JP2003052969A - Game machine, image display control method, server and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine that helps prevent the visibility of an identification information display from getting damaged while improving the performance effect of the game machine. SOLUTION: In the display screen of a game machine, a two-dimensional image forming identification information and a three-dimensional image forming a performance image are combined and displayed, and the viewpoint of the three-dimensional image is designed to change. Since the viewpoint of the identification information display does not change, the visibility is not lost. The performance image increases the performance effect by changing the viewpoint.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides a pachinko machine or pachi-slot machine which provides a player with superiority or inferiority of a game result by providing display means such as liquid crystal on a game board surface and combining a plurality of identification information in the display means. And a game machine, a video display control method, a server, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the game industry, a game using an animation image having a high image quality using a three-dimensional image has been provided. In order to apply such an animation image having high image quality to the display means provided on the game board surface of the pachinko machine, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-156018, a hand formed by a plurality of polygons is used. A video image and a ball formed of a plurality of polygons are displayed, and a number picture of different identification information is texture-mapped on the surface of the ball, and the ball is rotated to display other identification information in a variable manner. An effect has been proposed in which the rotation of the ball is stopped and the fluctuation of the identification information is stopped by the action of gripping the ball with the hand from the changed state. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-156020 proposes an effect in which the identification information represented by the three-dimensional image fluctuates and flows from upstream to downstream along the river flow of the three-dimensional image.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned JP-A-11-156018 and JP-A-11-156020.
According to the issue, the flow of the hand and the river, which are both displayed as the background, is a three-dimensional image, and the identification information is also expressed in three dimensions until it is stopped and fixed. There is a problem that and have too much sense of unity, and the visual identification of the identification information that fluctuates and stops is weakened.
That is, in the pachinko machine and the pachi-slot machine in the field of the present invention, there is a game property such that a combination of a plurality of pieces of identification information results in a game state that is advantageous to the player or a game state other than the advantageous game state. Since the player sees the identification information as described above, he is interested in what kind of combination the combination will be, and for other video effects, the combination of the identification information is advantageous. Since it helps the player to recognize the progress of whether or not it becomes a disadvantage with a higher sense of expectation, it is fatal in the game machine in this field to reduce the identification of the identification information. May be a problem.

The advantage of the image formed by using a plurality of polygons is that the arrangement state of a plurality of objects formed by the plurality of polygons in the world coordinate system is made into a projection-converted image viewed from a plurality of viewpoints. The advantage of creating a video is that it can be changed very easily. However, when the identification information is used as an integrated object or texture in a three-dimensional image formed by a plurality of polygons, by switching the viewpoints described above, the identification information becomes a perspective conversion image depending on the position of the viewpoint. Since the identification information is not displayed, the fact that the identification information is not displayed has a problem that the player cannot visually recognize the identification information and confirm the gaming state in the gaming machine in this field.

An object of the present invention is to solve all the above problems.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image are combined and displayed on a display screen of a gaming machine, and a three-dimensional image is displayed. The feature is that the viewpoint is switched.

More specifically, the present invention provides the following:

(1) A game machine in which a plurality of pieces of identification information are displayed on the display means, and a combination of pieces of identification information in which the plurality of pieces of identification information fluctuate and stop can shift to an advantageous game state. In the display means, during the entire one-cycle game until the identification information fluctuates and stops,
While the identification information is displayed as a foreground in a two-dimensional image, the background of the identification information includes a control content that may be displayed in combination with an effect image using a three-dimensional image. Machine.

According to the invention of (1), it is predicted that a problem will occur when a three-dimensional image is used in this type of game machine as the above-mentioned problem. It is possible to reduce a decrease in visibility due to the. According to the present invention, an animation image having high image quality using a three-dimensional image is used as a production screen, and a plurality of pieces of identification information thereof fluctuate, and during the cycle game until all identification information is stopped, the game is played. It is possible to provide a game machine that can provide a player with an image that further enhances the expectation, while reducing the risk of reducing the visibility of the identification information displayed as the foreground of the effect screen.

(2) In the gaming machine of (1), the above 1
A gaming machine characterized by including a control content for performing a calculation process for switching a viewpoint of a three-dimensional image of an effect image a plurality of times during a cycle game, and displaying the operation result as the effect image on the display means.

According to the invention of (2), the effect image displayed as a three-dimensional image and the identification information displayed as a two-dimensional image are combined and displayed on the display means. There is an advantage that it is not necessary to pay attention to the fear that the identification information cannot be visually recognized, no matter how the viewpoint of the effect image displayed as the three-dimensional image is changed. Therefore, there is an advantage that a person who creates a video has less restrictions on video creation.

Further, for example, in the case where the effect image is an effect in which the win or loss in a competition such as a fight of an enemy and a friendly animal character is related to the game result of the cycle game, the viewpoint is freely switched to Since it is possible to inform the player of the progress of the win or loss from the facial expressions of the enemy and the ally, it is possible to provide the player with a continuous effect. That is, in the case of a three-dimensional image, since an enemy or ally animal character can be arranged in the depth direction as well, there is a possibility that the facial expression may not be displayed on the display means due to both being overlapped in the depth direction. By switching, it is possible to express the facial expressions of the animal characters of both the enemy and the friend on the display means without impairing the visibility of the identification information.

(3) A plurality of pieces of identification information are displayed on the display means, and a combination of pieces of identification information in which the plurality of pieces of identification information fluctuate and stop may shift to an advantageous gaming state. The identification information is displayed as a foreground in a two-dimensional image in the entire one-cycle game until the identification information fluctuates and is stopped, while the identification information is displayed on the background of the identification information. An image display control method comprising a step of combining and displaying an effect image using a three-dimensional image.

(4) In the video display control method of (3), during the one-cycle game, a step of performing a calculation process in which the viewpoint of the three-dimensional image of the effect image is switched a plurality of times, and the operation result is the effect image. And a step of displaying the image on the display means.

According to the inventions (3) and (4), the same effects as those of the inventions (1) and (2) described above can be obtained.

