JP2007252668A - Image switching device, game machine, image switching program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a novel image switching technique utilizing a special effect such as mosaic processing. <P>SOLUTION: The image switching device for making a switch from the first to second image is provided with a variation start time setting means (3043) which sets the variation starting time in each of a plurality of unit regions, obtained by sectioning a display area, being varied per unit area, a contrast alteration means (3044) which reduces the contrast in each of the unit regions with the variation started at each variation cycle among the plurality of unit regions having the first image displayed and a switching means (3045) which displays an image part corresponding to the unit region in the second image just in the unit area when the contrast in the unit region having the first image displayed reaches a prescribed reference level. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image switching device, and more particularly to a novel image switching technique using a special effect such as mosaic processing.

  As a special effect on the image, so-called mosaic processing is known. The mosaic process is a process of performing a predetermined calculation for reducing the gradation (resolution) on the gradation of the entire screen or a partial area, and making it appear as if tiles are pasted up visually. For example, in the field of gaming machines, there has been one that displays an image using mosaic processing as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-18036 (Patent Document 1).

In some cases, special effects are used for image switching to switch from one image to the other. In order to switch between the two types of images, the occupied area on the image display screen is changed so that one image is gradually reduced and the other image is gradually increased. A number of special effects such as fade-in / fade-out, mix, wipe, roll, dissolve, checkerboard, etc. have been developed as variations. As an apparatus for switching an image using such a special effect, for example, there is a device as disclosed in JP-A-6-339069 (Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-18036 A JP-A-6-339069

  However, the mosaic process is an image process for making the entire screen or a part of the area look like a tile, and is not a process for image switching for switching from one image to the other image. Since the mosaic processing is to reduce the gradation of the entire screen or a part of the screen, it was thought that it was not suitable for switching between two types of images.

  Also, since the special effects used for image switching become so tired that they are used frequently, image switching technology using new special effects is always required. In particular, special effects may be used to switch between two types of images in the field of gaming machines and game devices, but the novel special effects increase the interest of gaming machines and game devices.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel image switching technique using a special effect such as mosaic processing.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image switching device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image switching device for switching from a first image to a second image. Each of a plurality of unit regions obtained by dividing a display region. A variation start time setting means for setting the variation start time in each unit region to be different, and a gradation in each of the unit regions where the variation has started among the plurality of unit regions on which the first image is displayed The gradation changing means for decreasing each fluctuation period, and when the gradation in the unit area where the first image is displayed reaches a predetermined reference gradation, the second image corresponds to the unit area. Switching means for displaying the image portion being displayed in the unit area.

  The image switching program of the first invention is an image switching program for switching from the first image to the second image, and changes in each of the plurality of unit areas obtained by dividing the display area in the computer. A function for setting the start time differently for each unit area, and the gradation in each of the unit areas where the change has started among a plurality of unit areas in which the first image is displayed is reduced every predetermined fluctuation period. And when the gradation in the unit area where the first image is displayed reaches a predetermined reference gradation, an image portion corresponding to the unit area in the second image is displayed in the unit area. This is a function for realizing the display function.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image switching device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image switching device for switching from the first image to the second image. Each of the plurality of unit regions obtained by dividing the display region. A variation start time setting means for setting the variation start time in each unit region differently, and a magnification in each of the unit regions where the variation has started among the plurality of unit regions on which the first image is displayed The gradation changing means for increasing each fluctuation period and the unit area in which the first image is displayed when the magnification in the unit area reaches a predetermined reference magnification correspond to the unit area in the second image. Switching means for displaying the image portion in the unit area.

  The image switching program of the second invention is an image switching program for switching from the first image to the second image, and changes in each of the plurality of unit areas obtained by dividing the display area in the computer. A function for setting the start time differently for each unit area and a magnification in each of the unit areas where the change has started among the plurality of unit areas where the first image is displayed is increased for each predetermined fluctuation period. When the function and the magnification in the unit area where the first image is displayed reach a predetermined reference magnification, the image portion corresponding to the unit area in the second image is displayed in the unit area. Functions.

  According to the present invention, the display area is divided for each unit area serving as a mosaic display unit. When switching the images, processing such as lowering the gradation or increasing the magnification is performed in each unit region at every predetermined fluctuation period. Here, since the time at which the gradation and magnification start to change is set for each unit area, the gradation and magnification of each unit area that changes for each change period differ for each unit area (of course, change start) The unit area set to the same period varies with the same gradation and magnification). In the unit area that starts to change at a relatively early time, the gradation first decreases or the magnification increases. When the gradation of the unit area becomes the reference gradation or the reference magnification, the image corresponding to the second image is transmitted at the timing or in the next fluctuation cycle. Therefore, for example, the gradation and magnification when the gradation of the unit area is rough or the magnification is increased and the image of the unit area is abstracted to the extent that it cannot be determined is set as the reference gradation or the reference magnification. If this is done, the second image will appear when the content of the first image is sufficiently abstracted, and it will be possible to switch the image naturally, although it is a mosaic special effect.

  Here, there is no limitation on the size of the “unit region”. If a mosaic with a large area is used, a relatively wide region may be used as a unit region. If a mosaic with a small area is used, a relatively narrow region may be used as a unit region. it can. Further, there is no limitation on the outer shape of the “unit region”, and a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, a pentagon-shaped polygon or more, and other shapes can be used as appropriate, in addition to a commonly used square shape.

  The “variation period” is not limited, and can be variously changed according to the speed to be varied. For example, the “fluctuation period” can be set every image rewrite timing (frame period, etc.) or every several frame periods.

  Here, the “variation start time” may be different for each unit region, or the same variation start time may be set for a plurality of unit regions. This “variation start time” indicates the trigger for when the change starts, so it does not have to be an absolute time display, and may be a relative value for defining a time relationship. That's fine. The “variation start time” defines the order of the unit areas to be switched from the first image to the second image. Therefore, how the “variation start time” is changed from the first unit area depending on how the “variation start time” is set in the display area. It is determined whether the image switching proceeds. For example, it is possible to realize image switching that progresses one column at a time by setting the “variation start time” by shifting one column at a time, and by setting the “variation start time” by shifting one row at a time by one row at a time. Progressive image switching can be realized. Further, by switching the “variation start time” radially from the starting unit region, it is possible to realize image switching that proceeds radially from the starting point.

  In addition, the amount to change “gradation” and “magnification” for each “fluctuation period” is arbitrary, and if you want to advance the fluctuation quickly, you can change the “gradation” and “magnification” largely and slowly. When it is desired to advance the fluctuation, the “gradation” and “magnification” may be changed small.

  Note that the variation generated in the unit area can be changed in various ways as long as it is a special effect processing method that can be executed for a unit area having a fixed number of pixels, as well as changes in “gradation” and “magnification”. Is possible. Such a special effect processing method is preferably capable of setting the degree of processing in several stages. For example, effects such as chalk / charcoal, embossing, graphic pen, notebook paper, water color, stained glass, stamp, and texture can be applied.

  The “image switching” in the present invention is not only a case of switching the input signal line like a so-called cross point or switcher, but also a case where a plurality of image data is stored in the memory and the image data to be read from the memory is switched. Is included.

  Here, as the setting of the change start time, for the unit area where the change start time is not set, when the change start time is set in any of the adjacent unit areas, the change start time of the unit area is set. It is preferable that the designation is made after the time corresponding to the fluctuation cycle has elapsed from the fluctuation start time in the adjacent unit area. According to such processing, as long as the change start time is set in any one or more unit areas, the change propagates from the unit area to the surroundings for every change period, and natural image switching is performed. Is possible. That is, by setting such processing, it is possible to complete image switching without setting the change start time for all unit areas.

  For example, as the setting of the fluctuation start time, it is possible to set the first fluctuation start time only for any one of the plurality of unit areas. When the change start time is set in one unit area, the change progresses radially from the unit area to the periphery at every change start time, and image switching that spreads from one point to the periphery can be realized.

  Further, for example, as the setting of the variation start time, it is possible to set the first variation start time for a plurality of adjacent unit regions among the plurality of unit regions. Even when the change disclosure time is set in a plurality of adjacent unit areas, the change proceeds with respect to the surroundings. For example, when the change start time is set in a unit row of adjacent rows, the change proceeds in parallel to the direction of the row from the unit region of the row.

