JP2007050147A - Game machine and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine making display performance possible with little uncomfortable feeling in switching from a plan view to a 3D view even though variety of displays are possible by freely switching the plan view and the 3D view or by freely changing the depth of the 3D view, and its control method. <P>SOLUTION: The content of a background image BG is changed in synchronization with the movement of a 3D model MB, the switching to the 3D vision is made smooth by forming an azimuth difference in a merkmal MM, and thereafter to switch from the 3D model MB to one based on an image showing body GE. Further, in this case player' attention is diverted by an acoustic effect and the lighting of lumps. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a slot machine, an arcade game, and the like, and more particularly, to a gaming machine incorporating a display device that performs stereoscopic display for an observer and a control method thereof.

A gaming machine in which a display device is incorporated in the center of a game board is common, and as such a display device, a pair of light sources, a pair of polarizing filters facing each light source, a Fresnel lens, and a fine retardation plate In addition, there is one that realizes a stereoscopic view by sequentially arranging a first polarizing plate, a liquid crystal display panel, and a second polarizing plate along an optical path (see Patent Document 1). In this gaming machine, a movable effect member representing a character is arranged in the vicinity of the display surface of the stereoscopic image display device, and a character image linked to the movable effect member is displayed in three dimensions in front of the display surface.
JP 2004-167129 A

  However, in the above gaming machines, it is assumed that stereoscopic viewing is always performed, and further, since the stereoscopic depth is fixed at the position of the movable effect member, stereoscopic expression is limited. Will be. In other words, it is not possible to dynamically switch between stereoscopic and planar views, to freely change the depth of stereoscopic views, and to change the viewpoint in the space as stereoscopic views, so that the effects in games are lacking in excitement It is easy to become.

  Therefore, the present invention has an uncomfortable feeling of switching from the planar view to the stereoscopic view, although various expressions are possible by freely switching the stereoscopic view and the planar view or freely changing the depth of the stereoscopic view. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine and a control method thereof that enable a small display effect.

  In order to solve the above problems, a gaming machine according to the present invention provides (a) a stereoscopic image by displaying a stereoscopic image, and a display unit that enables a planar view by displaying a planar image. And (b) a three-dimensional structure provided in front of the display area of the display unit, and (c) a drive for moving the three-dimensional structure forward and backward and moving the three-dimensional structure in front of the display area. (D) By controlling the operation of the driving device and the display unit at a predetermined timing in the progress of the game, the three-dimensional structure is arranged in front of the display area and displayed according to the movement of the three-dimensional structure. And control means for switching from planar view to stereoscopic view while changing the contents.

  In the above gaming machine, since the display unit can display a stereoscopic view and a planar view, a display that is enhanced by stereoscopic view is possible at a necessary timing, such as a scene where the production should be enhanced in the progress of the game. Further, in this gaming machine, a three-dimensional structure is arranged in front of the display area at a predetermined timing in the progress of the game, and the display content is changed according to the movement of the three-dimensional structure, so that the plan view is changed to the three-dimensional view. Since switching is performed, the movement of the three-dimensional structure and the change in display contents can be used as an effect for switching from planar view to stereoscopic view, and natural switching from planar view to stereoscopic view is possible.

