JP2007257378A - Image generation device, game machine and image generation program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image generation device for easily setting and changing the color of a model. <P>SOLUTION: The image generation device is provided with: a model arranging means (3,041) for arranging one or more models in a virtual three-dimensional space; a basic color varying means (3,042) for varying basic color information associated with each model; a color tone information changing means (3,043) for changing color tone information for determining the color tone of the model by associating it with the basic color information; and a rendering means (3,044) for rendering the model to the color tone associated with the color tone information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image generation apparatus capable of easily setting a model color in stereoscopic image display.

  Conventionally, in the field of computer graphics technology, the colors of objects and polygons to be displayed are determined by shading processing including texture mapping. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-195134, a source image which is a two-dimensional image in which colors change spatially and smoothly is generated, and a source corresponding to the color of each vertex of a given polygonal plane is generated. A position in the image is calculated, and an image in the polygon area in the source image having the calculated position in the source image as a vertex or in the polygon area circumscribing the polygon area is used as a texture image. An image processing method is disclosed in which a color is given to a polygonal plane so that the color smoothly changes spatially in the polygonal plane by texture mapping to the rectangular plane (Patent Document 1). Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-320585 discloses bilinear interpolation for corners of a quadrilateral region to render colors with a gradient (Patent Document 2).

According to such processing, the color of the polygon (quadrangular region) is determined by mapping the texture or setting the color at the vertex (corner) in advance. In all the prior arts, the basic colors of polygons are predetermined by the program designer.
JP-A-11-195134 (Patent Document 1, paragraph 0010) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-320585 (Patent Document 2, paragraph 0014)

  However, in the above conventional technique, the colors for all the vertices of the polygon constituting the object and all the textures to be mapped to the polygon must be individually specified at the design design stage. In particular, it is extremely complicated to specify all the colors and textures up to an object that forms a part of the background without giving a special texture or pattern, and the load of program design is too much.

  In addition, in order to map a wide variety of textures to all the polygons, it is necessary to store texture data for each texture type, and a large memory capacity is required.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image generation apparatus that can easily set and change the color of a model.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image generation apparatus according to the present invention includes a model arrangement unit that arranges one or more models in a virtual three-dimensional space, and a basic color variation unit that varies basic color information associated with each model. And a color tone information changing means for changing the color tone information for determining the color tone of the model in correspondence with the basic color information, and a rendering means for rendering the model in the color tone corresponding to the color tone information.

  The present invention also provides a computer with a function of arranging one or more models in a virtual three-dimensional space, a function of controlling variation of basic color information associated with each model, and a color tone of a model corresponding to the basic color information. This is an image generation program for executing a function for changing color information for determining color and a function for rendering a model in a color corresponding to the color information.

  According to the present invention, the basic color information is variably controlled when the color tone can be changed corresponding to the basic color information for each model. Then, the rendering process is performed with the tone determined for the model. Therefore, the color of the model is changed as a unit corresponding to the change of the basic color information.

  Here, the “model” is configured so that the color tone can be changed according to the basic color information, and coordinate transformation such as movement, rotation, enlargement / reduction, etc. can be independently performed in virtual three-dimensional. It may be a wire frame model or a solid model. For example, in the case of a surface model, it is defined by each polygon defining one object. In addition, the present invention can be applied to models defined by sweep, skin, skeleton, swivel, particle, Boolean operation, bone, muscle, metaball, and the like as models capable of color expression.

In particular, it is preferable that the model is a surface model defined by a set of a plurality of polygons. In the case of a surface model, color tone information is set for each polygon. This is because a surface model can express a change in color tone with a relatively small calculation load and is suitable for an apparatus with limited processing capability.
The “polygon” may be a flat surface (for example, a polygon) or a curved surface (a Bezier curved surface, a B-spline curved surface, a NURBS curved surface, etc.). The tone information set for each polygon may be set for one polygon (for example, flat shading) or may be set for a plurality (for example, for each vertex of the polygon) (for example, smooth shading). .