  For example, as the setting of the change start time, it is possible to set the first change start time for a unit area located at the end of the display area among the plurality of unit areas. With this setting, the change proceeds from the unit area at the end to the entire display area, and the image is switched from the first image to the second image by a special effect such as a so-called wipe.

  For example, as the setting of the variation start time, it is possible to set the first variation start time for a unit region located in the middle of the display region among the plurality of unit regions. With this setting, the fluctuation proceeds from the middle unit area to the surroundings. If the change disclosure time is set to one unit area in the middle, the image switching proceeds from there to the surroundings evenly. For example, if the change disclosure time is set in the middle column or row unit area, image switching proceeds in parallel with the column or row.

The present invention is also a gaming machine provided with the image switching device of the present invention.
Here, the “gaming machine” is not limited, but includes, for example, a rotary gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as “slot machine”), a pachinko machine (including a first kind pachinko machine and a second kind pachinko machine), and the like.

  The image switching program of the present invention is stored and distributed in a storage medium. As such a storage medium, it is a computer-readable medium, such as various types of ROM, USB memory with flash memory, USB memory, SD memory, memory stick, memory card, FD, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM. And other physical storage media. In addition, the broad recording medium includes a transmission medium such as the Internet capable of transmitting the program. This is because the program (downloaded) transmitted through the transmission medium is stored in the memory as it is and executed by the computer.

  According to the present invention, when the gradation and magnification of the first image are changed to be the reference gradation and the reference magnification, the second image is divided into unit regions that are units of mosaic display. Since switching is possible, it is possible to provide a novel image switching technique in which image switching is realized using special effects such as mosaic processing.

Hereinafter, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an example in which the image switching device (method) of the present invention is applied to a gaming machine (slot machine) installed in a game hall or the like will be exemplified. The following embodiments are merely examples of application of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and can be applied with various modifications.
(Definition)
The terms used in this specification are defined as follows.
“Game” refers to a series of operations from when a medal is inserted until the reel rotates by operation of a start switch and stops by operation of a stop switch.
“Normal game” refers to “game” executed based on a predetermined expected value.
The “special game” is a “game” that is different from the “normal game” and is advantageous to the player.

“Lottery” refers to a process in which a computer draws a lottery with a predetermined expected value using a random number or the like when an operation unit (switch or the like) of a gaming machine is operated.
“Winning” refers to a case where the result of the “lottery” is a win, in particular, a case where a win is obtained by a computer lottery. In the present embodiment, it is distinguished from “winning” determined mechanically.
“Winning” means that a combination of symbols on the active line indicated by the stopped reels is in a state indicating a specific combination.

The “combination” is to specify the type of winning when the result of the lottery is winning. It is also called “winning role” when the “winning role” or the design is complete.
The “special role” is a role for shifting to “special game”.
The “small role” is a role for paying out to the player the number of medals corresponding to the type of the small role.

“Replay” is a role for giving the right to replay while maintaining the number of medals inserted in the previous game.
The “effective line” indicates the arrangement of the stopped symbols for the sake of convenience, and indicates whether the symbol is a specific “combination” or “losing” depending on the combination of symbols arranged on the effective line. When a plurality of “effective lines” are set, they are collectively referred to as “effective line group”.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 of the present invention relates to a gaming machine that realizes image switching using a mosaic-like special effect by reducing gradation of an image.
First, the case configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, a front panel 20 is attached to a front surface portion of a housing of the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment so as to be freely opened and closed. It is a display area in which an effect display device 40 having a display function is provided in the upper part of the front panel 20, and an operation unit is provided in the center.

  An effect display device 40 having a display function is provided in the upper part of the housing. The effect display device 40 is configured to include, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and is configured to be able to display images for various effects and information necessary for a game in a display area. The effect display device 40 is provided with one transparent display window 21. The area of the display window 21 is not provided with a liquid crystal for displaying an image, a member constituting the liquid crystal (such as a polarizing plate), or a circuit for controlling the liquid crystal, and transmits light. It is an area that cannot physically display an image.

  Three reels (rotating drums) are arranged in a position inside the housing and visible through the display window 21. From the left side when viewed from the front, the left reel 31L, the middle reel 31C, and the right reel 31R are arranged in this order.

  The reels 31L, 31C and 31R are formed in a ring-shaped hollow structure. The outer periphery of the reel is formed in the width of the reel tape that is affixed to the outer peripheral surface, and a plurality of openings are provided on the outer peripheral surface in accordance with the shape of the pattern printed on the reel tape. The inside of the reel is hollow, and the rotating shaft is supported by a frame extending from the outer peripheral surface.

  Each reel tape on which a winning symbol (a symbol constituting a winning combination) is printed is affixed to the outer peripheral surface of the reel. On each reel tape, for example, 21 symbols are printed at regular intervals. The arrangement of the symbols is different for each reel tape. The design of the reel tape corresponds to the opening provided on the outer peripheral surface of the reel. From the display window 21, the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are observed through the display window. The size of the display window 21 is such that three consecutive symbols in the vertical direction of the outer peripheral surface of each reel can be seen. Is set. In FIG. 1, a circle shown on the reel group 31 (meaning a group of reels 31L, 31C, and 31R) represents one symbol.

  Stepping motors (not shown) are connected to the respective rotation shafts of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R. This stepping motor is capable of rotating the reels 31L, 31C and 31R at an arbitrary speed or stopping at an arbitrary angle (position). When each reel rotates, the symbols of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are visually recognized as moving up and down in the display window 21.

  A back lamp (not shown) is provided inside the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R. Three back lamps are arranged for each reel, and light is emitted through the openings on the outer peripheral surface of the reel for a total of nine symbols visible from the display window 21 when the reels are stopped.

  A broken line on the display window 21 shown in FIG. 1 indicates an effective line group 22 including effective lines 22a, 22b, and 22c. The effective line group 22 includes a horizontal effective line 22a in the horizontal direction, two effective lines 22b in the upper and lower horizontal directions, and two effective lines 22c in the diagonally downward and leftward directions. ing. The symbols attached to the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are spaced so that all nine symbols visible from the display window 21 are positioned on these effective line groups 22 when the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are stopped. Is arranged in.

  A medal slot 23 is provided at a position corresponding to the lower right side of the effect display device 40 in the center of the casing of the slot machine 10. When medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 23, one to five lines of the effective lines 22a, 22b and 22c are activated according to the number of inserted medals. That is, the inserted medals are collected as a consideration for the game. When one inserted medal is used, one effective line 22a is effective. When two medals are inserted, three effective lines 22a and 22b in the horizontal direction are effective. Is effective, and in addition to three, in addition to the two effective lines 22c in the diagonal direction, a total of five effective lines 22a to 22c become effective. These controls are performed by a later-described main CPU (central processing unit) 51 (see FIG. 2). For example, when three medals are inserted, if a combination of specific symbols is stopped on at least one of the effective lines 22a to 22c when the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are stopped, the combination is selected. It will be a prize for the corresponding role.

  Various operation switches operated by the player are provided at the center of the housing. For example, in this embodiment, a start switch 41, a stop switch group 42, and a bet switch group 43 are provided.

  The start switch 41 is configured as a switch, for example, a lever, that is operated by the player when starting the rotation of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R. The stop switch group 42 includes a left stop switch 42L that is operated when stopping the left reel 31L, a middle stop switch 42C that is operated when stopping the middle reel 31C, and a right stop that is operated when stopping the right reel 31R. Switch 42R. These stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R are juxtaposed as buttons, for example.

  The bet switch group 43 is a switch group for designating the number of bets (the number of bets) when the player inserts a medal in the credit. The bet switch group 43 includes a 1-bet / 2-bet switch 43a and a MAX bet switch (3-bet switch) 43b. It is configured. These bet switches 43a and 43b are also arranged as buttons, for example. When the 1-bet / 2-bet switch 43a is operated, one or two medals are bet (collected as a consideration for the game), and when the MAX bet switch 43b is operated, the maximum bet number of three A medal is bet. That is, the number of bets designated by operating the bet switch group 43 is collected from the number of medals that are credited, and the credit is subtracted by the number of bets.