  According to a specific aspect or aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine, the driving device can rotate the three-dimensional structure in front of the display area, and the control means is a three-dimensional structure arranged in front of the display area. The image displayed on the display unit is rotated in synchronization with the rotation. In this case, since the player observes the display area while gazing at the three-dimensional structure, it is easy to shift the image that rotates synchronously as the background of the three-dimensional structure to the three-dimensional view. Can be facilitated.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, when the three-dimensional structure is retracted from the front of the display area, the control unit switches the display unit from the planar view to the stereoscopic view. In this case, it is possible to shift to stereoscopic viewing when the three-dimensional structure is evacuated, and after the three-dimensional structure is evacuated, various expressions with a high degree of freedom regarding depth and contents are possible. Here, “when retreating” includes preparations for retreating.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the control unit achieves switching from planar view to stereoscopic view instantaneously or gradually when the three-dimensional structure is retracted from the front of the display area. When switching to stereoscopic viewing is achieved in an instant, the control of the display unit is simplified, and when switching to stereoscopic viewing is gradually achieved, the burden on the eyes is reduced for the player.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the control means gradually switches the display unit from a plan view to a three-dimensional view in a preparation stage for retracting the three-dimensional structure from the front of the display region, and the three-dimensional structure from the front of the display region. When the display is completely retracted, the switching of the display unit from the planar view to the stereoscopic view is completed. In this case, it is possible for the player to produce an effect with less eye strain when switching and less discomfort.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the control means provides continuity with respect to display contents when the display unit is switched from the planar view to the stereoscopic view. In this case, display consistency is maintained not only visually but also in terms of content, and the transition to stereoscopic viewing becomes smoother.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the continuity related to display content is a stereoscopic character image having an appearance similar to a three-dimensional structure processed so as to be recognized as a three-dimensional image to an observer. It is to be displayed in the area. In this case, transition to stereoscopic vision is facilitated by using a three-dimensional structure watched by the player and a stereoscopic character image imitating the medium. Note that an airplane or other moving object can be adopted as the three-dimensional structure. In this case, the moving object or the like can be stereoscopically viewed as the stereoscopic character image.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the stereoscopic character image is displayed in an initial posture that is consistent with the action before the three-dimensional structure is retracted. In this case, display consistency is maintained when shifting to stereoscopic viewing.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the control unit shifts the depth position in the depth direction of the stereoscopic view to the target value while moving the stereoscopic character image to be displayed on the display unit in the stereoscopic space. It becomes easy to diversify the display after shifting to the stereoscopic view with respect to the depth or the like.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the control means performs sound output or flash lamp lighting immediately before or during the retreat of the three-dimensional structure. In this case, the evacuation of the three-dimensional structure becomes inconspicuous by distracting the player from the sound and the flash lamp.

  A gaming machine control method according to the present invention is a gaming machine control method that causes a display unit to switch between a three-dimensional display and a flat display according to the progress of a game, and (b) (C) a step of arranging the three-dimensional structure in front of the display area of the display unit at a predetermined timing in progress; (c) a step of changing display content by the display unit according to the movement of the three-dimensional structure; And a step of causing the display unit to switch from planar view to stereoscopic view in accordance with a change in display content.

In the above control method, it is possible to display with enhanced interest by stereoscopic viewing at a necessary timing. Further, in this gaming machine, the movement of the three-dimensional structure and the change in display contents can be used as effects for switching from planar view to stereoscopic view, and natural switching from planar view to stereoscopic view is possible.
A gaming machine control method according to the present invention is for controlling the gaming machine described above. In other words, in this control method, a three-dimensional structure is arranged in front of the display area at a predetermined timing in the progress of the game, and the display content is changed in accordance with the movement of the three-dimensional structure to change from a plan view to a three-dimensional view. Let the switch occur.

  Hereinafter, a gaming machine which is an embodiment of the present invention and a display device incorporated therein will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine according to the embodiment. The illustrated gaming machine 2 is a pachinko gaming machine and includes a front frame 3, a main body frame 4, and a game board 6. The front frame 3 is assembled to the outer body frame 4 via a hinge 5 so as to be able to open and close, and the game board 6 is stored in a storage frame attached to the back surface of the front frame 3. A cover glass 7 that covers the front surface of the game board 6 is attached to the front frame 3.

  A game area surrounded by guide rails is formed on the surface of the game board 6, and an image display device 8, which is a special symbol display device, is provided almost at the center of the game area. The image display device 8 can display a stereoscopically visible image by the parallax effect of the left and right eyes by shifting the left eye video and the right eye video and displaying them at different positions. Below the image display device 8, that is, below the game area, a starting port 9 and a special variable winning device 10 having a big winning port are arranged. An auxiliary effect device 11 having a three-dimensional structure for assisting special symbol display is provided above the image display device 8, that is, above the game area. In addition, lighting lamps 12 which are flash lamps are provided on the left and right of the game area.

  The image display device 8 has a display screen formed by an LCD (liquid crystal display), that is, an image display area DD. In this image display area DD, for example, a plurality of variable display areas can be provided, and an image including identification information (special symbol, normal symbol), a character that produces a variable display game, etc. is displayed in each variable display area. Is done. That is, in the variable display areas provided on the left, middle, and right of the display screen, symbols assigned as identification information (for example, numbers from “0” to “9” and English letters “A” to “D”) are assigned. 14 types of characters) are displayed in a variable manner, and a variable display game is played. In addition, an image corresponding to the progress state is displayed in the image display area DD based on the progress state of the game.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the image display device 8 and the control system related thereto in the gaming machine 2 shown in FIG.

  The game control device 50 is a main control device that controls the game in an integrated manner. This game control device 50 corresponds to the production control means of the present invention, and is a central part that controls the progress of games such as winning ball detection, winning ball payout, and variable display game, and has a built-in CPU 60 that controls game control. To do.

