JP2007159972A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maintain the desires of players for games by developing material image data necessary for the display of images fast in a volatile image memory. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine is provided with a figure CPU 311 which designates texture data, pallet data and the like necessary for the 3D display of a polygon or the like individually, a GPU 300 which generates pixel data based on the texture data or the like read out of a source ROM 340, a frame buffer area of main RAMs 321 and 322 for temporarily accumulating the pixel data generated and a decoration figure display device 16 which displays the images containing the polygon based on the pixel data accumulated in the frame buffer area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that executes an effect display in accordance with the progress of a game.

  As this type of gaming machine, there is a gaming machine that displays video based on material image data stored in a ROM as the game progresses, such as a pachinko machine (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

As such known gaming machines, there is one that realizes effect display using so-called computer graphics (hereinafter referred to as “CG”) such as polygons. Specifically, in such a known gaming machine, computer graphic software (hereinafter, “CG display software” is exemplified) is drawn on the display control board with the assistance of hardware such as a graphic chip. Yes.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-135751 (FIG. 2)

  In this known technical document, there is no description that an operating system is mounted on the display control board, but it is presumed that the operating system is mounted because CG is displayed. The CG display software reads out texture data used for displaying video using polygons from the ROM one by one using the file system of the operating system. The CG display software continuously displays videos one after another based on the texture data read out in this way.

  In recent gaming machines using CG, it is desired to store more texture data and the like in the ROM in order to realize various presentation displays, and a large-capacity ROM is required. A large-capacity ROM is slow to access, and in order to compensate for the slow access of the ROM, the game machine has a RAM that is faster to access than the ROM. It is required to expand.

  However, in the gaming machine, an image composed of a combination of short stories is displayed. The combination of these short stories is random and the combination is different every time. For this reason, since the CG display software cannot determine the texture data to be developed in the RAM next time before displaying each story, the necessary texture data must be expanded in the RAM each time. At this time, if the CG display software tries to expand the texture data using the file system of the operating system, it takes a long time to expand the texture data. It was difficult to display such images in real time without any disturbance.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a technique capable of developing material image data necessary for video display in a volatile video memory at high speed.

(Solution 1)
The gaming machine of the present invention includes a game control unit that controls a game operation using a game medium, an effect control unit that controls an effect operation associated with the game operation by the control of the game control unit, and a control of the effect control unit In the gaming machine including the display device that executes the display operation according to the above, the effect control unit includes a nonvolatile video memory that nonvolatilely stores material image data used for displaying a material image necessary for video, and the material image A volatile video memory for storing data in a volatile manner, and a display control program for operating the operating system and controlling the display of the video, and reading the material from the non-volatile video memory in accordance with the instructions of the display control program A display control processor that expands image data in the volatile video memory, and a table according to instructions of the display control program. A video display processor that reads the material image data from the volatile video memory according to a video to be displayed and displays a video composed of a material image based on the material image data on the display device, and includes the nonvolatile memory The video memory includes a plurality of material image data groups composed of a set of the material image data obtained by deleting header information from the source material image data necessary for video display, and all the material image data groups included in the plurality of material image data groups. Header management information relating to header information of material image data, wherein the header management information includes header extraction information comprising a part of the deleted header information, and each of the material image data in the plurality of material image data groups A group identifier for distinguishing groups, and the display control program reads from the nonvolatile video memory. A header management information transfer means for transferring the header management information to the volatile video memory; and the material image data group corresponding to a specified group identifier among the plurality of material image data groups. A batch transfer means for reading from the volatile video memory and transferring to the volatile video memory, and data reading information for identifying each material image data included in the transferred material image data group from the header extraction information. Based on the data read information, each material image data included in the transferred material image data group is identified and read from the data read information generating means to be generated and the volatile video memory, and each read material Video display control means for displaying video based on the image data.

  Here, the “material image data group” mainly means a large number of material image data, but also means a plurality of material image data. The “primitive material image data” is composed of header information and material image data, and each header information includes information for managing each corresponding material image data. Further, the header extraction information includes, for example, information related to the displacement (offset) of each material image data included in the material image data group. When the production control unit is configured by a board, the display control board for controlling the production operation related to the display and the production control board for controlling other production operations may be boards of different configurations.

  When the material image data is transferred to the volatile video memory, the display control program prepares a designated material image data group among a plurality of material image data groups and transfers them at a high speed all at once. Therefore, the display control program prepares the next material image data included in the same material image data group after transferring the material image data included in the specified material image data group among the plurality of material image data groups. They are not transferred individually one by one.

  For this reason, the display control program develops each material image data included in the specified material image data group in the volatile video memory at a higher speed than when reading each material image data from the nonvolatile video memory one by one and deploying it in the volatile video memory. can do. Accordingly, a material image data group, which is an aggregate of material image data necessary for displaying the image, is quickly arranged in the volatile image memory.

  Even when high-speed processing such as symbol variation display is required, the display control program can be volatile based on the data read information generated corresponding to the transferred material image data group as necessary. Each material image data included in the material image data group developed in the video memory can be identified and read, and a video can be displayed at an early stage based on each material image data. Note that the symbols used here include characters, symbols, foreground, background, still images, moving images, and any combination thereof.

(Solution 2)
In the gaming machine described in Solution 1 above, the gaming machine of the present invention may be applied to a ball-type gaming machine. Here, as a basic configuration of the ball-type game machine, the launching means for launching the game ball into the game area, and the winning detection means for detecting that the game ball launched into the game area has won the start winning opening; The symbol display means for displaying the stop symbol in accordance with the lottery result of the internal lottery executed with the winning at the start winning opening, and the stop symbol is a specific display mode is advantageous to the player. Special gaming state transition means for transitioning to the special gaming state.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, the display control program transfers a desired material image data group designated among a plurality of material image data groups to the volatile video memory at a high speed in the same manner as the solution means 1 described above. Therefore, the following effects are exhibited. That is, the display control program identifies and reads out each material image data from the material image data group that can be transferred immediately to the volatile video memory, even when it is necessary to display a video suddenly during the game, Images can be displayed quickly.

(Solution 3)
In the gaming machine described in the above solution 1, the gaming machine of the present invention may be applied to the following ball-type gaming machines. Here, as a basic configuration of the ball-type game machine, a launching means for launching the game ball into the game area, a winning detector for detecting that the game ball has won the start winning opening provided in the game area, and A winning device that opens and closes the movable piece in response to a winning at the start winning opening and accepts a game ball, and a game ball that is received by the winning device along with the opening and closing operation of the movable piece, Special game state transition means for shifting to a special game state advantageous to the player when triggered by passing through the specific area is provided.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, the display control program transfers a desired material image data group designated among a plurality of material image data groups to the volatile video memory at a high speed in the same manner as the solution means 1 described above. Therefore, the following effects are exhibited. That is, the display control program identifies and reads out each material image data from the material image data group that can be transferred immediately to the volatile video memory, even when it is necessary to display a video suddenly during the game, Images can be displayed quickly.

(Solution 4)
In the gaming machine described in the above solution 1, the gaming machine of the present invention may be applied to a revolving gaming machine. Here, as a basic configuration of the swing type gaming machine, starting and stopping are performed according to the player's operation in a state where a predetermined number of gaming values are multiplied for each game, and the display of the symbols is performed by the starting. While changing, a symbol display means for displaying a combination of a plurality of symbols at the time of stopping, a start operation means capable of accepting a start operation for starting the symbol display means, and a stop for stopping the symbol display means A game value that gives a player a number of game values according to the type of combination of symbols when a combination of a predetermined symbol is displayed when the symbol display unit is stopped when the stop operation unit can accept an operation. Providing means and special game state transition means for shifting to a special game state advantageous to the player when a combination of specific symbols is displayed when the symbol display means is stopped. To have. Note that the predetermined number of game values to be multiplied for each game may be one or more.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, the display control program transfers a desired material image data group designated among a plurality of material image data groups to the volatile video memory at a high speed in the same manner as the solution means 1 described above. Therefore, the following effects are exhibited. That is, the display control program identifies and reads out each material image data from the material image data group that can be transferred immediately to the volatile video memory, even when it is necessary to display a video suddenly during the game, Images can be displayed quickly.

(Solution 5)
In the gaming machine described in the above solution 1, the gaming machine of the present invention may be applied to a revolving gaming machine that uses a game ball as a gaming medium. Here, as a basic configuration of a swing-type gaming machine using game balls, game value counting means that collects a specified number of game balls as game media as one unit of game value, and for each game The game value counting means is multiplied by a predetermined number of the game values set as one unit, and is started and stopped according to the player's operation, and the display of the symbols is changed by the start, while the stop is stopped. Symbol display means for displaying a combination of symbols at times, start operation means for accepting a start operation for starting the symbol display means, and stop for accepting a stop operation for stopping the symbol display means When a combination of predetermined symbols is displayed when the operation means and the symbol display means are stopped, the number of game balls corresponding to the number of game values corresponding to the type of the symbol combination A game value providing means for providing to a player, the case where a specific combination of symbols on the time of stopping the symbol display unit is displayed, and a special game state transition means for shifting to an advantageous special game state for the player. Note that the predetermined number of game values to be multiplied for each game may be one or more.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, the display control program transfers a desired material image data group designated among a plurality of material image data groups to the volatile video memory at a high speed in the same manner as the solution means 1 described above. Therefore, the following effects are exhibited. That is, the display control program identifies and reads out each material image data from the material image data group that can be transferred immediately to the volatile video memory, even when it is necessary to display a video suddenly during the game, Images can be displayed quickly.

  The gaming machine of the present invention can develop material image data necessary for video display in a volatile video memory at high speed.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine will be described with reference to the corresponding drawings.
(1. Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration example of a pachinko machine 1 to which a gaming machine as an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Hereinafter, a schematic configuration example of the pachinko machine 1 will be described first.

