JP2001070544A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine allowing a user to keep enjoying a game by displaying an easy-to-identify, realistic representation. SOLUTION: When each object J2 moves transversely to a plane of projection TM set within a world coordinate system, it is projected parallel to the plane of projection TM. When each object J2 moves in the direction of depth of the plane of projection TM, it is perspectively projected onto the plane of projection TM. To change from the parallel projection to the perspective projection, the objects J2 are disposed close to the plane of projection TM so that the size of the image of each object J2 projected on the plane of projection TM is about the same. As a result, the images of the objects moving transversely on the display screen are easy to identify, and since the images of the objects moving to the depth of the display screen can have a three-dimensional effect, a player will keep enjoying a game.

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 three-dimensional image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A game machine of this type is generally known as a pachinko machine. This pachinko machine has two game states: a jackpot state which is advantageous for a player who can obtain a large number of pachinko balls, and a normal state which is disadvantageous for a player who consumes pachinko balls. In any state, a realistic display mode is displayed in accordance with the game state in order to make the player's fun last. In particular, the display mode in the normal state includes:
There is a normal variation in which the identification symbol, which is a two-dimensional image for the player to identify the game state, is simply varied, and a reach in which the identification symbol is varied so as to give the player a sense of the occurrence of the big hit state. In each of these display modes, the player can feel a sense of realism by enlarging, reducing, or moving an identification symbol, which is a two-dimensional image drawn using perspective or the like, on the display screen. Like that.

[0003]

However, the conventional pachinko machines described above have the following problems. The conventional pachinko machine realizes a display mode in which the identification symbol that is a two-dimensional image is gradually enlarged or reduced, for example, so that the identification symbol moves in the depth direction of the display screen. There is a problem that the player has a poor feeling and cannot sense the presence.
Therefore, in recent years, an attempt has been made to display an identification symbol in a three-dimensional image using an object formed by a plurality of polygons. Specifically, an object is arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space that is a three-dimensional coordinate space, and the object is changed in the virtual three-dimensional space. And virtual 3
The object is perspectively projected on a projection plane set based on a given viewpoint in a dimensional space. Thus, the state of the object viewed from the viewpoint is projected on the projection plane.
Furthermore, a display image including an identification pattern, which is an image of the object, is generated by attaching a texture, which is an image in which an identification pattern is drawn, to the object projected on the projection plane. By sequentially displaying the display images generated one after another on the display screen in this manner, a state in which the identification symbol, which is a three-dimensional image, fluctuates is displayed, and a realistic display mode is realized.

However, as described above, an object that fluctuates in a virtual three-dimensional space is displayed as an image viewed from a given viewpoint, and the display mode of the object image changes depending on the position of the viewpoint with respect to the object. There is a problem of doing. In particular, in the case of a pachinko machine, the game state is grasped by a plurality of identification symbols displayed on the display screen, but even if all of the identification symbols are of the same kind, each of them is used to display the identification symbols. Since the display mode of each identification symbol differs depending on the positional relationship between the object and the viewpoint, there is a problem that the player cannot identify all the identification symbols as the same type.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a gaming machine capable of displaying an image of an object which is easy for a player to identify and displaying a realistic display mode. The purpose is to provide.

[0006]

The present invention has the following configuration in order to achieve the above object. The configuration of the present invention arranges an object in a virtual three-dimensional space and projects the object on a projection plane set based on a given viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space, so that the object is viewed from the viewpoint. In a gaming machine that displays a state of an object in a virtual three-dimensional space, an object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space is moved in a first direction, and the object moving in the first direction is moved to the first direction. An object moving means for moving the object in a second direction different from the one direction is provided.
When the configuration of the present invention is referred to as Configuration 1, the present invention can be further configured as follows.

A second aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the first aspect, wherein the gaming machine projects the object in parallel with the projection plane while moving the object in the first direction. The object
A projection means for perspectively projecting the object on the projection plane, a display image generating means for generating a display image including an image of the object projected on the projection plane, and the display image And a display means for displaying a game machine. According to this configuration, the object moving means moves the object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space in the first direction, and moves the object moving in the first direction to the first direction in a direction different from the first direction. Move in two directions. The projection unit projects an object in the virtual three-dimensional space onto a projection plane set based on a given viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space. At this time, if the object has been moved in the first direction, the object is projected parallel to the projection plane. As a result, the object as viewed from the projection plane is directly projected on the projection plane. On the other hand, if the object has been moved in the second direction, the object is perspectively projected on the projection plane. Thus, the object as viewed from the viewpoint is projected on the projection plane. The display image generation means generates a display image including an image of the object projected on the projection plane. The display means displays a state in the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from the viewpoint by displaying the display image. Therefore, since the object moving in the first direction is projected parallel to the projection plane, the form of the object moving in the first direction can be displayed as it is. On the other hand, since the object moving in the second direction is perspectively projected on the projection plane, the form of the object moving in the second direction can be displayed in a realistic state as viewed from the viewpoint. That is, when the object moves in the first direction, the player can display the object in a display mode that allows the player to easily identify the object, and when the object moves in the second direction, the player can display the object in a realistic display mode. The lasting interest of the person can be maintained.

A third aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, wherein the object moving means stops the object being moved in the first direction, and is located closer to the projection plane than the stopped position. Position the object again, and move the object to the second position from that position.
It is a gaming machine that moves in the direction. According to this configuration, the object moving means moves the object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space in the first direction, and stops the object moving in the first direction. At this time, the stopped object is newly arranged at a position closer to the projection plane than the stopped position. Then, the newly arranged object is moved in the second direction. The projection unit parallelly projects the object which is moved in the first direction and is stopped, and perspectively projects the object which is moved in the second direction from the newly arranged position. On the display means, the image of the object projected in parallel and the image of the object projected in perspective are displayed in substantially the same size. In other words, the display mode, particularly the size, of the image of the object differs between the parallel projection and the perspective projection of the objects arranged at the same position in the virtual three-dimensional space depending on the projection direction. Therefore, the position of the object to be perspectively projected is set closer to the projection plane than the position of the object to be parallel projected. As a result, the position of the object to be perspectively projected approaches the viewpoint,
The image of the object is displayed larger. As a result, the image of the object at the time of transition from the parallel projection to the perspective projection is set to a substantially equivalent display mode, and the second image is displayed from the first direction.
A state in which the object moves in the direction can be smoothly displayed, and the interest of the player can be maintained.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the first to second aspects, wherein the first direction is such that the object projected on the projection plane crosses the projection plane horizontally, vertically or diagonally. And the second direction is:
The gaming machine is a depth direction with respect to the projection plane.
According to this configuration, the object moving unit moves the object in a direction in which the object projected on the projection plane crosses the projection plane, for example, in a horizontal, vertical, or oblique direction. Further, after stopping the object moving in that direction, the object is moved in the depth direction with respect to the projection plane. The projection unit parallel projects an object moved in a direction crossing the projection plane, and perspectively projects an object moved in a depth direction with respect to the projection plane (a depth side with respect to the projection plane). The display means displays a display mode in which an object moving in the horizontal, vertical, or diagonal direction moves in the depth direction. Note that the depth direction includes a direction on the near side with respect to the projection plane. As a result, objects that move in the horizontal, vertical, or diagonal directions can be displayed in a display mode that is easy for the player to identify, and objects that move in the depth direction can be displayed in a display mode with a sense of realism. Can be made permanent.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the gaming machine further rotates the object stopped when the moving direction changes from the first direction to the second direction. The gaming machine further comprises an object rotating means for turning the object in the traveling direction from the first direction to the second direction. According to this configuration,
When the moving direction changes from the first direction to the second direction, the object rotating means rotates the object whose movement has stopped, and turns the traveling direction side of the object facing the first direction to the second direction. The object moving means moves the object in the second direction when the traveling direction of the object is turned in the second direction. As a result, the state of the object moving from the first direction to the second direction can be displayed more smoothly, so that the interest of the player can be maintained.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the gaming machine further comprises an object moved in the second direction by the object moving means, the object being displayed on the display means. When the image of the image reaches a position in the virtual three-dimensional space where the image is reduced to an indistinguishable state, the object moving means further comprises an object replacing means for replacing the object with another kind of object. A gaming machine which moves another type of replaced object toward the projection plane, and wherein the projection means further perspectively projects the object moving toward the projection plane onto the projection plane. Note that the unidentifiable state refers to a state in which the pattern in the image of the object has been crushed and the pattern cannot be identified. According to this configuration, as the object moved in the second direction by the object moving means moves away from the projection plane, the object perspectively projected on the projection plane by the projection means becomes smaller. Thereby, the image of the object displayed on the display means also becomes smaller. The object replacement means replaces the object with another type of object when the object reaches a position in the virtual three-dimensional space where the image of the object displayed on the display means is reduced to an unidentifiable state. The object moving means moves the replaced another type of object toward the projection plane. The projection unit perspectively projects the object moving toward the projection plane onto the projection plane. On the display means, the object moving toward the back side is displayed so as to return, and the object returning from the back side has been changed to a different kind of object. As a result, it is possible to display a realistic display mode in which the object that has moved toward the back side returns, and the fun of the player can be maintained. Furthermore, since the type of the object moving to the back side and the type of the object returning to the near side are different, a more interesting display mode can be realized, and the interest of the player can be made more permanent.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the gaming machine swings and displaces the projection plane when the object reaches just before the projection plane. It is a gaming machine. According to this configuration, when the object moves to just before the projection plane, the projection plane is displaced so as to reciprocate up and down in any direction of up, down, left and right. Therefore, an image in which the camera that collides with the camera shakes is displayed on the display screen, so that it is possible to display a realistic display mode as if the object collides with the display screen. As a result, the fun of the player can be made permanent.

