JP2006271553A - Picture performance development system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picture performance development system capable of easily changing over and displaying the content of the picture performance in the development. <P>SOLUTION: When an input part inputs characters, figures and marks, a reading part delivers ASCII code to a control part, and the control part displays the characters and the like on a display part (step S101). Then, when an input of a command is defined by the operation of an enter key of the input part (step S102), the reading part reads the content of the command and delivers the reading result to the control part (step S103). When receiving the reading result, the control part reads the content of the picture performance according to the reading result from a storage part (step S104). The control part displays the content of the read picture performance on the display part (step S105). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a video production development system suitable for development of video production in gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines.

  Video effects in gaming machines are mainly performed by image control devices. In developing a video effect, the video effect may be confirmed using a dedicated input pad for debugging the created video effect. In this case, for example, a cursor key or the like is displayed on the display device, and an effect is reproduced by operating a button on the input pad.

  However, in order to perform confirmation using a dedicated input pad, hardware for connecting the input pad to the image control apparatus is required. In addition, since the number of buttons provided on the input pad is small, the more complicated the contents of the video effect, the more times the buttons are operated to perform a desired display.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a video production development system capable of easily switching and displaying the content of video production in development.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventor has come up with various aspects of the invention described below.

  A video effect development system according to the present invention includes: a display unit; a storage unit that stores the content of the video effect displayed on the display unit; a control unit that reads the content of the video effect and displays the content on the display unit; When there is an input of the command, the control unit includes an input unit capable of inputting a character of a type, and a reading unit that reads and passes the command including the character to the control unit. The content of the video effect is changed based on the information and displayed on the display means.

  Note that the characters include not only the characters themselves but also numbers and symbols.

  In the present invention, since the reading means reads the command input from the input means, even when a plurality of characters are input at a time, the control means performs the video effect based on the command consisting of those characters. The contents of can be changed. Therefore, the contents of the video effect can be easily switched and displayed during development.

  In addition, it is preferable that the said control means displays the character input from the said input means on the said display means. By displaying the input characters, the user can easily confirm the input contents.

  The input means may have one or more command keys each assigned one type of instruction.

  Furthermore, the input means may be a keyboard. Since the keyboard has a large number of keys, even a complicated command can be easily input.

  According to the present invention, since the reading means interprets the command input from the input means, even when a plurality of characters are input at a time, the control means displays the video based on the command consisting of those characters. The contents of the production can be changed. Therefore, the contents of the video effect can be easily switched and displayed during development. In addition, since a dedicated input pad is not required, the hardware configuration can be simplified.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, a video production development system used for development of video production in a slot machine (game machine) equipped with an image processing device will be described.

  First, an outline of the slot machine will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of the slot machine. In the following description, “game” refers to a series of operations from insertion of a medal (game medium) to insertion of the next medal through the operation of a stop switch.

(Slot machine 10)
A front panel 20 is provided on the front surface of the housing of the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment, and a transparent display window 21 is provided on the front panel 20. On the other hand, three reels 31L, 31C and 31R are arranged inside the housing and behind the display window 21. A left reel 31L, a middle reel 31C, and a right reel 31R are arranged from the left as viewed from the player. The reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are ring-shaped bodies, and a reel tape on which a plurality of winning symbols (designs constituting a winning combination) are printed is attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof. For example, 21 types of symbols are arranged at equal intervals on one reel. However, the arrangement of symbols differs for each reel. From the inside of the display window 21, three symbols that are continuous in the vertical direction of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R can be seen.

  A stepping motor (not shown) is connected to the center of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R, and the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are rotated by driving the stepping motor. Therefore, from the standpoint of the player, the symbols of the reels 31L, 31C and 31R appear to move up and down within the display window 21. Further, a back lamp (not shown) is provided inside the reels 31L, 31C and 31R. Three back lamps are arranged for each reel, and are arranged inside the reels 31L, 31C and 31R so as to correspond to each of nine symbols in total that can be seen from the display window 21 when the reels are stopped. ing. The reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are made of a light-transmitting material, and are configured so that the symbols attached to the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are illuminated when the back lamp is turned on.