  In this pachinko machine 1, a base frame is attached to a wooden outer frame via a hinge mechanism so as to be opened and closed, and a front frame (glass frame 5) is attached to the base frame via a hinge mechanism. It can be opened and closed. In the present embodiment, the frame bodies such as the base frame and the front frame (glass frame 5) are collectively referred to as “main body frame 17”. Of these, the game board 2 is detachably fitted into the base frame. In the game board 2, a substantially circular game area is formed on the front surface thereof, and a number of guide nails (not shown) are driven in a predetermined gauge arrangement in the game area. A windmill (not shown), various winning ports 15 (start winning port, large winning port, general winning port, etc.), gate port 13, panel decoration lamp (no reference numeral), and the like are arranged as panel components. Each of the various winning openings 15 is provided with a winning detector (not shown in FIG. 1) for detecting the winning of a game ball. In addition, on the back surface of the game board 2, various boards and electronic components such as a main control board, a sub control board, and a symbol control board (not shown in FIG. 1) are mounted.

  In addition to a large number of frame lamps (such as frame decoration lamps 31) arranged in a decorative manner on the glass frame 5, an upper speaker 29 for performing sound output as the game progresses and a player can perform push operations as appropriate. A production button 10 or the like is provided. In addition, on the front surface of the pachinko machine 1, an upper plate 4 for containing a game ball is provided on the glass frame 5 side, and a lower plate 6 is provided on the base frame side. In addition, at the lower right corner position, a launching handle 8 operated by the player to sequentially launch the game balls stored in the upper plate 4 is provided on the base frame side. A lower speaker 29 is arranged inside the left side position of the upper plate 4. Note that a plurality of pachinko machines 1 are normally installed side by side on the island facility of the game arcade, and in the case of a so-called CR machine, a card unit 12 is provided.

  A ball stage 14a is formed at the lower edge of the center accessory 14, and when a game ball is guided onto the ball stage 14a, the movement is changed while temporarily rolling. When the game ball to which movement is given in the ball stage 14a falls to the entrance of the ball guide path 14b formed in the ball stage 14a, the game ball is guided to the ball guide path 14b and provided immediately below the start winning opening 15b. A winning is detected by a winning detector (not shown).

  A special symbol display device 41 is provided at the lower right edge of the game board 2. The special symbol display device 41 is connected to a main control board, which will be described later. When there is a start prize, the special symbol display device 41 is repeatedly turned on or off after that (for example, triggered by the start prize) and at a predetermined time (a “variation time” described later). After the elapse of time, the light is turned on or off according to the result of the internal lottery (big hit lottery) executed on the main control board. Furthermore, a normal symbol display device 42 including a light emitting diode (LED) is provided at the lower right edge of the game board 2. The normal symbol display device 42 is also connected to the main control board, and is configured to change the lighting state over a predetermined period when the gate port 13 passes. Here, when the lighting state of the normal symbol display device 42 becomes a predetermined lighting state, for example, the electric tulip type start winning device (winning detection means) is put into an open state in which it is easy to win a predetermined time.

  Further, a decorative symbol display device 16 is arranged in the center accessory 14 located in the center of the game board 2. The decorative symbol display device 16 is a display device that displays a decorative symbol that decoratively represents the result of the jackpot lottery. In the decorative symbol display device 16, when there is a winning at the start winning opening 15 b, the display contents thereafter change, and an image representing the variation of the decorative symbol depending on whether the special symbol display device 41 is on or off. Etc. are displayed. This decoration symbol stops after it fluctuates for a certain period of time (fluctuation time), and if it is won as a result of the big hit lottery, a predetermined stop symbol pattern (for example, a display with three same types of decoration symbols arranged) A transition to a special gaming state (hereinafter referred to as “special gaming state”) in the pachinko machine 1.

  When the special game state is entered, the display content on the decorative symbol display device 16 is switched to a round display with a big hit, and a round effect (such as counting the number of winning prizes or the number of continuous rounds) is executed. For example, when a special game state in which a round action of 15 rounds is executed is finished and a transition is made to a special game (so-called “probability change”, “short time”, etc.), information indicating that a special game is being executed (“probable change” or “short time change”). Middle)) may be displayed.

  Further, special symbol holding lamps 43 are provided on the left and right sides of the lower edge of the center accessory 14 in the game board 2. The special symbol hold lamp 43 is connected to the main control board, and is configured to hold the start winning when the conditions for starting and storing are complete and to display the hold status. Specifically, each special symbol holding lamp 43 is provided with semi-transmission areas imitating numbers such as “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4”. They are arranged in order from left to right, representing "1" to "4". These four semi-transmissive regions represent the number of stored special symbols (1 to 4) according to the light emission (lighting) modes of “1” to “4”.

  Further, a normal symbol holding lamp 44 is provided at the lower edge of the game board 2. The normal symbol hold lamp 44 is connected to the main control board, and is configured to hold the passage of the gate port 13 while the lighting state of the normal symbol display device 42 is changing and to display the hold status. . In the vicinity of the normal symbol holding lamp 44, a big hit type display lamp 45 is provided. At least one of the big hit type display lamps 45 is turned on when the big hit is made, thereby displaying the type of the big hit. In addition, a main control board and a sub control board are provided on the back of the game board 2, and a display control board (decoration design control board 30 described later) is arranged on the back of the decoration design display device 16. ing. The main body frame 17 is provided with a payout control board and a launch control board not shown in FIG.

(2. Electric configuration example of pachinko machine)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration example of the pachinko machine 1.
First, the main control board 3 (game control unit) is connected to a board such as the sub control board 35 (effect control unit) and the payout control board 25. The payout control board 25 is also connected to the launch control board 47 and the prize ball payout device 21, and the sub control board 35 is also connected to a decorative design control board 30 that controls the display operation.

  The decorative design control board 30 is connected to the decorative design display device 16. In the present embodiment, the sub control board 35 (effect control board) and the decorative design control board 30 (display control board) are separate, but the sub control board 35 and the decorative design control board are not limited thereto. 30 may be integrated, and the sub-control board 35 (production control unit) may have the function of the decorative design control board 30. When such a form is adopted, the sub-control board 35 is directly connected to the decorative symbol display device 16.

  The sub control board 35 transmits to the decorative design control board 30 an effect display command for controlling the effect display operation according to the progress of the game during the game operation. The decorative symbol control board 30 receives the effect display command and the like, and causes the decorative symbol display device 16 provided substantially at the center position of the game area to display an image corresponding to the progress of the game. The sub-control board 35 controls lighting of the panel decoration lamp 12 and the frame decoration lamp 31 via the lamp relay board 32 and the lamp relay board 34.

  Here, as the video, for example, a video indicating that the power is being restored from the power failure state, a video related to the change display of the symbol, the changing symbol is in a predetermined stop symbol mode (for example, a display mode in which three symbols of the same kind are arranged) It includes videos related to so-called reach productions that imply that it may be. In this embodiment, the video is composed of a combination of a plurality of scenes, and each of these scenes is continuously displayed in a predetermined order. Each scene is composed of computer graphics such as polygons, and is composed of 60 frames per second.

  The speaker 29 is disposed, for example, on the upper part of the front frame (glass frame 5) of the pachinko machine 1 or on the base frame side of the upper plate 4. The speaker 29 outputs sound effects, sounds, and the like accompanying the progress of the game. Has become.

  The main control board 3 includes electronic components such as a CPU 3a (hereinafter referred to as “main CPU”), a RAM 3b, a ROM 3c, an input / output interface, etc. (all not shown). The main control board 3 is connected with a winning detector 15a (winning detecting means) for detecting a start winning. The winning detector 15a has entered the various winning holes (starting winning port 15b, large winning port 15c, general winning port, etc.) in the game area (hereinafter referred to as “starting winning”). And the detection signal is output to the main control board 3. The gate passage detector (gate switch) 13a detects that a game ball has passed through the gate port 13, and generates a gate passage signal as a detection signal.

  Control of the gaming operation by the main control board 3 is performed, for example, by the main CPU 3a executing a control program (hereinafter referred to as “main control program”). The main control program generates a random number on the software, and obtains a random number value (a random number value for jackpot determination) triggered by a start winning prize. The main control program then determines whether or not the obtained random number value matches the jackpot determination random number value (hereinafter referred to as “hit lottery”), and if both random number values match, On the other hand, if it is “big hit”, if it does not match, it will be “missed”.

  The main control program starts the special symbol variation display by the special symbol display device 41 after the start winning is made in this way, and when the predetermined variation time has passed, the special symbol is displayed according to the big hit lottery result. A predetermined stop symbol is displayed on the display device 41. The “big hit” includes a so-called “probable big hit” and a so-called “short-time big hit”.

  As a result of the jackpot lottery, the main control program shifts to a special gaming state if the jackpot is a big hit. In this special game state, the main control program repeatedly operates, for example, the special prize opening solenoid 18 for a predetermined number of times, so that the special prize opening 15c easily accepts the game ball for 15 rounds, for example. At this time, the player can win more prize balls by winning a game ball (game medium) while the special winning opening 15c is opened. In addition to the above, there are various types of game operation control by the main control board 3, but since all are well-known, detailed description is omitted here.

  The main control program outputs the lottery result and the production command to the sub-control board 35 along with the execution of the big hit lottery. This effect command includes information related to the time (hereinafter referred to as “variation time”) at which the effect operation is to be executed. Further, the main control program outputs a gaming state command representing a gaming state to the sub control board 35.

  The sub control board 35 controls the rendering operation according to the lottery result and the rendering command received from the main control board 3. The sub-control board 35 includes electronic components such as a CPU 35a (hereinafter referred to as “sub-CPU”), a RAM 35b, a ROM 35c, and an input interface (such as a command reception buffer). The rendering operation on the sub control board 35 is controlled by the CPU 35a executing a control program (hereinafter referred to as “sub control program”).

  When receiving a command or the like from the main control board 3, the sub control program stores it in the command reception buffer. Here, in the sub-control board 35, a reception interrupt is generated when a command or the like (lottery result, effect command, game state command, etc.) is received in the command reception buffer. When a reception interrupt occurs, this sub control program receives a command from the command reception buffer and analyzes it.