(5) A server for displaying a game machine image showing a game machine on each terminal, wherein a plurality of pieces of identification information are displayed on the display means of the terminal and the plurality of pieces of identification information fluctuate and stop. Due to the combination of the identification information, it changes to an advantageous game state, and the display means displays the identification information as a two-dimensional image as the foreground during the entire one-cycle game until the identification information changes and stops. Meanwhile,
A server that controls the terminal device so that a rendering image using a three-dimensional image may be displayed in a composite manner on the background of the identification information.

(6) In the server of (5), the above 1
During the cycle game, the processing for switching the viewpoint of the three-dimensional image of the effect image a plurality of times and the control for displaying the operation result as the effect image on the display means are performed on the terminal device. And the server.

According to the inventions (5) and (6), the process of synthesizing the identification information displayed in the two-dimensional image and the background image using the three-dimensional image and the viewpoint of the three-dimensional image are switched a plurality of times. By enabling the server to execute the processing, it is possible to provide the player with the image of the gaming machine by the processing in the terminal connected to the server via the network. it can.

(7) A plurality of pieces of identification information are displayed on the display means, and a combination of pieces of identification information in which the plurality of pieces of identification information fluctuate and stop can shift to an advantageous gaming state. The identification information is displayed as a foreground in a two-dimensional image in the entire one-cycle game until the identification information fluctuates and is stopped, while the identification information is displayed on the background of the identification information. A storage medium, which stores a program capable of realizing a video display control method including a step of combining and displaying an effect video using a three-dimensional video.

(8) In the storage medium of (7), the program includes a step of performing arithmetic processing for switching the viewpoint of the three-dimensional image of the effect image a plurality of times during the one-cycle game, and the arithmetic result thereof. A step of being displayed on the display means as the effect image, and a storage medium.

According to the inventions (7) and (8), the same effects as those of the above-mentioned inventions (1) and (2) can be obtained.

[Definition of Terms, etc.] “Identification information” according to the present invention refers to information that can be visually identified such as characters, symbols, patterns or patterns.

Further, "variable display" or "variable display" means that, when the identification information changes in sequence, for example, the pattern "7" which is one identification information to the pattern "8" which is another identification information.
When changing to, or changing from the design “9” to another design “☆” and displaying it, the identification information is moved while one piece of identification information is displayed on the variable display device capable of displaying the identification information. Such a case is a concept including both or one of the case where one symbol “7” moves while being displayed in the display area.

Further, when the display mode of the identification information changes, for example, when one symbol "7" is deformed and displayed horizontally or vertically, or when the symbol is enlarged or reduced. This is a concept including a case where it is displayed after being displayed.

On the other hand, the "stop display" means a mode in which certain identification information is stopped and displayed at a predetermined position.

The "storage medium" is, for example, a CD-ROM.
And a storage medium such as an FD (floppy (registered trademark) disk).

The CPU 66, which will be described later, constitutes a control unit, and the display device 32 of the pachinko gaming machine 10, which will be described later.
Alternatively, the display unit is configured by the display unit 132 of the display device 116 of the pachinko gaming terminal device 100 or 140. In addition, a game machine is configured by the pachinko game machine 10 described later. Furthermore, the pachinko game terminal device 100 or 140
The terminal is composed of.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Structure of Pachinko Gaming Machine] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an outline of a gaming machine according to the present invention. In the embodiments described below, the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine as a preferred embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention.

The pachinko game machine 10 includes a body frame 12
And the game board 14 incorporated in the main body frame 12, and the game board 1
4, the window frame 16 of the body frame 12 provided on the front surface of the window frame 4, and the window frame 1
An upper plate 20 and a lower plate 22 provided on the front side of the main body frame 12 on the lower side of 6 and a firing handle 26 provided on the right side of the lower plate 22 are arranged.

A plurality of obstacle nails (not shown) are struck on the front surface of the game board 14. In addition, the game board 14 is formed of a resin material, and a metal rod-shaped body is planted in the game board 14 of the resin material so as to project in the front direction of the game board 14 instead of nailing. Alternatively, the present invention can be applied to the pachinko gaming apparatus 10 (Pachicon machine) configured as described above. In addition, in this specification, the pachinko gaming apparatus 10 is a concept including a pachinko machine.

Further, the firing handle 26 is rotatably provided with respect to the main body frame 12, and the player can advance the pachinko game by operating the firing handle 26. A firing motor 28 is provided on the back side of the firing handle 26. When the firing handle 26 is rotated clockwise by the player, electric power is supplied to the firing motor 28 and the game balls stored in the upper plate 20 are sequentially fired to the game board 14.

The game ball thus shot is guided by the guide rails 30 provided on the game board 14 to move to the upper part of the game board 14, and then the traveling direction thereof is changed by the collision with the plurality of obstacle nails described above. While changing, it drops toward the bottom of the game board 14.

An enlarged front view of the game board 14 is shown in FIG. The same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to those shown in FIG. In addition, FIG. 2 illustrates the omitted nails described above.

A display device 32, which is a display unit as described later, is provided substantially in the center of the front surface of the game board 14. A display device 52 is provided at the center of the upper portion of the display device 32. The display device 52 is composed of, for example, a 7-segment display, and the normal symbol, which is display information, is variably displayed so as to repeat fluctuation and stop.

Ball passage detectors 55a and 55b are provided on the left and right sides of the display device 32. This ball passage detector 55a or 55b, when detecting that the game sphere has passed in the vicinity thereof, in the above-mentioned display device 52, the variable display of the normal symbol is started, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, the normal symbol Stop changing display. This ordinary pattern is information including numbers and symbols, and is, for example, numbers from "0" to "9" and symbols such as "☆".

This normal design is a predetermined design, for example, "7"
When it is stopped and displayed, the movable pieces 58a and 5 provided on both the left and right sides of the starting port 44, which will be described later, are displayed.
A current is supplied to a solenoid 57 (not shown) for driving 8b, the movable pieces 58a and 58b are driven so that the game ball easily enters the starting opening 44, and the starting opening 44 is opened. To Incidentally, after a predetermined time has elapsed after the starting opening 44 is opened, the movable piece is driven to close the starting opening 44 so that it is difficult for the game ball to enter.