  Further, a medal payout opening 90 is provided in the lower central portion of the housing, and speakers 71 are provided on both sides of the medal payout opening 90. During the game (game), various effects, for example, lighting of a back lamp, image display using the effect display device 40, output of sound from the speaker 71, and the like are performed. Further, as such an effect, there is a case where a notification effect of the possibility of winning is performed.

An outline of the normal game executed in the slot machine having these configurations will be briefly described.
In the slot machine 10, when a player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 23 or operates the bet switch group 43, the effective lines 22a to 22c are activated according to the number of bets.

  When the player who has designated the bet number operates the start switch 41, a winning combination according to the bet number is performed and the reels 31L, 31C and 31R start to rotate. When the player operates the stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R, the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R stop rotating according to the operated button. At this time, if the lottery result of the combination being performed simultaneously with the operation of the start switch 41 is a winning combination, the combination of symbols arranged on the activated effective line group 22 is a predetermined combination of combinations. The reels are controlled so as to match the combination of symbols, and medals are paid out according to the winning combination.

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

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

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

  The ROM 52 stores software programs and data necessary for lottery processing and other game controls based on operations as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The RAM 53 is used when the main CPU 51 performs various controls, and is configured to be able to temporarily store data and the like.

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

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

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

  The ROM 62 stores a software program and data necessary for processing related to the image switching method of the present invention and other effects during the game as shown in a flowchart of FIG. The RAM 63 is used when the sub CPU 61 performs various controls, and is configured to be able to temporarily store data and the like.

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

  The image data ROM 65 stores original image data for generating image data such as characters, characters, and backgrounds displayed on the effect display device 40. The video RAM 66 is used when the image control processor 64 generates image data to be displayed on the effect display device 40, and image data generated based on the original image data read from the image data ROM 65 is frame image data. As shown in FIG. The effect display device 40 is connected to the sub-control board 60 so that the frame image data stored in the video RAM 66 can be displayed.

  The sub-control board 60 is further provided with a speaker 71, the above-described back lamp, and the like. The speaker 71 is connected to the amplifier 68. These effect peripheral devices output effects during the game (such as a notification effect of the possibility of winning a role), and are connected only to the sub-control board 60 and connected to the main control board 50. Not.

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

(Reel board 11)
A stepping motor (not shown) for driving the left reel 31L, the middle reel 31C, and the right reel 31R is connected to the reel substrate 11. Each stepping motor is further connected to the rotation shafts of these reels 31L, 31C and 31R. Control signals for controlling the operations of the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are supplied from the main CPU 51 to the reel substrate 11.

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

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

(Power supply board 13)
A setting change enabling switch 91, a power switch 92, a hopper device 93, and a power device 94 are connected to the power device board 13.
The setting change enable switch 91 is a switch that is operated when a setting change using the setting change switch 83 is enabled. That is, the setting change using the setting change switch 83 can be performed only when the setting change enable switch 91 is in the ON state. The power switch 92 is a switch for switching the power supply device 94 on / off. The hopper device 93 is a device for storing and paying out medals. Based on an instruction from the main CPU 51 via the power supply device board 13, a predetermined number of medals are stored in the medal payout opening 90 from medals stored in advance. It comes to pay out.

(Function block on main control board)
Next, a functional configuration of the main control board 50 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the main control board 50.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, for example, the main CPU 51 executes a program recorded in the ROM 52, whereby the following control unit 101, role lottery unit 103, reel control unit 106, winning determination unit 107. The gaming state control unit 108 and the payout control unit 109 are functionally realized. For example, the RAM 53 functions as the following flag information storage unit 105, and the following lottery table 102 data is stored in the ROM 52, for example.

(Role lottery section 103)
The role lottery unit 103 is a functional block for performing lottery of a role (special role, small role, replay, etc.). The combination lottery unit 103 obtains one random number after generating a random number internally for each game, refers to the lottery table 102 stored in the ROM 52, and determines the combination of the combination based on the area to which the acquired random number belongs. The presence / absence of winning and the winning combination are determined.

  For example, the role lottery unit 103 performs a lottery when the start switch 41 is operated, and determines whether the “game” is “winning” or “losing” and “winning” when it is “winning”. decide. That is, the role lottery unit 103 generates a random number within a predetermined range (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal notation) when the start switch 41 is pressed, and the predetermined lot is selected when the predetermined condition is satisfied. Get a random value. In the lottery table 102, a special role winning area, a small role winning area, a replay winning area, a non-winning area (losing) area, and the like are set at a predetermined ratio with respect to random numbers that can be acquired by the role lottery unit 103. ing.

  Furthermore, if the winning lottery unit 103 “wins” the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R after having pressed each of the stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R, an arrangement of symbols representing the winning combination. The stop is controlled so that the winning combination is won. Further, when the lottery result is “losing” (non-winning), stop control is performed so that the symbol arrangement does not represent any combination. In any case, the stop symbol does not change even if the pressing timing of the stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R is changed.

Note that the lottery performed by the combination lottery unit 103 may determine the winning combination by performing one lottery for one game, but may be configured to perform a plurality of lotteries. Good.
In addition to the configuration led by the role lottery unit 103 in which a lottery is performed at the timing of pressing the start switch 41 or the stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R and the lottery result is determined, the reels can be operated without any special pull-in operation. The group 31 may be stopped, and as a result, the winning determination unit 107 may detect the positions where the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are stopped, and determine whether there is a winning or a winning combination. In this case, there is no concept of lottery or winning combination, and the combination lottery unit 103 may not exist. Further, depending on the type of game, whether or not the role lottery unit 103 is led, that is, whether to make a lottery or make a winning determination by reel may be switched.

(Control unit 101)
The control unit 101 is a central functional block that controls the operation timing of the combination lottery unit 103, the reel control unit 106 and the winning determination unit 107, which will be described later.
For example, on the condition that the start switch 41 is operated, the control unit 101 causes the combination lottery unit 103 to perform combination lottery, causes the reel control unit 106 to start rotating the reel group 31, and sets the stop switch The reel control unit 106 is controlled to stop the reel group 31 on the condition that the group 42 has been operated, and further, the winning determination unit 107 is configured to perform a prize determination on the condition that the reel group 31 is stopped. It is.
Note that the operation of the control unit 101 is not limited to these, and governs general control required for the main control board 50.

(Flag information storage unit 105)
The flag information storage unit 105 is configured to be able to store the type of the winning combination and the fact that the flag is turned on when a flag for a certain combination is turned on by the lottery result of the combination lottery unit 103.

(Reel control unit 106)
The reel control unit 106 is a functional block that controls the rotation and stop of the reel group 31 (reels 31L, 31C, and 31R) based on an instruction from the control unit 101.
More specifically, the reel control unit 106 has a game state (for example, a normal game state, a special game state, etc.), a result of a lottery by the combination lottery unit 103, and a stop switch group 42 (stop switches 42L, 42C and 42R). Based on the operated timing or the like, the stop positions of the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are determined, and the driving of the stepping motor is controlled to stop the rotation of the reels 31L, 31C and 31R at the determined positions. It has become.

  For example, if the winning lottery unit 103 results in “losing” and no winning combination is won, each reel is set so that the combination of symbols of any winning combination is not stopped on the activated effective line. The stop positions of 31L, 31C and 31R are determined, and each reel is stopped at the determined position. On the other hand, if a winning combination is selected for a certain role, the symbol combination is determined so that the winning symbol combination is stopped on the active line that is active, and the symbol combination is valid at that time. The stop positions of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are determined so as to appear in the effective lines, and each reel is stopped at the determined position.

In particular, when the special combination is “winned”, the stop combinations of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are controlled so that the combination of the special combination symbols is stopped on the active line that is enabled (for example, (Within 4 symbols), pull-in control is performed so that the symbols related to the special role are aligned as much as possible. However, even if the special role is “winned”, the combination of symbols of the special role will not stop on the activated active line when “winning” for a small role or replay. Then, stop positions of the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are determined, and stop control is performed.
Such control when stopping the reels 31L, 31C and 31R may be performed using a reel control table.