  The sub control program selects a production pattern by executing a lottery (hereinafter referred to as “production lottery”) as to what production operation should be controlled in accordance with the lottery result and the variation time included in the command. Specifically, first, the sub-control program manages a scheduler, and this scheduler includes information on a plurality of effect patterns corresponding to the variation time for each lottery result. This sub-control program executes an effect lottery to select an effect pattern corresponding to the lottery result and the variation time while referring to the scheduler.

  After executing such an effect lottery, the sub-control program causes the speaker 29 to output a sound according to the effect pattern over the varying time, or turns on the panel decoration lamp 12 in a predetermined color via the lamp relay board 32. The frame decoration lamp 31 is turned on or off with a predetermined color via the lamp relay board 34.

  The sub-control program also selects an effect display pattern related to variable display by the decorative symbol display device 16 in accordance with the result of the jackpot lottery together with the selection of the effect pattern. After selecting the effect display pattern, the sub control program controls the sub control board 35 to output an effect display command including information on the effect display pattern and the stop symbol to the decorative design control board 30.

  The decoration symbol control board 30 changes the effect display operation under control when receiving the effect display command output from the sub-control board 35. The outline design control board 30 analyzes the effect display command received from the sub-control board 35 and acquires information related to the effect display pattern and the stop decoration design. Then, the sub-control program causes the decorative symbol display device 16 to display the decorative symbol variably over the variation time according to the effect display pattern, and then performs display control so that the decorative symbol becomes the stop decorative symbol.

  The payout control board 25 includes a CPU 25a (hereinafter referred to as “payout CPU”), a RAM 25b, a ROM 25c, an input / output interface, and the like, and is connected to the main control board 3 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. That is, the main control board 3 and the payout control board 25 are connected by serial signal upper and lower lines Su and Sd and in parallel with these, ACK signal transmission lines Au and Ad.

  For example, when the main control board 3 transmits a prize ball command instructing the payout of a prize ball in a serial format via the down line Sd, the payout control board 25 that has received the command transmits an ACK to the main control board 3 via the transmission line Au. Send a signal. Further, when the payout control board 25 transmits a status command (for example, during payout processing) indicating the state of the payout control board 25 to the main control board 3 through the up line Su, the main control board 3 that has received the command An ACK signal is transmitted to the payout control board 25 through the line Ad.

  The prize ball payout device 21 is provided in the main body frame 17, and the prize ball payout device 21 executes a game ball payout operation under the control of the payout control board 25. That is, when the payout control board 25 receives a prize ball command from the main control board 3, the payout motor 20 of the prize ball payout device 21 is operated, and the payout operation for the number designated by the prize ball command is performed. At this time, the number of prize balls actually paid out is detected one by one by the payout ball detector 22 and fed back to the payout control board 25. On the other hand, the rotation state (rotation angle) of the payout motor 20 is detected by the motor drive sensor 24 and fed back to the payout control board 25.

  In addition, in addition to the firing motor 49, a signal line from the firing handle 8 is connected to the firing control board 47. The firing handle 8 includes a touch detection unit 48 that detects the contact of a human body (player) and outputs the touch detection signal to the firing control board 47. The firing handle 8 has a built-in firing switch (not shown), and outputs an ON signal to the firing control board 47 as the firing handle 8 rotates. The launch control board 47 has a function of controlling the launch operation of the game ball when a card unit connection signal output by the card unit as the inter-bed sand 12 is input via the payout control board 25. Yes. The launch control board 47 permits the launch motor 49 to be driven only when the card unit connection signal, the touch detection signal, and the ON signal are received, thereby allowing the launch of the game ball.

  When the payout CPU 25a of the payout control board 25 detects a failure such as a ball bit, a broken ball, a full tank, or an abnormal connection between the main control board 3 and the payout control board 25, the payout control board 25 responds to the type of the failure. Error information is displayed. Specifically, the payout control board 25 is provided with a 7-segment LED 4a, and the 7-segment LED 4a displays, for example, an error number for each of the various types of failures.

  The payout control board 25 is provided with an operation switch 4b as an error canceling means, and the operation switch 4b is disposed at a position where it can be operated from the outside. The operation switch 4b is used as a trigger when voice guidance is given on how to deal with each failure when such various failures occur, and when clearing error information (numerical display) displayed on the 7-segment LED 4a. It is the operation means operated by.

(3. Decorative design control board)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example in which the electrical configuration of the decorative design control board 30 is simplified.
The decorative design control board 30 (production control unit, display control unit) includes a source ROM 340, a first main RAM 321, a second main RAM 322, a graphic processor unit (hereinafter referred to as “GPU”) 300, and a scaler 337.

  The decorative symbol control board 30 has a function of controlling an effect display operation based on an effect display command from the sub control board 35 and the like. The decorative design control board 30 is connected to the decorative design display device 16 and outputs a video signal corresponding to an image to be displayed to the decorative design display device 16 based on the effect display command.

  On the decorative design control board 30, a so-called embedded real-time operating system such as μiTRON is operating. On this operating system, a display control program for controlling a display operation is operating, and data and programs are handled in a file format by a so-called file system. This display control program is a general term for software that draws with the assistance of a graphic chip (GPU 300 to be described later). The display control program includes application software (a user system module, a user module, and an animation program described later), and may include library software and driver software related to display in a broad sense.

  This animation program models an object corresponding to the skeleton of the shape to be displayed based on the model data, maps a texture (pattern, etc.) to this object based on the texture data, and uses so-called three-dimensional graphics as a frame. It is software that displays video by creating. The configuration of these software will be described later.

  Here, the operating system includes a so-called file system, and this file system manages the memory space. Specifically, the file system is a function for managing a data body in a so-called file format by a header attached to the data body stored in the memory space.

Hereinafter, each component mounted on the decorative design control board 30 will be described in detail.
(3-1. Source ROM)
The source ROM 340 is connected to the bus 307 via the external interface 333. In the source ROM 340, each data is read from the transfer source address of the source ROM 340 over the transfer data size by the external interface 333 according to the transfer source address and transfer data size set in the external interface 333.

  The source ROM 340 stores the above application software, library software, driver software, operating system, and load program in addition to model data, texture data, palette data, and scheduler data used for video display. Of these, in this embodiment, data used for displaying images such as model data, texture data, and palette data is referred to as “resources”, and “resource number (data identifier)” is assigned as an identifier for identifying them. And manage it. In the present embodiment, for example, 5319 texture data (and model data) are used, and for example, 300 palette data are used.

  Of these, the texture data indicates the data body of the original texture data including the data body and header information. That is, the texture data represents a data body obtained by deleting header information from the original texture data. The original texture data here includes a data body and header information, and the header information includes information for managing the data body. In the present embodiment, the data body is called “texture data”. The model data and the like similarly indicate the data body of the original model data including the data body and header information.

  Further, the scheduler data includes display information that can specify a combination of scenes constituting a video to be displayed, a display order of each scene, model data and texture data necessary for displaying each scene. The scheduler data further includes information such as coordinates of polygons to be arranged in layers (windows) constituting each frame, and priority order when, for example, four layers are overlapped as display information. The scheduler data is data that is referred to when each scene is displayed by the application software.

(3-2. Main RAM)
The main RAMs 321 and 322 are connected to the bus 309 via the memory controller 315, respectively, and can store programs and data in a volatile manner. That is, the main RAMs 321 and 322 can temporarily store programs and data, respectively, and can store programs and data from a specified address (transfer destination address) to a data size (transfer data size). ing. Here, the bus 309 includes two buses, and the main RAMs 321 and 322 are connected to different buses. Accordingly, the main RAMs 321 and 322 can be independently read and written under the control of the memory controller 315.

  These main RAMs 321 and 322 have a file system area and a non-file system area. Of these, the file system area is a storage area in which the file system of the operating system manages the storage location of data. On the other hand, the non-file system area is a storage area in which the file system of the operating system does not manage the data storage destination. Specifically, the non-file system area is a storage area for storing data in a storage destination using an absolute address or the like and reading from the storage destination.

(3-2-1. Deployment to main RAM)
Each of the main RAMs 321 and 322, according to an address (hereinafter referred to as “development destination address”) and transfer data size set in the memory controller 315, causes the memory controller 315 to transfer programs and data from the expansion destination address to the transfer data size. It can be stored in a volatile manner so that it can be arranged over a wide area.

(3-2-2. Reading from the main RAM)
In the main RAMs 321 and 322, data and the like are read from the development destination address to the transfer data size by the memory controller 315 according to the development destination address and the transfer data size set in the memory controller 315, respectively. In the present embodiment, texture data is mainly exemplified as data (material image data) to be handled. However, description will be made while appropriately including model data as necessary.

(3-3. GPU configuration example)
The GPU 300 includes a bus controller 306, a bus 307, an external interface 333, a DMA controller 384, a CPU interface 383, and a symbol CPU 311. The GPU 300 includes a boot ROM 301, a timer 302, a serial interface 303, an I / O port 304, and a peripheral interface 305. The GPU 300 includes a bus interface 308, a bus 309, a memory controller 315, and a VDP 330. The bus 307 and the bus 309 are connected to each other via the bus interface 308.

(3-3-1. Configuration example other than symbol CPU)
An external interface 333, a DMA controller 384, a CPU interface 383, and a peripheral interface 305 are connected to the bus 307, and data transfer in these is controlled by the bus controller 306.

  The DMA controller 384 reads data from the source ROM 340 according to the designated transfer source address and transfer data size, and transfers it to the main RAMs 321 and 322 according to the designated development destination address and transfer data size.

  A boot ROM 301, a timer 302, a serial interface 303, and an I / O port 304 are connected to the peripheral interface 305. The boot ROM 301 is a memory that stores a boot program in a nonvolatile manner. This boot program is a program for executing initialization processing of hardware such as the memory controller 315 and loading processing of a program loader.