  Here, in order to generate a model image, the brightness of the surface color (including the color tone) is calculated for the polygons that make up the modeled three-dimensional shape in consideration of the viewpoint and the position and orientation of the light source. Although rendering is necessary, a color tone is set on the surface of the model separately from the color tone of the light source. In the present invention, the surface color of each polygon is originally set to an achromatic color and a predetermined luminance. Such a surface color is, for example, white or grayish white and has no saturation. Since the color tone information changing means of the present invention is configured to change the color tone information of each polygon at a time in correspondence with the basic color information, after all the model tone is changed to the color tone specified by the basic color information. The color of the polygon is set at a time, and the color of the entire model can be easily changed.

Here, “temporary” means not only simultaneous, but also includes setting the tone of a plurality of polygons in time for the update timing of the display image.
In addition to the case where one piece of color information is changed, the color information referred to here is a second color designating a chromatic color in addition to the first color information set to an achromatic color and a predetermined luminance. This includes the case where color tone information is newly set and the color tone specified by the first color tone information and the color tone specified by the second color tone information are combined and rendered to be rendered.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the basic color information is controlled to change so that the color tone of the model continuously changes. This is because if the color of the model changes continuously, that is, smoothly, there is little discomfort that suddenly changes color. Here, the case where the basic color information is changed step by step is included.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the color tone determined by the basic color information is controlled so as to be different for each model. According to the present invention, since it is possible to change the color tone in units of models, it is possible to display various colors according to the features and positions of the models.

  The gaming machine of the present invention is a gaming machine that changes the progress of the game in accordance with a lottery result, model placement means for placing one or more models in a virtual three-dimensional space, and a model corresponding to the lottery result. A basic color variation control means for controlling the basic color information associated with each color, a color information changing means for changing the color information for determining the color tone of the model corresponding to the basic color information, and a color tone corresponding to the color information. And a rendering means for rendering the model.

  Similarly, the image generation program of the present invention varies the basic color information associated with each model in association with the function of arranging one or more models in the virtual three-dimensional space and a predetermined lottery result on the computer. A control function, a function of changing color information for determining a color tone of a model in correspondence with basic color information, and a function of rendering a model in a color tone corresponding to color information are executed.

  According to the image generation technique of the present invention, the color tone can be changed in units of models as described above. In the present invention, the color tone changed in units of models is made to correspond to the lottery results. For this reason, it is possible to express the degree of expectation such as whether the lottery result is profitable to the player, whether it is profitable, or not profitable by the color of the model. For example, if the color change of the model is used for the advance notice of the lottery result, the player can expect the player to expect the lottery result to be a big hit because the color of the model has become a specific one. It is possible to hold them and increase the interest of the player.

  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 generation program of the present invention is stored in a storage medium and distributed. 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, since the color tone of the model can be set corresponding to the basic color information, it is possible to easily change the model color tone by changing the color tone of the model collectively by controlling the variation of the basic color information. It is possible to change the color and to provide a variety of model colors.

Hereinafter, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an example in which the image generation apparatus (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 an apparatus for changing a color tone of a model over time according to a predetermined sequence.
(Constitution)
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 on at least one effective line 22a to 22c is stopped 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 at the center of the lower 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, and output of sound from the speaker 71 are performed. Furthermore, 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, data, and the like as shown in a flowchart described later in the sub CPU 61. 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. Note that the ROM 62 and the RAM 63 may be the same as the ROM 52 and the RAM 53, respectively, but those having a larger capacity may be used.

  The image data ROM 65 stores original image data for generating image data such as a model (object, character), characters, and background to be rendered by 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 (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 the expectation of 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.

(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 is configured to be able to apply the model tone variation effect pattern of the present invention as part of the effect pattern.

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, a model data storage unit 3031, a basic color information storage unit 3032, a texture data storage unit 3033, and an image data generation unit. 304, an image data storage unit 305, and a display control unit 306. The image data generation unit 304 includes a model arrangement unit 3041, a basic color variation unit 3042, a tone change unit 3043, and a rendering unit 3044.

  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 model data storage unit 3031 and the texture data storage unit 3033 correspond to the image data ROM 65. The basic color information storage unit 3032 corresponds to the ROM 62. The image data storage unit 305 corresponds to the video RAM 66. Each configuration of the image data generation unit 304 and the display control unit 306 are functionally realized by a sub CPU 61 that executes the image generation program of the present invention 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 is a functional block that performs a series of controls on the image data generation unit 304 in order to display a display image corresponding to the production pattern selected by the production pattern selection unit 201. That is, the image control unit 301 determines the story on the image according to the effect pattern, determines the model to be displayed, and determines the movement of the model. Note that the image control unit 301 designates a model suitable for the effect pattern at each drawing timing, determines a viewpoint for perspective projection conversion of the model, and designates the state of the light source.