In the configuration 8, the gaming machine according to any one of the configurations 1 to 7 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 identification symbol and the auxiliary symbol on the display means starts. Further, during occurrence of a specific game state, a winning opening arranged at a predetermined position in the game area is opened in a predetermined manner to enable a game ball to be won, and a value corresponding to the winning number (prize ball only) However, writing to a magnetic card is also included). As a result, the fun of the player playing the pachinko machine can be maintained.

Configuration 9 is the pachinko machine according to Configuration 8, wherein the object is an object for displaying an identification symbol for identifying a game state of the pachinko machine. According to this configuration, an identification symbol for identifying the gaming state of the pachinko machine is displayed on the display unit by the object. As a result, the change of the identification symbol according to the movement of the object described above is displayed, and the interest of the player playing the pachinko game can be made permanent. Note that the gaming state of the pachinko machine includes a normal state in which the player consumes pachinko balls and a big hit state in which the player can obtain a large number of pachinko balls. Further, in the normal state, the normal fluctuation is a display mode in which the identification symbol for the player to identify the gaming state simply fluctuates, and the reach is the display mode in which the identification symbol fluctuates as if a jackpot state occurs. There is. Reach is a display mode in which a predetermined number of identification symbols related to the reach among a plurality of identification symbols fluctuate vertically, horizontally, or diagonally as if they were the same type. As a result, it is possible to realize an interesting display mode in which a plurality of identification symbols that have been once stopped at the reach are moved in the depth direction. Further, by replacing the type of the identification symbol moved in the depth direction with another identification symbol, it is possible to realize a more interesting display mode in which a once-identified identification symbol can be changed to another identification symbol. it can.

[0015]

The operation of the present invention is as follows. The object moving means moves the object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space in a first direction, and further moves the object moving in the first direction in a second direction different from the first direction. . The state of the object moving in the first direction and the second direction is projected on the projection plane. Thus, the state of the object moving in the virtual three-dimensional space is displayed on the gaming machine.

[0016]

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 having an image display device. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a pachinko machine according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control board and an image display device provided in the pachinko machine, and FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional image processing unit in FIG.

The pachinko machine according to this embodiment includes a game board 2 having a control board 1 (see FIG. 2) for controlling the entire pachinko machine, a frame 3 on which the game board 2 is mounted, and a game board 2.
And a rotating handle 5 to which a launching device (not shown) for projecting the pachinko balls stored in the upper tray 4 onto the surface of the game board 2 is connected. The display screen 6a of the liquid crystal monitor 6, which displays the lower tray 8 provided, an identification symbol for the player to identify the game state, and a symbol other than the identification symbol displayed to enhance the effect of the game state, is displayed. And an image display device 7 (see FIG. 2) mounted so as to be disposed substantially at the center of the board surface of the board 2. On the display screen 6a, fluctuations (movement, rotation, deformation, etc.) of one or a plurality of identification symbols and auxiliary symbols on a background on which a predetermined pattern is drawn are displayed according to the gaming state of the gaming machine. In addition, the pachinko machine,
There are two types of gaming states: a jackpot state in which a player can obtain a large number of pachinko balls, and a normal state in which the player consumes pachinko balls. In the normal state, a normal variation, which is a display mode in which a plurality of identification symbols simply fluctuate, and a reach, which is a display mode as if a big hit state occurs, regardless of whether or not a big hit state has occurred, are displayed. You. On the other hand, in the big hit state, mainly an auxiliary symbol is displayed, and a different display mode is displayed for each round. When a game is not played on the pachinko machine, a display such as a demonstration is displayed. Here, the identification symbol refers to a so-called symbol number or an image of a symbol with a symbol number for causing a player to recognize a gaming state such as a jackpot or a reach in a pachinko machine,
The auxiliary symbol refers to a symbol other than the identification symbol displayed in order to enhance the effect in a jackpot or a reach.

The game board 2 has a rail 2a for guiding the pachinko ball shot by the rotary handle 5 to the board surface,
A plurality of nails (not shown) for guiding a pachinko ball to an unspecified portion, a plurality of winning holes 2b for winning pachinko balls guided by the nail, and a pachinko ball guided substantially near the center of the game board 2. Is provided, and a large winning opening 2d through which a relatively large number of pachinko balls can be won at a time in a specific game state is provided. In each of the winning opening 2b, the starting opening 2c, and the special winning opening 2d, a winning detection sensor 11 for detecting the entry of a pachinko ball is provided.
(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 2. A start start sensor 12 (see FIG. 2) is provided in the start port 2c. Further, an open / close solenoid 13 (see FIG. 2) is provided in the special winning opening 2d, and the operation of the open / close solenoid 13 allows the special winning opening 2d to be closed. It should be noted that, in addition to the above, a holding lamp or the like for storing the number of pachinko balls that have entered the starting port 2c is provided, but the description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.

The upper receiving tray 4 has a receiving tray shape.
The pachinko balls supplied from the ball supply port 4a to which the pachinko balls are supplied are stored. Further, on the opposite side of the upper tray 4 in which the ball supply port 4a is arranged, a ball feed port (not shown) is provided which communicates with a launching device that launches a pachinko ball toward the rail 2a. Further, on the upper part of the upper receiving tray 4, a ball removing button 4b for transferring the stored pachinko balls to the lower receiving tray 8 is provided, and by pressing the ball removing button 4b, the pachinko balls stored in the upper receiving tray 4 are pressed. Can be transferred to the lower tray 8. The lower tray 8 has a tray shape and receives the pachinko balls transferred from the upper tray 4. The lower tray 8 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 2a. By rotating the rotary handle 5, the launching device launches a pachinko ball with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation. In addition,
When the player holds the rotary handle 5 in a rotated state, the firing device fires the pachinko balls one by one at predetermined intervals.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control board 1 provided on the game board 2 outputs a main control section 16 which is a microcomputer composed of a memory, a CPU and the like, and a value for determining a game state in the game machine. A counter 14, a start start sensor 12 for detecting the entry of a pachinko ball at the starting port 2c (see FIG. 1), and a winning detection sensor 11 for detecting an entry of the pachinko ball at the winning port 2b (see FIG. 1). , Grand Prize Winner 2
An open / close solenoid 13 that opens and closes d (see FIG. 1) and an I / F (interface) 15 that is connected to an I / F (interface) 17 of the image display device 7 so that information can be distributed.
It is configured with such as. The control base 1 executes various events such as supplying a predetermined amount of pachinko balls and operating lamps and speakers (not shown) based on the detection of the ball detection sensors at the winning opening 2b and the starting opening 2c. Things. Further, the control base 1 sends various commands for instructing a display mode according to the game state to the I / F.
15 to the image display device 7.

Specifically, the processing performed by the control board 1 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Step S1 (Detection of Incoming Ball) The player drives the pachinko ball into the gaming board 2 with the rotary handle 5, and starts the pachinko game. Gaming board 2
A portion of the pachinko balls hit inside are guided to near the center of the board and enter the starting port 2c. When the pachinko ball enters the start port 2c, the start start sensor 12 that detects the ball that has entered the start port 2c outputs a start start signal to the main control section 16c.
And the winning detection sensor 11 provided in the starting port 2c 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 2b, each winning opening 2b
The winning detection sensor 11 sends a winning signal to the main control unit 16.