  In a portion including the display window 21 of the front panel 20, a symbol combination line group 22 including symbol combination lines 22a, 22b and 22c is set. Here, the symbol combination line group 22 is a symbol arrangement line when the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are stopped, and is a line that forms a symbol combination. In this embodiment, the middle symbol combination line 22a in the horizontal direction, the two symbol combination lines 22b in the upper and lower horizontal directions, and the two symbol combination lines 22c in the diagonally downward and leftward diagonal directions. The symbol combination line group 22 is provided. The symbols attached to the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are such that all nine symbols visible from the display window 21 are located on these symbol combination line groups 22 when the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are stopped. Arranged at intervals. A reel group 31 is composed of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R.

  A medal insertion slot 23 is provided on the lower right side of the front panel 20. When a player inserts a medal from here, the symbol combination line group 22 is set as an effective line according to the number of inserted medals. Is done. Here, the “effective line” is a line that is a target of determination as to whether or not a combination of symbols corresponding to any of the combinations is made when the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are stopped. When the number of inserted medals is one, the horizontal middle symbol combination line 22a is set as an effective line, and when the number is two, the horizontal top three symbol combination lines 22a and 22b are set. Set as an active line. In addition, when three medals are inserted, a total of five symbol combination lines 22a to 22c including two symbol combination lines 22c in the diagonally downward and leftward directions are set as effective lines. Is done.

  When one to five lines of the symbol combination lines 22a, 22b and 22c are set as effective lines, the effective line lamp 24 is turned on. This control is performed by a main CPU 51 (see FIG. 2) described later. For example, when three medals are inserted, if a combination of specific symbols is stopped on at least one symbol combination line 22a-22c when the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are stopped, the combination The winning combination corresponding to the winning combination is won, and the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out.

  Further, a credit number display unit 25, a game number display unit 26 and a payout number display unit 27 are provided below the display window 21 of the front panel 20. The number of credited medals is displayed on the credit number display unit 25. The number-of-games display section 26 displays the number of remaining predetermined games and the number of games already played in special games and the like. The number-of-payout display unit 27 displays the number of medals when the medals are paid out.

  On the upper side of the display window 21 of the front panel 20, an effect display device 40 such as a liquid crystal display panel for displaying a color image is provided so as to be visible to the player. The effect display device 40 displays various images when performing an effect during the game. In addition, various operation switches that the player operates to advance the game, for example, a start switch 41, a stop switch (stop operation switch) group 42, and a bet switch group 43 are provided on the front portion of the housing. Yes. Furthermore, speakers 71 are provided on the left and right of the effect display device 40 and on the lower part of the front panel 20 (near the medal payout opening).

  The start switch 41 is a switch, for example, a lever, that is operated by the player when starting the rotation of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R. The stop switch group 42 includes a left stop switch 42L that is operated when stopping the left reel 31L, a middle stop switch 42C that is operated when stopping the middle reel 31C, and a right stop that is operated when stopping the right reel 31R. Switch 42R. These stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R are juxtaposed as buttons, for example. The bet switch group 43 is a switch group for designating the number of bets (the number of bets) when a player inserts a medal in a credit. The bet switch group 43 includes a 1-bet / 2-bet switch 43a and a MAX bet switch (3-bet switch) 43b. It is configured. These bet switches 43a and 43b are also arranged as buttons, for example. Each time the 1-bet / 2-bet switch 43a is operated, the bet number is switched between 1 and 2, and when the MAX bet switch 43b is operated, the bet number becomes 3. Above the bet switches 43a and 43b, an inserted number display unit 28 is provided, and in accordance with an operation of the bet switches 43a and 43b or insertion of medals from the medal insertion slot 23, the inserted number display unit 28 displays a medal. The number of inserted sheets is displayed.

  In the normal game, when the player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 23 or operates the bet switch group 43, the symbol combination lines 22a to 22c are set as effective lines according to the number of bets. Further, when the player operates the start switch 41, a lottery for a combination is performed and the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R start to rotate. When the player operates the stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R, the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R stop rotating according to the operated button, and a combination of symbols arranged on the active line is predetermined. When it matches the combination of symbols of the winning combination, a winning is won, and medals are paid out according to the winning combination. However, when the rotation of the reels 31L, 31C and 31R is stopped, control based on the lottery result of the winning combination is performed.

