JP2001096005A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which has solved the problem of data volume by reducing the memory capacity of image data in such a way as compressing and storing image data and expanding and using these compressed image data, and which has increased the amusement of displays in a variable display game. SOLUTION: A game machine which enables to play a variable display game with an image display device based on the formation of the prescribed start-up conditions and which can realize the prescribed game conditions in relation to the results of said variable display game comprises a compressed image data memory storing compressed image data beforehand compressed, an uncompressed image data memory storing uncompressed image data not compressed beforehand, an image data expander which expands the compressed image data stored by said compressed image data memory, and a variable display controller which makes images based on the expanded image data expanded by said image data expander and the uncompressed image data stored by said uncompressed image data memory, displays these images on said image display device and exerts display control of the variable display game.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of playing a variable display game with an image display device based on the establishment of a predetermined starting condition and providing a game value in association with the result of the variable display game.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in gaming machines, for example, pachinko gaming machines, the amusement of gaming has been enhanced by a variable display game on a special symbol display device arranged substantially at the center of a gaming area.

In this variable display game, when the symbols displayed in the special symbol display device are in a predetermined combination, a jackpot is set, and the variable winning device is opened by operating a continuous character, This is to facilitate winning.

In such a variable display game, stochastic factors are incorporated in determining a jackpot, a symbol at the time of a stop (hereinafter referred to as a "stop symbol"), and the like. It is lively.

For this reason, random numbers with uniformity and irregularity are used for determining jackpots and determining stop symbols.

[0006]

By the way, various types of pachinko gaming machines using the above-mentioned variable display game have been manufactured. However, in the above-mentioned variable display game, the loss and the big hit are basically stochastic. It is a simple thing to be determined.

[0007] For this reason, differentiating the display on the special symbol display device, for example, the display of the process of reaching the jackpot or the reach in the variable display game, is a major factor that enhances the interest in the variable display game. There is a request.

However, if the amount of image data to be displayed on the special symbol display device is increased in order to enhance the interest, there is a problem that the amount of data increases and it is difficult to handle. For example, if the display of a variable display game or the like requires a variety of realities, such as high-definition live-action video, to increase interest, the data amount increases.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention has a problem of reducing the storage capacity of image data by compressing and storing the image data and expanding and using the compressed image data to reduce the amount of data. And to provide a gaming machine with enhanced display interest in the variable display game.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A variable display game is played by the image display device based on the establishment of the predetermined start condition, and a game machine capable of generating a predetermined game state in association with the result of the variable display game stores compressed image data that has been compressed in advance. Compressed image data storage means, uncompressed image data storage means storing non-compressed image data which has not been compressed in advance, and an image for expanding compressed image data stored by the compressed image data storage means. Data decompression means, an image is created based on the decompressed image data decompressed by the image data decompression means, and the uncompressed image data stored in the uncompressed image data storage means, and displayed on the image display device. Variable display control means for controlling display of a variable display game.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the compressed image data includes compressed image data obtained by compressing real image data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the second aspect, the variable display control means switches from an animation image to a real image when a reach state is reached in a variable display game. I do.

[0013]

According to the present invention, the variable display control means creates an image based on the decompressed image data decompressed by the image data decompression means and the non-compressed image data stored in the non-compressed image data storage means. Since the display control of the variable display game is performed by displaying the image on the image display device, a small storage capacity is sufficient even if a large amount of image data is handled. It can be interesting.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Note that FIG.
, The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 2, the special symbol display device (image display device) 10 basically includes a pachinko gaming machine 1.
1 and a video signal output unit for outputting a video signal to the LCD 12 in accordance with a signal from an accessory circuit (game machine control device) 13 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine (gaming machine) 11. 14 are provided.

The video signal output unit 14 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 15 for instructing an arbitrary part of moving image data to be displayed on the LCD 12,
A storage unit (storage unit, compressed image data storage unit,
Non-compressed image data storage means) 16, and decoders (decompression means) 17, 17, 17 that sequentially read compressed moving image data from the storage unit 16 based on instructions from the CPU 15 and sequentially decompress and output the moving image data And the decoder 1
The video data expanded by 7, 17, 17 is input,
And a VDC (display control means) 18 for converting the moving image data into a video signal for the LCD 12 and outputting the video signal. The CPU 15 is connected to a voice synthesizing circuit (not shown) so as to display moving image data on the LCD 12 and generate a sound effect.