(Winning determination unit 107)
The winning determination unit 107 is a functional block for determining the final winning state.
The winning determination unit 107 determines whether or not a combination of symbols in the active line group 22 is arranged in any of the active lines that are active, and if there is an in-line combination, it is determined in the game. It is determined that the winning combination has been won. The lottery of the combination is determined in advance by the combination lottery unit 103. However, when a mechanical reel is used, the reel may not be stopped as scheduled, so the position of the finally stopped reel is detected. Because you have to do it.

  The winning determination unit 107 determines a symbol positioned on the active line by detecting, for example, an angle at the time when the stepping motor is stopped, the number of steps, and the like, and based on this, determines the presence / absence of a winning combination.

  Instead of pre-determining a combination by the combination lottery unit 103 and stopping the reels 31L, 31C and 31R together, the reels are stopped one after another at a retractable position, and finally the actual reels 31L, The positions of 31C and 31R may be detected, and the winning determination unit 107 may determine the combination of symbols and determine the combination.

(Game state control unit 108)
The gaming state control unit 108 is a functional block for controlling the special game from the next game until the predetermined end condition is satisfied when the winning determination unit 107 has won a special role as a result of the determination. It is.

  For example, the game state control unit 108 causes the reel control unit 106 to perform reel control for special games according to the lottery result of the role lottery unit 103 during the special game, or causes the sub control board 60 to perform special game effects. Or let it be done.

(Payout control unit 109)
The payout control unit 109 is a functional block for causing the hopper device 93 to pay out medals according to the winning combination as a result of the determination by the winning determination unit 107.

(Functional block on sub control board)
Next, a functional configuration of the sub control board 60 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the sub control board 60.
The effect pattern selection unit 201 is functionally realized by the sub CPU 61 executing a computer-readable program recorded in the ROM 62. In addition, when the sub CPU 61 executes a computer-readable program recorded in the ROM 62, the effect control unit 202 is functionally realized while controlling the image control processor 64.

  The effects implemented by the sub-control board 60 are effects by an image displayed in the image display area around the display window 21 by the effect display device 40 and effects by sound generated from the speaker 71. Unlike the operations on the main control board 50, these effects do not change the direction of the game itself, such as lottery. However, the effects of the image and sound stimulate the player and give them a sense of expectation for winning the prize. It plays an important role in improving the quality and eliminating monotony.

(Production pattern selection unit 201)
The effect pattern selection unit 201 is a functional block that selects an effect pattern according to the gaming state.
Specifically, the effect pattern selection unit 201 receives a signal from the role lottery unit 103 of the main control board 50 and selects an effect pattern according to the winning combination or the like, or a winning determination unit of the main control board 50 In response to signals from 107 and the special role game control unit 108, an effect pattern corresponding to a winning combination or a gaming state is selected.

  Here, the effect pattern is determined based on the progress of the game such as whether the start switch 41 is pressed, which stop switch 42 is pressed, and which reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are stopped, as a result of lottery. Is selected in accordance with the type of game, such as a normal game or a special game.

(Production control unit 202)
The effect control unit 202 is a functional block that controls an effect based on the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selection unit 201.
The effect control unit 202 creates stereoscopic image data for displaying an image with respect to the selected effect pattern, converts it into two-dimensional image data, and supplies the two-dimensional image data to the effect display device 40. Operates to display an image. In addition, the effect control unit 202 performs control for causing the sound source circuit 67 to generate sound for the selected effect pattern.

  The effect control unit 202 relates to the image switching device of the present invention. In particular, in the present embodiment, the image is switched from the first image to the second image to change the scene to the selected effect pattern. The production is configured to be realizable.

(Sound source circuit 67)
The sound source circuit 67 includes a sound generation circuit for a predetermined number of channels, for example, eight sound source channels, and can simultaneously reproduce phrases corresponding to the number of sound source channels. The sound source circuit 67 is controlled by an effect request command output from the effect control unit 202. The sound source circuit 67 reads out and synthesizes sound source data of a corresponding sound source channel from a sound ROM (not shown) corresponding to the effect request command transmitted from the effect control unit 202, and generates it for each of the right channel and the left channel. Then, it is D / A converted and output as an analog sound signal. The amplifier 68 amplifies the analog sound signals of the left and right channels, and sends the stereo sound to the right speaker 71R and the left speaker 71R.

(Detailed function blocks of the production control unit)
Next, a specific configuration of the effect control unit 202 will be described.
The effect control unit 202 of the present embodiment can execute an image switching effect for switching from the first image to the second image as part of the effect pattern, and at that time, through a special effect such as mosaic processing. An image can be switched.

In FIG. 5, the functional block which divided the production | presentation control part 202 from the functional side is shown.
As shown in FIG. 5, the effect control unit 202 includes, as functional blocks, an image control unit 301, a sound control unit 302, an object data storage unit 3031, a texture data storage unit 3032, a unit area information storage unit 3033, and an image data generation unit. 304, an image data storage unit 305, and display control means 306.

  The image data generation unit 304 further includes an image generation unit 3041, a two-dimensional development unit 3042, a change start time setting unit 3043, a gradation changing unit 3044, and a switching unit 3045.

  In the above configuration, the image control unit 301 and the sound control unit 302 are functionally realized by the sub CPU 61 executing a program stored in the ROM 62. The object data storage unit 3031 and the texture data storage unit 3032 correspond to the image data ROM 65. The unit area information storage unit 3033 corresponds to the ROM 62. The image data storage unit 305 corresponds to the video RAM 66. Each component of the image data generation unit 304 and the display control unit 306 are functionally realized by a sub CPU 61 that executes an image switching program and an image control processor 64 that operates based on the control of the sub CPU 61.

(Image control unit 301)
The image control unit 301 can instruct various effects on the image data generation unit 304 in accordance with the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selection unit 201. When the effect pattern indicates image switching, the image control unit 301 generates an image to be switched (referred to as “second image”) along with the generation of the currently displayed image (referred to as “first image”). Is to direct. In addition, the image control unit 301 continuously designates, for each frame period, the position of the viewpoint (camera) for developing the virtual three-dimensional space into a two-dimensional image designated by the effect pattern selection unit 201. It has come to go. The image control unit 301 determines a story on the image according to the production pattern, and controls its development.

(Sound controller 302)
The sound control unit 302 is configured to control the sound source circuit 67 so as to generate and generate a sound signal corresponding to the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selection unit 201. The sound controlled by the sound control unit 302 is temporally linked with the image control unit 301 so as to have a close relationship with the progress of the image displayed by the control of the image control unit 301. ing.

(Object data storage unit 3031)
The object data storage unit 3031 stores object data that is shape definition information of various objects to be displayed in the virtual three-dimensional space.
Each piece of object data is data that specifies the relative position (including direction and size) of a minute polygon (polygon, etc.) that forms the outline of the object, with reference coordinates set in advance for each object as the origin. . If each minute polygon is arranged at a relative position from the reference coordinates, the outer shape of the object is defined. Each object has a self-contained local coordinate system (body coordinate system) in which the relative positions (directions and sizes) of the minute polygons are three-dimensionally defined.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the object data storage unit 3031 stores image data to be displayed on images before and after image switching. That is, object data defining an object arranged in each virtual three-dimensional space is stored for each of the first image before image switching and the second image after image switching.

(Texture data storage unit 3032)
The texture data storage unit 3032 stores texture data that defines a texture that is mapped (expanded and pasted) to objects displayed in the first image and the second image, respectively.
Texture is data related to patterns, textures, and colors mapped to the surface of an object or polygon that is only a set of vertex coordinates. The texture data is image data created at a predetermined resolution for representing a pattern or the like, for example, bitmap data. In order to paste a texture onto a predetermined polygon, mapping processing is performed on the texture data by performing predetermined image conversion, for example, affine conversion, and expanding (expanding / reducing / deforming) the texture into a polygon shape.

(Unit area information storage unit 3033)
The unit area information storage unit 3033 is information for defining a unit area, which is an individual tile-shaped area of mosaic processing, and defines the size, shape, and position of each unit area. The size and shape of the unit area are not limited, but in the present embodiment, it is defined as a square shape.