  Further, during the game (game), various effects such as lighting of the back lamp, image display using the effect display device 40, output of sound from the speaker 71, and the like are performed. Further, as such an effect, a notification effect of the possibility of winning a role may be performed.

  Next, a system configuration such as an internal configuration of the slot machine 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the slot machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Inside the casing of the slot machine 10, a main control board 50, a sub control board 60, a reel board 11, a central display board 12, and a power supply board 13 connected to the main control board 50 are arranged.

(Main control board 50)
The main control board 50 is provided with a main CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, and interface circuit (I / F circuit) 54, which are connected to each other via a bus 55.

  The main CPU 51 reads (fetches), interprets (decodes), and executes instructions constituting the program. The main CPU 51 reads out programs, data, and the like stored in the ROM 52, and controls the entire slot machine 10 based on these.

  The ROM 52 stores programs and data required for processing performed by the main CPU 51 and other game controls. The RAM 53 is used when the main CPU 51 performs various controls, and temporarily stores data and the like.

  The I / F circuit 54 performs timing control and the like when signals are transmitted and received between the main control board 50, the sub control board 60, the reel board 11, the central display board 12, and the power supply board 13. . However, transmission of signals from the main control board 50 to the sub control board 60 is performed between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 60, but transmission of signals from the sub control board 60 to the main control board 50 is not performed. Not done.

(Sub-control board 60)
The sub control board 60 is provided with a sub CPU 61, ROM 62, RAM 63, image control processor 64, image data ROM 65, video RAM 66, sound source circuit 67, amplifier 68, and interface circuit (I / F circuit) 69. The sub CPU 61, ROM 62, control RAM 63, image control processor 64, sound source circuit 67 and I / F circuit 69 are connected to each other via a bus 70. The image data ROM 65 and the video RAM 66 are connected to the image control processor 64, and the amplifier 68 is connected to the sound source circuit 67.

  The sub CPU 61 reads (fetches), interprets (decodes) and executes instructions constituting the program. Then, the sub CPU 61 reads a program, data, and the like stored in the ROM 62, and controls the sub control board 60 as a whole, particularly controls the effects for the player. Note that there are no restrictions on the processing capability or development language of the sub CPU 61.

  The ROM 62 stores programs and data necessary for processing performed by the sub CPU 61 and other effects during the game. The RAM 63 is used when the sub CPU 61 performs various controls, and temporarily stores data and the like.

  The sub CPU 61, ROM 62, and RAM 63 have the same functions as the main CPU 51, ROM 52, and RAM 53 provided on the main control board 50, respectively. The ROM 62 and the RAM 63 may be the same as the ROM 52 and the RAM 53, respectively, but those having a capacity larger than these may be used.

  The effect display device 40 described above is connected to an image control processor 64. The image data ROM 65 stores data displayed on the effect display device 40. The contents of the data and the like have been confirmed using, for example, the video effect development system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The video RAM 66 is used when the image control processor 64 creates an image to be displayed on the effect display device 40, and image data to be displayed is developed in the video RAM 66 based on data read from the image data ROM 65. .

  In addition, in the present embodiment, a speaker 71, the above-described back lamp, and the like are provided in addition to the effect display device 40 as the effect peripheral devices. The speaker 71 is connected to the amplifier 68. These performance peripheral devices are peripheral devices that are not directly related to the game, and output the effects during the game (such as a notification effect of the possibility of winning the role), and are connected only to the sub-control board 60. And is not connected to the main control board 50.

  The I / F circuit 69 performs timing control and the like when receiving a signal from the main control board 50. As described above, the signal is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the sub control board 60, but the signal is not transmitted from the sub control board 60 to the main control board 50. That is, only one-way transmission is possible.

(Reel board 11)
A stepping motor (not shown) for driving the left reel 31L, the middle reel 31C, and the right reel 31R is connected to the reel substrate 11. Control of the operations of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R is performed by the main CPU 51 through the reel substrate 11.

(Central display board 12)
The central display substrate 12 is attached to, for example, a central portion on the back side of the front panel 20. The central display board 12 includes a selector 81, a 1-bet / 2-bet switch 43a, a MAX bet switch (3-bet switch) 43b, a start switch (lever) 41, a left stop switch (button) 42L, and a middle stop switch (button) 42C. A right stop switch (button) 42R, a setting display section 82, and a setting change switch 83 are connected.