Here, before giving a detailed description of the special symbol display device 10, an example of the pachinko gaming machine 11 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the present invention is not limited to the pachinko gaming machine 11 described below, and the present invention can be applied to almost all gaming machines having a special symbol display device capable of displaying images.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a pachinko gaming machine 11 according to this embodiment. The pachinko gaming machine 11 has a rear frame 19 (shown in FIG. 4) constituting an outer peripheral portion, and A front frame 21 rotatably mounted via a pair of hinges 20, 20 and, as shown in FIG. 4, a frame mounted on the back side of the front frame 21 to constitute a part of the front frame 21. 3, a game board 23 detachably attached to the inner peripheral portion of the frame 22, and a predetermined space between the game board 23 and the front face of the front frame 21 as shown in FIG. , A transparent front plate (for example, a glass plate or an acrylic plate) 24 that forms a game space.
A front plate storage frame 25 for attaching the front plate 24 to the front frame 21 so as to be openable and closable;
An opening / closing panel 26 rotatably attached to the front frame 21 below, a game ball supply tray 27 provided on a front surface of the opening / closing panel 26, and a lower part of the opening / closing panel 26 Game ball tray 28 attached
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, attached to the back side of the frame 22 and includes the accessory circuit 13 and the video signal output unit 14, etc., controls the pachinko gaming machine 11, supplies and collects game balls. A back mechanism body 29 in which various devices for performing control such as control are incorporated, and a launching device 30 disposed on the back surface of the right side of the game ball receiving tray 28 and firing game balls,
As shown in FIG. 3, the operation ball 31 is provided on the right side surface of the game ball receiving tray 28, and is roughly constituted by an operation dial 31 for adjusting the operation amount of the launching device 30.

To describe these details in detail, the game board 23 is provided with a display surface 12a of the LCD 12 constituting the special symbol display device 10 at the center thereof. A display decorative member 32 is provided around the display surface 12a of the LCD 12. Also, on both sides and under the display unit decorative member 32, starting ports 33 for the special symbol display device 10 are provided, and when the game balls enter the starting ports 33, a special symbol is formed. The variable display game on the display device 10 is started.

Further, below the display section decorative member 32 and below the starting port 33, a variable winning prize that can be converted into a first state disadvantageous to the player and a second state advantageous to the player. A device 34 is provided, and when the result of the variable display game on the special symbol display device 10 becomes a specific display mode, the display is converted to the second state described above.

On the other hand, a guide rail 35 is attached to the front of the game board 23 so as to surround the display decorative member 32, the starting opening 33, and the variable winning device 34. The front surface 24 of the game board 23 and the front plate 24 constitute a substantially circular game area G, and the game balls launched by the launching device 30 are provided in the game area G.
It is designed to be guided inside.

The back mechanism 25 is, as shown in FIG.
A tank 36, which is disposed above the frame 22 and stores game balls, is disposed below the tank 36. The game balls supplied from the tank 36 are aligned and discharged at a later stage. A chute 37 for guiding to a device (not shown); a collecting gutter 38 disposed below the chute 37 for guiding a winning ball to a not-shown winning ball processing device; Back cover 3
9, the video signal output unit 14 disposed on the back side of the LCD 12 of the special symbol display device 10, and the back cover 39
And a discharge circuit 40 mounted below the back cover 39 for controlling the payout and lending of the prize ball, and the discharge circuit 40 disposed below the accessory circuit 13. It comprises a launch device 30 and a speaker 41 that produces a sound effect.

Next, the accessory circuit 13 and the special symbol display device 10 will be described with reference to the block diagrams shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, the accessory circuit 13 basically has a function of generating a random number based on a predetermined set probability and a hall management device, for example, a winning number to the starting port 33, It has a function of outputting various kinds of information such as the number of display games started, the number of jackpots in the variable display game, the number of cycles of a jackpot, and illegal information (illegal due to winning, disconnection of connector, etc).

In FIG. 5, the accessory circuit 13 includes a CPU 1
3a, frequency divider 13b, ROM 13c, RAM 13d
And an input / output control unit 13e. The above C
The PU 13a is an 8-bit microprocessor that forms the center of the accessory circuit 13 that controls other various circuits. The PU 13a performs various kinds of programs in one-sequence units based on a program processing procedure stored in the ROM 13c by a reset interrupt process. The processing is executed.

The frequency dividing circuit 13b divides a clock pulse output from the clock oscillator to generate a reset signal, and supplies the reset signal to the CPU 13a. The ROM 13c is a semiconductor memory that stores various control programs and data used by the CPU 13a, and the RAM 13d stores program data and the like used during execution of program processing in the CPU 13a and temporarily stores data related to games. This is a semiconductor memory that stores data temporarily and is used as a work area.