  FIG. 8 shows a set of a plurality of unit areas U obtained by dividing the display area 600 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, each unit area U is specified by a horizontal position pointer i and a vertical position pointer j. A unit region located at (i, j) is represented as U (i, j). Therefore, the unit area located at the origin of the upper left corner of the display area is U (0, 0). The unit area located at the lower right corner is U (Imax, Jmax).

  The unit area in FIG. 8 is merely an example, and the display area may be configured with a smaller number of unit areas that are finer or more coarse than this. Further, the shape of the unit region is not limited to a square, and a rectangle, a triangle, a polygon more than a pentagon, and other shapes may be used as appropriate.

(Image generation means 3041)
The image generation unit 3041 is a functional block for arranging an object to be displayed in each virtual three-dimensional space of the first image and the second image in order to generate each of the first image and the second image. It is.

  Specifically, the image generation unit 3041 reads out object data stored in the object data storage unit 3031 for each of the first image and the second image. Since this object data is defined in the local coordinate system (modeling coordinate system, object coordinate system, body coordinate system) set for each object, the coordinates for placing this object in the virtual three-dimensional space Conversion is necessary. The image generation unit 3041 executes normal conversion calculation processing on the object data defined in the local coordinate system, and determines an absolute arrangement in the virtual three-dimensional space defined in the world coordinate system (global coordinate system). At that time, the direction and size of the object are also determined by the coordinate conversion process.

In addition, the image generation unit 3041 reads texture data for the texture developed from the texture data storage unit 3032 to an object whose arrangement in the virtual three-dimensional space is determined for each of the first image and the second image. Then, the texture corresponding to the surface of each minute polygon forming the object is mapped. Each texture data is texture information of a predetermined unit area. The image generation unit 3041 performs predetermined image conversion, for example, affine conversion, on the selected texture data, and maps the texture onto the surface of each object.
In addition, the texture of the present invention is a case where a polygon surface is colored by rendering processing based on vertex information and light source information including color information in addition to texture based on specific texture data that gives a texture or pattern. Shall be included.

(Two-dimensional expansion means 3042)
The two-dimensional expansion unit 3042 performs a perspective calculation process in order to obtain an image obtained by observing each object arranged in each virtual three-dimensional space from the viewpoint set for each of the first image and the second image.

  Specifically, the two-dimensional expansion means 3042 is based on the viewpoint information specified by the image control unit 301 or stored in the object data storage unit 3031 and the object defined in the world coordinate system. For each, a perspective transformation calculation for transformation into a perspective coordinate system is performed. This perspective transformation process is performed for each object. The two-dimensional expansion unit 3042 generates two-dimensional perspective image data, stores the first image in the first image data storage layer 3051 of the image data storage unit 305, and stores the second image in the image data storage unit. The image data is stored in the second image data storage layer 3052 of 305.

(Variation start time setting means 3043)
The change start time setting unit 3043 is a functional block for setting a time at which mosaic special effect processing is started in each unit area U when switching the image from the first image to the second image.

  In the first embodiment, when the variation start time elapses in each unit region U, processing is performed so that the gradation of the unit region decreases for each variation period. As the fluctuation start time elapses, the gradation of the unit area U drops and special effect processing such as mosaic processing proceeds. Here, the change start time setting unit 3043 is configured to provide a difference in the degree of progress of gradation reduction for each unit region by individually setting the change start time for each unit region U to be different. Yes.

  FIG. 9 shows how the change start time is set in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the change start time t00 is set in the unit area U (0, 0) at the upper left corner, and thereafter, the change start time t01 (> t00) and the unit area U are set in the unit area U (0, 1). The change start time t02 (> t01) is set to (0, 2). When one column ends at the fluctuation start time t07 of the unit area U (0, 7), the next fluctuation start time t08 is set to the first unit area U (1, 0) of the adjacent column. Thereafter, by repeating this, the fluctuation start time of the unit area U (Imax, Jmax) at the lower right end is the latest tImJm.

(Gradation changing means 3044)
The gradation changing means 3044 is a functional block that decreases the gradation in each of the unit areas where the variation starts (that is, after the variation start time has elapsed) among the plurality of unit areas U for each predetermined variation period. is there.

  Specifically, the gradation changing unit 3044 refers to the unit region information storage unit 3033, specifies the position of each unit region U, and then stores the first image stored in the first image data storage layer 3051. Data is read for each unit area U, gradation reduction processing is performed to reduce the gradation by one step, and the image data of the unit area after the processing is stored in the corresponding address of the primary storage layer 3053. This process is repeated for all unit areas.

  Here, in this embodiment, the fluctuation period is an image rewrite timing, that is, a frame period. However, when the gradation drop for each frame period is too large, the plurality of frame periods may be set as the fluctuation period, and the gradation may be dropped for each of the plurality of frame periods.

Here, gradation reduction is, for example, processing in which the number of display elements per unit region U is reduced to a power of 2 (1/2 ² ) for each variation period. When the unit area U is displayed with the minimum number of pixels 2 ^N (N is a natural number), when the gradation is lowered by one step, the unit area U is displayed with the number of display elements 2 ^N−2. . That is, the display element is reconfigured so that one display element is formed by the four minimum pixels.

  Note that gradation reduction is not only changing the number of display elements per unit area in this way, but also simple gradation reduction, ie without changing the number of display elements per unit area. It may be a process of decreasing the tone.

(Switching means 3045)
When the gradation in the unit area U on which the first image is displayed reaches a predetermined reference gradation, the switching unit 3045 selects an image portion corresponding to the unit area U in the second image. This is a functional block to be displayed in the unit area U.

  The reference gradation can be any gradation, but is typically set to “1” or “0”. That is, the gradation of “1” or “0” means that there are no more display elements below this, and the entire unit area U becomes one display element, and the first image is abstracted to the maximum. It is a stage like that. The switching unit 3045 displays the second image in the unit area U only when the gradation of the unit area U has dropped sufficiently. In the first embodiment, since the variation start time is different for each unit area, the time when the gradation reaches the reference gradation is also different for each unit area. Therefore, the abstracted first image is switched to the second image sequentially for each unit area, and the switching to the second image gradually proceeds.

  If the gradation of each unit area stored in the primary storage layer 3053 does not reach the reference gradation, the switching unit 3045 changes the first image data that is in the middle of gradation reduction to the reference gradation. If it has reached, the second image data in the corresponding area is selected instead of the first image data. Image data for the selected unit area is stored at a corresponding address in the output image data storage layer 3054. When image data of all unit areas are selected and stored, one frame image data is obtained.

(Display control means 306)
The display control means 306 reads the frame image data stored in the output image data storage layer 3054 of the image data storage unit 305 for each frame period and transfers it to the effect display device 40. Based on the transferred frame image data, the effect display device 40 displays an image corresponding to the frame image data in the image display area.

(Operation on the main control board)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing control by the main control board 50.
In FIG. 6, when a player inserts a medal and the start switch 41 is operated, the control unit 101 detects that the start switch 41 is turned on, and the combination lottery unit 103 performs a combination lottery process. (Step S101 / YES, Step S102). On the other hand, when the start switch 41 is not operated by the player and it is not possible to detect that the start switch 41 is turned on, the control unit 101 performs step S101 until it detects that the start switch 41 is turned on. Repeat the process.

  In the combination lottery process in step S102, the combination lottery unit 103 acquires a random number and performs a combination lottery process by comparing the acquired random number with the lottery table. As a result of the lottery, when any winning combination is won, the winning combination flag is turned on in the flag information storage unit 105. The lottery result by the combination lottery unit 103 is transmitted as winning combination information to the sub-control board 60 via the I / F circuit 54 (step S103).

  The reel control unit 106 determines whether any one of the stop switch groups 42 has been operated (step S104). When any one of the stop switches is operated (step S104 / YES), reel control is performed so that the winning combination can be won, and the rotation of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch is stopped (step S104). S105).

  If no winning combination has been won in the winning lottery process in step S102 (when “losing” has been won), the reel control unit 106 has not won any winning combination in step S105. The reel control corresponding to is performed.