Step S2 (Pachinko ball supply) When the main control unit 16 detects a winning signal from the winning detection sensor 11, it activates a pachinko ball supply mechanism (not shown) to supply a predetermined number of pachinko balls to the ball supply port 4a. To the upper tray 4 through the

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 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" is generated. On the other hand, if the output value of the counter 14 is other than the predetermined value, the normal game state of “losing” is continued.

Step S4 (Transmit Command) The main control unit 16 determines a display mode corresponding to a normal game state or a specific game state, and displays a command corresponding to the display mode via the I / F 15 in an image display. Transmit to the device 7.
The command is an instruction for causing the image display device 7 to execute a predetermined display program, and a display pattern corresponding to a game state is displayed on the display screen 6a by executing the display program. For example, in the case of a jackpot, the main control unit 16
Sends a command to start a given reach,
After a lapse of a predetermined time, a command indicating the type of the jackpot identification symbol to be stopped at the final stage of the reach is transmitted. Thereby, the display screen 6a of the image display device 7 includes
After the command displays the type of reach indicated,
Further, it is displayed so as to stop at the jackpot identification symbol of the type designated by the command. At this time, the main control unit 16
After the stop of the jackpot identification symbol is displayed on the display screen 6a, the opening signal is given to the open / close solenoid 13 to open the big winning opening 2d, so that the player can acquire a large number of pachinko balls. I do. Further, in this game state, the control base 1 has, for example, about 10 balls with a special winning opening 2.
The winning of d is regarded as one round, and each time the round ends, a command instructing the end of the round or the start of the next round is transmitted to the image display device 7.
Thereby, the display mode of a different pattern is displayed on the display screen 6a for each round. On the other hand, in the case of a loss, a command for instructing the type of the identification symbol of the loss to be stopped at the final stage of the reach, or a command for stopping the identification symbol fluctuating during the normal game state at the identification symbol of the loss. The image is transmitted to the image display device 7. As a result, the display screen 6a is displayed so as to stop at the lost symbol after the reach is displayed, or to stop at the lost symbol after the normal fluctuation.

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). 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. The control base 1 that executes the above-described steps S1 to S5 corresponds to a so-called game state generating means. Note that the start start sensor 12 detects the entry of a pachinko ball during the change of the identification symbol (reach, normal variation, etc.), and stores the number of the entered pachinko balls, and the above-described holding lamp, which has not been described, lights up. If so, the lighting of the holding lamp is detected as a new start start signal. If there is a new start start signal, steps S2 to S4 are repeated.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image display device 7 has an I / F 1 for receiving a command sent from the control board 1.
7, a character storage unit 18 that stores an object that is three-dimensional information arranged in a world coordinate system that is a virtual three-dimensional space based on the command, a texture that is a pattern image of the object, and a background image, A program corresponding to the command is executed to set an object in the world coordinate system and generate a display image in which a texture is attached to the object. The three-dimensional image processing unit 19 generates the display image. An image storage unit 20 for temporarily storing the displayed image, and a liquid crystal monitor 6 for displaying the displayed image. Note that the world coordinate system is a three-dimensional coordinate system corresponding to a virtual three-dimensional space in the present invention. An object is a three-dimensional virtual object arranged in a world coordinate system, and is three-dimensional information constituted by a plurality of polygons. A polygon is a polygon plane defined by a plurality of vertices of three-dimensional coordinates. The texture is an image to be pasted on each polygon of the object. When the texture is pasted to the object, an image corresponding to the object, for example, a display image including an identification design, an auxiliary design, a background, and the like is generated.

The I / F 17 is connected to the I / F 15 of the control board 1 so that information can be distributed, and receives a command sent from the control board 1. I / F17 is
The received commands are sequentially passed to the three-dimensional image processing unit 19.

The character storage unit 18 is a memory for storing an object as three-dimensional information and a texture as a two-dimensional image of the object, which are appropriately read from the three-dimensional image processing unit 19. Specifically, the character storage unit 18 displays the texture of a hit identification pattern such as a fish or an octopus at the time of a jackpot, a texture of a round display pattern indicating the number of rounds of the jackpot, and a rendering at the time of the round. In addition to various textures such as an auxiliary design texture such as a sea turtle pattern texture, a plurality of types of objects constituted by one or a plurality of polygons to which each texture is pasted are stored. Further, the character storage unit 18 stores the liquid crystal monitor 6.
For example, a background image on which a pattern of a coral reef on the sea floor is displayed as a background of the display screen 6a is also stored. These data of each object, texture, and background image are appropriately read by the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 when the display image is generated.

The three-dimensional image processing unit 19 includes a CPU (central processing unit) for controlling and managing the entire image display device, a memory for appropriately storing the calculation results and the like in the CPU, and an image data processor for generating an image to be output to the liquid crystal monitor 6. It is composed of The three-dimensional image processing unit 19 performs the virtual 3D processing according to the present invention to realize a display mode according to the command.
In a world coordinate system, which is a three-dimensional coordinate system corresponding to a three-dimensional space, various objects read from the viewpoint and the character storage unit 18 are arranged, and a so-called geometry calculation process for changing the object or displacing the viewpoint is performed. Do. Further, it generates projection information which is two-dimensional coordinate information obtained by projecting an object in the world coordinate system onto a projection plane based on a line of sight from a viewpoint. Based on the projection information, a position corresponding to the vertex of each polygon of each object in the frame memory provided in the image storage unit 20, that is, an address in the frame memory is obtained. Then, the texture read from the character storage unit 18 is deformed to match the vertices of each polygon of each object, and the texture is drawn based on each address in the frame memory. At this time, if the texture is a texture to be attached to the object of the identification symbol that disappears from the display screen 6a, the texture is made translucent by a predetermined mask pattern. When the drawing of the texture on all the objects is completed, a display image is generated in the frame memory of the image storage unit 20 and the display image is output to the liquid crystal monitor 6. Note that, as will become clear later, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 corresponds to the object moving unit, the projecting unit, the display image generating unit, the object rotating unit, and the object replacing unit in the present invention.

The three-dimensional image processing section 19 is configured, for example, as follows. Hereinafter, an example of the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 includes a CPU 21 and a C
A program ROM 22 storing a program to be executed by the PU 21, a work RAM 23 for storing data obtained by executing the program, a DMA 24 for collectively transferring data stored in the work RAM 23 according to an instruction of the CPU 21, and a transfer by the DMA 24 I / F 25 that receives the obtained data, a geometry calculation processing unit 26 that performs coordinate calculation processing based on the data received by the I / F 25, and generates a display image based on the data received by the I / F 25 and the like. A rendering processing unit 27, a palette processing unit 28 that appropriately supplies color information based on a plurality of types of color palettes to the rendering processing unit 27, a selector unit 29 provided in the image storage unit 20 for switching between a plurality of frame memories, and a display. Output image to LCD monitor 6 That and a video output section 30. Further, the CPU 21 and the program ROM 22 described above are used.
The work RAM 23, the DMA 24, and the I / F 25 are connected to the same data bus, and the character storage unit 18 that stores objects, textures, and the like performs a geometry calculation process via a data bus that is independent of the above-described data bus. Unit 26 and a rendering processing unit.

The program ROM 22 includes a program which is first executed by the CPU 21 when the power of the gaming machine is turned on, and a plurality of types of programs for performing display according to the type of command sent from the control board 1. , Map data, a color palette, and mask pattern data for making a texture translucent. For example, a program for performing display sets an object and a viewpoint in a world coordinate system in order to realize a display mode according to a command by referring to a table prepared in advance or performing arithmetic processing on the referenced data. This is to derive setting information for performing the setting. The display program includes not only a program that is executed independently 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 setting information includes a coordinate value for arranging the object in the world coordinate system, a rotation angle indicating the posture of the object to be arranged in the world coordinate system by a rotation amount from the reference posture of the object, and a rotation angle in the world coordinate system. Coordinate value for setting a viewpoint, a rotation angle for rotating the line of sight in order to determine the line of sight (for example, the z-axis) of the viewpoint in the world coordinate system in a predetermined direction, and a character storage unit 1.
This is information including various data such as storage addresses of objects, textures, background images, and the like stored in the storage unit 8 and information for generating a display image for one screen displayed on the display screen 6a.