  The “drawing timing” is not limited, but in the present embodiment, it is determined according to the frame period (synchronization signal).

(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.

(Model data storage unit 3031)
The model data storage unit 3031 stores model data that is original data for modeling conversion for generating a stereoscopic image. The model data stores numerical information that defines the shape and arrangement of models (various objects) to be displayed in the virtual three-dimensional space. Several variations of the model data can be applied depending on the modeling method. In this embodiment, since a surface model is applied, each model data is an aggregate of polygon vertex coordinate information, which is a polygon that forms the outline of the model, with reference coordinates preset for each model as the origin. Yes. If each polygon is arranged at a relative position from the reference coordinates, the outer shape of the model is defined. In this model, the relative position (shape, orientation, size) of each polygon is three-dimensionally defined in a self-contained local coordinate system (body coordinate system, modeling coordinate system, object coordinate system).

(Basic color information storage unit 3032)
The basic color information storage unit 3032 stores basic color information associated with each model.
In the present embodiment, the “basic color” (base color) is a color tone set for one model. Information (numerical value, relative value) for designating this “basic color” is “basic color information”. The “basic color information” is information set so as to define the color tone of the entire model by setting one for a certain model. For example, the basic color information is a value set for each of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) (in the case of an 8-bit numerical value for each color, any value from 0 to 255, a 16-bit numerical value). In this case, the information takes any value between 0 and 65535).

  In particular, in the first embodiment, the basic color information defines a change in color tone with the passage of time since the start of the basic color change is designated for each model. The basic color information only needs to indicate the relationship between the elapsed time and the numerical value for each of R, G, and B, and may be stored in the form of a relation table or as relational expression information (see FIG. 10 and 11).

(Light source / viewpoint information storage unit 3033)
The light source / viewpoint information storage unit 3033 stores viewpoint information and light source information. This viewpoint information and light source information are output under the control of the image control unit 301.
Here, the viewpoint information is information for specifying a viewpoint for developing an object that has been subjected to modeling conversion and placed in the virtual three-dimensional space into a two-dimensional image. The light source information is information for setting a light source for visualizing an object by rendering processing.

  The viewpoint information is the viewpoint coordinates in the world coordinate system (global coordinate system). When the viewpoint position changes according to the effect pattern, a series of viewpoint information over time is recorded. The light source information includes the type of light source (infinite light source, point light source, spot light), light source position, light source brightness, light reach distance, light attenuation characteristics, light Color, ambient light intensity, etc. are set.

(Texture data storage unit 3034)
The texture data storage unit 3034 stores texture data that defines a texture to be mapped (expanded and pasted) to a model that has been subjected to modeling conversion, viewing conversion, and perspective projection conversion.

  Texture is data relating to a pattern, texture, and color that is mapped to the surface of a polygon, which is a set of vertex coordinates in the surface model. The texture data is image data created at a predetermined resolution for representing a pattern or the like, for example, image data in GIF format or PNG format. 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.

  In the present embodiment, the texture data is not essential because the model is colored by the rendering process based on the basic color information. However, when the rendering unit 3044 described later is configured to be able to synthesize (modulate) the tone and texture determined by the basic color, the model texture data is achromatic and has a predetermined luminance, for example, white. It is possible to use color texture data. When texture data is used, a texture expressing a texture or pattern can be mapped to the model.

(Image data storage unit 305)
The image data storage unit 305 includes an arrangement information storage layer 3051, a color tone information storage layer 3052, and an output image storage layer 3053.

  Among these, the arrangement information storage layer 3051 stores model arrangement information modeled and converted by the model arrangement unit 3041, that is, coordinate information in the world coordinate system for each vertex of the polygons constituting each model.