Then, the CPU 13a generates a random number, determines a big hit or a small hit in a variable display game based on the random number, and the like. The CPU 13a and the input / output control unit 13e are connected by a bus B. The input / output control unit 13e generates a signal for starting a jackpot or small hit determination, and at the time of a big hit or small hit to be described later, drives the variable winning device 34 to open and sets the special symbol display device 10 to a big hit or small hit. The input device 13f, the low-pass filter 13
g, a buffer gate 13h, an output port 13i, a driver 13j, and an output device 13k.

The input device 13f here is provided with a starting port 33.
A start switch, a discharge circuit 40, and the like (not shown) are provided in the input / output control unit 13 for inputting a signal when a game ball is won.
e. The start switch is provided in the start port 33 and detects a winning of a game ball. The low-pass filter 13g receives an output signal from the start switch and a request signal output from the ejection circuit 40 for controlling the ejection of the game ball. The low-pass filter 13g applies a pulse to each of these signals. It is shaped as a wave and output to the buffer gate 13h.

The buffer gate 13h amplifies the pulse wave shaped by the low-pass filter 13g and outputs the amplified pulse wave to the bus B. The output port 13i outputs various signals input via the bus B to the driver 13j. The driver 13j is connected to the output port 13
Based on various signals input from i, for example, a drive control signal for driving the variable winning device 34 as the output device 13k is output, and, for example, a hall-side management as the output device 13k is performed. Output to devices, etc.
Starting port winning signal, symbol rotation signal, jackpot signal, jackpot cycle continuation signal, data signal output to the video signal output unit 14 of the special symbol display device 10 as the output device 13k, control code signal, and the output Equipment 13k
And other control signals such as a transmission clock signal and a prize ball data signal to be output to the discharge circuit 40 as a control signal.

The special symbol display device 10 includes the LCD 12 and the video signal output unit 14 as described above. The video signal output unit 14 is used by the interface 14 a for inputting a display data signal from the accessory circuit 13, the CPU 15 for controlling a video to be displayed based on the display data signal, and used by the CPU 15. A ROM 14b for storing data such as various control programs and audio data, and for storing program data and the like used during execution of the program processing in the CPU 15 and temporarily storing data relating to image display and sound generation; RAM used as work area
14c, a storage unit 16 storing compressed moving image data to be displayed on the LCD 12, and sequentially reading out the compressed moving image data from the storage unit 16 based on a signal from the CPU 15 and sequentially expanding and outputting the compressed moving image data. Decoders 17, 17, 17 and the decoders 17, 17, 1,
And a VDC 18 that converts the moving image data output from the LCD 7 and outputs it as a video signal to the LCD 12 and outputs a synchronization signal to the LCD 12.

The storage section 16 comprises a ROM storing a plurality of compressed moving image data. The decoders 17, 17, and 17 decode and decompress the encoded and compressed moving image data. In this embodiment, the well-known international standard MPEG1 is used.
(Moving Picture Imege Coding Experts Group Phase
This is a decoding circuit using an LSI manufactured according to 1).

The above-described MPEG1 is developed and standardized for storage media. Unlike the time-series coding technology developed for communication, it is basically fast-forwarding,
Rewinding and random playback from the middle are possible. MPEG1 is basically based on DCT (Disc
rete Cosin Transform: Discrete Cosine Transform and MC (M
otion Compensation: B-
This is a picture to which temporal bidirectional prediction called a picture is added.

The compressed moving image data stored in the storage unit 16 is encoded by an encoder (not shown) compliant with the MPEG1.
The encoded image data is supplied to the decoders 17, 17,
17 makes decoding possible. Further, in the present embodiment, when the coded and compressed image data is decoded by the decoders 17, 17, 17, in addition to the normal substantially real-time reproduction, fast-forward reproduction, rewind reproduction, Special playback such as pause playback and reverse playback can be performed.

The decoders 17, 17, 17
In each of the above-mentioned reproduction, random access to the moving image data is possible, for example, after repeatedly reproducing moving image data of a scrolling pattern in a fast-forward state,
Normal reproduction is performed from the first arbitrary frame to the second arbitrary frame, and pause reproduction can be performed at the second arbitrary frame. The VDC 18 is a well-known integrated circuit that converts the expanded and output moving image data into a video signal, outputs a video signal, and outputs a synchronization signal, thereby displaying an image on a display. The VDC 18 used in the embodiment has a built-in VRAM (not shown) for storing image data.