The CPU 21 is a central processing unit that manages and controls the entire image display device 7 by a control program stored in the program ROM 22. The CPU 21 mainly executes a program corresponding to a command sent from the control board 1. By executing the processing, processing for setting an object and a viewpoint in the world coordinate system is performed in order to display a predetermined display mode on the display screen 6a. In particular,
The CPU 21 sequentially writes setting information obtained by executing a display program for performing a display corresponding to the command in the work RAM 23 in accordance with the type of the command received by the I / F 17, and sets a predetermined interrupt processing interval ( For example, every 1/30 second or 1/60 second)
It instructs the DMA 24 to transfer the setting information in the M23.

The work RAM 23 temporarily stores setting information, which is an execution result obtained by the CPU 21. The DMA 24 is a so-called direct memory access controller that can transfer data stored in the work RAM 23 without going through the processing of the CPU 21. That is, the DMA 24 is
The setting information stored in the work RAM 23 is transferred to the I / F 25 in a lump based on the transfer start instruction.

The I / F 25 receives the setting information transferred by the DMA 24. The I / F 25 calculates coordinate addresses such as a storage address of the object stored in the character storage unit 18 included in the setting information, an arrangement coordinate value for arranging the object in the world coordinate system, and an arrangement coordinate value for setting a viewpoint. Is given to the geometry calculation processing unit 26, and data of the storage address of the texture and the like stored in the character storage unit 18 included in the setting information to be image-drawn is given to the rendering processing unit 27. Further, the I / F 25 gives the palette processing unit 28 a color palette for instructing the color tone of the texture included in the setting information.

The geometry operation processing unit 26 includes an I / F 25
Performs coordinate calculation processing associated with the movement or rotation of a three-dimensional coordinate point based on the data provided from the. Specifically, the geometry calculation processing unit 26 reads out an object composed of a plurality of polygons arranged in the local coordinate system based on the storage address of the object stored in the character storage unit 18. Then, the coordinate values of each polygon of the object in the world coordinate system at the time of arranging the object in the world coordinate system are calculated based on the coordinate values in which the object in the posture rotated based on the rotation angle data is arranged. Here, the local coordinate system is an object-specific coordinate system in which an object having a reference posture is set. Further, the coordinate value of each polygon of the object in the viewpoint coordinate system based on the viewpoint set based on the coordinate value and the rotation angle of the viewpoint is calculated. Further, projection information including two-dimensional coordinate values of each polygon of the object on the projection plane when the object is projected on a projection plane set perpendicular to the line of sight based on the viewpoint is calculated. Then, the geometry calculation processing unit 26 gives the projection information to the rendering processing unit 27.

A pallet processing unit 28 stores a plurality of types of color pallets (not shown) which are composed of a plurality of types of color information written by the CPU 21.
And renders the data of the color palette specified by the CPU 21 via the I / F 25 to the rendering processing unit 2.
7 is given. Giving a color palette means
For example, this means giving the storage address of the color palette stored in the palette RAM to the rendering processing unit 27. The rendering processing unit 27 refers to the color information stored in the storage address when generating a display image. Each color information is red (R), green (G), blue (B)
And if the data size of the color pallet is, for example, 16 bits,
Predetermined color information is assigned to each of the 15 values. Further, each data of the color palette, that is, each palette is assigned to each dot constituting the texture, and by rendering each dot with the color information of each palette, the entire texture is rendered. Note that by sequentially changing the color information assigned to each of the color palettes, a plurality of types of textures having different shades can be generated stepwise.

The rendering processing unit 27 first reads out the background image based on the storage address where the background image in the character storage unit 18 is stored, and reads the background image in the frame memory provided in the image storage unit 20. And renders each polygon of the object based on the projection information in the frame memory. Further, the rendering processing unit 27 renders the texture read from the character storage unit 18 on an area corresponding to each polygon in the frame memory based on the texture storage address in the character storage unit 18 and the color pallet data. . At this time, if an identification symbol to be erased is to be drawn from the display screen 6a, the rendering processing unit 27
The color information of the texture is partially thinned out to a translucent state by using the mask pattern designated by 1. As a result, a display image in which images of symbols corresponding to various objects are drawn on the background image is generated in the frame memory. This display image is a display image having a predetermined aspect ratio, for example, an aspect ratio of 3: 4, depending on the capacity of the frame memory. The above-described geometry calculation processing unit 26 and rendering processing unit 27 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 or not due to the context of polygons, and a light from a light source. Processing such as shading calculation processing for calculating the degree of hit and the state of reflection is also performed as appropriate.

The selector section 29 is for appropriately selecting a plurality of frame memories. Specifically, the selector unit 2
When an image is rendered by the above-described rendering processing unit 27, one of a plurality of frame memories provided in the image storage unit 20, for example, one of a first frame memory and a second frame memory is used. select.
In this case, a display image is generated in the selected frame memory. On the other hand, the selector unit 29
A display image for which a display image has already been generated is read from the frame memory on which drawing is not performed, and the display image is sent to the video output unit 30. Note that the selector unit 2
Reference numeral 9 sequentially switches between the reading-side frame memory and the drawing-side frame memory. The video output unit 30 converts the display image sent from the selector unit 29 into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the liquid crystal monitor 6.

The image storage unit 20 includes the rendering processing unit 2
7 is a so-called video RAM that stores the display image generated by the video RAM 7. The image storage unit 20 constitutes a so-called double buffer in which a first frame memory, which is a storage area for storing a display image for one screen, and a second frame memory, for example. The number of frame memories provided in the image storage unit 20 is not limited to two, but may be any number as long as it is one or more.

The liquid crystal monitor 6 has a screen 6 a for displaying a display image output from the video output unit 30, and is mounted so that the screen 6 a is exposed on the game board 2. The display screen 6a has, for example, an aspect ratio of 9: 1.
6, the liquid crystal monitor 6 adjusts the display image having an aspect ratio of 3: 4 output from the video output unit 30 to the display screen 6a according to the aspect ratio of the display screen 6a.
To display the display image. In addition, the liquid crystal monitor 6 has a function of displaying a display image having an aspect ratio of 3: 4 as it is, and appropriately changing the aspect ratio of the display image displayed on the display screen 6a according to the game state. Can also. In addition,
The liquid crystal monitor 6 corresponds to a display unit in the present invention.

With reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, the processing performed by the image display device 7 will be described.

Step T 1 (Command Grasp) The I / F 17 sequentially receives commands sent from the control board 1 and sequentially passes the commands to the three-dimensional image processing unit 19. The three-dimensional image processing unit 19 stores the command in a command buffer (not shown) provided in the work RAM 23. Further, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 reads the command stored in the command buffer every time an interrupt process is performed from the liquid crystal monitor 6, executes the program in the program ROM 22 corresponding to the command, and executes the program for one screen. Display images are sequentially generated. By executing the program, the following steps are executed in the three-dimensional image processing unit 19. The above-described interrupt processing is performed in synchronization with, for example, a vertical scanning signal every 1/30 second or 1/60 second of the liquid crystal monitor 6.

Step T2 (set viewpoint in world coordinate system) The three-dimensional image processing section 19 sets a point of interest for determining an area in the world coordinate system to be displayed on the display screen. This point of interest is set, for example, at a position that substantially matches the arrangement position of a specific object arranged in the world coordinate system. Further, a viewpoint for displaying the state in the world coordinate system on the display screen 6a of the liquid crystal monitor 6 is set based on the point of interest. This viewpoint is the origin of the three-dimensional coordinate system, and is set such that the direction of the line of sight from the viewpoint points to the point of interest. The line of sight is, for example, the z-axis of a coordinate system whose origin is the viewpoint. Note that a coordinate system centered on this viewpoint is called a viewpoint coordinate system. Hereinafter, a concept and a specific calculation method for setting a viewpoint having a line of sight toward a point of interest in the world coordinate system will be described.

When displaying a plurality of identification symbols on the display screen 6a, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of objects OJ1 to OJ6 are arranged at respective arrangement positions in the world coordinate system. The three-dimensional image processing unit 19 controls the display screen 6
The coordinate value (WP _x , WP _y , WP _z ) of the arrangement position WP in the world coordinate system of the object OJ3 for displaying the identification symbol displayed near the center of a is obtained.
For example, in the case of the pachinko machine of the present embodiment, the coordinate value of the arrangement position WP is obtained by referring to the coordinate value of the world coordinate system prepared in advance in the program. For example, in the case of a gaming machine other than a pachinko machine, it is determined based on an input signal from an input means such as a controller. The three-dimensional image processing unit 19 calculates the coordinate values (WP _x , WP _y , WP) of the arrangement position WP.
_z ) is set as the coordinate value of the point of interest.

