JP2002052178A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce access to a storage means storing an image data group and to perform a display control. SOLUTION: A CPU 500 acquires the image data group of a pattern '7' turned to a display object and both patterns '6' and '8' interposing '7' in-between from a ROM 504, and while developing the image data of the pattern '7' to be the display object in a display area 503, develops the image data group of both pattern data '6' and '8' interposing '7' in-between in a VRAM 502.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine having improved access to an image ROM for storing image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional pachinko machine of this type, image data to be displayed is acquired from an image ROM in which image data groups are stored, and the acquired image data is expanded in a display area on a VRAM to be used in a display device. Display was performed. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11E, a case is assumed where the symbol “7” is scrolled downward to make the next symbol “8” appear. If the image data of the pattern "7" is to be scrolled by 60 dots in 30 frames, it is necessary to scroll the pattern "7" by 2 dots for each frame. Processing is performed to shift the entire image data.
When the symbol “8” is to be displayed, a new image R
OM was being accessed.

However, even when the same symbol moves or the symbol changes, the image R
The number of accesses to the OM is considerable, and the processing load is large, so that there has been a problem that even fine display control may not be possible.

The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and provides a gaming machine in which display control is performed by reducing access to storage means for storing image data groups. The purpose is to.

In order to achieve the above object, a plurality of types of gaming machines having a display device for performing display according to image data developed in a predetermined area in a video ram (VRAM) are provided. Storage means for storing an image data group that is image data for each of the identification information;
Display control means for performing display control, wherein the display control means acquires image data groups less than all image data groups from the storage means, including image data corresponding to the identification information to be displayed, and displays the acquired image data groups. A gaming machine wherein an acquired image data group is developed in the video ram while developing image data of target identification information in the predetermined area.

According to the present invention, an image data group less than the entire image data group including the image data corresponding to the identification information to be displayed is obtained from the storage means, and the image data of the identification information to be displayed is predetermined. While expanding to the area,
Since the acquired image data group is expanded in the video ram,
Even if scrolling of the identification information or the like occurs, the image data group already developed on the video ram need only be moved into the predetermined area, and accordingly the number of accesses to the storage means is reduced.

The entire image data group is design reel data, and the display control means obtains, from the storage means, a design object to be displayed and image data groups of both designs sandwiching the design object. The image data group of the two design data sandwiching the image data may be developed in the video ram while developing the image data of the design in the predetermined area.

The display control means, when acquiring from the storage means an image data group less than the entire image data group including the image data corresponding to the identification information to be displayed, sets the obtained amount to the variable display speed. It can be characterized in that it is changed accordingly.

[0007] Such display control can be realized by recording a display control procedure on a computer-readable recording medium, and reading and executing the display control procedure recorded on the recording medium by a computer. Such recording media include computer-readable digital information such as ROM, semiconductor recording media such as semiconductor ICs, optical recording media such as DVDROM and CDROM, magnetic recording media such as flexible disks, and magneto-optical recording media such as MO. Any recording medium that can be stored is used.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configuration and operation of a normal pachinko machine will be described first, and then the features of the present invention will be described to facilitate the understanding of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of a game board 100 constituting a part of a game machine (pachinko machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

On the game board 100, a circular game area 103 surrounded by a substantially circular outer guide rail 101 and a substantially circular inner guide rail 102 having a smaller radius is formed. A game is played by a game ball fired from a firing device (not shown) by operation and rolling in the game area 103. In the game area 103, a large number of game nails for contacting game balls and rolling them in a plurality of directions are provided, but for simplicity of illustration, the game nails are not shown. I have.

At a substantially central position of the game board 100, there is provided a display area in which identification information constituted by figures and characters can be independently stopped and changed in an array pattern such as a horizontal line or a vertical line. The special symbol display device 104 provided is provided. Above the special symbol display device 104, a normal symbol display device 107 is provided. Directly below the special symbol display device 104 is a special symbol opening 105
, And normal symbol operation gates 106 are arranged on both sides of the special symbol display device 104.

A variable winning device 108 is provided below the special symbol starting port 105, and the variable winning device 108 is provided.
A large winning opening 109 in which the wide movable member 116 rotates toward the drawing side during the jackpot period and a game ball can win a prize until the movable member 116 rotates in the returning direction.
The normal electric role in which the narrow movable member 117 rotates toward the drawing side during the small hit, and the game ball can enter the prize until the movable member 117 rotates in the direction to return to the original position. Thing 1
And 10.