  The display control device 70 processes image control information (symbol display information, background screen information, three-dimensional display image, etc.) for stereoscopic display and variable display game related to the game ball in accordance with instructions from the game control device 50. It is a display control means for appropriately operating the image display device 8 by calculating. As shown in the figure, the display control device 70 includes a CPU 71, a first interface 72a, a second interface 72b, a video processor 73, a work RAM 74, a program ROM 75, a display buffer 76, a CGROM 77, and an oscillator 78. Is provided. The display control device 70 is basically a processing circuit for a two-dimensional image, but a two-dimensional image (that is, a planar image) or a three-dimensional image (that is, a three-dimensional image) such as a character or a lottery pattern is used as a background image. Display control to display or move up is possible.

  Here, the CPU 71 functions as control means for handling the stereoscopic image data as, for example, a group of two-dimensional display data and controlling the operation state of the image display device 8. The video processor 73 and the display buffer 76 include: Together with the LCD driving device 86 described later, it functions as an image processing circuit for two-dimensional display that drives the image display device 8. Further, the CGROM 77 functions as a storage means for storing stereoscopic image data in advance and supplying it to the video processor 73 or the like. The program ROM 75 stores invariant information for the operation of the display control device 70, and the work RAM 74 is used as a work area during display control based on a command from the CPU 60 of the game control device 50.

  The image display device 8 is a display unit that performs display related to game progress including a variable display game. The image display device 8 includes a lighting device 81, a display panel 82, and an LCD barrier 83. The illumination device 81 uniformly illuminates the display area of the display panel 82 from behind, the display panel 82 can form a desired color image by modulating the illumination light, and the LCD barrier 83 includes the display panel 82. Is a mask that can be shielded with a fine periodic pattern, and an image formed on the display panel 82 in cooperation with the display panel 82 can be a four-point or two-point stereoscopic image. Here, the illumination device 81 is driven by the backlight drive device 85 under the control of the CPU 71 of the display control device 70, and emits illumination light having a necessary illuminance. The display panel 82 is driven by the LCD driving device 86 under the control of the video processor 73 of the display control device 70 to form a color transmission image obtained by modulating the illumination light. The LCD barrier 83 is driven by the barrier driving device 87 under the control of the CPU 71 of the display control device 70 to perform an on / off operation, thereby performing two-dimensional display (that is, display of a planar image) and three-dimensional display (that is, display of a stereoscopic image). And switch. When the LCD barrier 83 is turned on, a composite image for stereoscopic viewing is formed on the display panel 82 in order to realize stereoscopic viewing through the LCD barrier 83. On the other hand, when the LCD barrier 83 is turned off, a normal planar image is formed on the display panel 82.

  In the above, the image display device 8 and the display control device 70 constitute a display device capable of performing a stereoscopic display of a moving image related to the progress of the game.

  The auxiliary effect device 11 and the image display device 8 assist display effects related to game progress including a variable display game. For this reason, the auxiliary effect device 11 has a built-in solid model MB, and can drop the solid model MB forwardly and backwardly in the image display area DD of the image display device 8. It can be rotated around the vertical axis in front of the display area DD.

  Hereinafter, general operations of the gaming machine 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. In this gaming machine 2, a game is played by launching a game ball from a hit ball launching device (not shown) toward the game area, and the launched game ball flows down the game area.

  When a game ball wins at the start port 9, the win is detected by a special symbol start sensor 32 which is a lottery sensor provided in the vicinity of the game ball passage from the start port 9. A lottery is performed in the game control device 50 based on the detected signal, and a command for designating display contents is output to the display control device 70 and the auxiliary effect device 11. The image display device 8 operating under the control of the display control device 70 displays a predetermined image in response to a drive signal corresponding to the command. At this time, in synchronization with this, the auxiliary effect device 11 assists for the effect by the image display (details will be described later). When the result of the lottery described above is a big hit, the image display area DD stops at a specific display symbol (big hit symbol). At this time, the special variation winning apparatus 10 opens the big winning opening wide for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds), and during this time, the player can acquire many game balls.