As shown in FIG. 7, the three-dimensional image processing section 19 sets a new three-dimensional coordinate system having the point of interest WP as the origin O in the world coordinate system. And FIG.
As shown in (a), the new three-dimensional coordinate system is rotated around each two-dimensional axis of the new three-dimensional coordinate system. For example, a new three-dimensional coordinate system is rotated around the x-axis by θ _x ° and around the y-axis by θ _y °. Rotation angle θ _x °, θ _y °
For example, in the case of the pachinko machine of the present embodiment, is obtained by referring to the data of the rotation angle prepared in advance in the program. For example, in the case of a gaming machine other than a pachinko machine, it is determined based on an input signal from an input means such as a controller. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, the z-axis, which is another one-dimensional axis of the new coordinate system, is displaced in accordance with the center of interest and the z-axis is oriented in an arbitrary direction. Further, FIG.
As shown in (c), based on the data of the distance L from the point of interest to the viewpoint given in advance, the arrangement position P that is separated by the distance L from the point of interest on the z-axis of the new three-dimensional coordinate system.
Move the new coordinate system to ₀ . At this time, a new 3
The z-axis of the dimensional coordinate system is moved so as to face the point of interest.
In the present embodiment, the direction of the line of sight is described as being on the positive side of the z-axis, but is not limited thereto.
For example, the direction of the line of sight may be on the minus side of the z-axis. Further, in this embodiment, the arrangement position WP of the point of interest is made to coincide with the arrangement position of the object J. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the arrangement position WP of the point of interest is set to an arbitrary position. be able to. Specifically, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 determines the coordinate value of the above-described target point arrangement position WP, the rotation angles θ _x and θ _y around each axis of the new coordinate system, and the distance L from the target point. Are substituted into the following equation (1).

[0047] _{(P 0X, P 0Y, P} 0Z) = (Lsinθ y cosθ x + WP x, Lsinθ x + WP y, Lcosθ y cosθ x + WP z) ... (1)

The three-dimensional image processing unit 19 uses the above-described equation
According to (1), in the three-dimensional coordinate system in which the point of interest is on the z-axis,
The coordinate value of the origin O in the world coordinate system (P_0X,P_0Y,
P_0Z) Is calculated and its coordinate value (P_0X,P_0Y,P_0Z)
Position P of world coordinate system₀New three-dimensional
Is moved. The location of this world coordinate system
P ₀Of the new three-dimensional coordinate system at
The viewpoint SP has a line. Will be clear later
World coordinates in the direction where the line of sight from the viewpoint SP
The state of the system is displayed on the display screen 6a of the LCD monitor 6.
You.

Step T3 (Arrangement and Change of Objects) The three-dimensional image processing section 19 reads out the objects OJ1 to OJ6 for displaying a plurality of identification symbols on the display screen 6a from the character storage section 18, respectively. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 sets the world coordinates in accordance with the coordinate values (P _0X, P _0Y, P _0Z ) of the arrangement position P ₀ of the viewpoint SP. seeking the coordinate values in the system, arranged respectively each object OJ1~OJ6 them to each position P ₁ to P ₆ based on each coordinate value. The three-dimensional image processing unit 19 calculates the data of the portion represented by ΔP of the coordinate value of the arrangement position of each object, or refers to the data prepared in advance in the program ROM 22 and A coordinate value in the world coordinate system is obtained from the SP coordinate value.

Specifically, the arrangement position in the world coordinate system
P₁(P_0X+ ΔP_1X, P_0Y+ ΔP_1Y, P_0Z+ ΔP_1Z)
Move the object OJ1 to the position P_Two(P_0X+ ΔP_2X,
P_0Y+ ΔP_2Y, P_0Z+ ΔP_2Z) To the object OJ2
To the placement position P_Three(P_0X+ ΔP _3X, P_0Y+ ΔP_3Y, P_0Z
+ ΔP_3Z) At the position P_Four(P
_0X+ ΔP_4X, P_0Y+ ΔP_4Y, P_0Z+ ΔP_4Z) To object
Object OJ4 at the placement position P_Five(P_0X+ ΔP_5X, P_0Y+ Δ
P_5Y, P_0Z+ ΔP_5Z), Place the object OJ5
Place P₆(P_0X+ ΔP_6X, P_0Y+ ΔP_6Y, P_0Z+ ΔP_6Z)
The object OJ6 is arranged respectively. In addition, flight
For simplicity, the shape of each object is shown in a spherical shape in FIG.
However, the shape of each object is
It is formed in a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the shape of the pattern. Also,
In the present embodiment, each object O is set based on the viewpoint SP.
Since J1 to OJ6 are arranged, the arrangement position of the viewpoint SP
Or the direction of the line of sight is displaced,
Even if the objects OJ1 to OJ6
Is displayed in a certain position on the display screen 6a.
Can be displayed on the display.

Further, when moving an arbitrary object among the objects OJ1 to OJ6, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 calculates the coordinate value of the x-axis component of the arrangement position of the arbitrary object every interruption processing. By sequentially updating (subtracting or adding coordinate values), an arbitrary object is moved in the horizontal direction. As a result, the object moves in the world coordinate system, so that the identification symbol displayed by the object also moves on the display screen 6a. Similarly, by sequentially updating the coordinate value of the y-axis component of the arrangement position of an arbitrary object, the object can be arbitrarily moved in the vertical direction, and by sequentially updating the coordinate value of the z-axis component, the object can be arbitrarily moved in the depth direction. Can be.
The processing in step T3 will be described later in detail. Step T3 corresponds to the function of the object moving means in the present invention.

Step T4 (Correction Correction of Viewpoint Coordinate System) The three-dimensional image processing unit 19 determines the arrangement positions P _{1 to} P of the objects OJ1 to OJ6 arranged in the world coordinate system.
The coordinate value of ₆ is converted into a coordinate value of a viewpoint coordinate system using the viewpoint SP as a reference, that is, the origin. That is, only the component represented by the coordinate value Δ is extracted. Here, since the aspect ratio of the display image generated in the frame memory by the rendering processing unit 27 is 3: 4, when the display image is displayed on the display screen 6a having the aspect ratio of 9:16, the display image is extended. There is an adverse effect that the image becomes a blurred image. Therefore,
According to the aspect ratio of the display image and the aspect ratio of the display screen,
By modifying the viewpoint coordinate system, each identification symbol or the like arranged in the viewpoint coordinate system is transformed.

Specifically, the three-dimensional image processing section 19 calculates a deformation correction value for correcting the deformation of the viewpoint coordinate system.
This deformation correction value is a magnification value for enlarging or reducing the vertical width or the horizontal width of each of the objects OJ1 to OJ6. Assuming that the aspect ratio of the display screen 6a is A: B and the aspect ratio of the display image is a: b, the deformation correction value can be calculated by the following equation (2). Note that the deformation correction value calculated by the following equation (2) is a magnification for deforming and correcting the width of an object or the like when the width is deformed according to the screen based on the vertical magnification of the display image. This value is a magnification value for correcting the vertical width of each of the objects OJ1 to OJ6 when the vertical width of the object is changed according to the screen based on the horizontal magnification of the display image.

(A × b) ÷ (a × B) (2)

The display image generated in the frame memory has an aspect ratio of 3: 4, and the display screen 6a has an aspect ratio of 9: 1.
In the case of 6, the display image is displayed on the display screen 6a with the aspect ratio of 9:16, and the width of the display image is 4/3.
It is displayed as if it were enlarged twice. At this time, the width of the identification symbol displayed by each of the objects OJ1 to OJ6 included in the display image is also enlarged to 4/3 times. Here, by substituting the values of the aspect ratio of the display image and the display screen 6a into Expression (2), the width of each of the objects OJ1 to OJ6 is three-fourths (hereinafter, referred to as “3/4”). ) Is calculated. Further, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 reduces the horizontal direction (x-axis direction) of the viewpoint coordinate system to 3/4 times based on the deformation correction value. As a result, each of the objects OJ1 to OJ6 is positioned three times in the x-axis direction of the viewpoint coordinate system.
/ 4 times. In this embodiment, the viewpoint coordinate system is deformed and corrected in step T4. However, the processing after step T4 can be performed without performing deformation correction.