In the game area 103, four windmills 111 for changing the rolling direction of a game ball together with a game nail (not shown), two windmills 112 with lamps, and lighting control in accordance with the game state of the game machine. Lamp display device 114, 1
15. An out port 113 and the like for discharging game balls that are not won to the back side of the game board 100 are provided.

When a game ball is won in the special symbol starting port 105 and a random number generated by a loop counter for generating a big hit random number is drawn, and when the drawn random number is a big hit value, After the identification information of the display area is changed to the variable display state, a predetermined pattern (for example, “7, 7,
7)) is performed by the special symbol display device 104, and the special winning opening 109 is controlled to be opened and closed in a predetermined opening and closing pattern, so that the variable winning device 108 is changed from a disadvantageous state to an advantageous state for the player.

When the normal symbol operation gate 106 detects the passage of the game ball, a random number generated by a loop counter for generating a small hit random number is selected, and the random number is a small hit value. Has an ordinary symbol display device 10
With the display of 7 as a predetermined one (for example, “7” or “3”), the ordinary electric accessory 110 is opened (small hit state), and if a game ball is won during this opening period, a big hit lottery is performed. .

If the lottery results in a big hit, the identification information is variably displayed in the display area in the same manner as described above, and the display in a predetermined pattern is performed by the special symbol display device 104. Is controlled to open / close in a predetermined opening / closing pattern to change the variable winning device 108 from a disadvantageous state to an advantageous state for the player. Note that game balls that are not won are ejected through the out port 113. In addition, this gaming machine is configured to have a probability variation function of increasing the probability of the next big hit if a specific symbol has been hit and a big hit has occurred.

The above description has been made on each device disposed on the game board 100. The operation of the main devices among these devices is controlled by the microcomputer system, and these devices will be described with reference to a control block diagram. explain. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of main devices provided in the game board 100. Note that control units such as a launching device and a prize ball discharging device (not shown) are not shown.

The main control unit 200 is equipped with a microprocessor having a built-in CPU, has a table area 215 described later, and stores a control program and control data describing a series of control procedures.
A counter area 216, which will be described later, and a RAM 202 in which various work areas are formed are provided, and are an integrated one-chip microcomputer. Counter area 216
Can be configured by using a register group (not shown) inside the CPU instead of the RAM 202.

The main control unit 200 has a special symbol start switch 204 disposed inside the special symbol start port 105 through the input port 203 to detect a winning of the game ball into the special symbol start port 105, A normal symbol operation switch 205 disposed inside the gate 106 for detecting a game ball passing through the gate, a large winning opening switch 206 disposed inside the large winning opening 109 and detecting a winning of the gaming ball to the large winning opening 109, and , A normal electric accessory switch 207 that is arranged inside the ordinary electric accessory 110 and detects a winning of the game ball to the ordinary electric accessory 110 is connected, and the main control unit 200 can receive each detection signal. .

The main control unit 200 has an output port 2
08, a special symbol display device 10 having a display device, such as an LCD, capable of variably or stoppedly displaying identification information composed of numerals and characters.
4, for example, a normal symbol display device 107 realized by a 7-segment display device, a special winning opening operating solenoid 209 for controlling the rotation of the wide movable member 116 of the special winning opening 109 to open and control the special winning opening 109, Ordinary electric 11
0 movable member 117 to control the rotation of the ordinary electric accessory 110.
Electric accessory actuation solenoid 21 for opening control of
0, lamp display device 11 for controlling lighting of lamps and LEDs
4 (115) and a speaker 211 for outputting a sound effect are connected, and the main control unit 200 can transmit a control signal for controlling these devices.

A power supply circuit 212 for supplying power and a reset circuit 213 for outputting a reset signal at predetermined time intervals are connected to the main control unit 200. A pulse signal generated by the periodic timer counter is input from the control unit 200, and a monitor signal for monitoring a current supply state from the power supply circuit 212 is input.

Next, a main random number generation counter used by the gaming machine will be described with reference to FIG. Various random numbers are counted up one by one in a predetermined cycle (for example, 4 msec) sequentially from the value “0” until reaching the upper limit value, and when the count value exceeds the upper limit value, the initial value “ Generated using so-called infinite loop counters that are cleared to "0" and repeat the counting operation, these infinite loop counters are formed in the RAM 202, and the main control unit 200 controls the counting operation.

As shown in FIG. 4, the main counts are a big hit state determination random number counter (count value: 0 to 239) 401, a reach selection counter (count value: 0 to 99) 402, a big hit state symbol selection Random number counter (count value: 0 to 8) 403, a left symbol selection random counter (counter value: 0 to 8) 404, a missing symbol selection random counter (counter value: 0 to 8)
405 and a right symbol selection random number counter 406 (counter value: 0 to 8).