  Subsequently, the reel control unit 106 determines whether all the stop switches are operated and all the reels are stopped (step S106). When all the reels have not stopped yet (step S106 / NO), the processing from the detection processing of presence / absence of the stop switch operation in step S104 is repeated.

  When all the reels are stopped (step S106 / YES), the winning determination unit 107 determines the presence / absence of winning based on the combination of symbols arranged on the activated effective line (step S107). As a result, if there is any winning (step S107 / YES), a winning process corresponding to the winning combination is executed (step S108).

When the winning combination is a “special combination”, the game state control unit 108 performs a transition process for executing the “special game” from the next game until a predetermined end condition is satisfied.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S107 that there is no winning (step S107 / NO), the process returns to step S101.

  Subsequently, during the “special game”, the gaming state control unit 108 provides the reel control unit 106 with a “special game” so as to provide the player with a gaming state corresponding to the big bonus game or regular bonus game that is the “special role”. The reel control during “game” is performed, or the sub-control board 60 is performed for “special game”. When the specified number of games of the big bonus game or the regular bonus game is finished, a process of shifting to the “normal game” is performed.

  If the winning combination is not “special combination”, if the flag of the special combination is stored in the flag information storage unit 105 in the on state, the storage state of the flag in the flag information storage unit 105 is carried over to the next game. .

  When the winning combination is “replay”, the winning determination unit 107 causes the control unit 101 to carry over the bet (the number of bets) in the game to the next game. On the other hand, when the winning combination is neither “special combination” nor “replay”, the payout control unit 109 causes the hopper device 93 to pay out the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination.

(Operation on sub-control board)
Next, the operation of the sub control board 60 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing control by the sub-control board 60.
In FIG. 7, first, the effect pattern selection unit 201 reads the effect pattern from the main control board 50 and transfers it to the effect control unit 202 (step S201). In step S202, the image control unit 301 of the effect control unit 202 determines whether it is the drawing timing. When it is not yet the drawing timing (NO), the process proceeds to step S217, and the display control unit 306 continues display control of the frame image data output at the previous drawing timing.

  Here, the drawing timing is a predetermined timing in time for the next frame image data update process, and is appropriately determined by the system. For example, it is possible to shift to the image switching process of the present embodiment when the horizontal synchronization signal is input. The drawing timing may be set every frame period, or may be set every one or more frame periods. What is necessary is just to determine according to how the speed of change for image switching is set.

  If it is the drawing timing in step S202 (YES), although not shown, the image control unit 301 determines whether or not to shift to the image switching process according to the present invention, and if it is the timing to perform the image switching process. , Set the switching flag.

  In step S203, the image generation unit 3041 of the image data generation unit 304 determines whether or not the switching flag is set. If the switching flag is not set (NO), other image generation processing is performed. (Not shown), and the display control means 306 performs the display control (S217).

  If the switching flag is set in step S203 (YES), the process proceeds to step S204, and the image generation unit 3041 first generates first image data for the first image. That is, the image generation unit 3041 sequentially reads out object data of objects to be displayed at the next drawing timing from the object data storage unit 3031 and performs normal conversion processing for arranging them in the virtual three-dimensional space. Then, the image generation unit 3041 sequentially calls texture data related to the texture associated with each of the normally converted objects from the texture data storage unit 3032 and maps the texture data to the surface of the object. When specific texture data is not used, rendering processing is performed to generate object colors. Next, the two-dimensional expansion unit 3042 executes perspective transformation processing for each object defined in the virtual three-dimensional space in the world coordinate system with reference to the viewpoint coordinates. The first image data generated by the perspective transformation is stored in the first image data storage layer 3051 of the image data storage unit 305. Note that a rendering process (coloring including texture mapping) may be performed after the perspective conversion process.

  In step S205, the image generation unit 3041 performs normal conversion processing and perspective conversion processing on the object for the second image in the same manner as the first image. The second image data generated by the perspective transformation is stored in the second image data storage layer 3052 of the image data storage unit 305.

  If the image is simply switched, the first image data sent to the effect display device 40 may be switched to the second image data from a certain time. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the first image is gradually switched to the second image with a mosaic-like special effect by the following processing.

  In step S206, the change start time setting unit 3043 refers to the unit area information storage unit 3033 and starts mosaic special effect processing for the unit area U (see FIG. 8) divided for the display area. Set the change start time for Even if it is set, the change start time specified in advance may be stored in the unit area storage unit 3033 only.

  Further, the unit area information storage unit 3033 stores the position, size, and shape of each unit area U as position area information in advance, and generates such unit area information before the image switching process. You may comprise as follows. For example, when the size and shape of the unit area U are changed in accordance with the production, the unit area information can be generated prior to the image switching process and stored in the RAM 63. In this case, the RAM 63 corresponds to the unit area information storage unit 3033.

In the first embodiment, the change start times are individually defined for all the unit areas U, and are set in the order shown in FIG. As the number of XX indicated by txx increases, it means that the change start time is later.
According to the assignment as shown in FIG. 9, the first change start time t00 is set in the unit area U (0, 0), and thereafter, the change start time t01 of the unit area U (0, 1), the unit area U The fluctuation start times are set in the order of (0, 2) fluctuation start time t02,. The interval of each fluctuation start time can be changed according to a desired fluctuation speed. If the earliest fluctuation is desired, the fluctuation start time is set for each frame period, and if fluctuations slower than that are desired, the fluctuation start time may be set for every one frame period or more frame periods. Further, the change start time does not need to be set at a constant interval, and the interval period may be arbitrarily changed from the start to the end of change. For example, if the interval of the fluctuation start period is set longer and the interval is shortened later, the image switching proceeds slowly and the speed is gradually increased (or vice versa).

  Now, the image switching apparatus according to the present embodiment scans all the unit areas U (0, 0) to U (Imax, Jmax) during one drawing timing, and starts fluctuation for each unit area U. Either the process of further decreasing the gradation when the change has already started, or the process of switching to the second image when the gradation reaches a predetermined reference gradation is performed. .

  First, in step S207, the gradation changing unit 3044 resets the position pointers i and j to “0” and starts scanning from the first unit region U (0, 0). In step S208, the gradation changing unit 3044 refers to the change start time set in the unit area U specified by the position pointers i and j, and determines whether or not the change start time has been reached. Whether or not it is a fluctuation start time can be determined based on an absolute time by comparing it with a fluctuation start time set with reference to the system clock or the number of frame periods, for example. In addition, the relative elapsed time after the image switching instruction is sent from the production pattern selection unit 201, for example, is calculated by counting the system clock or the number of frame periods from the image switching instruction. It is also possible to make a determination.

  If the change start time of the unit area U (i, j) specified by the position pointer (i, j) has elapsed in step S208 (YES), the process proceeds to step S209, and the gradation changing unit 3044 Fluctuation is started by dropping one gradation of the unit area U (i, j). If the change of the unit area U (i, j) specified by the position pointer (i, j) has already started, the gradation changing means 3044 further determines the gradation of the unit area U (i, j). Is processed by one step. For example, since the first unit area U (0,0) is set at the fluctuation start time t00, if the time t00 has been reached, the gradation changing means 3044 will store the unit area U (0,0). Start the change. The gradation changing unit 3044 stores the image data of the unit area U at the corresponding address of the primary storage layer 3053 after executing gradation reduction processing.

  On the other hand, if the change start time of the unit area U (i, j) specified by the position pointer (i, j) has not arrived in step S208 (NO), the gradation changing unit 3044 proceeds to step S212. Then, the process proceeds to determination of the next unit area U.

  Note that the gradation change of the unit area U may be set so that the gradation is lowered by one step every time the drawing timing arrives, or the gradation may be lowered every one or more drawing timings. For example, the drawing timing is set for each frame period so that the fluctuation of each unit area U starts every frame period, but once the fluctuation is started, the gradation is dropped every several frame periods. Thus, it is conceivable to slow down the progress of the mosaic process.

