More specifically, based on the arrangement coordinate data and the rotation angle data of each part object of the first crab object K4 and the arrangement coordinate data and the rotation angle data of each part object of the second crab object K5, Calculate arrangement coordinate data and rotation angle data indicating an intermediate posture between the component objects, and generate pose data of the intermediate crab object K45. Similarly, pose data for indicating an intermediate crab object K54 which is a form between the second crab object K5 and the first crab object K4 is generated. The CPU 22 first sets pose data indicating the first crab object K4, then sets pose data indicating the intermediate crab object K45, sets pose data indicating the second crab object K5, and then sets the intermediate crab object K54. Is given to the VDP 27 in order. Finally, pose data designating the right crab object K4 is given to the VDP 27. As a result, the form of the crab object is changed, and as shown in FIGS. 15A to 15E, the crab design K moves the scissors left and right and sends the one sandwiched by the scissors from left to right. Displays the movement fluctuation. Also, by repeating the above process,
It is possible to display a fluctuation in which the crab pattern is sent continuously from left to right.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the crab symbol K which makes the above-described variation is displayed together with the identification symbol, and a variation in which the identification symbol is moved in the horizontal direction while being sandwiched by scissors is displayed. You. Hereinafter, the fluctuation of the crab pattern will be described. FIGS. 16 and 17 show a display mode at the time of the reach in the pachinko machine of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 16A, the display screen 4a
, The identification symbols G1 to G4 are displayed so as to rotate in the horizontal direction at the four corners of the screen. At this time, the identification symbol G
The identification numbers assigned to 1 to G4 always face the front, and are displayed so that the player can always recognize the symbol numbers on the display screen 4a. Further, on the display screen 4a, the identification symbol H1 is displayed so as to move across the center of the screen. In FIG. 16, an image of a living thing is used as an identification symbol with a symbol number. However, for example, only the symbol number can be used as the identification symbol.

As shown in FIGS. 16A to 16C, the arrangement position of the object corresponding to the identification symbol H1 is sequentially moved in the horizontal direction, and the crab object corresponding to the crab symbol K is added to the arrangement position of the object. The crab objects of the intermediate form such that the scissors object on the left side of are displayed sequentially. Thereby, the form of the crab symbol K and the movement of the identification symbol H1 are displayed so as to be linked. as a result,
The crab symbol K is displayed as if the identification symbol H1 is being sent out horizontally on the display screen 4a. In the case of this display mode, the fluctuation of the crab object and the fluctuation of each identification symbol are linked.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 17A to 17C, the position of the object corresponding to the identification symbol H2 is sequentially moved in the horizontal direction, and the position of the object corresponding to the crab symbol K is sequentially shifted. An intermediate form of a crab object such as a scissor object on the right side of the crab object is sequentially displayed. Thereby, the form of the crab symbol K and the movement of the identification symbol H2 are displayed in an interlocked manner. As a result, the crab symbol K is displayed as if the identification symbol H2 is being sent out on the display screen 4a in the horizontal direction. By repeating the above-described display, the crab symbol K can be displayed so as to move a plurality of types of identification symbols on the display screen 4a in the horizontal direction. Further, the identification symbol is stopped at the center of the display screen 4a so that the player can grasp the gaming state generated by the pachinko machine. At this time, the identification symbol H2 that has moved to the center of the display screen 4a is reciprocated right and left at the center thereof, and alternately with the left and right scissors of the crab symbol K in accordance with the movement of the identification symbol H2. By sandwiching, the crab symbol K is displayed as if the identification symbol H2 is moving left and right. Thereafter, the identification symbol H2 or other symbols are stopped at the center of the display screen 4a.
In this case, the symbol number assigned to the identification symbols G1 and G4 is "4" and the symbol number assigned to the identification symbols G2 and G3 is "3". If the identification symbol with the symbol number of "3" or "4" stops, it becomes a jackpot, while "3" or "4"
If the player stops at an identification symbol with a symbol number other than, the player loses the symbol and the normal fluctuation is continued.

According to the gaming machine described above, the pause data designating the first basic mode and the second basic mode are each 6 bytes, and the first and second pause data are 30 frames per second.
When displaying between basic modes in one second, pause data for 2 pause data × 6 bytes = 12 bytes may be stored in advance. On the other hand, in the case of the conventional example, it is necessary to prepare pause data for each frame, so that it is necessary to previously store pause data for 180 bytes of 30 frames × 1 second × 6 bytes. Therefore, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the pause data can be significantly reduced as compared with the related art. As a result, more types of data can be stored in the program ROM 24 storing the pause data. Further, if the storage capacity of the program ROM 24 is reduced, the gaming machine or the image display device itself can be manufactured at low cost.