  Details of the image display device 8 will be described below. The image display device 8 enables stereoscopic viewing by the action of the LCD barrier 83 as described above. When the LCD barrier 83 is in an off state (normal display, ie, flat display), no light shielding pattern is formed on the LCD barrier 83 and light shielding corresponding to the light shielding pattern is not performed, so that all pixels can be seen. On the other hand, when the LCD barrier 83 is in an on state (stereoscopic display), light shielding having a spatial distribution is performed by the light shielding pattern formed on the LCD barrier 83, and all pixels cannot be seen. Specifically, when the positions of the viewpoints EY1 to EY4 are moved as shown in FIG. 3, only the pixels corresponding to the respective viewpoints can be seen as shown in enlarged views in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (d). it can. By utilizing this effect, different images can be shown on the left and right eyes of the player, thereby realizing stereoscopic viewing.

  FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the arrangement of display pixels that constitute the display panel 82. 4A shows the first eye EY1 of FIG. 3, FIG. 4B shows the second eye EY2 of FIG. 3, FIG. 4C shows the third eye EY3 of FIG. (D) shows an arrangement example of display pixels kR, kG, and kB (k is a viewpoint number) respectively corresponding to the fourth eye EY4 of FIG. A stereoscopic image (composite image) can be created by synthesizing the first to fourth images as described in FIGS. 4A to 4D collectively (FIG. 4). 4 (e)). Such a stereoscopic image corresponds to an image of one frame displayed on the image display device 8 or a part of the image. When the target stereoscopic image corresponds to an image of one frame, the stereoscopic image data for one frame (as shown in FIG. 4E) is stored in the display buffer 76 provided in the display control device 70 of FIG. A group of two-dimensional display data) is temporarily stored, and the stereoscopic image data stored therein is output to the display panel 82 via the LCD driving device 86. As a result, the player observes the composite stereoscopic image corresponding to the stereoscopic image data stored in the display buffer 76 through the LCD barrier 83 in the on state, and the stereoscopic image is displayed on the display panel 82. Will be recognized.

  If a stereoscopic image (composite image) consisting of a number of continuously changing frames is stored for each frame data in the CGROM 77 provided in the display control device 70 of FIG. A three-dimensional video can also be displayed. On the other hand, when the target stereoscopic image corresponds to a partial image in one frame, data of partial images that continuously change as a series of stereoscopic images in the CGROM 77 (a group as shown in FIG. 4E). 2D display data) can be stored, a three-dimensional moving image of the partial image can be displayed on the display panel 82 by rewriting the data relating to the partial image. At this time, the CGROM 77 only stores a two-dimensional image as a frame unit or a partial image, and generates image data to be stored in the display buffer 76 by simple reading of the two-dimensional image, overlay synthesis, or the like. be able to. That is, the display control apparatus 70 does not require 3D data processing using polygons and the like, and can display moving images with sufficient resolution and frame rate even when the processing speed of the video processor 73 is relatively slow. .

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image source when the image display device 8 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 performs stereoscopic display. In this example, the background image BG occupies the peripheral portion of the image display area DD, and the foreground image FG, which is a stereoscopic image, is superimposed and drawn on the central portion of the image display area DD. Here, the description will be made assuming that the drawing is performed in the central portion of the image display area DD. However, the drawing location is not limited to the central portion, and can be determined as appropriate, and a stereoscopic image is formed in the entire image display area DD. It doesn't matter.

  In this case, it is assumed that the background image BG is a two-dimensional image, and image data that becomes a planar image even when viewed through the LCD barrier 83 in the on state is prepared. Such image data may be stored in the CGROM 77 as two-dimensional image data in advance, as calculated by an external computer. In order to draw accurately, after thinning the non-stereoscopic two-dimensional image data to be observed through the LCD barrier 83 in the off state to 1/4, for example, the same image can be seen from all viewpoints through the LCD barrier 83. However, in actual use, it is sufficient to prepare an image corresponding to the normal display (non-stereoscopic view) state. The background image BG can be a moving image as well as a still image. In this case, image data for each frame constituting the moving image is stored in the CGROM 77.

  The foreground image FG enables display of a three-dimensional moving image, and is stored as a partial image in the CGROM 77 provided in the display control device 70 of FIG. The foreground image FG is composed of a plurality of moving image data AS1 to ASj, each of which includes a series of stereoscopic image data F1 to Fk. Each of the stereoscopic image data F1 to Fk corresponds to a combination of the first to fourth images described with reference to FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (d) as shown in FIG. 4 (e). Each of them realizes a stereoscopic view alone. Each of the moving image data AS1 to ASj is for displaying the stereoscopic image data F1 to Fk in time series, and the stereoscopic image is moved by controlling the timing to be taken into the display buffer 76 in FIG. Can be displayed automatically. In addition, by preparing a plurality of moving image data AS1 to ASj as described above, not only the moving image data AS1 to ASj are cyclically displayed but also the moving image data AS1 to ASj are sequentially replaced and displayed in an appropriate combination. You can also. As described above, by using the local moving image data AS1 to ASj and repeatedly using the moving image data AS1 to ASj, the capacity of the CGROM 77 can be saved.