  The timer 302 exhibits a timekeeping function by hardware. The serial interface 303 is an interface having a function as a buffer (command receiving buffer described later) that receives an effect display command or the like from the sub-control board 35 by serial communication. The I / O port 304 is a port that controls a scaler 337 described later.

(3-3-2. Configuration example of symbol CPU)
Further, a symbol CPU (Central Processing Unit) 311 as a display control processor is connected to the bus 307 via a CPU interface 383. The symbol CPU 311 is built in the GPU 300 together with the VDP 330 described later.

  The symbol CPU 311 executes an instruction for each block via the CPU interface 383. For example, when the symbol CPU 311 activates the boot program of the boot ROM 301 via the peripheral interface 305 when the power is turned on, the boot program loads the program loader from the source ROM 340 to the main RAMs 321 and 322. The program loader loaded into the main RAMs 321 and 322 loads the operating system, device driver software, library software, and application software into each predetermined area of the main RAMs 321 and 322. These operating systems are not executed until, for example, the loading of these is completed.

(3-4. Configuration of VDP)
The VDP 330 has a function of displaying an image on the decorative symbol display device 16. The VDP 330 has a function of continuously displaying frames using polygons configured by mapping textures such as patterns on a three-dimensional object configured by modeling, for example, and visually configuring a video by these frames. . This three-dimensional object is a three-dimensional shape representing the shape of an object formed by modeling.

The VDP 330 includes a geometry engine (GEC) 331, a rendering controller (RDC) 332, and a video output controller (VOC) 336.
The geometry engine 331 incorporates a register (not shown) into which the design CPU 311 can write a set value, and operates according to the write of the set value of each register. Examples of the setting values written by the symbol CPU 311 include a drawing command group as a collection of commands for controlling drawing (hereinafter referred to as “drawing commands”). In the following description, this drawing command group is referred to as “GE input stream (GIS data)”.

  The geometry engine 331 executes so-called geometry processing while reading the GE input stream (GIS data) and the GE link table (GLT) stored in the main RAMs 321 and 322. This GE link table represents a table in which a plurality of data in which the start address and data size of data for reading a GE input stream are specified are collected. Then, the geometry engine 331 transfers the display list for the sort accelerator 334 (hereinafter referred to as “SA list”) as the calculation result to the main RAMs 321 and 322. In the present embodiment, the GE input stream (GIS data) and the GE link table (GLT) are also referred to as “GE list”.

  Among them, the GE link table (GLT) is table data in which the geometry engine 331 collects a plurality of head addresses and data sizes specified for reading GE input streams (GIS data) from the main RAMs 321 and 322 for each GE input stream. . This GE input stream (GIS data) is data in which a plurality of parameters and the like for executing arithmetic processing are collected.

  The geometry engine 331 is dedicated hardware that executes geometry processing for executing calculations for converting the coordinates of a three-dimensional model placed in space into screen coordinates in three-dimensional computer graphics. Specifically, the geometry engine 331 first converts a modeling coordinate system, which is coordinate data of polygons constituting an object, into a viewpoint coordinate system with the viewpoint as the origin. Then, the geometry engine 331 performs projection conversion by calculating effects such as perspective and a portion hidden by the front object, and finally converts the screen coordinate system to match the displayed screen. When the geometry engine 331 completes the above processing, it transmits an interrupt signal. When receiving this interrupt signal, the symbol CPU 311 enters an end interrupt process, and writes a set value to the register of the rendering controller 332 in the end interrupt process.

  When the symbol CPU 311 writes to the register, the rendering controller 332 operates according to the written setting value. The rendering controller 332 is dedicated hardware that executes a so-called rendering process in which when a three-dimensional object is expressed two-dimensionally, the object is shaded so as to appear three-dimensionally.

  The rendering controller 332 includes a drawing command register (not shown), a sort accelerator 334, and a rendering controller 335. The sort accelerator 334 and the rendering controller 335 operate according to the written drawing command and the like when a drawing command or the like is written from the symbol CPU 311 to the drawing command register.

  The contents written to the drawing command register by the symbol CPU 311 include an SA list (including vertex calculation commands and drawing commands) read from the main RAMs 321 and 322 and a display list for the rendering controller 335 (hereinafter referred to as “RC list”). Can be illustrated. Among these, the sort accelerator 334 generates an RC list according to the SA list written in the drawing command register and transfers it to the main RAMs 321 and 322.

  The rendering controller 335 reads the texture data TD in accordance with the drawing command written in the drawing command register or the SA list and the RC list, and generates pixel data used for displaying a polygon or the like. This pixel data is drawing data used for drawing one frame. The rendering controller 335 transfers the generated pixel data to the frame buffer areas of the main RAMs 321 and 322. Note that the rendering controller 335 generates pixel data in a depth buffer area (not shown) instead of the frame buffer area when performing hidden surface processing on a three-dimensional object in units of pixels. When the rendering controller 335 finishes the above processing, the rendering controller 335 transmits an interrupt signal to the symbol CPU 311. When receiving this interrupt signal, the symbol CPU 311 enters an end interrupt process, and writes a set value to the register of the video output controller 336 in the end interrupt process.

  When the symbol CPU 311 writes in a register (not shown), the video output controller 336 operates according to the written set value. The video output controller 336 generates a synchronization signal (such as a V blank signal) to the decorative symbol display device 16 and, at the same time, synchronizes with the synchronization signal and outputs the pixel data generated in the frame buffer areas of the main RAMs 321 and 322 to an image. The signal is converted into a signal and output to the decorative symbol display device 16 with respect to the scaler 337. The scaler 337 changes the video display range based on the video signal output from the video output controller 336, and outputs the video signal based on the changed display range to the decorative design display device 16.

(3-5. Memory map)
(3-5-1. Source ROM)
FIG. 4 is a memory map showing a configuration example of the memory space of the source ROM 340.
In addition to an area (not shown) for storing the operating system 111, application 114, library software 113, device driver software 112, and the like, the source ROM 340 includes a texture data group TDG necessary for video display, and these textures. It has an area for storing header management information HTJ related to the data group TDG.

  Here, the texture data TD is an example of material image data obtained by extracting only the data body from the original material image data in which header information is added to the data body, for example, so-called bitmap data. This header information includes information on a resource number as an identifier assigned to distinguish each data body, data size of this data body, data type flag, width, height, and palette. This resource number is an identification number assigned to each pallet data as information related to each texture data TD or the like, for example, a color for each pixel of the frame. The data type flag is a part of header information indicating the type of data regarding whether the data body is texture data, model data, palette data, or the like. The width and height represent the width and height when the texture itself is displayed.

  On the other hand, the header management information HTJ represents information obtained by extracting only desired part of the header information. Specifically, the header management information HTJ is data generated in advance from, for example, header information of primitive texture data by predetermined tool software (not shown). As its contents, the header management information HTJ adds a group ID (group identifier) to information including at least the resource number, the data size of each texture data TD, and information on the palette used for each pixel extracted from the header information. It is a thing. The added group ID is a data group identifier for identifying each texture data group TDG included in the plurality of texture data groups TDG. In this embodiment, for example, 19 texture data groups TDG are prepared. Accordingly, the group ID is assigned to “0” for the texture data group TDG to be developed in the resident area (resident area), for example, and is assigned to the texture data group TDG to be developed in the non-resident area (nonresident area). Is assigned to any one of “1” to “18”. The header management information HTJ is prepared for all texture data, palette data, etc., regardless of whether they are resident or non-resident.

(3-5-2. Main RAM)
FIG. 5 is a memory map showing a configuration example of the memory space of the main RAMs 321 and 322.
The main RAMs 321 and 322 have an operating system area OSE, a list area LSTE, a first non-resident area (non-resident area) HJE1 (HJE), a frame buffer area FBE, a resident area (resident area) JE, and a second non-resident memory, respectively. The area HJE2 (HJE) is included. In the present embodiment, the first non-resident area HJE1 and the second non-resident area HJE2 are collectively referred to as “non-resident area HJE” when it is not necessary to distinguish between them.

  Among these, the operating system area OSE is an area where the operating system is loaded at the time of booting. The list area LSTE is an area for storing a list (list data) used by the GPU 300. The frame buffer area FBE is an area for storing pixel data generated by the GPU 300 for drawing a frame based on the texture data TD and the like.

  The frame buffer area FBE is divided into, for example, two areas, and the pixel data is read from the other frame buffer area FBE by the GPU 300 while the GPU 300 generates pixel data in the one frame buffer area FBE. It has become.

  The resident area JE is a storage area for constantly storing the texture data group TDG, and the non-resident area HJE is a storage for temporarily storing the texture data group TDG among the plurality of texture data groups TDG as necessary. It is an area. Among them, the resident area JE is an area for permanently storing a specific material image data group TDG among the plurality of groups of texture data groups TDG, and the non-resident area HJE is a specific area among the plurality of groups of texture data groups TDG. This is an area for temporarily storing a texture data group TDG other than the texture data group TDG. In this non-resident area HJE, for example, the first non-resident area HJE 1 is formed in the memory space of the RAM 321, and the second non-resident area HJE 2 is formed in the memory space of the RAM 322.

  When operating each texture data TD, the texture handler TH is used. The texture handler TH is created based on the header management information HTJ that is collectively read from the source ROM 340 and expanded in the main RAMs 321 and 322.

(4. Software configuration example)
The hardware configuration related to the decorative design control board 30 is as described above. Next, a software configuration example that operates on the decorative design control board 30 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram hierarchically representing software that operates on the decorative design control board 30.

  On the decorative design control board 30, a so-called embedded real-time operating system 111 such as μITRON is operating, and various kinds of software are operating on the operating system 111. Specifically, the device driver 112, the library 113, and the application 114 are mainly operating on the operating system 111, and the application 114 as the upper software uses the library 113 as the lower software when displaying the video. Thus, the device driver 112 is controlled.