There are four on the left and right sides of the above-mentioned display device 52.
Two holding lamps 34a to 34d are provided. Further, a general winning opening 50 is provided above the display device 52. In addition, at the bottom of the game board 14, a winning opening 38 for gaming balls is provided. A shutter 40 is provided near the winning opening 38 so as to be openable and closable. Shutter 40
Is a solenoid 48 (not shown) so that it is opened when the variable display game to be described later is in a big hit state.
Driven by.

General winning openings 54a and 54b are provided on both left and right sides of the above-mentioned display device 32. Further, general winning openings 54c and 54d are provided on the left and right sides of the lower portion of the display device 32. Further, special winning openings 56a and 56b are provided at the left and right ends of the game board 14, and special winning openings 56c and 56 are provided on both left and right sides of the winning opening 38.
d is provided.

In addition, a variable display game, which will be described later, is started, and a plurality of symbols displayed on the display device 32, for example, a start having a ball detection sensor 42 that triggers a transition to a variable display state of the symbols which are three pieces of identification information A mouth 44 is provided. The winning opening 38, the starting opening 44, and the general winning opening 54 described above.
When the game balls are won in the a to 54d and the special winning openings 56a to 56d, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the lower plate 22 according to the type of the winning opening.

Furthermore, rolling guide members 59a and 59b for guiding the path of the game ball in a predetermined direction are provided on both left and right sides of the display device 32. Also, a decorative lamp 36a is provided on the upper left side and the upper right side outside the game board 14.
And 36b are provided.

The portion of the above-mentioned display device 32 for displaying an effect image described later may be a liquid crystal display panel or a cathode ray tube. In the example described above, the display device 32
Shows the case where it is provided in the approximate center of the front surface of the game board 14 of the pachinko game machine 10 which is a game machine, but if it is a position that can be seen by the player, the display device can be located anywhere in the game machine. 32 may be provided.

Further, even in the recent pachi-slot gaming machine,
There is also a device having a liquid crystal screen in addition to the symbol display means for displaying a symbol, and such a pachi-slot gaming device displays a game effect screen similar to that of a pachinko gaming device within the liquid crystal screen to improve the taste. However, the present invention may also be applied to a pachi-slot gaming machine having such a liquid crystal screen.

[Structure of Control Unit of Pachinko Gaming Machine] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine which is an embodiment of the present invention.

The firing handle 26 described above is connected to the interface circuit group 62 of the main control circuit 60, and the interface circuit group 62 is connected to the input / output bus 64. The angle signal indicating the rotation angle of the firing handle 26 is
After being converted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuit group 62, the signal is supplied to the input / output bus 64. I / O bus 64
A data signal or an address signal is input to and output from a central processing circuit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 66.

Further, the above-mentioned interface circuit group 6
2, the ball detection sensor 42 is also connected, and when the game ball passes through the starting opening 44, the ball detection sensor 42 is
The detection signal is supplied to the interface circuit group 62. Further, the interface circuit group 62 includes a sphere passage detector 5
5 is also connected, and the ball passage detector 55 supplies a detection signal to the interface circuit group 62 when it detects that the game ball has passed the vicinity thereof.

The input / output bus 64 described above includes a ROM (read only memory) 68 and a RAM (random
An access memory) 70 is also connected. ROM68
Stores a control program for controlling the flow of the entire game of the pachinko gaming apparatus. Further, the ROM 68 stores initial data for executing the control program and the decoration lamp 36.
A program for controlling the blinking operation pattern of, and sound data required when the variable display game is executed on the display device 32 are also stored.

The RAM 70 also stores the values of flags and variables used in the above-mentioned programs. For example, it stores new input data, a result of calculation by the CPU 66, cumulative reach data indicating a history of games, a cumulative variation number, and a cumulative jackpot number.

An interface circuit group 72 is also connected to the input / output bus 64. The speaker 46, the firing motor 28, the solenoid 48, the holding lamp 34, and the decoration lamp 36 are connected to the interface circuit group 72, and the interface circuit group 72 includes the CPU 66.
A drive signal and drive power are supplied to control each of the above-described devices according to the result of the arithmetic processing in.

The solenoid 48 is for opening and closing the shutter 40 as described above. Further, the hold lamp 34 indicates the number of times the combination of symbols displayed on the display device 32 has been validated. Furthermore, the decoration lamp 36 blinks or lights up when the game is a big hit or when the reach is reached, in order to inform the player of that fact.

Furthermore, the display control device 200 is also connected to the interface circuit group 72, and the display control device 200 is connected to the display control device 200 based on an image display command issued from the main control circuit 60. A drive signal for driving the display device 32 is output.

[Structure of display control device of pachinko gaming machine] <Outline of structure of display control device> Display control device 2 described above
A block diagram showing the circuit of 00 is shown in FIG.

The interface circuit 202 is connected to the input / output bus 204, and the image display command issued from the main control circuit 60 described above receives the interface circuit 2.
It is supplied to the input / output bus 204 via 02. The input / output bus 204 is a central processing circuit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 2
A data signal or an address signal is input to and output from 06.

The input / output bus 204 described above includes a ROM
A (read only memory) 208 and a RAM (random access memory) 210 are also connected. R
The OM 208 stores a display control program for generating a drive signal to be supplied to the display device 32 based on the image display command issued from the main control circuit 60. On the other hand, RA
The M210 stores the values of flags and variables used in the above-mentioned program.

An image data processor (hereinafter referred to as VDP) 212 is also connected to the input / output bus 204. The VDP 212 includes circuits such as a so-called sprite circuit and a palette circuit, as will be described later.
It is a processing device capable of performing various processes for displaying an image on the display device 32.

The VDP 212 described above includes a main control circuit 6
A video RAM 214 for storing image data according to an image display command issued from 0, and an image data ROM 216 for storing image data such as background image data, pattern image data, and character image data. , Are connected. Further, the VDP 212 has a display device 3
A drive circuit 218 which issues a drive signal for driving the drive circuit 2 is also connected.