Step T5 (Projection on Projection Plane) The three-dimensional image processing unit 19, as shown in FIG.
And a projection plane TM perpendicular to the z-axis, which is the direction of the line of sight from the viewpoint, between the objects OJ1 to OJ6. The projection plane TM is perpendicular to the z-axis of the viewpoint coordinate system,
Since the z value is fixed, it can be handled as a two-dimensional coordinate value on the projection plane TM. This projection plane T
M has an area corresponding to a frame memory provided in the image storage unit 20.

Further, the three-dimensional image processing section 19 outputs the objects OJ1 to OJ6 according to the moving direction of the objects OJ1 to OJ6 projected on the projection plane TM.
Are perspectively or parallel projected. The proper use of the perspective projection and the parallel projection will be described later in detail. Thereby, each vertex of each polygon constituting each of the objects OJ1 to OJ6 is projected on the projection plane TM so as to move in a perspective or parallel manner, and the three-dimensional coordinate values of each vertex are two-dimensional on the projection plane TM. Is converted to coordinate values.
The three-dimensional image processing unit 19 acquires the projection information of each of the objects OJ1 to OJ6 in the world coordinate system when the projection of all the objects is completed.

Here, perspective projection refers to each object O
This refers to projecting J1 to OJ6 in a state viewed from the viewpoint SP, and specifically to projecting such that the vertices of each polygon of the objects OJ1 to OJ6 are linearly moved toward the viewpoint SP. Thereby, for example, each image of the objects OJ1 to OJ6 is displayed so as to change according to the distance from the viewpoint SP. The parallel projection refers to projecting the objects OJ1 to OJ6 as they are viewed from the projection plane TM.
This means that the projection is performed such that the vertices of the polygons J1 to OJ6 move linearly perpendicular to the projection plane TM.
Thereby, regardless of the distance from the viewpoint SP, the images of the objects OJ1 to OJ6 are always displayed in a fixed size. The processing in step T5 will also be described later in detail. If the player wants the player to identify the game state, the object displaying the identification symbol is projected in parallel to make it easier to identify the identification symbol. In order to do so, it is preferable to perform perspective projection of an object displaying the identification symbol.
Further, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary symbol other than the identification symbol is not particularly described, but perspective projection or parallel projection can be applied to the auxiliary symbol as well. Step T5
Corresponds to the function of the projection means in the present invention.

Step T6 (Generate Display Image) First, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19
Is read out, and the background image is drawn in a frame memory in the image storage unit 20. This background image is, for example, an image for displaying the state of the sea and the sea floor.

Next, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 determines the address in the frame memory of the image storage unit 20 corresponding to the coordinate value of each vertex of each polygon of each of the objects OJ1 to OJ6 included in the projection information, that is, the frame memory. The position of each polygon of each of the objects OJ1 to OJ6 is obtained. Then, the texture read from the character storage unit 18 is drawn on each polygon while being deformed according to each polygon. As a result, a display image is generated in the frame memory on which the identification symbols, which are images of the objects OJ1 to OJ6, are superimposed on the background image.

Further, when the specific identification symbol displayed on the display screen 6a is gradually erased, the three-dimensional image processing section 19 executes a predetermined number of interrupt processings of mask patterns M1 to M9 described later from the program ROM 22. Is read sequentially for each Then, textures to be attached to specific objects for displaying specific identification symbols are sequentially processed by the mask patterns M1 to M9. Specifically, the mask patterns M1 to M9 are sequentially superimposed on the texture after being deformed according to each polygon of the specific object, and a non-display portion is provided by each of the mask patterns M1 to M9. Draw on each polygon. Thereby, it is possible to display such that the identification symbol displayed by the specific object gradually disappears. The processing in step T6 will also be described later in detail. Step T6 corresponds to the function of the display image generating means in the present invention.

Step T7 (Display) The three-dimensional image processing section 19 outputs the display image generated in the frame memory to the liquid crystal monitor 6 via the video output section 30. The liquid crystal monitor 6 sequentially displays a display image having an aspect ratio of 3: 4 sent from the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 for each interruption process in accordance with a display screen 6a having an aspect ratio of 9:16. By executing steps T1 to T7 described above, a display image as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display screen 6a. As shown in FIG. 10, for example, identification symbols G1 to G5, which are images of the above-described objects OJ1 to OJ5, are displayed on the display screen 6a, for example, in front of a background image HG indicating the state of the seabed. At this time, since the object OJ6 arranged outside the projection plane TM is not projected on the projection plane TM, it is not displayed on the display screen 6a. In addition, by repeating the above-described steps T1 to T7, it is possible to display a display mode such as a normal variation in which all the identification symbols fluctuate or a reach in which only a specific identification symbol fluctuates.

Next, the reach actually displayed by the pachinko machine according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 and each display mode shown in FIGS. 11 to 14. The processing performed by the three-dimensional image processing unit 19, particularly the processing in steps T3, T5, and T6 described above, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

Step U1 (Stop identifying symbols in upper and lower areas) First, as shown in FIG. 12A, the display screen 6a has an upper area A, a middle area B, and a lower area C in the vertical direction of the screen.
In the normal fluctuation, a plurality of types of identification symbols are displayed so as to fluctuate in each of the areas A to C. Specifically, in the upper area A, identification symbols assigned symbol numbers 1 to 9 are displayed on the display screen 6a in the order of 9 to 1.
Are displayed from the right side of the display screen 6a in the middle area B and the lower area C in the order of 1 to 9 in the middle area B and the lower area C. It appears and appears to move to the left. In the following description, 1 to 9 moving in the upper region A
Identification symbols A1 to A9
The identification symbols to be assigned the symbol numbers 1 to 9 that move in the middle area B are identification symbols B1 to B9, and the identification symbols to be assigned the symbol numbers 1 to 9 that move in the lower area C are identification symbols C1 to C9. And Further, objects for displaying identification symbols assigned symbol numbers 1 to 9 are referred to as objects J1 to J9.

In the above-described normal fluctuation, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 arranges a plurality of types of objects for displaying a plurality of types of identification symbols in the world coordinate system. By sequentially updating the coordinate values of the x component of each of the arrangement positions of each of these objects, each of those objects can be projected onto the projection plane T.
Move laterally across M. The three-dimensional image processing unit 19 converts these moving objects into a projection plane T
M are sequentially projected in parallel. Thereby, on the display screen 6a, a plurality of types of identification symbols that move in the respective areas A to C in the horizontal direction are displayed. Incidentally, parallel projection, as shown in FIG. 19, when each object J2 are respectively arranged at each position _{P 1, P 3, P 4} , their form of each object J2 is the projection plane TM This is a projection method of projecting vertically. Thereby, the identification symbol A displayed by each object J2 is displayed on the display screen 6a.
2, B2 and C2 are objects J from the projection plane TM.
2 is displayed in a similar state.

As shown in FIG. 16 (a), the three-dimensional image processing unit 19
The position P _2, P ₅ and at the time of the arranged objects J2 related to reach position P ₁ and the arrangement position P _4, x component of each position _{P 1, P 2, P 4} , P 5 Stop updating the coordinate values of the objects J1 to J3
Stop moving. Thereby, on the display screen 6a,
The lateral movement of the identification symbols A2 and A1 in the upper region A and the identification symbols C2 and C3 in the lower region C is stopped. At this time, since the identification symbol A2 and the identification symbol C2 are vertically aligned on the display screen 6a, the player recognizes that the normal change has shifted to the reach.

Step U2 (moving or deleting a predetermined identification symbol)
The three-dimensional image processing unit 19, as shown in FIG.
Arrangement position P_FourThe object J2 placed at the placement position P
_FiveTo move to the position P _FiveX
Arrangement position P until it almost matches the minute coordinate value_FourOf the x component of
Update coordinate values sequentially. Thereby, on the display screen 6a,
Are shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C.
The identification symbol C2 moves rightward.

[0068] In addition, three-dimensional image processing unit 19, an object J1 arranged at the arrangement position P _2, position P ₅
When a hidden portion is provided in the texture to be attached to each polygon with the object J3 arranged in the above, the hidden portion is changed according to the movement of the identification symbol C2, and when the identification symbol C2 overlaps the identification symbol C3. Then, a process of hiding the entire texture and extinguishing the identification symbols C3 and A1 is performed. When the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 erases the identification symbols C3 and A1, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 outputs the objects J3 and J1.
Stop the arrangement of The process of eliminating the texture is a process of providing a non-display portion on the target texture by sequentially overlapping mask patterns M1 to M9 described later on the texture.