(4-1. Device driver)
Among these, the device driver 112 is driver software for controlling a device connected to the GPU 300. For example, a peripheral device driver 112a, an external memory driver 112b, and a GDC driver 112c are prepared.

  The peripheral device driver 112a is driver software for controlling peripheral devices such as the boot ROM 301, the timer 302, the serial interface 303, and the I / O port 304 connected to the peripheral interface 305. The external memory driver 112b is driver software for controlling reading of texture data TD and the like from the source ROM 340 connected to the external interface 333.

  The GDC driver 112c is driver software prepared for using the graphics function of the GPU 300. Specifically, the GDC driver 112c is driver software that is mainly used by the user module 114b in the application 114, which is higher-order software. The GDC driver 112c executes the processes of the geometry engine 331, the rendering controller 332, and the video output controller 336 in a geometry task, a rendering task, and a video output task, respectively.

(4-2. Library)
As the library 113, a movie library 113c and a graphic library 113d are prepared. The library 113 has been developed by video developers such as computer graphics and is easy to develop on the operating system 111. Therefore, the library 113 has been provided abundantly in the operating system 111 in recent years.

  Among these, the movie library 113c is library software for reproducing a moving image based on moving image data. On the other hand, the graphic library 113d is library software used by the user module 114b for displaying video, and executes a drawing process using an animation program in accordance with the designation of the user module 114b. The graphic library 113d secures a development area where the texture data group TDG and the like can be developed on the RAMs 321 and 322 at the initial setting, and the texture data group TDG is developed in the development area under the control of the user module 114b. Recognize that.

  The graphic library 113d is library software for performing graphic functions while being assisted by the geometry engine 331, the rendering controller 335, and the video output controller 336 included in the VDP 330 of the GPU 300. The graphic library 113d has a function of creating a visually configured frame by mapping a texture based on texture data to an object based on model data.

(4-3. Application)
As the application 114, a user system module 114a and a user module 114b are prepared.
Among these, the user system module 114a executes the same processing even if the type of the pachinko machine 1 is different, for example, command reception processing, scaler control processing, and watchdog timer (WDT) clear processing, etc. Control processing of peripheral devices including, processing for determining consistency of symbols, noise countermeasure processing (such as backup), state transition processing, and test command processing.

  On the other hand, the user module 114b executes different processes depending on the type of the pachinko machine 1, and for example, a control process related to display at the time of recovery from a power outage state, a control process related to symbol variation display, and an animation display. Control processing and control processing related to moving image display are executed. Further, the user module 114b executes a control process related to display at the time of recovery from a power failure state and a control process related to symbol change display. Note that the processes executed by the user system module 114a and the user module 114b are distributed as an example for convenience, and can be appropriately distributed as needed.

  Here, the operating system 111 is operated on the decorative design control board 30 for the following reason. First, computer graphics (hereinafter referred to as “CG”) creation software has been provided for operating systems in recent years, and CG engineers have created CG animations using CG creation software that runs on the operating system in a computer. An easy-to-use environment is in place. In general, software that operates on an operating system is easier to develop than dedicated software that depends on hardware, and in recent years, a large number of libraries that operate on such operating systems have been provided.

  In recent years, in the pachinko machine 1, the operating system 111 is mounted on the decorative design control board 30, and the application 114 displays a large number of CG animations created by a CG engineer while using the rich library software 113. The form is adopted.

  When the user system module 114a and the user module 114b each control the peripheral device driver 112a and receive the V blank signal, the user system module 114a and the user module 114b execute a steady process. This V blank signal is a signal output from the video output controller 336.

  The steady processing executed by the user system module 114a includes peripheral control processing (command reception processing, scaler 337 control processing, watchdog clear control processing), pattern consistency determination processing, noise countermeasure processing (backup, etc.), It includes state transition processing and test command processing. On the other hand, the steady process executed by the user module 114b includes a symbol display control process, an animation control process, and a moving image control process. Note that the contents of the processes executed by the user system module 114a and the user module 114b in the steady process are not limited to such forms, and can be appropriately distributed as necessary.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the user module 114b transfers the header management information HTJ read from the source ROM 340 in advance to the main RAMs 321 and 322 at the time of initialization when displaying a video (header management information transfer means). Next, the user module 114b specifies, for example, a transfer source address and a transfer data size, and selects a texture data group TDG corresponding to the specified group ID (group identifier) from the plurality of texture data groups TDG from the source ROM 340. Collectively reading out and transferring to the main RAMs 321 and 322 (batch transfer means).

FIG. 7 is a memory map showing an example of development of the header management information HTJ and the texture data group TDG transferred to the main RAMs 321 and 322, and FIG. 8 is a memory map showing an example of how the texture handler TH is generated. is there.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the main RAMs 321 and 322, the header management information HTJ and the texture data group TDG in the source ROM 340 are transferred and stored as they are. In this state, since there is no means for operating (handling) the texture data group TDG, the user module 114b cannot separately operate the individual texture data TD included in the texture data group TDG.

  Therefore, first, the user module 114b identifies each texture data TD included in the transferred texture data group TDG from the header extraction information of the header management information HTJ based on the specified group ID, as shown in FIG. A possible texture handler TH (data read information) is generated (data read information generating means).

  Then, the user module 114b identifies and reads out each texture data TD included in the transferred texture data group TDG from the main RAMs 321 and 322 based on the texture handler TH, and reads the texture data TD into each read texture data TD. The video is displayed based on this (video display control means). In other words, the user module 114b continuously displays frames of polygons visually configured by mapping textures based on the texture data TD that are simultaneously read to objects based on model data when displaying video using polygons or the like. The video is displayed.

(5. Example of operation of decorative design control board)
The pachinko machine 1 on which the decorative design control board 30 is mounted has the above-described configuration. Next, a state in which the effect display process is executed by the operations of the user system module 114a and the user module 114b will be described. First, the reset process will be described.

(5-1. Reset processing)
Next, an operation example in the reset start process after the power is turned on will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a basic processing procedure of reset processing in the decorative symbol control board 30. This reset process represents a process example that is sequentially executed when the decorative symbol control board 30 is reset or newly powered on.

(5-1-1. Initialization related to hardware)
In this hardware initialization process, the minimum hardware initialization is performed. First, the symbol CPU 311 is initialized (step S10). In the initialization process for the symbol CPU 311, settings relating to the interrupt processing of the symbol CPU 311 are made.

  Next, in the initialization process related to the hardware, the initialization process is executed for the external interface 333 (for example, PCI bus) (step S20), and the initialization process is executed for the memory controller 315 (step S30). At the same time, in the initialization process regarding the hardware, the initialization process for the VDP 330 is executed. As described above, initialization processing is performed by hardware.

(5-1-2. Boot processing of OS etc.)
Next, boot processing is executed. In this boot process, after performing the minimum initialization such as the bus and port as described above, first, the boot program of the boot ROM 301 is executed. Next, this boot program loads the program loader of the source ROM 340 onto the main RAMs 321 and 322.

  The program loader on the main RAMs 321 and 322 reads the operating system 111 and the like from the source ROM 340 and DMA-transfers them to the main RAMs 321 and 322 (step S40). Further, the boot program reads the user system module 114a, the user module 114b, and the like from the source ROM 340 and transfers them to the main RAMs 321 and 322 (step S40).

  When each of these programs is transferred, the boot program sequentially executes the program code of the operating system 111 from the transferred head address to start the operation of the operating system 111 (step S50). Thereafter, the operating system 111 activates the user system module 114a and the user module 114b (step S60). In this embodiment, a task corresponds to each of the executed programs. For example, a main task is assigned to the user system module 114a and the user module 114b. The main task is internally divided according to the user system module 114a and the user module 114b.

(5-1-3. Hot / cold determination processing)
The user system module 114a executes hot / cold determination processing after executing various initial settings. In this hot / cold determination process, it is determined whether a cold start or a hot start should be performed when a power failure state is restored (at the time of power recovery). Here, the hot / cold determination process is executed when the backup data in the memory space to be backed up is reliable when the power is restored from the power failure state. By assuming that the memory data is reliable and using the memory data continuously, the texture data TD in the reliable memory space in the resident area can be used as it is at the time of power recovery. is there. In this way, in the case of hot start, the display of the video after power recovery can be made faster than the cold start.

  In this embodiment, the sum value of the data to be backed up is backed up, and in this hot / cold determination process, the consistency of the data to be backed up managed by the sum value is tested. If the backup data is reliable as a result of this test, a hot start is performed using the backup data. On the other hand, if the backup data is not reliable, the backup data is cleared and cold start is performed.

  In the present embodiment, after the reset, the boot program is loaded from the beginning with respect to the operating system 111 and is started from the initial state. That is, the operating system 111 is loaded from the beginning every time, regardless of whether it is a hot start or a cold start, and operates from the initial state.

(5-2. Expansion to resident area)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the expansion process at the cold start.
The user module 114b first transfers the header management information HTJ to the resident area JE of the main RAMs 321 and 322 using the file system (step S101). Subsequently, the user module 114b designates a texture data group TDG necessary for video display, designates a transfer source address indicating the storage position, and transmits a transfer data size indicating the data size of the texture data group TDG. Is read over the transfer data size from the transfer source address in the source ROM 340 and transferred to the resident area JE of the main RAMs 321 and 322 (step S102).

  That is, the user module 114b does not use the file system when transferring the texture data group TDG. When the header management information HTJ and the texture data group TDG are expanded in this way, the storage state in the source ROM 340 is expanded as it is as shown in FIG.

(5-3. Power-on handler generation process)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of power-on handler generation processing.
The texture data group TDG developed in the main RAMs 321 and 322 in this way generates a texture handler TH based on the header management information HTJ as follows. The header management information HTJ is, for example, 32-byte data, and is provided corresponding to about 5619 texture data TD included in the texture data group TDG.

  First, the graphic library 113d sets “0” as the resource number to be processed (step S151). Next, the graphic library 113d refers to the contents of the header management information HTJ corresponding to this resource number (in this case “0”) (step S152), and the group ID included in the header management information HTJ is “0”. Whether or not (step S153).