The big hit judgment counter 401 is a counter used for judging whether or not a big hit state occurs. In the normal game state (normal probability state), the counter value is "7" to generate a special prize state, and otherwise, the special prize state is not generated. In the high probability state, the counter values “7”, “39”, “1”
A special prize state is generated at "39", and otherwise, no special prize state is generated. Thus, the total count value is changed to "24
If "0" is set, the big hit state can be generated with a probability of 1/240 in the normal gaming state, and the big hit state can be generated with a probability of 1/80 in the high probability state.

The reach selection random number counter 402 is a counter used to select a variation pattern of a special symbol. When this counter value is randomly selected, a symbol variation pattern corresponding to the selected counter value is selected. The big hit symbol selection random number counter 403 is used to select a special symbol used when the same symbol is stopped and displayed in the display area of the special symbol display device 104 so that, for example, three are aligned in a horizontal line when the big hit state occurs. A counter,
When this counter value is selected by lot, each display section of the special symbol display device 104 is displayed in a symbol pattern corresponding to the selected counter value.

When the counter value is "0", "1", "2",
In the case of "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", respectively, "1", "2", "3", "4",
Numerical symbols "5", "6", "7", "8", "9" are selected and displayed. Missing left symbol selection random number counter 4
04, random symbol counter 405 for symbol selection during departure, and
The off-right symbol selection random number counter 406 is a counter used to select a special symbol to be stopped and displayed on the display area of the special symbol display device 104 when a big hit state does not occur. The left, middle, and right symbols corresponding to the selected counter value are displayed on the special symbol display device 104. In addition, there are counters related to normal symbol display etc. other than these,
These are stored in the counter area 216.

Next, the control operation performed by the main control unit 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG.
It is a flowchart for explaining the game operation of the gaming machine. The series of processing shown in FIG. 3 is executed by the main control unit 200.
The process is executed from step S100, which is the first step, with a reset signal supplied every msec) as a trigger.

First, when the power supply circuit 212 is activated by a power switch (not shown), the main control unit 200 is activated. It is determined whether or not the first processing after power-on is performed. A determination is made (step S100). In the case of the first processing after turning on the power, (Y
es) The process proceeds to step S102, while otherwise (No) the process proceeds to step S108.

In step S102, a clear process of the RAM 202 is executed to clear at least a predetermined area including the counter area 216. Then, in step S1
In 04, data for performing initial control processing is stored in RAM
The area is set to the predetermined area 202 and the process proceeds to step S106.

On the other hand, in step S108, the counter values of the various random number counters 401 to 407 described above are counted up by one to update the counter values. Next, in step S110, the detection signals output from the special symbol start switch 204, the ordinary symbol activation switch 205, the special winning opening switch 206, and the ordinary electric accessory switch 207 are transferred to an internal register (not shown) via the input port 203. Port input processing for reading and storing, special symbol display device 10
4. In order to control the operation of the ordinary symbol display device 107, the special winning opening activation solenoid 209, the ordinary electric accessory activation solenoid 210, the lamp display device 114 (115), and the speaker 211, the RAM 202 is used in control processing in each step described later. A port output process for outputting control data stored in an output buffer (not shown) to a corresponding device via an output port 208, and storing the control data output by the port output process. A "common process 1" including an output buffer clearing process for clearing the output buffer and various timer processes for updating timer values of various timers (not shown) used for gaming machine operation control is executed.

Next, in step S112, it is checked whether or not each of the switches 204, 205, 206, and 207 is disconnected or short-circuited. If it is determined that any of these faults has occurred (Yes), the process proceeds to step S112. The flow shifts to S116, executes an error process for storing an error flag in a predetermined area of the RAM 202 and performs control or the like necessary for notifying that it is in an abnormal state, and shifts to S126. If it is determined that has not occurred (No), the process proceeds to step S118 (step S114).

Next, in step S118, a special symbol start switch 204, a normal symbol operation switch 205,
Big winning opening switch 206, ordinary electric accessory switch 207
Outputs a detection signal of detecting a winning ball, from the various random number counters updated in step S108,
The random number value corresponding to the output detection signal is randomly selected and stored in the RAM.
The stored random number is stored in a predetermined area 202, and a hit determination, a symbol determination, and the like are performed with reference to the stored random value.