  The stereoscopic image data F1 to Fk constituting each moving image data AS1 to ASj correspond to a series of two-dimensional image data necessary for continuous moving image display, and three-dimensional image processing is performed in advance by an external high-speed computer. It is calculated by this. Specifically, for example, for an object approximated by polygons or texture mapping, images observed from four viewpoints corresponding to EY1 to EY4 in FIG. 3 are individually rendered (image processing). At this time, processing necessary for effects and effects is performed incidentally. Furthermore, by repeating the above calculation while displacing and deforming polygons, an image that changes in time series for each viewpoint is calculated as moving image data. Such moving image data for each viewpoint is synthesized as shown in FIG. 4E by the allocation as described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4D, and the frame-advanced stereoscopic image data F1. To Fk and transferred to CGROM 77. Note that the moving image data AS1 to ASj can correspond to a planar figure that just pops out or retracts from the background image BG. In this case, the non-stereoscopic two-dimensional image data prepared for the foreground is thinned to, for example, 1/4, and then converted into information corresponding to the shielding pattern of the LCD barrier 83 to obtain the depth in the depth direction that is the focus position. Corresponding to the difference between the position and the surface position of the image display area DD, a positional shift amount to be given between adjacent viewpoints (this positional shift amount is sometimes called parallax) is calculated, and only such a positional shift amount is calculated. First to fourth images (see FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (d)) for each shifted viewpoint are created, and the synthesized images as shown in FIG. 4 (e) may be used. Good. By using an image obtained by such synthesis for the entire image display area DD, the entire display image can be converted into a stereoscopic moving image.

  Hereinafter, an outline of operations of the image display device 8 and the auxiliary effect device 11 will be described. The CPU 71 of the display control device 70 receives a display control command from the game control device 50 via the first input interface 72a. The CPU 71 outputs appropriate commands to the display panel 82, LCD barrier 83, etc. according to the contents of the received display control command, and adjusts the operation contents and operation timing of the display panel 82, LCD barrier 83, etc. On the other hand, the drive control device 90 receives a display control command from the game control device 50 and transmits a drive signal for driving the three-dimensional model MB, which is a three-dimensional structure, to the auxiliary effect device 11 according to the content of the display control command. To do. The auxiliary effect device 11 functions as a drive device that operates the three-dimensional model MB according to a predetermined procedure in accordance with the drive signal. At this time, the display content and display timing of the image display device 8 are adjusted as appropriate to the operation of the three-dimensional model MB. As a result, the display content of the image by the image display device 8 changes in synchronization with the movement of the three-dimensional model MB, and it is possible to perform a display effect as a single effect formed by the image and the three-dimensional model MB. It becomes.

  6-8 is a figure explaining one Example of the display effect in this embodiment, and is a front view of the image display apparatus 8 and the auxiliary | assistant effect apparatus 11. FIG. Here, the auxiliary effect device 11 includes a three-dimensional model MB (an airplane is used as an example in the drawing) as a three-dimensional structure. The three-dimensional model MB is connected to a drive member (not shown) such as a solenoid and a motor in the auxiliary effect device 11 by a support shaft SS, and the lifting / lowering motion and the support shaft SS are centered according to a drive signal from the drive control device 90. Rotational motion is possible. Thereby, the three-dimensional model MB can be positioned in front of the display area of the image display device 8, that is, in front of the image display area DD, and can be horizontally rotated at the front position, for example.

  Hereinafter, the display effects in the present embodiment will be described by following the order from FIG. First, the auxiliary effect device 11 that has received the display control command for starting the display effect in response to the start of the lottery in the game control device 50 lowers the three-dimensional model MB from the state shown in FIG. It stops at the center position on the front surface of the display area DD (see FIG. 6B). At this time, as is clear from FIG. 6B, the image display device 8 that has similarly received the display control command from the game control device 50 receives the background image BG (FIG. 5) that matches the three-dimensional model MB on the image display area DD. The airfield and runway are displayed. In this case, the three-dimensional model MB and the background image BG form a scene as if the airplane stopped on the runway or landed. Next, the three-dimensional model MB rotates counterclockwise about the support shaft SS axis. At this time, the background by the background image BG is scroll-displayed as if it moved in synchronization with the movement of the three-dimensional model MB. For example, FIG. 7A shows a state in the middle of rotation, and the airplane that is the three-dimensional model MB is left from the initial state (that is, the airplane is facing the front as shown in FIG. 6B). It shows a state in which the airplane is turned 90 °, that is, the airplane is turned sideways. At this time, the background image BG also changes in accordance with the three-dimensional model MB, and the scenery beside the runway is displayed. In the present embodiment, the three-dimensional model MB is finally rotated by 180 °, and after the rotation, as shown in FIG. 7B, the airplane is facing backward with respect to the player. The background image BG also displays a landscape just on the opposite side of the initial state.