Therefore, the moving picture data sequentially decompressed by the decoders 17, 17 and 17 is sequentially stored in the VRAM corresponding to the position on the screen by the VDC 18 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 15, and is converted into a video signal. At the same time, the image data stored in the VRAM is rewritten corresponding to the image data sequentially expanded and output from the decoders 17, 17, 17. Accordingly, the image data of the three moving image data decompressed by the decoders 17, 17 and 17 is converted by the VDC 18 into
Each of the decoders 17, 17, 17 is stored in the VRAM in correspondence with the position on the screen, and the image data on the VRAM is converted into a video signal. , The three video data expanded respectively are displayed at the same time.

Next, a variable display game using the special symbol display device 10 in the pachinko gaming machine 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6 to 12. 6 to 12 show a display screen 12a of the LCD 12 of the special symbol display device 10. Also,
In this embodiment, actual images are used for many of the images displayed on the display screen 12a. However, in FIGS. 6 to 12, the actual image portions are not copied as actual images. Shown in handwritten drawings.

First, in the pachinko gaming machine 11 installed in the hall, the state before the variable display game is started, or the variable display game by the player ends,
In the state where the next variable display game has not been started, that is, in the game stopped state, three moving image data files for a plurality of game stopped states stored in advance in the storage unit 16 have three arbitrary moving image data files. The data is decompressed by one of the decoders 17, 17, and 17, and is displayed on the display 12 via the VDC 18 as a real image a as shown in FIG.

The plurality of moving image data for the game stop state are displayed sequentially from the first image data to the last image data of the moving image data until the variable display game is started. Then, after the last image data is displayed, the same moving image data is repeated or another moving image data for a game stop state is displayed. In this embodiment, the live-action video a is a video of a soccer match.
The moving image data includes sound, and cheers during the game are output from the speaker 41 via a voice synthesis circuit (not shown) along with the soccer game.

The processing in the CPU 15 of the video signal output unit 14 when displaying the moving image data for the game stop state includes a process of selecting one moving image data from a plurality of game stop state moving image data. To decoder 1
7, the video signal is converted into a video signal by the VDC 18, and displayed on the display 12.
When a signal indicating that a game ball has been won is output from the start button 33 to the starting port 33, the process of stopping the display of the moving image data for the game stop state, the variable display game ends, and the next variable display game ends. Is a process for starting the display of the moving image data for the game stop state when is not started. Therefore,
In the game stop state, scrolling of the texture image, as in the conventional variable display game of pachinko machines,
There is no need for an image display program for instructing switching, sprite image movement, switching, and the like.

Then, the game is started in the pachinko gaming machine 11 and the starting port 33 of the pachinko gaming machine 11 is started.
When the game ball wins, the variable display game is started. In the variable display game, basically, when the counter from 0 to several hundreds is rotated at a high speed in the accessory circuit 13 and a signal indicating that a game ball has been won at the starting port 33 by the starting switch is output. Is taken out as a random number, and when the taken out value matches a predetermined hitting value, it becomes a hit. In the case where a game ball is won in the starting opening 33 while the variable display game is being displayed on the special symbol display device 10, a predetermined number of random numbers from the counter are stored. A variable display game is sequentially played using random numbers.

In the special symbol display device 10 for displaying a variable display game as a symbol, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of symbol areas (here, symbols b) on the display screen 12a of the LCD 12 are displayed. Three regions) l,
In the m and n, dozens of patterns (here, the numbers 1 to 15 drawn on a soccer uniform) of the same pattern in each of the symbol areas l, m and n are sequentially displayed as moving images. (Note that, in FIG. 7, symbols b and b are stopped and displayed only in the symbol areas l and m, and in the symbol area n, a symbol b (not shown) fluctuates. So-called reach state).

That is, in the video signal output unit 14,
The three decoders 17, 17, 17 sequentially read out the compressed moving image data of the symbols b displayed in the symbol regions 1, m, n from the storage unit 16 and sequentially decompress them, and output the data to the VDC 18, The VDC 18 converts the expanded moving image data into a video signal in a state where it is arranged in each symbol area, and outputs the video signal to the display 12. In this embodiment, the moving image data indicating the symbols b ... is an animation in which the soccer uniforms having different uniform numbers are displayed in the order of uniform numbers while moving downward.

For example, in the moving picture data, in the fifteenth frame, the spine number 1 is arranged at the center of each of the symbol areas m, n, l, and the spine number is sequentially increased every 30 frames. Is arranged at the center of each symbol area m, n, l. In addition, the above-mentioned symbol b ...
By repeatedly repeating the moving image data, the symbols b can be kept scroll-displayed in each of the symbol areas m, n, and l. Further, the scroll speed can be increased by displaying the moving image data of the symbol b... Fast-forward, and the scroll speed can be reduced to a slower speed by displaying the normal reproduction.