Specifically, the special symbol start switch 204
Or, when the ordinary design electric accessory switch 207 outputs a winning ball detection signal, the table area 2 described above is used.
15, it is determined whether or not the extracted random number value (the random number counter 701 for judging a prize state) causes a big hit, and the random number counter 403 for selecting a big hit state symbol and the non-matching symbol selection are determined. Random number counter 404-
Processing such as determination of a special symbol to be displayed is performed by referring to the information stored in the table area 406 and the table area 215, and necessary control data is stored in a predetermined position of the output buffer.

When the normal symbol operation switch 205 outputs a detection signal, the small hit is determined by referring to a random number generated by a random number counter (not shown) and a small hit value stored in the ROM 201 in advance. In addition to deciding whether or not to cause a state, a normal symbol to be displayed is determined, and necessary control data is stored in a predetermined area of the output buffer.

Next, in step S120, symbol display control such as symbol change and stop is performed on the special symbol display device 104 and the ordinary symbol display device 107, and in step S11.
The control data necessary for performing the control for displaying the symbol selected in step 8 and the control for displaying the animation image during the big hit period is stored in a predetermined area of the output buffer. Since this specific control is a main part of the present invention, it will be described later.

Next, in step S122, during the big hit state or the small hit state, the special winning opening 109
And control data for controlling the opening and closing of the ordinary electric accessory 110 in a predetermined opening pattern is stored in a predetermined area of an output buffer. The various control data stored in the output buffer as described above is transmitted to the corresponding device by the port output process in step S110, and the device that has received the control data performs operation control based on the received control data.

Then, the flow shifts to step S126, external information output setting processing for storing various game data in a predetermined area of an output buffer in a gaming machine management device (not shown), and prize ball command data in a prize ball discharging device (not shown). , A lamp display control process for storing control data necessary for controlling the lighting of the lamp device 114 (115) in a predetermined area of the output buffer, and a control data necessary for driving and controlling the speaker 211. Common processing 2 "including sound effect control processing for storing in a predetermined area of the output buffer
Execute

In step S106, a reset standby process is performed until a reset signal is input from the reset circuit 213. When a reset signal is input, the process proceeds to step S100 to control the operation of the gaming machine. continue. In addition, as this reset waiting process,
Updating the counter value for generating random numbers of various random numbers described above, and the like can be mentioned. As described above, a series of operation control of the pachinko machine is performed.

Next, the main part of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 5 shows a special symbol display device 104 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the configuration of FIG. The special symbol display device 104
It includes a CPU 500 that performs display control and the like, a VRAM (video RAM) 502, a ROM 504, and a display device 506 such as a liquid crystal display device. As shown in FIG.
A predetermined area of the VRAM 502 is a display area 503, and image data developed in this area is displayed on the display device 506.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the contents stored in the ROM 504. A display control program, an image data group, and the like are included, and these may be compressed. However, the CPU 500 needs to decompress the compressed image data group. The compression format is MPEGn (where n is 1,
2, 3, 4 ...), AVI, etc.

FIG. 7 shows symbol reel data 700 as an example of the image data group. This symbol reel data 700
Is a group of image data in which symbols "0" to "9" are successively arranged in order.

Next, the processing performed by the CPU 500 will be described. This process is performed by the CPU 500 executing the display control program in the ROM 504. First, FIG.
In step S800, a symbol to be displayed and image data groups of both symbols sandwiching the symbol are acquired from the symbol reel data 70. For example, if the symbol to be displayed is “7”, the image data group of symbols “6” and “8” sandwiching the symbol is obtained by accessing the ROM 504.

Next, in step S810, the CPU
500 is a VRAM 5 for storing image data of a design to be displayed.
The image data group of the two design data sandwiching the display area 503 is expanded in the VRAM 502 while being expanded in the display area 503 of FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of this state. The CPU 500 expands the image data of the symbol “7” to be displayed in the display area 503 of the VRAM 502 while holding the symbol data “6” sandwiching it. The image data group “8” is developed in the VRAM 502.

Therefore, according to this operation example, the CPU
500 is a ROM for storing image data groups less than all image data groups, including image data for the symbols to be displayed.
Since the acquired image data group is developed in the VRAM 502 while the image data of the design to be displayed and obtained from the display 504 is developed in the display area 503, the design is already developed in the VRAM 502 even if the scroll of the design is generated. Since the image data group only needs to be moved into the display area 503, the number of accesses to the ROM 504 is reduced accordingly.