The principle of the process for eliminating the above-mentioned predetermined identification symbol will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 27. Note that, in order to facilitate understanding of this process, a process in the case where a trapezoidal image shown in FIG. 21 is displayed on the display screen 6a instead of the identification symbols C3 and A1 will be described. FIG. 21 illustrates how the image displayed in a trapezoidal shape gradually disappears. As shown in FIG. 21A, the display screen 6a displays a three-dimensional image of a substantially square plane G lying in a predetermined space as viewed obliquely from above. Also, as shown in FIGS. 21B to 21D, a state is displayed on the display screen 6a in which the color of the image on the plane G gradually fades and disappears as time passes.

The above-described three-dimensional image of the plane G is displayed by polygons and textures attached to the polygons. In this embodiment, a polygon will be described, but the same applies to an object composed of one or a plurality of polygons. Specifically, the display screen 6a
As shown in FIG. 22, for example, the image of the plane G displayed in FIG. It is generated with a certain texture T (see FIG. 22A). The polygon GP includes four vertices P1 to P3 represented by three-dimensional coordinate values in the local coordinate system.
4. The texture T is composed of an image surrounded by vertices P1 to P4 that match the vertices P1 to P4 of the polygon GP. Polygon GP and texture T
Are stored in the character storage unit 18.

As shown in FIG. 23, the three-dimensional image processing unit 1
9 reads a polygon GP from the character storage unit 18 and arranges the polygon GP in a world coordinate system which is a virtual three-dimensional space. Further, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19
A viewpoint SP for displaying a state in the world coordinate system is set, and a projection plane TM perpendicular to a line of sight (z-axis direction in the figure) from the viewpoint SP is set. Then, the vertices P1 to P4 of the polygon GP in the world coordinate system are projected onto the projection plane TM.
Respectively. As a result, as shown in FIG. 24, a substantially square polygon GP in the world coordinate system is projected in a trapezoidal shape on the projection plane TM, and the polygon G
The vertices P1 to P3 of P are converted into two-dimensional coordinate values on the projection plane TM.

As shown in FIG. 25A, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 deforms the shape of the texture T read from the character storage unit 18 so as to match the shape of the polygon GP on the projection plane TM. Paste on the polygon GP.
In other words, the drawing is performed so that the vertices P1 to P4 of the polygon GP and the vertices P1 to P4 of the texture T respectively match. When the drawing is completed, the projection plane TM
The display image generated in the frame memory is sent to the liquid crystal monitor 6. As a result, the image of the plane G shown in FIG. 21A is displayed on the display screen 6a of the liquid crystal monitor 6.

A plurality of types of mask patterns are stored in the program ROM 22 of the three-dimensional image processing section 19 described above. These plural types of mask patterns are to act on the texture T after being deformed in accordance with the polygon GP to provide a non-display portion not displayed on the display screen 6a in the deformed texture T. In order to gradually eliminate the plane G, which is an image of the polygon GP to which the texture T is pasted, the non-display portion provided on the texture T is gradually changed until the entire texture T is no longer displayed. ing.

More specifically, mask patterns M 1 to M 9 shown in FIG. 26 are stored in the program ROM 22. A portion 60 of the mask patterns M1 to M9 indicated by reference numeral 60 (in the figure, a hatched portion inclined to the right) is data for providing a non-display portion on the texture T, and a portion indicated by reference numeral 61 is an image of the texture T. The remaining portion, that is, the portion displayed on the display screen 6a. More specifically, the mask pattern M1 is 00H, 11H, 00H, 00H, 0
The data is stored in the program ROM 22 as 8-byte data of 0H, 11H, 00H, and 00H. For example, 1
Since 1H is a hexadecimal number, if this is represented by a binary number, “0” is obtained.
0010001 ", and" 1 "is replaced by the reference numeral 60,
“0” corresponds to the portion denoted by reference numeral 61. Similarly,
The mask pattern M2 is 00H, 11H, 00H, 44
8 bytes of H, 00H, 11H, 00H, 44H, and the mask pattern M3 are 00H, 55H, 00H, 55H,
8 bytes of 00H, 55H, 00H, 55H, and the mask pattern M4 is 22H, 55H, 88H, 55H, 22
8 bytes of H, 55H, 88H and 55H, and the mask pattern M5 is AAH, 55H, AAH, 55H, AAH,
8 bytes of 55H, AAH, 55H, mask pattern M
6 is BBH, DDH, AAH, 55H, BBH, DD
8 bytes of H, AAH, 55H, mask pattern M7
Are BBH, FFH, AAH, 77H, BBH, FF
8 bytes of H, AAH, 77H, mask pattern M8
Are BBH, FFH, EEH, FFH, BBH, FF
8 bytes of H, EEH, FFH, mask pattern M9
Are FFH, FFH, FFH, FFH, FFH, FF
H, FFH, and FFH are stored in the program ROM 22 as 8-byte data. In this embodiment, nine mask patterns that change in nine steps are used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any number of mask patterns that change in two or more steps may be used. Further, the present invention is not limited to these mask patterns.

The three-dimensional image processing section 19 sequentially superimposes the mask patterns M1 to M9 on the texture T after the deformation, thereby converting the texture T in which the portion of the code 60 overlapping the texture T is not displayed into a polygon GP. To draw.
For example, a case where the mask pattern M5 is used will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 25A, the mask pattern M5 is formed on the texture T so that a non-display portion is provided on the entire texture T after deformation. Layer. As a result, as shown in FIG. 25B, the texture T can be in a state in which, for example, non-display portions are provided in a staggered manner. By drawing this texture T on the polygon GP, the display screen 6a is displayed. Can display an image of a plane G having a staggered pattern. In this manner, the mask patterns M1 are arranged in such an order that the number of non-display portions increases stepwise.
To M9 on the texture T, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) to (d), it is possible to realize a display mode in which the image on the plane G gradually disappears. In addition,
In this embodiment, the case where the number of non-display portions increases stepwise has been described. However, for example, a mask pattern in which the area of the non-display portions gradually increases can be used. By using such a mask pattern, FIG.
As shown in (a) to (d), a display mode in which a non-display portion spreads from one point on the plane G image to the periphery thereof and the image disappears can be displayed.

By performing the above-described processing on the textures to be pasted on the objects J3 and J1, respectively, FIG.
As shown in (a) to (c), the identification symbols C2 and A1 are displayed so as to gradually disappear as the identification symbol C2 moves.

Step U3 (The identification symbols in the middle area are stopped by the same type.) The three-dimensional image processing unit 19, as shown in FIG.
The coordinate values of the x component of each position P _5, P ₆ of the object J8, J9 subsequently sequentially updated object J8,
Move J9. Further, when the objects J8 and J9 move out of the projection plane TM, a new object J1
(Not shown) outside the projection plane TM the ~J7 position P ₇ to P
₁₃ , and sequentially updating the x-component coordinate values of the respective arrangement positions P _{7 to} P ₁₃ , the object J 1
To J7 are similarly moved in the horizontal direction. As a result, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2 (c), on the display screen 6a, a plurality of types of identification symbols B1 to B9 are displayed in the middle area B so as to sequentially move in the horizontal direction.

[0078] 3-dimensional image processing unit 19, as shown in FIG. 17 (a), the object J2 comes moved to approximately the center of the projection plane TM, the x component of the position P ₈ of the object J2 stopping the update of the coordinates is stopped at the position of the position P ₈ which object J2 is shown. Thus, as shown in FIG. 13A, the identification symbols A2, B2, and C2 are displayed obliquely on the display screen 6a. At this time, the pachinko machine causes the player to once recognize the identification symbols A2, B2, and C3 as winning identification symbols. Furthermore, the pachinko machine is designed to identify these symbols A2, B2,
C3 is changed again to make a big hit with another kind of identification symbol. In the following steps, such a process of changing again will be described. Note that in cases other than the reach described in the present embodiment, the steps up to here may end.

Step U4 (All identification symbols are rotated and moved in the depth direction) As shown in FIG.
Each object J2 is rotated y-axis, for example, 90 ° about the respective positions _{P 1, P 8, P 4} , direct the traveling direction of the object J2 the depth direction with respect to the projection plane TM. Note that the rotation angle of each object J2 is arbitrary, and for example, the object J2 can be rotated by an arbitrary angle around an arbitrary axis centered on each arrangement position. Preferably, the traveling direction side of the object J2 is directed to the back side as described above. The processing here corresponds to the function of the object rotating means.