Further, since the number of frames and the symbols correspond to each other as described above, the symbol b
.. Are scrolled at a high speed, then, for example, normal reproduction is performed from the first frame to the 105th frame, and pause reproduction is performed at the 105th frame. Then, the symbols b ... can be displayed so as to be in a low-speed scrolling state from the uniform number 1 to the uniform number 4 and stop at the uniform number 4.

In MPEG1, a moving image data structure includes, in order from the bottom, a block layer composed of 8 lines × 8 pixels adjacent to each other in luminance or color difference, and four luminance blocks adjacent to the left, right, up and down. , The color difference blocks of Cb and Cr at the same position on the image
A macroblock layer composed of one block, a slice layer composed of one or a plurality of macroblocks connected in the scanning order of the image, and at least one or a plurality of slices, each of which is an image. And four types (I picture (intra coded image), P picture (forward prediction coded image), B
Picture (bidirectional prediction coded image), D picture (DC
A picture layer classified as intra-coded image)),
One or more I-pictures and zero or more non-I
It is composed of a GOP (Group of Picturs) layer composed of pictures and a video sequence layer composed of one or a plurality of GOPs under the same conditions such as image size and image rate.

Therefore, when performing pause reproduction by designating the number of frames of decompressed moving image data, or performing fast-forward reproduction or rewind reproduction, it is necessary to consider the above data structure. For example, in the picture layer, I
When a picture is encoded, it uses only closed information in one of the pictures, irrespective of the preceding and following pictures. Then, random access is enabled by using the I picture, and when pause reproduction is performed at random, image data of the I picture is used.

As described above, the fast-forward reproduction of the moving image data, the normal reproduction in which the reproduction range of the moving image data is specified, and the pause display of the last frame of the range of the specified moving image data are performed. Symbols can be displayed in a general variable display game. In this case, similarly to the above-described image display in the game stopped state, there is no need for an image display program for instructing scrolling, switching, movement, etc. of the image data. A series of symbols b... Can be displayed by giving an instruction, designating a range of frames for normal reproduction, and giving an instruction for pause reproduction after normal reproduction.

FIG. 7 shows that in the symbol areas l, m and n, the symbol area l and the symbol area m are successively set to normal reproduction after the scroll display by the fast-forward reproduction of the symbols as described above, and the symbol area I and the symbol area In region m, symbol b
Are sequentially paused and played back when the numbers become sequentially 11 and symbols b... Are displayed in the symbol area n at a high speed scroll display.

In a general variable display game,
As described above, a state in which one set of symbols b... Is not determined and the remaining two sets of symbols b. Then, in the variable display game, if a set of unfixed symbols b ... is displayed in the same manner as the other two sets of symbols b ... after the reach, it will be a big hit, and if it is a different symbol, it will be missed. Has become. In addition, the jackpot and the miss are determined stochastically in the accessory circuit 13 as described above, and the symbol b to be pause-reproduced and displayed in the remaining set of symbols b. Thirteen decisions.

Therefore, the display of the symbol b as described above is
Based on the correspondence between the number of frames of the image in the moving image data that pauses after the low-speed scrolling after the high-speed scrolling and the symbol b shown in the image as described above,
This can be performed by outputting a signal indicating the number of frames from the accessory circuit 13. That is, by outputting a display instruction signal indicating the number of frames or a symbol corresponding to the number of frames from the accessory circuit 13, it is possible to instruct the accessory circuit 13 to hit or miss.

In the variable display game, when the reach state is not attained, that is, when the symbols of the stopped moving image data are different between the symbol region 1 and the symbol region m, the scroll display is performed on the symbol region n. The moving image data to be displayed is also stopped and displayed through the same process as the other symbol areas l and m, and the variable display game is ended.
When the variable display game is over, the starting port 3
Based on the winning or non-winning of the game ball to No. 3, the display of the next variable display game is started or the moving image data in the game stopped state shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when the variable display game reaches the reach state, the sequence shifts to a series of video display of FIGS. As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, when the variable display game is
Background area k in which the display screen 12a occupies about 3/4 from the top
And three symbol areas l'm'n 'obtained by dividing the lower part of the remaining display screen 12a into three parts in the horizontal direction.