(Another Example of Operation) FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing another example of the operation. In the case of low-speed scrolling, the CPU 500 obtains a total of three symbols of the symbol to be displayed and one symbol sandwiching the symbol in the symbol reel data 700 as described above, and develops the symbols in the VRAM 502.
When the scroll data is no longer stored in the VRAM 502, the operation of acquiring the next display target symbol and one symbol sandwiching the next display target symbol in total and developing the symbols in the VRAM 502 is continued.

Next, in the case of medium-speed scrolling, the CPU 500 obtains a total of five symbols of a symbol to be displayed and two symbols sandwiching the symbol in the symbol reel data 700, and
The data is developed on the RAM 502. When the scroll data is V
When the RAM 502 is no longer available, the next display target symbol and two symbols sandwiching the next display target symbol are acquired for a total of five symbols, and the VRA
The operation of expanding to M502 is continued.

Further, in the case of high-speed scrolling, the CPU 500 obtains a total of seven symbols of a symbol to be displayed and three symbols sandwiching the symbol in the symbol reel data 700, and
The data is developed on the RAM 502. When the scroll data is V
When the RAM 502 is no longer available, the next display target symbol and three symbols sandwiching the next display target symbol are obtained, for a total of 7 symbols, and the VRA
The operation of expanding to M502 is continued.

Therefore, according to this other operation example, C
The PU 500 converts the image data group less than the entire image data group including the image data for the design to be displayed into R
When acquiring from the OM 504, the amount of acquisition is changed according to the variable display speed, so that the number of accesses can be further reduced. It should be noted that when the symbol data sandwiching a certain symbol is acquired, there is apparently no data sandwiching this with respect to the data on the end side in the symbol reel data 700. Assuming that the symbol "9" and the symbol "0" are continuous as indicated by an arrow 7, data acquisition may be performed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and changes can be made to each of the above embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, a character or the like is included in the reel data, the position (address) of the display area 503 of the VRAM 502 is set to be applied, and both sides of a certain pattern are sandwiched within a range less than the entire image data group. Acquisition of an image data group of a symbol having a symbol or more is obtained. In the above embodiments, a pachinko machine has been described as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention can be applied to other gaming machines such as pachislot machines and TV games.

As described above, according to the present invention, even if scrolling of identification information or the like occurs, the image data group already developed in the video ram need only be moved to a predetermined area. The effect is obtained that the number of accesses to the storage means for storing the image data group is reduced accordingly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of the front of a gaming machine.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating operation control of the gaming machine.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of various counters.

5 is a block diagram of the special symbol display device 104. FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of storage contents of a ROM 504.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of symbol reel data 700.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a state of developing an image data group in a VRAM.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a specific operation example.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of another operation example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 gaming board 101 outer guide rail 102 inner guide rail 103 game area 104 special symbol display device 105 special symbol starting port 106 ordinary symbol operating gate 107 ordinary symbol display device 108 variable winning device 109 large winning opening 110 ordinary electric auditorium 111 windmill 112 Windmill with lamp 113 Out port 114, 115 Lamp display device 116 Movable member 117 Movable member 200 Main control unit 201 ROM 202 RAM 203 Input port 204 Special design start switch 205 Normal design operation switch 206 Large winning opening switch 207 Normal electric switch 208 Output port 209 Large winning opening operating solenoid 210 Normal electric accessory operating solenoid 211 Speaker 212 Power supply circuit 213 Reset circuit 401 Random number counter 402 for prize state determination 402 Random selection counter 403 Prize state symbol selection random number counter 404 Off counter left symbol selection counter 405 Off center symbol selection counter 406 Off right symbol selection counter 500 CPU 502 VRAM (video ram) 503 Display area 504 ROM 506 Display Device 700 symbol reel data

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A game machine having a display device for performing display according to image data developed in a display area in a video ram (VRAM), wherein the image data group is image data corresponding to each of a plurality of types of identification information. And display control means for performing display control, wherein the display control means includes image data for the identification information to be displayed.
Acquiring image data groups less than all image data groups from the storage means, and expanding the acquired image data groups in the video ram while expanding image data of identification information to be displayed in the predetermined area; A gaming machine characterized by the following. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the entire image data group is symbol reel data, and the display control unit is configured to display a symbol to be displayed and image data groups of both symbols sandwiching the symbol. A gaming machine, wherein image data of a design to be displayed obtained from the storage means is developed in the predetermined area, and an image data group of both design data sandwiching the image data is developed in the video ram. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display control means includes image data corresponding to the identification information to be displayed.
A game machine characterized in that when an image data group less than all image data groups is obtained from the storage means, the obtained amount is changed according to the variable display speed.