  Here, in the above rotation operation, the 3D model MB and the background image BG are linked as described above, so that a player who views both the 3D model MB and the background image BG is as if he / she is the 3D model MB. It is half-turned around, and the 3D model MB feels as if it has stopped.

  When the rotational movement of the three-dimensional model MB is completed, the background image BG is stereoscopically viewable by switching the LCD barrier 83 of the image display device 8 to the on state. In FIG. 7B, it is assumed that the background image BG has already been switched and can be stereoscopically viewed. Here, Merckmar MM seen in the background image BG indicates a start point for takeoff run on the runway of the airfield for production.

  Subsequently, by changing the background image BG while fixing the three-dimensional model MB, an effect is provided as if the airplane started running toward the start point. At this time, the Merckmar MM is used as the above-described stereoscopic image, and is adjusted so that the depth gradually increases. As a result, with the movement of the airplane gradually toward the start point, the Merckmar MM gradually appears to jump out, and when it appears to protrude to the same position as the three-dimensional model MB, FIG. 7 (c) In this way, a scene is formed when the airplane arrives at the starting point.

  After the airplane arrives at the starting point, for example, the airplane fully opens the engine for launching, and the player is shown the scene of taking off as an effect. At this time, the sound output and flash lamp lighting are also performed to distract the player for a moment, and the solid model MB is lifted by the support shaft SS in the gap and retreated, as shown in FIG. An image display body GE (also an airplane), which is a stereoscopic character image having an appearance similar to the model MB, appears. That is, the stereoscopic model MB, which is a real figure, is replaced with an image display GE based on a stereoscopic image. Thereby, it is possible to display the image display body GE in an initial posture that is consistent with the operation before the three-dimensional model MB is retracted while giving the continuity to the contents of the display effect. Note that the sound output and flash lamp lighting at the time of the replacement are performed by flashing the lighting lamps 12 installed on both sides of the gaming machine 2 with high brightness based on a command from the game control device 50. This is done by flowing a loud sound from a speaker (not shown) installed inside the gaming machine 2 (see FIG. 2). Thereby, a player's mind can be distracted momentarily and the retraction | saving of the said solid model MB can be made inconspicuous. The three-dimensional model MB is quickly retracted and stored in the auxiliary effect device 11 at high speed.

  Since the plane is switched from the three-dimensional model MB to the image display body GE, all subsequent display effects are based on image display, so that the viewpoint of the image can be freely switched. For example, after the plane has taken off, the video is switched to the point where the plane approaches the frame out of the viewport, and the scenery in the cockpit is projected as shown in FIG. It is also possible to produce the same effect as the pilot's point of view. It is also possible to bring it to a point of view that gives a bird's-eye view of a scene where an airplane is facing an enemy.

  Here, in FIG. 7B, when making the image displayed by the image display device 8 stereoscopically viewable, there is a difference in brightness between the planar view and the stereoscopic view. In order to achieve this, it is conceivable to perform luminance adjustment such as gradually darkening the background image BG. As an effect for this, for example, as the setting that the background image BG goes from dusk to night while the 3D model MB is rotating, the background image BG is gradually darkened, and switching to stereoscopic viewing is performed with the scene at night. You can make it complete.

  The above embodiment is an example of the present invention. For example, the three-dimensional object MB as a three-dimensional structure may be anything other than an airplane as long as it can be expressed as a real object by a figure or the like. The moving direction of the MB, how to rotate it, and the like can be appropriately changed depending on the production method. In any case, since the player observes the image display area DD displaying the background image BG while gazing at the stereoscopic model MB, the player shifts the background image BG that changes with the stereoscopic model MB to stereoscopic vision. This facilitates switching from planar view to stereoscopic view (see FIGS. 6B, 7A, and 7B).