The above-mentioned CPU 206 reads out and executes the display control program stored in the ROM 208 to execute the image data to be displayed on the display device 32 in accordance with the image display command issued from the main control circuit 60. To memorize. The image display command issued from the main control circuit 60 includes a display command such as a background display command, a pattern display command, and a character display command.

As described above, the image data ROM 216 stores the image data of the pattern which is the identification information image,
Character image data of a character such as a moving object displayed as an effect screen and background image data such as background image data forming the background of the display device 32 are stored.

The image data of the above-mentioned symbols is displayed on the display device 3.
2 is used when the symbols are variably displayed or when the symbols are stopped, and includes image data according to various display modes, for example, an enlarged image, a reduced image, a deformed image, and the like. In addition, the above-mentioned character image data includes image data necessary for displaying a mode in which the character makes a series of motions.

<Structure of VDP and the like for creating three-dimensional image> Next, the above-mentioned VDP 212 and image data R
A configuration for creating a three-dimensional image inside the OM 216 will be described.

FIG. 5 shows VDP 212 and R for image data.
It is a block diagram which shows the structure in OM216.

As shown in FIG. 5, the VDP 212 is a sprite circuit 212a for controlling the drawing of a pattern or the like by a two-dimensional image, information about the three-dimensional image from the CPU 206, that is, a polygonal plane forming the three-dimensional image. Command FI that temporarily stores the coordinate data of each polygon
FO212b, memory control section 212c for performing image synthesis and drawing in the video RAM 214, command FIFO21
A coordinate conversion unit 212d that converts the coordinate data in 2b into screen coordinates, a raster conversion unit 212e that performs a raster conversion that creates a line segment based on each coordinate value created by the coordinate conversion unit 212d, and an image obtained by the raster conversion. A pixel FIFO 212f for temporarily storing data, an image output unit 212g for outputting image data in the pixel FIFO 212f, a palette circuit 212h for converting the image data in the video RAM 214 into color data, and a D for converting the color image data into an analog signal. -A converter 212
have i.

The image data ROM 216 is displayed on the display device 32, and a texture memory 216a for storing a so-called texture, which is a pattern such as a pattern for giving a texture to the surface of the drawn solid. A background memory 216b for storing a background pattern of the image as image data that can be displayed on the display device 32, and an image of a character that appears in combination with the selected background image are stored as image data. And a character memory 216c for storing.

Each part of the VDP 212 is specifically shown in FIG.
A three-dimensional image used as a background image is created by the procedure shown in.

The coordinate conversion unit 212d has the vertices x of the vertices of each polygon (polygon, for example, triangle) forming the three-dimensional image.
Shape data, which is a set of y and z coordinates, is input from the CPU 206, and coordinate conversion is performed to unify the coordinates of each image element (step S21).

Then, the light from a predetermined direction is set to shade each polygon (step S22), the viewpoint and the screen (screen) are set, and the coordinates of each polygon are projected on the screen. Then, perspective projection conversion for converting into coordinates on the screen is performed (step S23). Raster converter 21
2e performs raster conversion to create a line segment from each coordinate obtained by perspective projection conversion (step S24). Further, hidden surface erasing processing is performed to erase a portion behind a certain portion that cannot be seen (step S25).

The memory control unit 212c has an image data output from the sprite circuit 212a and an image output unit 212g.
The image data based on the three-dimensional image data from and the data from the image data ROM 216 are input. A Z buffer is provided in the memory control unit 212c. Then, the memory control unit 212c uses the Z buffer to perform image synthesizing processing. In the combining process, the z coordinate value of each pixel forming the screen is calculated. If the z coordinate value of each pixel is smaller than the z coordinate value already set in the Z buffer, the z coordinate value and the video RAM 214
The pixel value of is updated. By performing the above processing for all pixels, the one with the smallest z coordinate value (the one in the forefront) in each pixel is set in the video RAM 214. The initial value of each pixel in the Z buffer is the z coordinate value (maximum value) corresponding to the background image. Therefore, the background image is treated as a set of pixels having the maximum z coordinate value.

Further, the memory control section 212c is provided with the texture memory 21 of the image data ROM 216 which is separately prepared.
Texture processing is performed in which each coordinate in the texture image (pattern) stored in 6a is converted into the coordinate system of each polygon and is associated therewith (step S26).

As a result of the texture processing, the pattern is pasted on the surface of the image. Then, the image data in the video RAM 214 is appropriately read and subjected to D / A conversion in the D / A conversion unit 212i, and then output to the display device 32 via the vibration circuit 218. Where video RAM
When each pixel value set in 214 is represented in the palette format, the color data is set by referring to the color data set in the palette circuit 212h (step S27).

Through the above processing, the background image selected as the effect image is stored in the background memory 216b.

Further, the control for displaying the character is also performed by the VDP 21 according to the instruction of the CPU 206, similarly to the background image.
Made by 2. That is, the coordinate conversion unit 212d of the VDP 212 inputs the three-dimensional data of the character polygon from the CPU 206, performs coordinate conversion, and calculates the position of each vertex of each polygon to be displayed on the screen at that time. Process. Then, the memory control unit 212c performs a synthesizing process using the Z buffer, converts the texture coordinate value corresponding to the character in the texture memory 216a of the image data ROM 216 into the coordinate value on the screen, and the pattern of the character. Is attached to the surface of the three-dimensional image. Then, the patterned three-dimensional image is stored in the character memory 216c.

Image data ROM through these processes
The background and character data stored in 216 are appropriately combined and combined to form an effect image.

This makes it possible to create a "draft image using a three-dimensional image".

Further, the CPU 206 shown in FIG.
The matrix representing the x, y, z coordinates of the vertices of each polygon forming the three-dimensional image is multiplied by the conversion matrix representing the movement of the viewpoint and the enlargement / reduction to calculate the image, and Performs arithmetic processing for switching viewpoints. CPU2
The calculation result performed in 06 is input to the coordinate conversion unit 212d of the VDP 212, the same processing as the above-described processing for creating a three-dimensional image is performed, and then displayed on the display device 32. The viewpoints are switched a plurality of times, and the calculation process in the CPU 206, the input to the coordinate conversion unit 212d, and the process for creating a three-dimensional image are repeated each time.