Here, in the gradation changing process, the gradation changing means 3044 reads the first image data stored in the first image data storage layer 3051 for each unit area U, and drops the gradation of the read unit area by one step. It is realized by. In the present embodiment, tone down is processing to continue to the number of display elements per unit area U for each drawing timing to 1/2 ^2. In such processing, the pixels displayed by the four display elements are converted into one display element by the next gradation drop. Various methods are conceivable for this conversion. For example, it is possible to execute a predetermined interpolation calculation for four display elements. For example, an average value of four pixels is calculated. Alternatively, the remaining three display elements may be rewritten with data of one display element among the four display elements.

  Next, in step S210, when the gradation n of the unit area U for gradation reduction processing is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference gradation Nmin (YES), the process proceeds to step S211 and the switching unit 3045 causes the unit area U to move to the unit area U. Are switched from the first image to the second image. That is, the switching unit 3045 switches the image source from the first image data to the second image data stored in the second image data storage layer 3052, and is specified by the position pointer (i, j) from the second image data. The image data in the unit area U (i, j) is read and transferred to the corresponding address in the output image data storage layer 3054 instead of the first image data.

  Here, the reference gradation Nmin can be set freely, but in this embodiment, the reference gradation Nmin is “0”, that is, the number of display elements of the unit region U at the previous drawing timing is “1”. Suppose that there was. In such a case, further gradation reduction processing is impossible, which means that the first image is abstracted to the maximum extent. Since the contents of the image cannot be discriminated, there is little discomfort even when switching to the second image.

  In step S210, when the gradation n of the unit area U to be subjected to gradation reduction processing is larger than the reference gradation Nmin (NO), the switching unit 3045 determines that the gradation reduction processing is in the middle of processing. Then, the first image data after gradation reduction stored at the corresponding address of the primary storage layer 3053 is transferred to the corresponding address of the output image data storage layer 3054.

  With the above processing, one of the start of variation, gradation reduction, or switching to the second image for one unit region U is completed. The gradation changing unit 3044 proceeds to step S212 and increments the position pointer i by one. In step S213, if the increased position pointer i exceeds the maximum value Imax (YES), the process proceeds to step S214, and the gradation changing unit 3044 resets the position pointer i ("0"), and the position pointer Increase j by one. That is, it is shifted to the column of the adjacent unit area. Next, in step S215, when the position pointer i exceeds the maximum value Imax and the position pointer j exceeds the maximum value Jmax (YES), that is, the processing of the last unit area U (Imax, Jmax) is completed. If so, the process proceeds to step S216, and the gradation changing unit 3044 resets the switching flag.

  On the other hand, in step S215, if the position pointer (i, j) does not indicate that the processing of the last unit area U (Imax, Jmax) has ended (NO), a new position pointer (i, j) The processing shown in steps S208 to S215 is repeated for the unit region U indicated by

  In step S <b> 217, the display control unit 306 reads the frame image data after all the image switching processing at one drawing timing is completed from the output image data storage layer 3054 and transfers the frame image data to the effect display device 40. As a result, the image displayed in the display area 600 is updated at each drawing timing.

10A and 10B show a sequence of how gradation reduction proceeds in one unit area U. FIG. Here, it is assumed that gradation reduction processing is executed for each frame period F.
As shown in FIG. 10A, when the resolution (number of display elements = number of pixels) of the image data of the original unit region U is 2 ^N (N is a natural number), the fluctuation start time t00 arrives and the gradation is By dropping one step, the number of display elements in the unit area U becomes 2 ^N−2 . Further, when the next drawing timing (frame period F1) arrives, the image of the unit area is displayed with the number of display elements ¼, that is, 2 ^N−4 display elements. In the k-th frame period, the number of display elements can be generalized to 2 ^{N−2 (k + 1)} . When the number of display elements in the unit area U becomes 1 in the frame period F7, further gradation reduction is impossible. In the processing of the present embodiment, switching to the second image is performed at the timing when the next frame period F8 arrives.

  FIG. 10B shows a sequence of how a specific image changes corresponding to FIG. 10A. As shown in FIG. 10B, the image before the start of the image switching process becomes a coarse and mosaic-like image as the number of display elements decreases after conversion starts at time t00. In the frame period F7, the first image is abstracted to the maximum extent, and in the next frame period F8, the second image is displayed.

  FIG. 11 shows a sequence in which the change of each unit region U starts in the first embodiment and in which order the change to the second image starts. As shown in FIG. 11, in the first embodiment, the change is set to start for each column from the unit area U (0, 0) at the upper left end, and after the same change time has elapsed in all the unit areas. It is switched to the second image. For this reason, the gradation drop starts to change in the order shown by the arrows in FIG. 11 and follows the order of the arrows in the order of switching to the second image.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of gradation drop in the middle of the image switching process. In FIG. 12, the unit region U that has started to change at an early stage has already been switched to the second image. A unit area U indicated by a power of 2 is in the middle of gradation reduction. The numerical value indicates the number of display elements in the unit area U. In addition, the unit area U in which the first image is displayed and the numerical value is not shown is that the change start time has not yet arrived and the gradation reduction process has not started. As described above, according to the first embodiment, a special effect is realized in which image switching proceeds from the upper left end through mosaic processing.

FIG. 13 shows a modification of the first embodiment.
In FIG. 13, the order of the unit areas U for setting the fluctuation start time is different. That is, in the first embodiment, the unit area U (0, 0) at the upper left end is set to change in the column direction. However, in the example of FIG. 13, the unit area U (0, 0) at the upper left end. It is set so that the fluctuation progresses in the row direction. Thus, by changing the setting of the change start time, it is possible to control the order of image switching.

(Advantages of Embodiment 1)
(1) According to the first embodiment, since the change start time is set to be different for each unit area U, the change is started sequentially and the second image is sequentially switched. Therefore, natural image switching is possible while using special effect processing, which is conventionally considered to be unsuitable for image switching, such as mosaic processing.

  (2) According to the first embodiment, since processing is performed so as to switch to the second image when the reference gradation is exceeded, the second image is abstracted to the extent that the first image cannot be distinguished. It is displayed, and it is possible to switch the image naturally while having a mosaic-like special effect.

  (3) According to the first embodiment, the image switching speed can be arbitrarily adjusted by setting the drawing timing, the degree of gradation reduction, and the number of unit areas U for setting the same variation start time.

(Embodiment 2)
Embodiment 2 of the present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with an image switching device that changes the magnification instead of changing the gradation.
In FIG. 14, the functional block diagram of the production | presentation control part 202 in this Embodiment 2 is shown.
As shown in FIG. 14, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a magnification changing unit 3046 is provided instead of the gradation changing unit 3044. Other constituent elements are considered as in the first embodiment.

  The magnification changing unit 3046 is a functional block that increases the magnification in each of the unit regions where the variation has started (that is, after the variation start time has elapsed) among the plurality of unit regions U every predetermined variation period.

  Specifically, the magnification changing unit 3046 refers to the unit area information storage unit 3033, specifies the position of each unit area U, and then stores the first image data stored in the first image data storage layer 3051. Is read for each unit region U. Then, enlargement processing for increasing the magnification in the unit area by one step is executed, and the image data of the processed unit area is stored in the corresponding address of the primary storage layer 3053. The concept regarding the fluctuation period is the same as in the first embodiment.

Here, the enlargement process is, for example, a process in which the magnification of the image displayed in the unit area U is enlarged at a magnification of 2 or more. In the case of enlarging by 2 every frame period, the unit area U is expanded by 2 times in the first frame period after the start of fluctuation, and is expanded to 2 ^k (N is a natural number) in the kth frame. Become.

  FIG. 15 shows a processing flowchart of the sub-control board 60 in the second embodiment. The processing in the second embodiment is performed in substantially the same manner as the flowchart in the first embodiment (see FIG. 7). However, in step S309, an enlargement process for increasing the magnification of the unit area U is performed instead of the gradation reduction process. In step S310, it is determined whether to switch to the second image based on whether the reference magnification Mmax has been reached instead of the reference gradation.

  Here, the setting of the reference magnification Mmax is arbitrary, but the magnification is set so that the first image is abstracted to the maximum. For example, the magnification is set equal to one pixel before the start of image switching is enlarged to the entire unit area U.