  When the group ID is “0”, the graphic library 113d determines an offset value (for example, offset) for the storage position (for example, each start address) of each texture data TD included in the texture data group TDG based on the header management information HTJ. (Address) is added (step S154). The graphic library 113d generates a texture handler TH as shown in FIG. 8 for each resource number for identifying each texture data TD, including information related to the offset from the head address (step S155).

  The graphic library 113d increments the resource number to be processed (step S156), and determines whether the resource number to be processed (for example, 0 to 5618) has exceeded 5618 (step S157). The numerical value “5618” is because the total number of texture data TD and palette data (not shown) is 5619 in the present embodiment. Here, if the resource number to be processed exceeds 5618, the handler generation process is terminated, and if the resource number to be processed does not exceed 5618, the process returns to step S152.

  On the other hand, if the group ID is not “0” in step S153 (for example, “1” to “18”), the process proceeds to step S156. In this way, the graphic library 113d generates a texture handler TH corresponding to each texture data TD included in the texture data group TDG from the header management information HTJ on the resident area JE of the main RAMs 321 and 322.

(5-4. Game control processing)
Here, on the main control board 3, a main control program for controlling the progress of the game is running, and this main control program acquires a jackpot determination random number value as a random number value on software triggered by a start winning prize. . When there is a start winning, the main control program then compares the acquired jackpot determination random number value with a predetermined hit value and executes jackpot determination. At the same time, if there is such a start winning, the main control program then continues, for example, the blinking state (special symbol variation display state) by the special symbol display device 41 over the variation time, and then depending on the result of the big hit lottery Thus, the special symbol display device 41 is turned on or turned off (stop symbol display state).

  Each time such a big hit lottery is executed, the main control program controls the main control board 3 to output the big hit lottery result (lottery result and effect command) to the sub-control board 35. This effect command includes information regarding the variation time during which the effect operation is to be controlled according to the lottery result.

(5-5. Normal expansion processing)
(5-5-1. Reception of production command)
The sub control board 35 controls the effect operation based on the effect command received from the main control board 3 as the game progresses. Specifically, the sub-control program operating on the sub-control board 35 transmits an effect display command and the like to the decorative symbol control board 30 by an interrupt process (command transmission process included therein).

(5-5-2. Number of data included in each texture data group)
FIG. 12 illustrates the number of texture data TDs included in each texture data group TDG.
In the present embodiment, the texture data group TDG corresponding to the above-described group ID = “0” includes, for example, 1449 pieces of texture data TD. That is, in the present embodiment, a texture data group TDG including 1449 texture data TDs is transferred to the resident area JE.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the texture data group TDG corresponding to the group ID = “1” to “18” has, for example, 219, 252, 93, 51, 217, 171 and 153, 366 pieces, 435 pieces, 390 pieces, 236 pieces, 156 pieces, 201 pieces, 351 pieces, 313 pieces, 63 pieces, 489 pieces and 14 pieces of texture data TD are included. That is, in the present embodiment, 4170 texture data TD can be developed in the non-resident area HJE in the non-resident area HJE.

(5-5-3. Data load pattern)
FIG. 13A to FIG. 13P are diagrams each showing an example of a data load pattern.
First, in this embodiment, a video is composed of a combination of scenes, and these texture data groups TDG are used when displaying each scene. The data load pattern indicates a pattern indicating which texture data group TDG should be transferred (loaded) to the main RAMs 321 and 322 according to the scene to be displayed. In this embodiment, as an example, 16 types of data load patterns are prepared as illustrated.

  In this embodiment, as a data load pattern, among the 18 texture data groups TDG that can be transferred to the non-resident area HJE in a space that starts with a “{” mark and ends with a “}” mark, the data load pattern is a transfer target. The group IDs of the power texture data group TDG are arranged while being separated from the left by “,” marks. Note that “0” is arranged as the last group ID in each data load pattern shown in the figure, but this does not represent the texture data group TDG to be developed in the resident area JE, but the texture to be transferred. No more data group TDG exists, indicating the end of each data load pattern.

  For example, in the data load pattern shown in FIG. 13A, first, for example, the texture data group TDG corresponding to the group ID “3” is transferred, and then the texture data group TDG corresponding to the group ID “4”. Will be transferred. For example, in the data load pattern shown in FIG. 13B, first, for example, the texture data group TDG corresponding to the group ID “1” is transferred, and then the texture data corresponding to the group ID “5”. The group TDG is transferred, and then the texture data group TDG corresponding to the group ID “8” is transferred.

(5-5-4. Normal expansion processing)
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of the normal expansion process.
First, the user system module 114a stores an effect display command or the like from the sub control board 35 in the command reception buffer by a command reception process included in the steady process. Then, a command reception interrupt occurs when an effect display command or the like is stored in the command reception buffer. This effect display command includes the effect display pattern.

  Then, the user module 114b is triggered by this command reception interrupt, acquires and analyzes an effect display command and the like from the command reception buffer, and specifies an effect display pattern (a type of reach effect pattern) based on the analysis result. Furthermore, the user module 114b refers to the scheduler data (step S201), and specifies each scene constituting the effect display pattern, the display order of each scene, texture data TD necessary for displaying each scene, and the like. Note that the scheduler data includes display information relating to each scene constituting the effect display pattern, the display order of these scenes, texture data necessary for displaying each scene, and the like. Therefore, the user module 114b can specify a group ID such as a texture data group TDG necessary for displaying each scene constituting the effect display pattern according to the scheduler data. Actually, there is data to be transferred in addition to the texture data TD, but in the present embodiment, the texture data TD is illustrated.

  Next, the user module 114b executes a so-called file open function for the texture data group TDG corresponding to the specified group ID (also referred to as “designated group ID”) (step S202). Thereafter, the user module 114b reads the texture data group TDG corresponding to the group ID from the source ROM 340 at a time and develops it in the non-resident area HJE of the main RAMs 321 and 322 (step S203). At this time, the user module 114b grasps the expansion destination address where the texture data group TDG is expanded in the non-resident area HJE.

  When the expansion ends in this way, the user module 114b executes a so-called file close function (for example, “fclose”) that makes it impossible to read the texture data group TDG from the source ROM 340 (step S204).

(5-6. Normal handler generation processing)
The normal handler generation process is substantially the same as the cold start handler generation process shown in FIG. 11 described above, and therefore the following description will mainly focus on differences from FIG.

  The graphic library 113d generates the texture handler TH as follows based on the header management information HTJ according to the instruction of the user module 114b. The header management information HTJ is, for example, 32-byte data, and is provided corresponding to about 5619 texture data TD included in the texture data group TDG.

  Based on the header management information HTJ, the graphic library 113d calculates the storage position (for example, each start address) of each texture data TD included in the texture data group TDG by adding an offset value (for example, an offset address). . The graphic library 113d holds a transfer destination address when the texture data group TDG is transferred to the main RAMs 321 and 322. The graphic library 113d generates a texture handler TH as shown in FIG. 8 for each resource number for identifying each texture data TD, including information on the offset from the head address (the transfer destination address). Furthermore, the graphic library 113d repeats generation of such a texture handler TH for each resource.

(6. Display processing)
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a display processing procedure.
The user module 114b executes the following data reading process and drawing process as a display process in a part of the symbol control process included in the steady process.

(6-1. Data reading process)
The user module 114b specifies a resource number for the graphic library 113d according to the scene to be displayed. The graphic library 113d refers to the texture handler TH based on the designated resource number (step S301).

  Next, the graphic library 113d determines the texture data TD corresponding to this resource number from the main RAMs 321 and 322 (non-resident area HJE) based on the texture handler TH and based on the offset from the head address of the texture data group TDG. Is read (step S302).

(6-2. Drawing process)
When the graphic library 113d reads texture data TD and the like necessary for video display, the graphics library 113d uses the palette data of the main RAMs 321 and 322 and the like in the frame buffer area of the main RAMs 321 and 322 with the assistance of hardware such as the GPU 300. Pixel data is generated (step S303).

  Next, the graphic library 113d reads pixel data one after another from the frame buffer areas of the main RAMs 321 and 322, and causes the animation program to draw based on the read pixel data (step S304). Furthermore, the graphic library 113d displays the scene by repeating the frame configuration in the frame buffer area and displaying each of these frames continuously.

  Here, for example, the graphic library 113d visually configures this scene by superposing four layers for each pixel (pixel) to form one frame and continuously displaying the configured frames one after another. is doing. In this way, the graphic library 113d can display an image constituted by continuous display of each scene by an animation program in accordance with an instruction from the user module 114b.

(7. Reference to usefulness according to this embodiment)
When transferring the texture data TD to the main RAM 321, the user module 114 b prepares a designated material image data group TDG out of a plurality of groups of texture data groups TDG and transfers them at a high speed all at once. Accordingly, the user module 114b transfers the texture data TD included in the specified material image data group TDG among the plurality of texture data groups TDG, and then prepares the next texture data TD and individually It is not something to transfer.

  Therefore, the user module 114b can expand each texture data included in the designated texture data group TDG to the main RAMs 321 and 322 at a higher speed than when the texture data is read from the source ROM 340 one by one and expanded to the main RAMs 321 and 322. it can. Therefore, in the main RAMs 321 and 322, a texture data group TDG, which is an aggregate of texture data necessary for displaying the video, is arranged at an early stage.

  Even when high-speed processing such as symbol variation display is required, for example, the user module 114b performs main RAM 321 based on the texture handler TH generated in correspondence with the transferred texture data group TDG. , 322, each texture data TD included in the texture data group TDG already developed is identified and read, and an image can be displayed at an early stage based on each texture data TD. Note that the symbols used here include characters, symbols, foreground, background, still images, moving images, and any combination thereof.

(8. First application example)
The pachinko machine as the first application example includes a display control board (production control unit, display control unit) having substantially the same configuration and operation as the decorative design control board 30. Since the same configuration and operation as in FIG. 1 are performed, the description of the same configuration and operation will be omitted, and different points will be mainly described below. Note that, in the first application example, when the same configuration and operation as in the first embodiment are described, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used.