As a result, it becomes possible to "perform a calculation process for switching the viewpoint of the three-dimensional image of the effect image a plurality of times and display the operation result as the effect image on the display means".

<Data Structure of Image> The data structure of such a pattern image and a display example on the display device 32 are as shown in FIG.

[0077] FIG. 7 (a) is shows the image of the data structure of the identification information image D1 to D3, D _11,
Data of identification information is stored in cells D ₁₂ , ..., D _1X , D ₂₁ , ..., D _YX , and D ₁₁ , D ₁₂ ,.
., D _{1X based on} a plurality of identification information
1 is configured, and the identification information image D2 is configured by a plurality of identification information D ₂₁ , D ₂₂ , ..., D _2X , and so on. That is, D ₁₁ , D ₁₂ , ..., D
_The address corresponding to the _1X cell is designated by the control of the CPU 206, and the symbols D1 are variably displayed by sequentially calling out according to the designated address and outputting them to the display device 32.

FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an example in which the symbols D1 to D3 which are the identification information images are displayed on the display device 32. As described above, the identification information image D is displayed on the display device 32.
A plurality of identification information images are displayed, such as 1, D2, and D3.

[0079] _{Incidentally, D 11, D 12, ···} , the D _1X stores image data of the difficult identification information recognition by visually for the _{player, D 21, D 22, ···} , to the D _2X Stores the image data of the identification information that is slightly difficult for the player to visually recognize, and the image data of the pattern that the player can easily visually recognize is stored in D _Y1 , D _Y2 , ..., D _YX. In this way, by ranking the recognition degree for each line, it is possible to select and display images having different recognition degrees.

Next, FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the concept of the image data generated in the video RAM 214 described above.

As shown in FIG. 8, the size of the image data generated in the video RAM 214 by the screen display command (hereinafter referred to as screen image region R1) is larger than the display region R2 displayed on the display device 32. Is set to. In FIG. 8, the screen image area R1 is an area surrounded by a solid line, and the display area R2 is an area surrounded by a broken line. By setting in this way, as will be described later, the image to be displayed on the display device 32 can be smoothly scroll-displayed.

When a symbol display command is issued from the main control circuit 60, the VDP 212 reads out the image data of each of the image images D1 to D3 of the symbol, which is the identification information image, from the image data ROM 216, and then displays it on the display device 32. The read image data is arranged at a position in the video RAM 214 corresponding to the position where the image of the design should be displayed.

When the character display command is issued from the main control circuit 60, the VDP 212 reads out the image data of each of the images C1 to C3 of the pattern which is the identification information image from the image data ROM 216, and then the display device. The read image data is arranged at a position in the video RAM 214 corresponding to the position where the character image is to be displayed at 32.

Further, when the background display command is issued from the main control circuit 60, the VDP 212 displays the background image B1.
After the image data is read from the image data ROM 216, the read image data is arranged at a position in the video RAM 214 corresponding to the position where the background image should be displayed on the display device 32.

After generating image data in the video RAM 214, the VDP 212 reads only the image data stored in the display area R2 from the video RAM 214 and supplies this as a display signal to the drive circuit 218.

[Operation of Pachinko Gaming Machine] In the following, the pachinko gaming machine 10 is activated, and the above-mentioned C
It is assumed that the variables used in PU 66 are initialized to predetermined values and are in steady operation.

FIG. 9 shows a subroutine for detecting a game ball executed in the main control circuit 60 described above. It should be noted that this subroutine is called and executed at a predetermined timing from a control program that controls the pachinko game of the pachinko game device 10 that has been executed in advance.

First, it is detected whether or not a game ball has entered the winning opening (step S11). The winning openings are, for example, the general winning openings 50 and 54a to 54d and the special winning openings 56a to 56d in the example shown in FIG. When it is determined in step S11 that a game ball has entered the winning opening, a process of paying out a predetermined number of gaming balls according to the type of the winning opening is executed (step S11).
12).

Next, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the starting opening (step S13). This starting is, for example, the starting opening 44 in the example shown in FIG. 2 described above. When it is determined in this step S13 that a game ball has entered the starting opening, a variable display game to be described later is executed (step S14).

Further, it is determined whether or not the game ball has passed the ball passage detector (step S15). This sphere passage detector is, for example, the sphere passage detectors 55a and 55b in the example shown in FIG. 2 described above. In this step S15, when it is determined that the game ball has passed the ball passage detector, as described above, the process of displaying the normal symbol on the display device 52 in a variable manner is executed (step S16).
In addition, as described above, when the variable display of the normal symbol becomes a predetermined symbol when stopped, the movable pieces 58a and 58b are driven to open the starting port 44, and the starting port 44 is opened. It makes it easier for game balls to enter.

FIG. 10 shows a subroutine for executing the variable display game process called and executed in step S14 described above. The flags and variables used in these subroutines are assumed to be initialized in advance.

When this subroutine is called, the fixed screen displayed on the display device 32 is switched to the normal screen, and the variable display game is started. Here, the variable display game is a game imitating a game played in a slot machine, and a plurality of symbols are displayed on the display device 32, and after each of them is displayed so as to fluctuate, these symbols are given at a predetermined timing. Is displayed so as to be stopped sequentially, and when the combination of symbols when all the symbols are stopped is a predetermined combination, it is a game for shifting the pachinko game to a state advantageous to the player,
This fluctuation display and stop display are one process (one cycle)
It is a game executed as.

For example, the symbols consisting of 12 numbers “1”, “2”, ..., “12” are set as one set (one identification information image), and these 12 symbols are displayed on the display device 32. The symbols are sequentially displayed, and while the symbols are displayed to move, the symbols themselves are displayed to change.