Until each object J2 is rotated, the three-dimensional image processing section 19 generates a display image in which each object J2 is parallel-projected on the projection plane TM, as shown in FIG. As a result, the display screen 6a displays
The display modes as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B are displayed. In FIG. 13B, in order to make the type of the identification symbol easy for the player to identify, each identification symbol A2, B2, C
Although only the symbol number “2” assigned to each of the symbols 2 is displayed so as to face the front, for example, the identification symbol A
2, B2, and C2.

The three-dimensional image processing section 19 is configured as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 20 and FIG._1,P_8,P_Four
Object J2 placed at each position P
_1,P _8,P_FourIs located at a position closer to the projection plane TM than
Placement position P₁'_,P₈'_,P_Four'
Next, the projection method of each object J2 is changed from parallel projection to perspective.
Change to projection and generate its display image. In other words, placement
Position P₁'_,P₈'_,P_FourEach object J2 placed in '
Is perspectively projected on the projection plane TM, and is shown in FIG.
It is displayed in almost the same display mode as the display mode. Arrangement position P
₁'_,P₈'_,P_Four'Is the projection plane shown in FIG.
Identification symbols A2, B2, C2 projected parallel to TM, and figure
Identification diagram perspectively projected on projection plane TM shown in FIG.
The patterns A2, B2 and C2 are almost the same on the display screen 6a.
, And are positions displayed at approximately the same size.

Further, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 sets new arrangement positions P ₁ ′ _, P ₈ ′ _, P where the objects J 2 are arranged.
The coordinate values of ₄ ′ are sequentially updated, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), each object J2 is projected onto the projection plane T.
Move in the depth direction with respect to M. As a result, each object J2 is projected so as to gradually decrease as the object J2 moves away from the projection plane TM, and thus, as shown in FIG. 13C, the identification symbols A2, B2,
A display mode is displayed in which C2 swims toward the back of the display screen 6a. And the identification symbol A
2, B2 and C2 are reduced to a state where the player cannot be identified. The three-dimensional image processing unit 19 includes identification symbols A2, B
2, C2 stops updating the coordinate values of the arrangement positions P ₁ ′ _, P ₈ ′ _{, and} P ₄ ′ when the player is displayed small enough to make the player indistinguishable, and stops moving each object J 2. Stop. The process of moving each object J2, which has been moved in a direction crossing the projection plane TM, in the depth direction of the projection plane TM corresponds to the function of the object moving means in the present invention.

Step U5 (moving another type of identification symbol in the forward direction) The three-dimensional image processing unit 19 stores each of the objects J2 of the identification symbols A2, B2, and C2 displayed in a small size so that they cannot be identified. It is replaced with another type of object J1 newly read from the unit 18. That is, when the movement of each object J2 is stopped,
Is stopped, and another object J1 of a different type is newly arranged at each of the arrangement positions P ₁ ′ _, P ₈ ′ _{, and} P ₄ ′. Note that the processing here corresponds to the function of the object replacement means.
Further, as shown in FIG. 20D, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 sequentially updates the arrangement positions P ₁ ′ _, P ₈ ′ _, P ₄ ′ and directs each object J1 toward the projection plane TM, It is moved to just before the projection plane TM. As a result, each object J1 is projected so as to gradually increase as it approaches the projection plane TM.
As shown in FIG. 4A, a display mode is displayed in which the identification symbols A1, B1, and C1 displayed by the respective objects J1 swim toward the display screen 6a. Then, at the position where each object J1 is closest to the projection plane TM, the identification symbols A1, B1, C1 are displayed in a larger size than the previously displayed identification symbols A2, B2, C2.

Further, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19
As shown in (d), each object J1 is projected onto the projection plane T.
When stopped immediately before M, the viewpoint coordinate system is swung by a predetermined angle around, for example, the y-axis and the x-axis of the viewpoint coordinate system centered on the viewpoint SP, and the z-axis, which is the line-of-sight direction, is displaced.
At this time, the projection plane TM set perpendicular to the z axis
As shown in FIG. 18A, the object is displaced so as to swing, for example, up, down, left, and right about the viewpoint SP in a state where the objects J1 arranged immediately before the projection plane TM are stopped. As a result, each object J1 is perspectively projected on the displaced projection plane TM, and the display screen 6a displays FIG.
4 (b) and 4 (c), the identification symbols A1, B1, and C1 moving toward the display screen 6a are displayed on the display screen 6a.
a, a display mode in which the display screen 6a fluctuates due to the recoil thereof is displayed. After that, the three-dimensional image processing unit 19 stops the swing of the viewpoint coordinate system,
As shown in (5), the identification symbols A1, B1, and C1 displayed by the object J1 are displayed on the display screen 6a.

Step U6 (final winning identification pattern)
The three-dimensional image processing unit 19 performs the operations shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG.₁'_,P₈'_,P_Four'set on
Object J1 is placed at the position P _1,P_8,P
_FourAnd place each object J1 again.
Change the shadow method from perspective projection to parallel projection and display the image
Generate That is, the arrangement position P_1,P_8,P_Four Placed in
Each object J1 is projected parallel to the projection plane TM,
It is displayed in the display mode shown in FIG. This
The final winning identification pattern is determined. The above steps
The series shown in FIG. 12 to FIG.
Is displayed.

In the pachinko machine of the above-described embodiment, each identification symbol is moved in the horizontal direction on the display screen, and after the movement is stopped, each identification symbol is further moved to the far side of the display screen. , Which makes the player feel interesting. Also, when moving the identification symbol in the horizontal direction,
Since the object for displaying the identification symbol is projected in parallel, it is possible to make it easier for the player to identify a plurality of identification symbol types. On the other hand, when the identification symbol is moved to the back side, the object is perspectively projected, so that a plurality of identification symbols as a whole give a three-dimensional effect,
The fun of the player can be increased. Furthermore, after the identification symbol was moved to the back side of the display screen to make it indistinguishable, the identification symbol was replaced with another type of identification symbol, and further, the identification symbol was moved to an identifiable state. Later, the identification symbol is used as the final winning symbol, so that the interest of the player can be further increased. At this time, since the identification symbol moving from the back side to the near side of the display screen collides with the display screen due to the momentum, the display mode is displayed, so that the interest of the player can be further increased.

In the above embodiment, the liquid crystal monitor has been described.
A T monitor or an LED monitor can be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the pachinko machine has been described as a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be modified to a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a coin game machine. it can.

[0089]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, an object which has moved in the first direction in the virtual three-dimensional space moves further in the second direction, which has never existed before. A certain display mode can be realized. As a result, the fun of the player can be made permanent.

[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 functional block diagram of the pachinko machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a three-dimensional image processing unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the control platform of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing in the image display device of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state where a plurality of objects are arranged in a world coordinate system.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a point of interest is set.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state until a viewpoint is set based on a point of interest.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state of a projection plane and a plurality of objects in a world coordinate system.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state where an image of an object is displayed on a display screen.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of reach in the pachinko machine.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state until an identification symbol temporarily stops during a reach.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an identification symbol that has stopped temporarily starts moving toward the back.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which an identification symbol returned to the near side collides with a display screen.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a state where a jackpot identification symbol is determined.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a state until an object for displaying an identification symbol at the time of a reach temporarily stops.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an object that has once stopped moves toward the back.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a state in which a projection plane is swung.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a state where an object is subjected to parallel projection and perspective projection.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a state where an object is moved with respect to a projection plane.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing one display mode on a display screen.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a state of a polygon and a texture.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a state where polygons are arranged in a world coordinate system.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a state where a polygon is projected on a projection plane.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing how a mask pattern is applied to a deformed texture.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a plurality of types of mask patterns.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing one display mode in a modified example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control board 6 ... Liquid crystal monitor 6a ... Display screen 7 ... Image display device 18 ... Character storage part 19 ... Three-dimensional image processing part 20 ... Image storage part 22 ... Program ROM J1-J9 ... Object A ... Upper area on a display screen B: middle area on the display screen C: lower area on the display screen A1 to A9: identification symbols displayed in the upper area B1 to B9: identification symbols displayed in the middle area C1 to C9: identification symbols displayed in the lower area SP… Viewpoint

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An object is arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space, and the object is projected on a projection plane set based on a given viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space.
In a gaming machine that displays a state of an object in a virtual three-dimensional space viewed from the viewpoint, an object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space is displayed as a first object.
A game machine comprising: an object moving unit that moves an object in a first direction by moving the object in a second direction different from the first direction.