In the background area k, a moving image data file of a real photograph of a soccer match stored in the storage unit 16 (different from the above-described moving image data file for the game stop state) is one of three decoders. 17 and is displayed on the LCD 12 via the VDC 18. Note that a plurality of live-action moving image data files for the background area K are prepared in the storage unit 16, and a moving image data file for a jackpot and a moving image data file for a deviation are prepared.

Also, the moving image data file for jackpot and the moving image data file for deviation correspond one to one.
Except for the last part, the exact moving image data of the actual shooting is used as the corresponding moving image data file for jackpot. Then, in the same part of the one moving image data for the background, which is different from the jackpot, as shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, in a soccer game, a live-action image from centering to shooting is displayed. It has become. Note that it is not always necessary to prepare a plurality of moving image data for the background, and different portions of one moving image data include a video of a common part with a hit and a miss, a video for a hit, and a video for a hit. First, the common part of the hit / miss of the moving image data is displayed as the image of the reach state of the variable display game, and then the moving image data is determined based on the judgment of the hit / miss of the accessory circuit 13. It is only necessary to display the contact portion or the out-of-position portion.

In the two symbol areas l ', m' of the symbol areas l ', m', n ', the moving image data file for the symbol areas l', m 'in FIG. An image showing the same symbol as the symbol that has become the stop symbol is displayed as pause reproduction. Note that the moving image data for the symbol areas l ′ and m ′ is basically composed of 15 pieces of image data composed of uniforms displaying numbers 1 to 15, and the moving image data is stored in the background area k. In addition to the decoder 17 for expanding data, another one of the decoders 17 expands uniform image data of the uniform number 11.

In the symbol area n ', moving image data for the symbol area n' is expanded and displayed by the remaining decoder 17. The moving image data file for the symbol area n ′ is basically the same as the moving image data for the symbol areas 1 and m shown in FIG. 7 except that the image size is reduced. Similarly, normal reproduction, fast forward reproduction, rewind reproduction, reverse reproduction, and pause reproduction can be performed.

In FIGS. 8 to 10, the symbol area n 'is shown as a blank, but in practice, the moving image data indicating the symbol b ... is scrolled at high speed in the forward and reverse directions by the above-described reproduction method. , Slow forward scroll,
Low-speed reverse scrolling, stop display.

Then, in the background area k, at the last portion of the moving image data, an image different from the moving image data for the big hit and the moving image data for the deviation is obtained as described above. Then, the moving image data for the loss is a live-action video c in which the shot deviates from the goal as shown in FIG. The big hit moving image data is a live-action image d in which a shot is determined as a goal as shown in FIG.

In the special symbol area n ', the moving image data is stopped and displayed in the background area k in synchronization with the timing at which the video is displayed when the shot misses or enters the goal. Has become. At this time, as described above, there is an instruction from the accessory circuit 13 as to what frame of the moving image data is to be stopped, and the instruction is determined by the accessory circuit 13 to be a variable display game as a big hit. In this case, the number of frames of the image data indicating the symbol b of the same symbol as the symbol b displayed in the symbol area l'm 'is indicated. It is supposed to.

Therefore, the LCD 1 in the above reach state is
Also in the display of No. 2, it is not necessary to set up a program for scrolling, switching, moving, etc. of the image data as in the related art. The moving image data file to be displayed in each of the regions (background region k, symbol region l ', m', n ') is selected, and the number of frames of the moving image data to be stopped and displayed in symbol region l', m ', n' is determined. What is necessary is just to create a simple program that designates a display method such as normal reproduction, fast forward reproduction, rewind reproduction, reverse reproduction, and pause reproduction in the symbol area n ′.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10, when an image in which the variable display game is lost is displayed, the process proceeds to the display of the moving image file for the game stop state as in the case of the above-mentioned loss, or The display shifts to the display of the variable display game. In addition, after the big hit screen of the variable display game is displayed as shown in FIG. 11, for example, the moving image file of the real image e shown in FIG. 12 is expanded by the decoder 17 and displayed on the LCD. 34 becomes a second state advantageous to the player, and the prize balls increase.

As described above, according to the special symbol display device 10 of this embodiment, it is not necessary to set up a complicated program for instructing display such as scrolling, moving, switching, etc. of image data as in the related art. The user simply selects the moving image data to be displayed, the display position of the moving image data on the display screen 12a, the range to be displayed in the moving image data (particularly, the instruction of the frame to be stopped and displayed), and the instruction of the reproducing method of the moving image data. With the simple program described above, it is possible to compose an image of the variable display game.

That is, if a system capable of displaying moving image data on a pachinko game machine is employed, unlike a conventional variable display game, a program for controlling the display method of each image data in real time is not required, and the video can be reproduced. The variable display game can be controlled by a simple program that gives substantially the same instructions as those for controlling playback, fast-forward rewind, and pause of the device.