For example, one set displayed on the display device 32 will be described. After the symbol "1" is displayed so as to scroll from the top to the bottom of the display device 32, the symbol "2" is changed from the top to the bottom. It is displayed so as to be scrolled to, and subsequently, the symbol "3" is similarly displayed so as to be scrolled from top to bottom. Design "1" to Design "12"
After displaying up to this way, again the symbol "1"
Is displayed so as to be scrolled, and the same display is sequentially repeated.

By displaying the symbols on the display device 32 in this way, the symbols are sequentially changed while scrolling from "1" to "2" and from "2" to "3". Up to 12 "will be displayed, and then" 1 "will be displayed again.

The symbols belonging to one set are displayed on the display device 32.
In the case of displaying on, the symbols to be displayed are not limited to only one symbol belonging to the group, but a plurality of symbols, for example, 2 symbols.
Up to three symbols may be displayed simultaneously. For example, when the symbol “5” is variably displayed on the display device 32, a part or the whole of the symbol “4” is variably displayed below the symbol “5”, and the symbol “6” is above the symbol “5”. May be displayed in a variable manner.

The symbol group described above is also a concept corresponding to the symbol group displayed on one reel used in the slot machine.

Further, when the variable display game is executed on the display device 32, the symbols belonging to each of the plurality of groups are displayed. For example, when each of the symbols belonging to the three groups is displayed in the horizontal direction, the symbols belonging to one group are displayed on the left side of the display device 32, and the symbols belonging to another group are displayed on the display device 32. The symbols displayed in the center and belonging to the remaining groups are displayed on the right side of the display device 32. By displaying the pattern which is the identification information in this way, the identification information image is displayed on the display device 32 which is the display unit.

For example, one of the symbols belonging to one set
When the variable display is performed so that only one symbol is always displayed, the display device 32 displays three symbols, that is, one symbol on the left side, one symbol on the center, and one symbol on the right side. Two symbols will be displayed. Further, the number of groups when the variable display game is executed is not limited to three, and symbols belonging to a plurality of groups other than three may be displayed on the display device 32. As described above, by displaying the symbols in this manner, a plurality of symbols, that is, a plurality of pieces of identification information, are displayed on the display device 32 which is the display unit.

Further, as described above, a plurality of symbols may be displayed for symbols belonging to one set,
For example, if two symbols belonging to one group are displayed so as to be variably displayed at the same time, and three groups are displayed, a total of six symbols are variably displayed on the display device 32. It will happen.

After variably displaying symbols belonging to a plurality of groups,
When all symbols that have been variably displayed are stopped and displayed at a predetermined timing, and when the combination of these symbols is stopped and displayed in accordance with the predetermined combination, the pachinko game is said to have won the jackpot variable display game. Transition to a state that is advantageous to the player. For example, when the symbols belonging to three groups are displayed on the display device 32, the symbols belonging to one group are stopped and displayed at "7", and the symbols belonging to the other groups are also stopped and displayed at "7", and the rest. When the symbols belonging to the group are also stopped and displayed at "7", the symbol combination matches the predetermined combination "7"-"7"-"7", and the variable display game is regarded as a jackpot winning game. Shifts to a state in which is advantageous to the player.

When the jackpot is reached and the player is in an advantageous state, the current is supplied to the solenoid 48 to open the shutter 40 of the winning opening 38 provided on the front surface of the game board 14 to open the game ball. Is made to easily enter the winning opening 38. Further, when the variable display game is being executed, a display screen such as a background image or a character image is also displayed on the display device 32.

The fixed screen mentioned above means the display device 32.
The variable display game executed in 1 is not executed, and is a screen displayed on the display device 32 when only the pachinko game is progressing in the pachinko game device 10. In addition, the normal screen is from the time when the variable display game is started on the display device 32 and the symbols displayed on the display device 32 are variably displayed until the reach of the variable display game, or until a big hit. Means an effect screen displayed on the display device 32.

[Operation of Variable Display Game] <Internal Lottery Processing> When the variable display game as described above is started, the CPU 66 executing the variable display game processing program moves to step S31 shown in FIG. Perform internal lottery processing. This internal lottery process is a process of presetting a symbol combination when all symbols belonging to a plurality of variably displayed groups are stopped and displayed and the symbols are fixed, and the CPU 66, as described later,
The variable display and the stop display of the symbols are performed so that the symbols are stopped and displayed by the combination of the symbols determined by the internal lottery process. By the way, in this internal lottery process, a lottery for whether or not to move to a reach effect described later is also performed.

By executing this internal lottery process,
Whether the game result is “out” or “big hit”,
It is set. In addition, the effect expression displayed on the display device 32 is also determined according to whether the game result is “out” or “big hit”. By doing this, when the game result is determined by the internal lottery process, the effect expression according to the game result is determined, and through the process described later, the image of the symbol corresponding to the effect expression, The character image and the background image are displayed.

When the variable display game process subroutine is called and executed, a timer (not shown) is started. The timer starts counting the timer value as soon as it is started. On the other hand, in the internal lottery process in step S31 described above, a process of determining the time when each of the images of the symbols belonging to all the groups should be stopped and displayed is also performed,
By determining whether or not the timer value has reached the time to be stopped and displayed, it is determined whether or not it is the timing to stop and display the symbol.

<Display of Effect Image> When the internal lottery process in step S31 is performed, the CPU 206 of the display control device 200 which receives the instruction from the CPU 66 causes the CPU 206 of the display control device 200 to perform the step
Moving to 32, the background image and the character image are selected. In the present embodiment, as described above, the background image previously formed as a three-dimensional image is stored in the background memory 216b in the image data ROM 216, and in step S22, the background image is stored in the background memory 216b. The CPU 66 will select a background image from the image data thus obtained.

When the background image selection processing in step S32 is completed, the CPU 66 moves to step S33 and issues an instruction to the CPU 206 to select the character image to be displayed on the normal screen. In this selection process, C
The PU 206 selects one from a plurality of characters stored in advance in the character memory 216c of the image data ROM 216, and uses the selected character image as a character to appear in the effect expression.