Further, according to the above-described gaming machine, an object can be moved from the first basic mode to the second basic mode or to the second basic mode only by preparing the pose data of the first basic mode to the second basic mode or the third basic mode. Third basic form or second
When arbitrarily deforming the basic form to the first basic form or the third basic form or from the third basic form to the first basic form or the second basic form, smooth and realistic deformation of the object between the basic forms. Can be displayed. As a result, the player playing the gaming machine equipped with the image display device can see a more realistic display mode, and can keep the player's interest perpetual.

In the above-described embodiment, a pachinko machine has been described as a gaming machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various gaming machines such as a slot machine, an arcade game machine, and a medal game machine can be used. Modifications can be made.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the fish object F has been described as the three types of the first, second, and third basic forms. However, for example, it is possible to prepare in advance pose data indicating many forms. It is also possible to realistically display changes between various forms of an arbitrarily selected object.

In step T3 of the above-described embodiment, pose data for changing the form of the fish object F is calculated and determined every 1/30 second between the first basic form and the second basic form. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Pause data indicating one intermediate form between the first basic form and the second basic form is calculated, for example, from 0/30 seconds to 14 / Change the first basic form in 30 seconds to 15
Pause data can also be determined so that the intermediate form is displayed in / 30 seconds to 29/30 seconds and the second basic form is displayed in 30/30 seconds.

In step T3 of the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the pose data for changing the form of the fish object F almost uniformly is calculated and determined every 1/30 second. The pose data indicating the intermediate form in which the degree of deformation of the intermediate form between the first basic form and the second basic form becomes larger or smaller in an acceleration manner is calculated, It is also possible to display such that the speed of change from the basic form to the second basic form is accelerated or decelerated. Further, for example, by linking the acceleration or deceleration of the speed changing from the first basic mode to the second basic mode in the auxiliary symbol displayed on the back side of the identification symbol in the pachinko machine with the variation of the identification symbol, a more realistic feeling can be obtained. Display mode can be realized, and the interest of the player can be made permanent.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the form of the connected object is deformed by changing the posture of each of the component objects constituting the connected object. The present invention can also be applied to a case where the vertex coordinates of each of the constituting polygons are changed. in this way,
By applying to each vertex coordinate of each polygon, the part object itself can be deformed.

Further, in the description of the display mode at the time of the reach in the above-described embodiment, the identification symbols H1 and H2 are moved in the horizontal direction.
The display screen may be configured to be moved from the back side to the near side or from the front side to the back side.

[0095]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, since the object of the intermediate form is provided while the object is deformed from the first form to the second form, the deformation of the object is smoothly performed. It can be displayed. In addition, since the intermediate form instruction information indicating the intermediate form is calculated based on the form instruction information of the first form and the second form, the information amount of the form instruction information indicating the form of the object is conventionally reduced. It can be reduced in comparison. As a result, the object, that is, the three-dimensional picture image can be changed more smoothly based on the morphological information having a relatively small amount of information. In addition, it is possible to make the player who observes the smooth variation of the picture image interesting.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the pachinko machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing of a control board of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a VDP in the image display device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state of a part object stored in a character ROM.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of a fish object.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing in a CPU of the image display device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a detailed process of step T3.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed process of step T5.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing in the VDP of the image display device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display mode of a screen of a liquid crystal monitor.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state where a fish object is arranged in a world coordinate system.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the form of a fish object is deformed.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a bending and stretching operation of a crab design.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a crab symbol feeding operation.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing how a crab symbol and an identification symbol change.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing how the crab symbol and the identification symbol change.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control board 2 ... Image display device 4 ... Liquid crystal monitor 4a ... Screen 22 ... CPU 24 ... Program ROM 25 ... Work RAM 26 ... DMA 27 ... VDP 29 ... Character ROM 30 ... Video RAM

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Gota Makino 655 Fukudomecho, Matsuto-shi, Ishikawa F-term (reference) 2A035

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A game state generating means for generating one of at least two kinds of game states, an image changing means for changing a picture image according to the generated game state, and a display for displaying a change in the picture image. In the gaming machine, the image changing unit is configured to output the object based on form instruction information for designating a first form and a second form of the object, which are three-dimensional information corresponding to the picture image. Intermediate information calculation means for calculating intermediate form instruction information for indicating at least one intermediate form between the first form and the second form, based on the form instruction information and the intermediate form instruction information,
By sequentially deforming the object from the first mode to the intermediate mode and from the intermediate mode to the second mode, and sequentially arranging the deformed object in a virtual three-dimensional space, the object in the virtual three-dimensional space A gaming machine comprising: an object changing unit configured to change the object; and an output unit configured to display and output a change of the object in the virtual three-dimensional space on the display unit.