  This pachinko machine belongs to a so-called “feather” type. Pachinko machines are roughly composed of a main body frame and a game board, and a game board is detachably installed inside the main body frame. A substantially circular game area is formed on the front surface (board surface) of the game board. Note that the external configuration other than the game board is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In the game area of the game board, a center accessory that is extremely eye-catching is arranged almost in the center, and this center accessory functions as a winning device. For example, a liquid crystal display device (display device) for displaying an image is disposed in the center accessory. A normal winning opening is arranged on the left and right sides of the center role, and a pair of left and right one-time start ports and a two-time start port are arranged at the center. In addition, various ornamental bodies, decorative lamps, windmills, and a number of obstacle nails (not shown) are provided in the game area, but well-known components can be applied to these components. Therefore, the individual description is omitted here.

  The center accessory has a pair of left and right movable pieces (movable members), and these movable pieces can be displaced between a state opened in the left-right direction and a position closed toward the inside. When these movable pieces are in the open position, the large winning opening of the center accessory is opened. A large winning opening solenoid (not shown) is disposed behind the center character, and the pair of left and right movable pieces are driven by the large winning opening solenoid.

  Normally, when the center combination is not actuated, the movable piece is in the closed position, and therefore the special winning opening is closed. On the other hand, if a prize is won at the above-mentioned one-time start port or two-time start port during the game, the center accessory is activated. As a result, the pair of movable pieces move to the open position, and the big prize opening is opened for a predetermined time, thereby allowing the game ball to be won. The opening / closing operation of the movable piece is performed by the number of opening / closing times (one or two times) respectively assigned to the once-starting port and the twice-starting port.

  In the center role, there are provided big winning port count switches corresponding to the left and right big winning ports, respectively. A game ball that has won a prize winning opening is detected for passage by the corresponding prize winning count switch, that is, the number of winning prizes is counted. When the game ball is received in the center role in this way, the game ball rolls in the center role. A predetermined specific area (not shown) exists in the center combination, and when a game ball passes through the specific area, the game proceeds to a special game state that is advantageous to the player.

In this special game state, for example, for a maximum of 15 rounds, the opening and closing operation (round operation) of the movable pieces provided on the left and right pairs of the center character is repeated to make the game ball acceptable in the center character and accepted. A prize ball corresponding to the number of game balls is given to the player. In this way, the player can enjoy more benefits in the special gaming state.
According to the first application example, substantially the same effect as in the embodiment can be achieved.

(9. Second application example)
Next, a configuration example of a slot machine to which a gaming machine as a second application example of the present invention is applied will be described.
A slot machine as a second application example includes a pachinko machine as the above embodiment in that it includes a display control board (production control unit, display control unit) having substantially the same configuration and operation as the decorative design control board 30. Since the same configuration and operation as in FIG. 1 are performed, the description of the same configuration and operation will be omitted, and different points will be mainly described below. Note that, in the second application example, when the same configuration and operation as in the above embodiment are described, the same reference numerals as in the above embodiment are used.

  This slot machine has a box-shaped housing, and is installed in an island facility or the like of a game arcade based on this housing. In the island facility, a plurality of slot machines are arranged in a row in the width direction, and usually a medal sand (not shown) is attached between the machines. When, for example, cash is inserted into the medal sand (the inter-sand sand), medals corresponding to the amount of money are lent out, and the player can use them to perform a slot machine game. Note that the game medium is not limited to medals or coins, but may be a mode using game balls, tokens, or the like. Alternatively, a mode in which a prepaid card is inserted into the inter-bed sand and the remaining frequency and medals are exchanged may be implemented.

  The housing of the slot machine has a front door on the front surface facing the player, and the front door can be opened forward with one side end (left side end in this example) as the center. A keyhole is formed in the front door, and the keyhole is configured such that the inserted dedicated key can be rotated left and right. Here, in this slot machine, when the dedicated key is turned to the right, the locked front door can be unlocked. Further, the front door has a glass plate (transparent plate) at the middle position thereof, and a rectangular display window is formed at the center thereof. This slot machine is equipped with three reels (left reel, middle reel, right reel) as an example of a mechanical symbol display device (symbol display means), and these reels are located at the back of the front door, that is, a housing. It is placed inside the body.

  A reel band is stretched around the outer periphery of each reel, and various symbols are attached to the surface. Although not shown in the figure, for example, the figure “7” is designed, a specific alphabet (or its character string) is designed, a bell or other auspicious material is designed, watermelon, apple In addition, there is a design of fruits and vegetables such as cherries, and a design of characters, figures, symbols, etc. that characterize the model of the slot machine.

  The slot machine can change or stop the display mode of symbols by rotating or stopping these reels. From the front of the slot machine, only a part of the reel is visible through the display window, and three symbols are effectively displayed for each reel when the reel is stopped.

  In the glass plate, display areas are formed on both sides of the display window, and various character information and symbol information are attached to the display areas in a predetermined arrangement. A lamp unit is disposed behind the glass plate, and information in this display area is lit and displayed by the lamp. For example, when a player first inserts medals through the medal insertion slot, the bet number is added according to the number of inserted medals. At this time, the medal line lamp corresponding to the bet number is lit up in the display area on the right side. When the bet number reaches the maximum (for example, 3 bets), the inserted medals are stored as credits, and the credit number is numerically displayed on the display unit.

  When the player operates the start lever (start operation means) with the medal line lamp lit up, the internal lottery (internal lottery) is executed, and the reels start to rotate all at once and the symbols change. Further, when the player operates a stop button (stop operation means), the reels corresponding to the right, middle, and left stop rotating, and the variation of symbols stops. Here, when the variation of symbols stops, display of a predetermined symbol combination is allowed in accordance with the result of the internal lottery.

  At this time, if a certain symbol combination (for example, a state in which specific symbol combinations are aligned in a row) is displayed on the activated line activated in the display window, a privilege is given to the player. As this privilege, for example, a medal can be paid out or a special game state (so-called big bonus game, regular bonus game, or assist time, challenge time, etc.) can be given, and the player executes a special game. This makes it possible to receive more medals.

  When a predetermined symbol combination is displayed on the active line by the gaming operation described above, the number of medals to be paid out according to the type of symbol combination displayed at that time is displayed on the display unit. Further, when a transition is made to a big bonus game or a regular bonus game, the number of remaining games is displayed on the display unit during the progress. The paid-out medals are stored as credits until the number of credits on the display unit is maximized, and medals exceeding the maximum number of credits are paid out to the tray through the payout opening. In addition, the player can release the medal storage (credit) by operating the credit check button, and can receive the payout of the medal stored until then.

  The slot machine according to the present embodiment has a liquid crystal display device (display device, display) above the display window. The liquid crystal display device includes images for effects and various bonus games as the game progresses. The number of medals earned in is displayed. In addition, two speakers for outputting sound effects, BGM, voices, and the like accompanying the progress of the game are provided on the left and right of the payout opening. In addition, lamps are arranged at various locations on the front door, and these lamps can perform effects by light-emitting decoration according to the gaming state.

  FIG. 16 schematically shows configurations of various mechanism elements, electronic devices, operation members, and the like that are provided in the slot machine 101. The slot machine 101 has a main control board 192 (game control unit) for comprehensively controlling the progress of the game. The main control board 192 includes a CPU 210, a ROM 212, a RAM 214, and an input / output interface 216. Etc. are implemented. The CPU 210 generates a random number for lottery by software such as a game control program and internally executes the lottery. Then, during the normal game, the CPU 210 collates the random value acquired on the software with the operation of the start lever 118 and the winning value, and determines whether or not the internal lottery is won.

  These operation buttons, to which the bet buttons 112, 114, 116, the start lever 118, the stop buttons 120, 122, 124, the storage settlement button 146, and the like are connected to the main control board 192, use a sensor (not shown). An operation by the player is detected, and the detected operation signal is output to the main control board 192. Specifically, the start lever 118 outputs an operation signal for starting the three reels to the main control board 192, and the stop buttons 120, 122, and 124 each output an operation signal for stopping the three reels. Output to 192.

  In addition, an error release sensor (not shown) is installed at the back of the keyhole, and this error release sensor has a function of detecting that the dedicated key is turned counterclockwise after being inserted into the keyhole. Upon detection, a reset signal is output to the main control board 192. On the other hand, when the front door is opened when the error release sensor is rotated clockwise and unlocked after the dedicated key is inserted into the key hole, the door opening sensor 232 provided behind the front door is opened. Thus, an open signal is output to the main control board. The door opening sensor 232 is installed adjacent to the error release sensor 200, and when the front door is opened, it can be detected that the front door is separated from the main body portion.

  The slot machine 101 accommodates other devices together with the main control board 192, and various signals are input from these devices to the main control board 192. The equipment includes a reel device (such as a left reel drive motor 188a, a middle reel drive motor 188b, and a right reel drive motor 188c) having the above three reels, and a hopper device 178.

  The reel device has a position sensor for detecting a reference position related to the rotation of each reel, and these position sensors (left reel position sensor 206a, middle reel position sensor 206b, right reel position corresponding to each reel, respectively). A detection signal (index signal) from the sensor 206c is input to the main control board 192. Further, an insertion sensor 204 and a lockout solenoid 202 are installed at the back of the medal insertion slot.

  Among these, the insertion sensor 204 detects a medal inserted from a medal insertion slot (not shown), and outputs this detection signal to the main control board 192. On the other hand, the lockout solenoid 202 plays a role of locking out (blocking) a passage of a medal selector disposed behind the medal slot inside the front door. The lockout solenoid 202 locks out the medal selector passage in a normal (non-actuated) state, but when activated, the lockout solenoid 202 opens this passage (lockout release) to make it possible to accept medal insertion. The inserted medal is detected by the insertion sensor 204. Conversely, when the lockout solenoid 202 is deactivated, the medal selector is locked out and no medal insertion is accepted, and even if the player inserts a medal, it is spit out and returned to the tray. In addition, since the function of the insertion sensor 204 is invalidated at this time, neither bet addition or credit addition by medal insertion is performed.