When the character selection processing in step S33 is completed, the main control circuit 60 moves to step S34 and issues a symbol display command to the display control device 200. This symbol display command includes information such as the display position of the character image such as the position in the background image where the character appears, and the VDP 212 is a video corresponding to the display position included in the symbol display command. The character data is stored in the position of the RAM, and the background image and the character image are combined (step S35).

For example, in the pachinko gaming apparatus according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the image C1 of the ally character and the image C2 of the enemy character can be displayed.

When the display device 32 displays a mode in which the character makes a series of motions, the identification number of the image assigned to each of the plurality of character images forming the series of motions. By gradually changing the, it is possible to display a mode in which the character is represented as a moving image that can be visually recognized as performing a series of motions.

By performing such processing, for example, in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to display a mode in which the teammate character C1 fights with the enemy character C2 using a weapon.

When the process of step S35 ends, the VDP 212 of the display control device 200 synthesizes the background image, the character image and the identification information image using the process shown in FIG. 7 (step S36). The VDP 212 controls the 3D image in which the background image and the character image are combined by using the data obtained when the process of creating the 3D image is performed, and the identification information image which is the 2D image is preliminarily recorded in the video. The control is performed using the data set in the RAM 214. By doing so, it is possible to display an image in which the background image and the character image, which are three-dimensional images, and the identification information image, which is a two-dimensional image, are mixed.

When the processing of step S36 ends, the CP
The U66 moves to step S37 and moves to step S3 described above.
It is determined whether the internal lottery result in 1 reaches the reach.

If a positive result is obtained here, this means that the internal lottery result is either a "big hit" or a "reject" after reaching the reach. At this time, the CPU 66 proceeds to step S38 and selects the reach effect based on the internal lottery result.

In this case, as the reach effect (reach effect program stored in the ROM 68), the normal reach screen effect and the development showing that there is a high possibility of a big hit by shifting from each reach screen. Type reach screen production or a reverse development type reach screen production in which the plurality of identification information images are temporarily stopped and displayed on the respective reach screens in a combination that is temporarily out, and then the development type reach screen is produced (mainly an internal lottery result which is a big hit) Is likely to be selected according to)
Therefore, in the reach effect processing in step S38, the CPU 66 selects one from the plurality of types of reach effects, and executes the selected reach effect (program) in the following step S39. Thus, the reach effect screen based on the reach effect selected in step S38 is displayed on the display device 32.

As a method for selecting one from among the reach effects, a predetermined number of random numbers are assigned to each reach effect to be selected, and the random number generated at this time is assigned. Use the method to select the reach effect. By doing this, when the "big hit" is selected in the internal lottery process (step S31),
By allocating a larger number of random numbers to the reversal evolution type reach screen effect, it is possible to increase the possibility that the reversal evolution type reach screen effect becomes a "big hit". In addition, when the evolved reach screen effect or the reverse evolved reach screen effect is selected as each reach effect, the normal reach state which is the reference is included in these, and the normal reach state is changed to each evolved reach. The production shall be done.

In these reach effect screens, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a background image which is a three-dimensional image for reach effect stored in advance in the ROM 68 and the three-dimensional image selected in step S33 described above. Characters C1 and C2 are used, and the sets CA and C of identification information images that are two-dimensional images are displayed on the screen where these characters are combined.
The B and CC symbols are combined in the manner as described above, and the reach state (the two sets of symbols stop at the same symbol,
It is displayed in a state where the symbols of the remaining groups are changing, where CA and CC are stopped and CB is changing).

As described above, the background image and the character image in the reach effect image are three-dimensional images, and the identification information images CA, CB and CC are two-dimensional images. In addition, FIG. 11 shows, as character images, an image C1 of an ally character and an image C of an enemy character.
2 is displayed, and an ally character C1 and an enemy character C2 are displayed.
And face each other and display a mode in which they are fighting with a weapon.

When the reach effect image is displayed, CP
U206 switches the viewpoints of the background image and the character image, which are three-dimensional images. Specifically, the CPU 206
Is the x, y,
The matrix representing the z coordinate is multiplied by the conversion matrix representing the movement of the viewpoint and the enlargement / reduction to perform the arithmetic processing, and the arithmetic result is VDP.
It is input to the coordinate conversion unit 212d of 212, and after being subjected to the same processing as the processing for creating the above-described three-dimensional image, it is displayed on the display device 32. The viewpoints are switched a plurality of times, and the calculation process in the CPU 206, the input to the coordinate conversion unit 212d, and the process for creating a three-dimensional image are repeated each time.

11 and 12 show examples of images displayed on the display device 32 when the viewpoints of the three-dimensional image are switched.

On the reach production screen, the win / loss of the teammate character C1 in the fighting scene indicates that the internal lottery result is "big hit".
It was decided whether it was "or was it". That is, if the internal lottery result is a "big hit", the teammate character C1 is displayed so as to win in the fighting scene, and conversely, if the internal lottery result is "outside", the teammate character C1 is defeated in the fighting scene. Is displayed.

In FIG. 12 (A), the viewpoint of the three-dimensional image is changed to the viewpoint from the teammate character C1 so that the whereabouts of the teammate character C1 can be confirmed. In FIG. 12 (B), the facial expression of the enemy character C2 is further displayed in an enlarged manner, and the whereabouts of the fighting between the two are the enemy character C2.
The image that can be expected from the expression of is displayed. 12
As shown in (B), when the enemy character C2 is damaged, the ally character C1 may win in the fighting scene (that is, the internal lottery result is “big hit”).
The probability that it was was high.

As described above, by changing the viewpoint of the effect screen, not only the effect of the effect is enhanced but also the expectation is given to the player that the variable display game which is a game will be advantageous to the player. It can be given.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, among the images displayed on the display device 32, the viewpoints are switched only for the background image and the character image, which are three-dimensional images, and for the two-dimensional images. The viewpoint is not switched for the identification information image that is an image.

By doing so, it is possible to give a higher effect to the player without disturbing the visual distinctiveness of the identification information image that fluctuates and stops.