FIG. 16 shows a change in the enlargement rate of the unit area U when the enlargement process is executed for each frame period in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, since the magnification of the unit area U is doubled for each frame period, it is first doubled when the fluctuation start time comes, and then enlarged by 2 ² = 4 times when the frame period F1 comes. . The magnification of the frame period k is enlarged to 2 ^k times. When the reference magnification is set to 2 ⁸ = 256, switching to the second image is performed in the next frame period F8.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, a modification of the image processing method for the unit region U can be provided. Even if the image processing method for the unit area is changed, the image switching can be completed through a mosaic-like special effect.

(Embodiment 3)
The third embodiment of the present invention relates to a modified example related to the setting of the fluctuation start time.
The configuration in the third embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. However, the variation start time in the variation start time setting unit 3043 is not set for all the unit areas U, but is different from that of the first embodiment in that it is set only for the unit areas where the change starts first. .

FIG. 18 shows a process flowchart of the sub-control board 60 in the third embodiment.
Most of the processing in the third embodiment is the same as the processing in the first embodiment (see FIG. 7). However, in step S206, the fluctuation start time t00 is set only in the first unit area. For example, this unit area is U (0,0).

  In step S220, when the fluctuation start time t00 has elapsed (YES), the process proceeds to step S221, and the gradation changing unit 3044 starts gradation reduction processing for the first unit region U (0, 0).

Next, in step S222, when the change of the adjacent unit region has started, the gradation changing unit 3044 proceeds to step S209 and executes gradation reduction processing for the unit region U. That is, when gradation reduction is started in any unit area, gradation reduction starts at the next drawing timing in at least adjacent unit areas. The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment.
Note that the magnification changing process of the second embodiment may be applied in place of the gradation reduction process.

  FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing how the unit region varies in the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, when the gradation reduction process starts to change in the unit area U (0, 0), the change of the unit area adjacent to the unit area U (0, 0) starts at the next drawing timing t00. To do. Further, at the next drawing timing t01, the fluctuation starts for a unit area further adjacent to the unit area where the previous fluctuation has started. The gradation reduction process is continued for the unit area that has already started to fluctuate.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to realize an image conversion process in which the fluctuation of the special effect radiates to the periphery by starting the fluctuation for one unit region.
Further, as described above, in addition to setting the variation start time in one unit region at the end to spread the special effect radially, the same time is applied to the unit region connected to one column or one row at the end of the display region 600. If the change start time is set, it is possible to realize an image conversion process in which a special effect spreads from the column or row toward the opposite side of the display area. In addition, by setting the same time variation start time to one unit area or one row or row of unit areas located in the middle of the display area, special effects will spread from the middle of the display area to the surroundings. Thus, it is possible to realize image conversion processing.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the above and can be implemented with various modifications.
For example, in the above embodiment, the processing for the unit area is “gradation reduction” and “enlargement”, but the present invention is not limited to this. Other special effects can be applied as long as they can be switched naturally from the first image to the second image. Such special effects are preferably those in which the strength of the special effects can be specified in stages. For example, effects such as chalk / charcoal, embossing, graphic pen, notebook paper, water color, stained glass, stamp, texture, etc. can be applied

  Moreover, the said embodiment is realizable when a computer runs a program. The means for supplying the program to the computer may be a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM recording the program or a transmission medium such as the Internet for transmitting the program.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been explained in full detail with reference to drawings, a concrete structure is not restricted to said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it can change suitably.

The front view of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention The block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the main control board Functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sub-control board Functional block diagram showing a detailed functional configuration of the production control unit in the first embodiment Flow chart showing control by main control board 7 is a flowchart showing control of the sub control board in the first embodiment. Setting example of unit area in display area Example of setting the change start time for each unit area in the first embodiment Illustration of gradation reduction processing in one unit area Illustration of image change in one unit area Explanatory drawing of the progression order of change / image switching in the first embodiment Example of image transition in the middle of the example Explanatory drawing of the order of progress of change / image switching in the modification Functional block diagram showing a detailed functional configuration of the production control unit in the second embodiment Flowchart showing control of sub-control board in embodiment 2. Explanatory drawing of the expansion process in one unit area in Embodiment 2 10 is a flowchart showing control of a sub control board in the third embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the progression order of change / image switching in the third embodiment

Explanation of symbols

10 slot machine 21 display window 31 reel 31L left reel 31C middle reel 31R right reel 40 effect display device 50 main control board 51 main CPU
52, 62 ROM
53, 63 RAM
54, 69 I / F circuit 60 Sub control board 101 Control unit 102 Lottery table 103 Role lottery unit 105 Flag information storage unit 106 Reel control unit 107 Winning determination unit 108 Game state control unit 201 Production pattern selection unit 202 Production control unit 301 Image Control unit 302 Sound control unit 3031 Object data storage unit 3032 Texture data storage unit 3033 Unit area information storage unit 304 Image data generation unit 3041 Image generation unit 3042 Two-dimensional development unit 3043 Change start time setting unit 3044 Tone change unit 3045 Switching unit 3046 Magnification changing unit 305 Image data storage unit 3051 First image data storage layer 3052 Second image data storage layer 3053 Primary storage layer 3054 Output image data storage layer 306 Display control unit

Claims (11)

In an image switching device for switching from a first image to a second image,
A variation start time setting means for setting the variation start time in each of the plurality of unit regions obtained by dividing the display region to be different for each unit region;
Gradation changing means for reducing the gradation in each of the unit areas where the fluctuation has started among the plurality of unit areas in which the first image is displayed;
When the gradation in the unit area where the first image is displayed reaches a predetermined reference gradation, an image portion corresponding to the unit area in the second image is set as the unit area. Switching means for displaying;
An image switching device comprising: In an image switching device for switching from a first image to a second image,
A variation start time setting means for setting the variation start time in each of the plurality of unit regions obtained by dividing the display region to be different for each unit region;
Gradation changing means for increasing the magnification in each of the unit areas where the change has started among the plurality of unit areas in which the first image is displayed;
When the magnification of the unit area in which the first image is displayed reaches a predetermined reference magnification, an image portion corresponding to the unit area of the second image is displayed in the unit area. Switching means;
An image switching device comprising: The fluctuation start time setting means includes
For the unit area in which the change start time is not set, when the change start time is set in any of the adjacent unit areas, the change start time of the unit area is set as the adjacent unit area. Specify after the passage of time corresponding to the fluctuation cycle from the fluctuation start time in
The image switching device according to claim 1 or 2. The fluctuation start time setting means includes
A first change start time is set only for any one of the unit areas.
The image switching device according to claim 3. The fluctuation start time setting means includes
Of the plurality of unit regions, the first variation start time is set for a plurality of adjacent unit regions.
The image switching device according to claim 3. The fluctuation start time setting means includes
Among the plurality of unit areas, the first variation start time is set for the unit area located at the end of the display area.
The image switching device according to claim 4 or 5. The fluctuation start time setting means includes
Setting the first change start time for the unit region located in the middle of the display region among the plurality of unit regions;
The image switching device according to claim 4 or 5.   A gaming machine comprising the image switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. An image switching program for switching from a first image to a second image,
On the computer,
A function of setting the variation start time in each of the plurality of unit areas obtained by dividing the display area to be different for each unit area;
A function of reducing the gradation in each of the unit areas where the fluctuation has started among the plurality of unit areas in which the first image is displayed;
When the gradation in the unit area where the first image is displayed reaches a predetermined reference gradation, an image portion corresponding to the unit area in the second image is set as the unit area. A function to display,
An image switching program for realizing An image switching program for switching from a first image to a second image,
On the computer,
A function of setting the variation start time in each of the plurality of unit areas obtained by dividing the display area to be different for each unit area;
A function of increasing the magnification in each of the unit regions where the variation has started among the plurality of unit regions in which the first image is displayed, for each predetermined variation period;
When the magnification of the unit area in which the first image is displayed reaches a predetermined reference magnification, an image portion corresponding to the unit area of the second image is displayed in the unit area. Function and
An image switching program for realizing A machine-readable recording medium on which the image switching program according to claim 9 is recorded.

Images