  In this embodiment, adjustments are made so as to gradually increase the depth of the Merck MM in order to reduce the burden on the player's eyes and to make a smooth transition to stereoscopic vision. The Merckmar MM may be switched to a stereoscopic image instantly when the point is reached. In this case, the processing of the image data for the stereoscopic image becomes relatively simple and the control becomes easy.

  As described above, by smoothly switching the stereoscopic model MB by synchronizing the operation of the stereoscopic model MB with the background image BG, etc., and then switching from the stereoscopic model MB to the one using the image display GE (FIG. 7). (See (c) and FIG. 8), a display effect with little discomfort can be achieved in switching from planar view to stereoscopic view.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the game progress in the gaming machine 2 using the display effects as described above. This flowchart describes a case where the display effect is performed when a so-called jackpot or the like is confirmed.

  Here, as a first stage, first, the game control device 50 performs a lottery based on a signal detected by the special symbol start sensor 32 when a winning ball wins at the start port 9, and the result of the lottery is a big hit? Decide whether or not. In the game control device 50, the CPU 60 determines whether or not the lottery result is a big win (step S0). If so, the display control command for performing the display effect is displayed on the display control device 70 and the drive control. It outputs to the apparatus 90 (step S1). The display control device 70 that has received the display control command displays a background image BG that is a flat display on the image display area DD of the image display device 8. On the other hand, the drive control device 90 starts the descent of the three-dimensional model MB stored in the auxiliary effect device 11 (step S2). The auxiliary effect device 11 places the three-dimensional model MB, which is a three-dimensional structure, in front of the image display area DD at a predetermined position and timing according to the content of the display control command (step S3). Next, the three-dimensional model MB shows a motion such as a rotational motion, and the display content of the background image BG changes accordingly (step S4). During this period, the change in the display contents is synchronized with the movement of the three-dimensional model MB. Thereafter, the background image BG of the image display device 8 is switched from the planar view to the stereoscopic view in accordance with the change of the display content (step S5). When switching to stereoscopic viewing, the background image BG that was a planar viewing image becomes a stereoscopic viewing image, and an image with a depth appears gradually or at a certain point in time (step S6). After the player's eyes have become accustomed to stereoscopic viewing by the stereoscopic image, the stereoscopic model MB is withdrawn along with various effects that divert the player's attention, such as sound effects and flash lamp lighting (step S7). Then, the stereoscopic image display GE appears (step S8). After the image display GE appears, an effect image by the image display device 8 is displayed as appropriate, and finally a specific display symbol (big hit symbol) showing a big hit appears and stops for a predetermined time (step S9). In step S0, if the result is not a big hit or the like, no display effect occurs. Further, in order to make it difficult for the player to feel the difference in luminance that occurs in the switching from the planar view to the stereoscopic view in step S5, luminance adjustment such as temporarily darkening the image may be performed.

  In the above, the display effect is performed only when the jackpot or the like is confirmed. However, it is possible to involve some effect even when the jackpot is not a jackpot or the like. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the game progress in the case where the display effect changes from midway depending on whether or not a big hit or the like.

  Hereinafter, along with FIG. 10, the control of the game progress of another gaming machine in the present embodiment will be described. As the previous stage, first, the game control device 50 performs a lottery based on a signal detected by the special symbol start sensor 32 when a winning ball wins the start opening 9. Determine if this result is a big hit. The CPU 60 in the game control device 50 outputs a display control command for performing a display effect to the display control device 70 and the drive control device 90 regardless of whether or not the result is a big hit (step S21). Next, as in the case of FIG. 9, the image display device 8 projects the background image BG, and the auxiliary effect device 11 lowers the three-dimensional model MB (step S22). Furthermore, the auxiliary effect device 11 arranges the three-dimensional model MB at a predetermined position and timing (step S23), and the display content of the background image BG changes with the rotational movement of the three-dimensional model MB (step S24). At this time, the background image BG is switched from the planar view to the stereoscopic view (step S25), and the stereoscopic image gradually appears from the background image BG (step S26).

  Here, the lottery result in the game control device 50 is read (step S20). If the lottery result is a win, as in the case of FIG. 9, the stereoscopic model MB is retracted together with the sound effect and the flash lamp lighting (step S27), and instead, the image display body GE by the stereoscopic view appears. (Step S28), the image display device 8 stops at a specific display symbol (big hit symbol) indicating a big hit (step S29). However, if the result of the lottery is off in step S20, the stereo model MB is retracted along with the sound effect and the flash lamp is turned on, but the image display body GE by the stereoscopic view does not appear, and the display effect ends. Is performed (step S37).