As one mode of converting the viewpoint of the three-dimensional image, in the above embodiment, a command of the CPU 206 is received every time the viewpoint is converted, and a three-dimensional image is created and displayed. In the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this, and a three-dimensional image including viewpoint conversion is created in advance by a personal computer or the like, stored in the video RAM 214, and stored in the C RAM.
You may use the method of displaying according to the instruction | indication of PU206.

After executing the reach effect in step S39, the CPU 66 moves to step S41 and stops the variable symbol based on the internal lottery result in step S31. As a result, when the internal lottery result is a “big hit”, the symbols of the three groups CA, CB and CC are stopped with the same symbol, while the internal lottery result is reach. In the case where the symbols are “off” after being applied, only two symbols of the symbols of the three sets CA, CB and CC match, and the remaining symbols stop at different symbols.

When a negative result is obtained in the above step S37, this means that the internal lottery result in the above step S21 does not reach the reach and becomes "out of bounds". The CPU 66 moves to step S40 and displays the normal effect image on the display device 32.

The normal effect image may be displayed in such a manner that the ally character C1 is defeated in the fighting scene described above, or an image different from the fighting scene may be created in advance and displayed on the display device 32. Good.

In the above embodiment, the CD-
Although a program stored in a storage medium such as a ROM or an FD (floppy (registered trademark) disk) is used to transfer a program for creating a three-dimensional image, the VDP 212 performs a process to create a three-dimensional image. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

That is, the operator is allowed to play a pachinko game by operating a terminal device that can be communicatively connected to the server via a network, and the above-mentioned programs and data used in these programs are stored. It may be included in the server or the terminal device.
At this time, the server causes the terminal device to perform a process of creating a three-dimensional image.

As a method for creating a three-dimensional image on the terminal device, a method for the server to download the above-mentioned program to the terminal device and execute it, or a server for pachinko games being played on the terminal device, is used. There is a method for transmitting necessary data by performing communication with the terminal device.

[0134]

According to the present invention, since the effect image is a three-dimensional image and the identification information image is a two-dimensional image, the visibility of the identification information image is hindered by unnecessary integration with the effect image. Can be prevented. Further, by switching the viewpoints of the effect images, it is possible to provide the player with an image with a higher visibility effect and with sufficient visibility.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an overview of a pachinko gaming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the game board surface of the pachinko gaming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main control circuit of a pachinko gaming machine that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a display control device of a pachinko gaming machine that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an image data processor (VDP) and an image data ROM of a pachinko gaming machine that is an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram showing the internal structure of.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of creating a three-dimensional image.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an image of a data structure of a pattern image.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a concept of arrangement of image data in a video RAM of the display control device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of processing for detecting a game ball, which is executed in a pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 10 is a step S of the flowchart shown in FIG.
14 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of variable display game processing called and executed in 14.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a display state of a reach screen.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a display state in which the viewpoint of the reach screen is switched.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Pachinko gaming device (gaming machine) 32 display device (variable display device) 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d speakers 60 Main control circuit 66 CPU (control unit) 64 I / O bus 68 ROM 70 RAM 206 CPU 208 ROM 210 RAM 212 Image Data Processor (VDP) 212a Sprite circuit 212b Command FIFO 212c Memory control unit 212d Coordinate conversion unit 212e Raster conversion unit 212f pixel FIFO 212g Image output unit 212h Pallet circuit 212i DA converter 214 Video RAM 216 ROM for image data

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of identification information is displayed on the display means,
A gaming machine that may shift to an advantageous game state depending on a combination of the identification information that changes and stops in the plurality of identification information, wherein the display means changes one cycle until the identification information changes and stops. During all of the game, while the identification information is displayed as a foreground in a two-dimensional image, a production image using a three-dimensional image may be combined and displayed in the background of the identification information. A gaming machine characterized by. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein during the one-cycle game, arithmetic processing for switching the viewpoint of a three-dimensional image of the effect image is performed a plurality of times, and the operation result is displayed on the display means as the effect image. A gaming machine characterized by including control contents to be performed. 3. A plurality of identification information is displayed on the display means,
A video display control method for a gaming machine, wherein a plurality of pieces of identification information fluctuate and stop, and a combination of pieces of identification information may shift to an advantageous gaming state, wherein the display means changes and stops the identification information. In all of the one-cycle game up to, the step of displaying the identification information as a foreground in a two-dimensional image while displaying a combined effect image using a three-dimensional image in the background of the identification information is included. A video display control method characterized by the above. 4. The video display control method according to claim 3,
During the one-cycle game, a step of performing a calculation process in which the viewpoint of the three-dimensional image of the effect image is switched a plurality of times, and a step of displaying the operation result as the effect image on the display means are included. Video display control method. 5. A server for displaying a game machine image showing a game machine on each terminal, wherein a plurality of pieces of identification information are displayed on the display means of the terminal, and the plurality of pieces of identification information fluctuate and stop. Depending on the combination of information, it changes to an advantageous game state, and the display means
During the entire one-cycle game until the identification information fluctuates and stops, while the identification information is displayed as a foreground in a two-dimensional image, a production image using a three-dimensional image is synthesized in the background of the identification information. A server which performs control that may be displayed as a message on the terminal. 6. The server according to claim 5, wherein during the one-cycle game, a calculation process in which a viewpoint of a three-dimensional image of the effect image is switched a plurality of times, and a control of displaying the operation result as the effect image on the display means. The server is characterized in that 7. A plurality of identification information is displayed on the display means,
A video display control method for a gaming machine, wherein a plurality of pieces of identification information fluctuate and stop, and a combination of pieces of identification information may shift to an advantageous gaming state, wherein the display means changes and stops the identification information. In all of the one-cycle game up to, the step of displaying the identification information as a foreground in a two-dimensional image while displaying a combined effect image using a three-dimensional image in the background of the identification information is included. A storage medium having stored therein a program capable of realizing a video display control method. 8. The storage medium according to claim 7, wherein in the program, a step of performing arithmetic processing for switching a viewpoint of a three-dimensional image of the effect image a plurality of times during the one-cycle game, and the arithmetic result is the A step of being displayed on the display means as an effect image, and a storage medium.