  The hopper device 178 has a payout sensor 198 that detects medals paid out in the payout port one by one, and a payout medal signal for each medal is input to the main control board 192 from the payout sensor 198. ing. In addition, a medal full tank sensor 186 is provided in a game medal auxiliary storage (not shown), and when the number of medals stored inside exceeds a predetermined number, it indicates that the number of medals exceeds a predetermined number. The detected signal can be output to the main control board 192, and an error display notifying the abnormality of the gaming machine is performed by the liquid crystal display unit 158 or the like, and the player or the like is notified.

  On the other hand, a control signal is output from the main control board 192 to the reel device including the reel drive motors 188a, 188b, and 188c for rotating the reels and the hopper device 178. That is, the main control board 192 outputs a drive pulse signal for controlling the start and stop of each reel drive motor 188a, 188b, 188c to the reel device and the hopper device 178. The hopper device 178 receives a drive signal from the main control board 192 in accordance with the type of symbol on which the combination is displayed, and in response to this, the hopper device 178 performs a medal payout operation.

  At this time, if the number of medals necessary for payout is insufficient in the hopper device 178 or if there are no medals at all, the number detection by the payout sensor 198 is delayed. In this state, when a predetermined time elapses (for example, for 3 seconds), the payout sensor 198 outputs a payout medal abnormality signal to the main control board 192. In response to this, the main control board 192 causes the error display unit 134, the liquid crystal display unit 158, and the like to display content that informs that an abnormality has occurred in the medal payout.

  The slot machine 101 includes a sub control board 194 (effect control unit and display control unit) in addition to the main control board 192. The sub control board 194 includes a CPU 218, a ROM 220, a RAM 222, an input / output interface 230, a sound source. An IC 228 and an audio amplifier 226 are mounted. The sub control board 194 receives various command signals from the main control board 192, controls the lighting, blinking and extinguishing of each of the lamps 160, 162, 164 and 166, and controls the operation of the speaker 156. Yes. The sub control board 194 is connected to a display control board 30z described later. The display control board 30z is connected with a liquid crystal display unit 158 that displays an image by the control. The function of the display control board 30z may be mounted on the sub control board 194. In this case, the display control board 30z is not connected to the sub control board 194, and the liquid crystal display unit 158 is directly connected.

  Further, an external terminal board 196 is connected to the main control board 192, and the slot machine 1 is connected to the hall computer 208 in the game hall (hall) via the external terminal board 196. The external terminal board 196 plays a role of relaying various signals (inserted medal signal, payout medal signal, game status, etc.) transmitted from the main control board 192 to the hall computer 208.

  In addition, a power supply unit 170 is accommodated in the slot machine 101, and the power supply unit 170 takes in power from an external power source and generates power necessary for the operation of the slot machine 101. The power generated here is supplied from the power supply unit 170 to each unit (the main control board 192, the sub control board 194, the display control board 30z, and the like).

  The power supply unit 170 also includes a setting key switch 172, a reset switch 174, and a power switch 176. None of these switches are exposed to the outside of the slot machine 101, and can only be operated by opening the front door. Among these, the power switch 176 is for turning on / off the power supply to the slot machine 101, and the setting key switch 172 is for setting a winning probability (for example, setting) using a lottery random number generated by software, for example. 1-6) for changing. The reset switch 174 is used to cancel an error that has occurred in the slot machine 101, and is also operated when changing the setting together with the setting key switch 172.

  Here, the display control board 30z has substantially the same configuration and the same function as the decorative design control board 30 in the above embodiment except that the content of the image displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 158 is different. The liquid crystal display device 158 controls the display operation of video such as a character image. The display control board 30z is an effect display different from the variable display pattern such as the reach effect in the first embodiment, and displays an image in which several scenes are combined as an effect display accompanying the progress of the game. It has a function to make it.

  On the display control board 30z, two main RAMs 321 and 322 (volatile video memory), a source ROM 340 (nonvolatile video memory) and a GPU 300 are mounted as in the above embodiment. The display control board 30z may have a form in which the function is mounted on the sub control board 194. That is, the sub-control board 194 may be provided with the symbol CPU 311, the main RAMs 321 and 322, the source ROM 340, the GPU 300, and the like.

In the slot machine 101, in the GPU 300 of the display control board 30z, the VDP 330 (video display processor) instructs the reading of the texture data group stored in the source ROM 340 under the control of the design CPU 311 (display control processor), An image using polygons based on the read texture data is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 158 (display device, display).
According to the second application example of the present invention, it is possible to obtain substantially the same effect as in the above embodiment except that the gaming machine is a spinning type gaming machine.

(10. Reference to other embodiments)
The above is the description of one embodiment, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. In the following, other embodiments will be described with some examples. For example, in each embodiment, the display means (decorative symbol display device or the like) that performs a display operation using a liquid crystal element is illustrated, but the display means is not limited to this, and the display means uses an EL (Electro Luminescence) element. Or you may apply to the display means using plasma.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, although the decoration design control board 30 is controlling the production | presentation operation | movement which concerns on a display, it is not restricted to this, For example, the sub control board 35 only produces other production | presentation operations other than the presentation operation | movement concerning a display. Instead, a form having the function of the decorative design control board 30 may be employed. In the second application example, the display control board 30z controls the presentation operation related to the display. However, the display control board 30z is not limited to this. For example, the sub control board 194 performs other presentation operations other than the presentation operation related to the display. Not only that, the display control board 30z may have the function.

  Each of the above embodiments can also be applied to a spinning-type game machine that uses a game ball as a game medium. A spinning-type gaming machine using a game ball has substantially the same configuration as a spinning-type gaming machine using medals and coins as a game medium and performs almost the same operation. It is different from a swing-type game machine using coins.

  In other words, a revolving type gaming machine that uses a game ball to play is equipped with a game value counting device (game value counting means) that collects a specified number of game balls as a game medium to make one unit of game value. The game value counting device is different in that it is multiplied by a predetermined number of game values made into one unit. Further, in a revolving type gaming machine that uses a game ball to play, a number of game balls corresponding to the number of game values according to the type of combination of displayed symbols are given to the player (game value giving means) The point is different. Note that there is one predetermined number of game values that can be played for each game in both a spinning-type gaming machine that uses medals and coins and a spinning-type gaming machine that uses gaming balls. However, there may be more than one. According to the spinning-type game machine that uses such a game ball to play, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be exhibited.

It is a front view which shows the structural example of a pachinko machine. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structural example of a pachinko machine. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structural example of a decoration design control board. It is a memory map which shows the structural example of the storage area of source ROM. It is a memory map which shows the structural example of the storage area of RAM. It is the figure which represented hierarchically the software which operate | moves on a decoration design control board. It is a memory map which shows the example of expansion | deployment of the header management information and texture data group transferred to main RAM. It is a memory map which shows an example of a mode that a texture handler is produced | generated. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the basic process sequence of the procedure of a reset process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the expansion | deployment process at the time of a cold start. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of a power-on handler production | generation process. It is the figure which illustrated the number of each texture data contained in each texture data group. It is a figure which shows an example of a data load pattern. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a normal expansion | deployment process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a display process. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing configurations of various mechanism elements, electronic devices, operation members, and the like equipped in the slot machine.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachinko machine (game machine)
3 Main control board (game control unit)
3a Main CPU
16 Decorative design display device (display device)
30 decorative design control board (production control unit, display control unit)
30z display control board (production control unit, display control unit)
35 Sub-control board (production control unit)
101 slot machine (game machine)
158 Liquid crystal display (display device, display)
192 Main control board (game control unit)
194 Sub-control board (production control unit)
300 GPU
311 Design CPU (Display Control Processor)
315 Memory controller 321 First main RAM (volatile video memory)
322 Second main RAM (volatile video memory)
330 VDP (video display processor)
340 Source ROM (nonvolatile video memory)
JE resident area (resident area)
HJE Non-resident area (non-resident area)
HTJ header management information TD texture data (example of material image data)
TDG texture data group (an example of material image data group)
TH texture handler (data reading information)

Claims (1)

A game control unit for controlling a game operation using a game medium;
An effect control unit that controls an effect operation accompanying the game operation by the control of the game control unit,
In a gaming machine comprising a display device that executes a display operation under the control of the effect control unit,
The production control unit
A non-volatile video memory that non-volatilely stores material image data used for displaying a material image necessary for video; and
A volatile video memory for storing the material image data in a volatile manner;
Display control for operating an operating system and executing a display control program for controlling the display of video, and developing material image data read from the nonvolatile video memory in the volatile video memory in accordance with an instruction of the display control program A processor;
In accordance with an instruction of the display control program, the material image data is read from the volatile image memory in accordance with the image to be displayed, and the image display configured to display the image composed of the material image based on the material image data on the display device A processor;
Including
The non-volatile video memory is
A plurality of material image data groups consisting of a set of the material image data obtained by deleting header information from the primitive material image data necessary for displaying video;
Header management information regarding header information of all material image data included in the material image data group of a plurality of groups;
Including
The header management information is
Header extraction information consisting of a part of the deleted header information;
A group identifier for distinguishing each material image data group in the plurality of material image data groups;
Including
The display control program is
Header management information transfer means for transferring the header management information read from the nonvolatile video memory to the volatile video memory;
Batch transfer means for collectively reading the material image data group corresponding to a specified group identifier among the material image data groups of a plurality of groups, and reading the nonvolatile image memory from the nonvolatile video memory and transferring it to the volatile video memory;
Data read information generating means for generating data read information for identifying each material image data included in the transferred material image data group from the header extraction information;
Each material image data included in the transferred material image data group is identified and read from the volatile video memory based on the data read information, and a video is displayed based on the read material image data. Video display control means;
A gaming machine characterized by including:

Images