In developing a variable display game using moving image data, a moving image of a real image, a still image of a real image, normal image data, image data of three-dimensional computer graphics, an animation composed of these image data, etc. Can be easily taken in, and once a moving image data file is created using these various data, various variable display games can be configured with the simple program as described above.

At the present time, in creating moving image data as described above, a development environment is provided, and even a computer such as a personal computer or a relatively inexpensive workstation class can use a real photograph or three-dimensional computer graphics. It is possible to easily and at low cost create moving image data that is used or uses various effects.

In the moving image data, the image data constituting the moving image data can be created one frame at a time, and a series of created image data can be used as the moving image data. Can easily perform complicated displays that cannot be displayed in real time. That is, C of the special symbol display device 10
If the hardware such as the PU 15, the decoder 17, the VDC 18, and the LCD 12 has a resolution higher than a predetermined level, can display the number of colors, and can display the number of frames per time, the advanced tertiary Even with complicated moving image data based on the original graphics, basically, only the moving image data is reproduced and displayed, and it is possible to display an image that was difficult to express in real time as a moving image in the conventional variable display game.

In particular, in the variable display game of the pachinko gaming machine 11, there is almost no interactive portion, and the accessory circuit 1 is stochastically determined based on the winning in the starting port 33.
The variable display game can be constructed by sequentially displaying the moving image data according to the items determined in 3.
Video data can be used effectively. Also, as described above, since various kinds of data can be fetched and made into moving image data, various expressions can be performed only by the combination thereof, and the display of the variable display game can be easily differentiated from other models. be able to.

Further, in the development of the conventional variable display game, a designer who produces a design used in the variable display game, its background, and other characters, and a programmer who constructs the variable display game using the design produced by the designer are required. Although it was necessary and it was difficult for designers to acquire programming skills and perform both design and programming, by using the above-described video development environment, designers were required to create video data. By simply learning how to use the application, it is possible to produce most of the variable display game from the design stage, and to create a variable display game almost as intended without being restricted by programming Can be.

Further, since the program of the display of the variable display game itself is simple as described above, the period of the program production and the debugging work in the development period is greatly reduced, and the development period of the variable display game is reduced. It can be significantly reduced. Note that when handling moving image data, a large amount of data becomes a problem, but as with the above embodiment, moving image data is compressed and handled, and the decoder 1 is used.
LCD is expanded almost in real time by 7, 17, 17
The problem can be solved by displaying it on the display 12.

As for the expansion and reproduction of moving image data using the current storage media, a CD-ROM driver having a relatively low data transfer speed has been developed as one of the storage media targets. In this case, a large-capacity moving image data can be handled by using a CD-ROM drive instead of a normal ROM as a storage means.

That is, the storage section is replaced with a ROM and C
It may be constituted by a D-ROM drive. Further, the storage unit may be a hard disk drive, a magneto-optical disk drive, or a mini disk drive. In the above embodiment, a decoder conforming to the MPEG1 standard is used as the decompression means, and the compressed image data which can be decompressed by the decoder is used. However, the decompression means of the present invention conforms to MPEG1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if a decoder compliant with MPEG2 is developed, a decoder compliant with MPEG2 may be used.

In the present invention, it is preferable that special playback such as random access, fast forward playback, rewind playback, pause playback, reverse playback, etc. be possible, as described above.
It is not preferable to use a compression / decompression method for moving image data for transmission that cannot perform such special reproduction. In the above embodiment, the three decoders 17, 17, 17
However, the number of decoders 17, 17, 17 is not particularly limited, and may be changed according to the number of compressed moving image data that needs to be expanded substantially simultaneously in a variable display game. Is possible.

For example, in the above embodiment, at least three pieces of moving image data are displayed while being expanded at the same time. However, a variable display game is composed of moving image data of one screen, that is, a plurality of moving image data are scrolled separately. If the pattern of symbol b is represented by one screen of moving image data, one decoder 17 can handle the pattern. That is, moving image data is recorded in which a large number of patterns of a plurality of sets of symbols that change from the scroll state to the stop state in various combinations are recorded as a moving image on one screen, and one of the patterns is selected and displayed on the LCD 12. In this case, a variable display composed of a plurality of sets of symbols can be displayed as one screen of moving image data. In this case, one decoder 17 of the variable display game can handle the variable display.