  FIGS. 9 and 10 are both examples of the control of the game progress using the display effect. For example, when and what kind of display is to be displayed for the outage, the design can be changed as appropriate according to the effect method and the like. is there. For example, in FIG. 10, in step S37, which is a display error, the three-dimensional model MB may be retracted without performing a sound effect or the like. Further, the display effect can be used for various game progressions other than the case of whether or not the game is successful. For example, it may be used for displaying a so-called super reach or the like having a high probability of winning a jackpot.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the LCD barrier 83 is turned on / off when switching from a planar image to a stereoscopic image, but the present invention is also applied when switching from a planar image to a stereoscopic image even when the barrier is always on. A display effect can be achieved. Furthermore, although this embodiment has been described with respect to a stereoscopic view using a parallax barrier, the display effect according to the present invention is not limited to a stereoscopic parallax barrier, for example, when performing a stereoscopic view with a lenticular lens. Is also possible.

It is a front view showing the whole gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the control system of the gaming machine of FIG. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of an image display apparatus. (A)-(e) is an enlarged view explaining an example of arrangement | positioning of the display pixel in a liquid crystal display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a display by an image display apparatus. (A), (b) is a figure explaining an example of a display effect. (A)-(c) is a figure explaining the expansion | deployment in an example of a display effect. (A), (b) is a figure explaining the image display in an example of a display effect. It is a flowchart explaining an operation example of the game progress in the gaming machine. It is a flowchart explaining one example of operation of another game progress in a gaming machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Game machine, 3 ... Front frame, 6 ... Game board, 8 ... Image display device, 9 ... Start-up opening, 11 ... Auxiliary production device, 50 ... Game control device, 70 ... Display control device, 60, 71 ... CPU, 73 ... Video processor, 76 ... Display buffer, 77 ... CGROM, 81 ... Illumination device, 82 ... Display panel, 83 ... LCD barrier, 85 ... Backlight drive device, 86 ... LCD drive device, 87 ... Barrier drive device, MB ... 3D model, GE ... Image display

Claims (12)

A display unit that enables stereoscopic viewing by displaying a stereoscopic image, and enables planar viewing by displaying a planar image;
A three-dimensional structure provided so as to be able to advance and retreat in front of the display area of the display unit;
A driving device for moving the three-dimensional structure forward and backward in the display area and moving the three-dimensional structure in front of the display area;
By controlling the operation of the driving device and the display unit at a predetermined timing during the progress of the game, the three-dimensional structure is arranged in front of the display area, and the display content is displayed according to the movement of the three-dimensional structure. A gaming machine comprising control means for switching from planar view to stereoscopic view while changing.   The driving device can rotate the three-dimensional structure in front of the display area, and the control means displays the display unit on the display unit in accordance with the rotation of the three-dimensional structure arranged in front of the display area. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the images are rotated synchronously.   3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when the three-dimensional structure is retracted from the front of the display area, the control unit switches the display unit from a plan view to a three-dimensional view.   The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the control means instantaneously or gradually achieves switching from planar view to stereoscopic view when retracting the three-dimensional structure from the front of the display area.   In the preparation stage for retracting the three-dimensional structure from the front of the display area, the control means gradually switches the display unit from a plan view to a three-dimensional view and completely retracts the three-dimensional structure from the front of the display area. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the switching of the display unit from planar view to stereoscopic view is completed at times.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control means provides continuity with respect to display contents when the display unit is switched from a planar view to a stereoscopic view.   The continuity related to the display content is to display a three-dimensional character image having an appearance similar to the three-dimensional structure processed so as to be recognized as a three-dimensional image by an observer in the display area. 6. The gaming machine according to 6.   The gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein the three-dimensional character image is displayed in an initial posture consistent with an operation before the three-dimensional structure is retracted.   9. The control unit according to claim 7, wherein the control unit shifts the depth in the depth direction of the stereoscopic vision to a target value while moving the stereoscopic character image to be displayed on the display unit in the stereoscopic vision space. The gaming machine described.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the control means performs sound output or flash lamp lighting immediately before or during retraction of the three-dimensional structure. A control method of a gaming machine that causes a display unit to switch between stereoscopic display and planar display according to the progress of a game,
A step of arranging a three-dimensional structure in front of the display area of the display unit at a predetermined timing in the progress of the game;
Changing the display content of the display unit according to the movement of the three-dimensional structure;
And a step of causing the display unit to switch from planar view to stereoscopic view as the display content changes. The method for controlling a gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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