  The selector 81 identifies whether or not the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 23 is a regular one, and removes an illegal medal. The setting display unit 82 is arranged so as to be visible from the back side of the front panel 20, and displays settings relating to probability and payout (for example, settings 1 to 6). The setting change switch 83 is a switch operated when changing the setting related to the probability and the payout.

(Power supply board 13)
A setting change enabling switch 91, a power switch 92, a hopper device 93, and a power device 94 are connected to the power device board 13. The setting change enable switch 91 is a switch that is operated when a setting change using the setting change switch 83 is enabled. That is, the setting change using the setting change switch 83 can be performed only when the setting change enable switch 91 is in the ON state. The power switch 92 is a switch for switching on / off the power supply device 94. The hopper device 93 is a device for storing and paying out medals, and pays out a predetermined number of medals from the stored medals to the player based on an instruction from the main CPU 51 via the power supply device board 13. .

  Next, a hardware configuration of the video effect development system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the video effect development system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In this video effect development system, a keyboard 201, a personal computer (PC) 202, an image control device 203, and a display device 204 are provided. The image control device 203 and the display device 204 are equivalent to the sub-control board 60 and the effect display device 40, respectively.

  The personal computer 202 stores a program for reading and interpreting instructions composed of one or more characters input from the keyboard 201 as an input device, and the CPU 202a in the personal computer 202 executes this program, The input command is output to the image control apparatus 203. The personal computer 202 also outputs the ASCII code of the character input from the keyboard 201 to the image control device 203 along with the output of the command. The above program is stored in, for example, the hard disk 202b.

  The image control device 203 is provided with a memory 203b for storing video effects at the development stage, and a CPU 203a for executing a program stored in the memory 203b. When an instruction is input from the personal computer 202, the program stored in the memory 203b causes the image control apparatus 203 to display a predetermined video effect on the display device 204 based on the instruction. This program also causes the image control apparatus 203 to execute a process of displaying characters represented by the ASCII code on the display device 204 when the ASCII code is input from the personal computer 202. The image control apparatus 203 transmits a checksum in response to a command (command) input from the personal computer 202. That is, the image control apparatus 203 transmits a signal for confirming whether or not the command has been correctly received to the personal computer 202.

  Next, a functional configuration of the video effect development system will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the video effect development system according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the video effect development system includes an input unit 101, a reading unit 102, a storage unit 103, a control unit 104, and a display unit 105.

(Input unit 101)
The input unit 101 corresponds to the keyboard 201 and can input not only pure characters but also numbers and symbols. In addition, the input unit 101 has a confirmation key (enter) for confirming the input of a command composed of one or more characters, a cross key indicating a direction command, and one type of command (command). Assigned function keys are also provided.

(Reading part 102)
The reading unit 102 is mainly configured by the CPU 202a of the personal computer 202 and a program executed by the personal computer 202. The reading unit 102 is assigned to commands and function keys represented by one or more characters input and confirmed using the input unit 101. The received command is read and transferred to the control unit 104. In addition, the reading unit 102 passes the ASCII code of the input character to the control unit 104.

(Storage unit 103)
The storage unit 103 is mainly configured by the memory 203b of the image control apparatus 203, and stores the contents of various video effects at the development stage.

(Control unit 104)
The control unit 104 mainly includes the CPU 203a of the image control apparatus 203 and a program executed by the CPU 203a. When a command is received from the reading unit 102, a predetermined video effect is read from the storage unit 103 based on the command. This is displayed on the display unit 105. In addition, when the ASCII code is received from the reading unit 102, the control unit 104 causes the display unit 105 to display characters or the like represented by the ASCII code. Note that the control unit 104 transmits a checksum to the command (command) input from the reading unit 102.

(Display unit 105)
The display unit 105 is composed of a liquid crystal display device, for example, and displays data output from the control unit 104.

  Next, the operation of the video effect development system configured as described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the video effect development system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when characters, numbers, and symbols are input from the input unit 101, the reading unit 102 passes the ASCII code to the control unit 104, and the control unit 104 displays the characters and the like on the display unit 105 (step S101).