The expansion of the compressed moving image data is performed by a special L
This can be performed without using hardware such as the decoder 17 having the SI. For example, the compressed moving image data can be decompressed by causing the CPU 15 to execute a decompression program, and the decompression unit of the present invention can be used in place of the decoder 17 that executes the program. If the expansion program is compressed video data corresponding to the program, different video data can be expanded in the same manner. If the CPU 15 or the like is not changed, the expansion program is expanded every time a variable display game is developed. It is not necessary to develop a program for the application, and it is unlikely that the expansion of the compressed moving image data by software is a factor that extends the development period of the variable display game.

In the above embodiment, VDC
Although the number of the video data 18 is one, a plurality of VDCs 18 may be used depending on the performance of the VDC 18, the number of video data to be displayed at a time, and the like, and the video data to be displayed at a time may be increased by superimposing or the like. In the above-described embodiment, the variable display game is configured using only the moving image data. However, the hardware or the compressed moving image of the decoder 17 or the like is connected to a special symbol display device that does not use the conventional moving image data. A moving image data may be displayed during the variable display game of the above-mentioned conventional special symbol display device by adding a program for expanding the image.

That is, the storage unit (compressed image data storage means, non-compressed image data storage means) 16 stores the compressed moving image data and normal image data, and displays the image data on the LCD 12 via the VDC 18. With
VDC 17 or CPU 15 superimposed on the image data
The moving image data compressed by the expansion program executed above may be expanded and displayed on the LCD 12. In this case, the image data and the moving image data may be displayed simultaneously or separately. In addition, when the moving image data is displayed during the conventional variable display game, the programming is not necessarily easy. However, by using the moving image data, the various variable display can be performed as described above. A game can be manufactured, and a variable display game that is different from other models can be easily manufactured.

Further, in the display of the variable display game, symbols b are displayed by animation, and the background of symbol b is displayed by a photographed image. Needless to say, symbol b is displayed by a photographed image. It is good. For example, when a reach state is reached in a variable display game,
As a live-action video, a soccer player wearing a uniform with a uniform number appears and running with his back turned from the animation of the uniform with the uniform number drawn on the display of the symbol b ... in the symbol area n '. Is also good. Also,
Even when the display of the symbol b is an animation, it is not limited to simply scrolling on the screen, but may be variously moving around or deforming on the screen while the symbols b are sequentially replaced.

[0077]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the present invention, the variable display control means creates an image based on the decompressed image data decompressed by the image data decompression means and the non-compressed image data stored in the non-compressed image data storage means. Since the display control of the variable display game is performed by displaying the image on the image display device, a small storage capacity is sufficient even if a large amount of image data is handled, for example, in order to provide a display that is rich in interest. Can be interesting.

As a result, it is possible to differentiate the display on the special symbol display device, and it is possible to provide a gaming machine with a more interesting display in the variable display game.

Further, when the reach state is reached in the variable display game, the video is switched from the animation video to the actual video, so that the interest in the variable display game can be enhanced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a video display device for a gaming machine used in a gaming machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a video display device for a gaming machine used in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a pachinko game machine using the image display device for a game machine.

FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the pachinko gaming machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an accessory circuit of the pachinko gaming machine connected to the video display device for gaming machine.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a display screen for explaining the video display device for gaming machines.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a display screen for explaining the video display device for gaming machines.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a display screen for explaining the video display device for gaming machines.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a display screen for explaining the video display device for gaming machines.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a display screen for explaining the video display device for gaming machines.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a display screen for explaining the video display device for gaming machines.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a display screen for explaining the video display device for gaming machines.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Special symbol display device (video display device for game machines, image display device) 11 Pachinko game machine (gaming machine) 12 LDC (display) 13 Character circuit (game machine control device) 14 video signal output unit 15 CPU (central processing unit) Processing means) 16 storage unit (storage means, compressed image data storage means,
Non-compressed image data storage means) 17 Decoder (decompression means) 18 VDC (Display control means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A game machine capable of performing a variable display game on an image display device based on the establishment of a predetermined start condition and generating a predetermined game state in association with a result of the variable display game. Compressed image data storage means for storing compressed image data; non-compressed image data storage means for storing non-compressed image data that has not been compressed in advance; and compressed images stored by the compressed image data storage means Image data decompression means for decompressing data; and generating an image based on the decompressed image data decompressed by the image data decompression means and the non-compressed image data stored in the non-compressed image data storage means. A gaming machine comprising: a variable display control unit that controls a display of a variable display game by displaying the variable display game on a display device. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the compressed image data includes compressed image data obtained by compressing real image data. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the variable display control means switches from an animation image to a real image when a reach state occurs in the variable display game.