  Thereafter, when the input of the command is confirmed by operating the enter key of the input unit 101 (step S102), the reading unit 102 reads the content of the command and passes the decoding result to the control unit 104 (step S103). ).

  When receiving the decoding result, the control unit 104 reads the content of the video effect according to the decoding result from the storage unit 103 (step S104).

  And the control part 104 displays the content of the read image | video effect on the display part 105 (step S105).

  For example, when characters are input in the order of “C”, “A”, “M”, “E”, “R”, “A” in a state where the background is displayed on the display unit 105, step S101 is performed. 6, the character string “CAMERA” is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 105. If the input of the character string “CAMERA” is confirmed in step S102, it is decoded in step S103 as an instruction to change the content of the video effect in the camera mode. In this camera mode, through steps S104 and S105, the direction of the video effect can be adjusted in accordance with, for example, a change in the viewpoint of the camera. That is, in response to the operation of the cross key, the position of the camera in the virtual three-dimensional space is moved, and an image when viewed from that position is displayed.

  Examples of the type of character string include a character string “LIGHT” and a specific character string representing the contents of effects. When the input of the character string “LIGHT” is confirmed, the content of the video effect is changed in the light mode, and for example, the brightness of the video effect can be adjusted. Further, when the input of a specific character string indicating the content of the video effect is confirmed, for example, the video effect is reproduced.

  Such mode setting can be canceled by operating an escape key (esc) provided in the input unit 101, for example.

  In this embodiment, since there is no need to connect a dedicated input pad to the image control apparatus 203 as in the prior art, it is possible to reduce hardware that has no other use. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the structure of the image control apparatus 203 and reduce its cost. In addition, since the input characters and the like are displayed as they are on the display device 204, the input content can be easily confirmed.

  Furthermore, since the keyboard 201 is provided with a large number of keys, the input contents can be diversified. As described above, the slot machine is provided with a large number of switches, but it is possible to assign a key to each of these switches, so that it is easy to change the contents of the video effect when the switches are operated. Can be confirmed. In addition, it is possible to select the contents of detailed video effects by confirming one command. For example, a series of complicated operations can be displayed by inputting a plurality of commands separated by “(space)” or “, (comma)”.

  When debugging or the like is performed using such a video production development system and it is confirmed that the content of the video production stored in the storage unit 103 is a desired one, this video production is, for example, a slot machine. The image data ROM 65 of the sub control board 60 is used by being stored.

  The present invention can be used not only for the development of video effects for slot machines, but also for the development of video effects for other pachinko machines and game machines.

  The embodiment of the present invention can be realized by a computer executing a program. Examples of means for supplying the program to the computer include a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM on which the program is recorded and a transmission medium such as the Internet for transmitting the program.

It is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine (game machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a slot machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the image | video production development system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the functional structure of the image | video production development system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the image | video production development system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of display contents on a display unit 105. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10: Slot machine 11: Reel board 12: Central display board 13: Power supply board 20: Front panel 21: Display window 22a, 22b, 22c: Symbol combination line 23: Medal slot 24: Effective line lamp 25: Number of credits inserted Display unit 26: Game number display unit 27: Payout number display unit 28: Inserted number display unit 31L, 31C, 31R: Reel 40: Effect display device 41: Start switch 42L, 42C, 42R: Stop switch 43a, 43b: Bet switch 50: Main control board 51: Main CPU
52, 62: ROM
53, 63: RAM
54, 69: I / F circuit 60: Sub-control board 71: Speaker 101: Input unit 102: Reading unit 103: Storage unit 104: Control unit 105: Display unit 201: Keyboard 202: Personal computer 202a: CPU
202b: hard disk 203: image control device 203a: CPU
203b: Memory 204: Display device

Claims (4)

Display means;
Storage means for storing the contents of the video effect displayed on the display means;
Control means for reading the contents of the video effect and displaying the contents on the display means;
An input means capable of inputting multiple types of characters;
Reading means for reading and transferring the command comprising the characters to the control means;
Have
When there is an input of the command, the control means changes the contents of the video effect based on the information and causes the display means to display the video effect development system.   The video effect development system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display a character input from the input unit.   3. The video effect development system according to claim 1, wherein the input unit includes one or more command keys to which one type of command is assigned.   The video effect development system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the input means is a keyboard.

Images