The color tone information storage layer 3052 stores color tone information set at the vertices of each polygon constituting the model in association with the basic color information. In this color tone information, numerical values of R, G, and B are defined for each vertex. The color tone information stores lighting density information and color tone information determined for each. That is, the illumination density information and the color tone information defined for each are stored in correspondence with the polygons constituting each model.
The output image storage layer 3053 stores model images (information) after being developed into two-dimensional coordinates corresponding to the display image space and each of which is rendered.

(Model placement means 3041)
The model placement unit 3041 is a functional block for placing one or more models in the virtual three-dimensional space.
Specifically, one or more objects displayed at the drawing timing and their arrangement in the virtual three-dimensional space are specified by the image control unit 301.

  The model placement unit 3041 reads model data of a model to be placed in the virtual three-dimensional space from the model data storage unit 3031. Then, the model arrangement unit 3041 executes a modeling conversion calculation process on the model data defined in the local coordinate system so that the arrangement in the virtual three-dimensional space at the current drawing timing designated by the image control unit 301 is performed. Defines the placement of the model in the virtual three-dimensional space defined by the coordinate system. By this coordinate transformation, arbitrary three-dimensional geometric transformation (translation, rotation, scale transformation, shear, reflection) is performed, and the position, orientation, size, etc. of the model are determined. For example, a vertex coordinate (x, y, z) in a local coordinate system of a certain polygon is changed to a vertex coordinate (X, Y, Z) in the world coordinate system by modeling conversion calculation. This vertex coordinate defines the vertex position in the virtual three-dimensional space.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of polygons constituting a model in this embodiment, that is, polygons.
As shown in FIG. 8, one polygon 520 constituting the model is defined by defining vertex coordinates. In FIG. 8, four vertices of vertices V1 to V4 are shown. Each vertex is defined by coordinate values (X1, Y1, Z1) to (X4, Y4, Z4) from reference coordinates defined in the world coordinate system.

  Here, in addition to the coordinate value of the vertex, tone information C1 to C4 for determining the color (hue, saturation, luminance (lightness)) at the vertex is set for each vertex. The information set for these vertices is collectively referred to as vertex information. The tone information is, for example, R, G, B component values (scalar values) or vector information. The vector information defines, for example, a vector in the normal direction of the vertex.

  Note that setting tone information for vertices is appropriate when applying smooth shading processing such as glow shading and phone shading. On the other hand, when the flat shading process is applied, it is only necessary to set one color tone information of the center point corresponding to the polygon.

(Basic color variation means 3042)
The basic color changing unit 3042 is a functional block that changes basic color information associated with each model.
The basic color changing unit 3042 refers to the basic color information storage unit 3032 and specifies basic color information that defines the color tone of a model to be displayed at each drawing timing. In the present embodiment, the basic color is not a fixed value but changes with time. In particular, in this embodiment, the basic color information is controlled to change so that the color tone of the model changes continuously. The basic color, that is, the color tone of the model, can be changed by combining any one or more of the hue, saturation, and luminance (lightness) of the model.

  FIG. 10 shows an example in which the hue of the basic color is changed according to the basic color information output by the basic color changing unit 3042. FIG. 10 shows changes in hue for each of three different models M1, M2, and M3. For example, in the model M1, the hue that was blue at time 0 changes with time (every drawing timing) and becomes red at time t1. Thereafter, the hue further changes, and the hue returns to blue again at time t2. Such changes are repeated periodically. In the other models M2 and M3, the variation period is the same as that of the model M1, but the hue of the model is controlled so that the hues at the same time are different from each other.

  FIG. 11 shows an example in which the saturation of the basic color is changed according to the basic color information output from the basic color changing means 3042. FIG. 11 shows changes in saturation for each of three different models M1, M2, and M3. For example, in the model M1, the saturation of 100% at time 0 changes over time (at each drawing timing), and reaches 10% saturation at time t1. Thereafter, the saturation further changes, and again returns to 100% saturation at time t2. Such changes are repeated periodically. The other models M2 and M3 have the same fluctuation cycle as that of the model M1, but the saturation of the models is controlled so that the saturations at the same time are different from each other.

  In addition, the luminance (brightness) may be changed according to basic color information. Further, two or more of hue, saturation, and luminance may be combined and changed. The color tone at the same time is controlled to be different for each model.

(Color tone information changing means 3043)
The color tone information changing unit 3043 is a functional block that changes the color tone information that determines the color tone of the model in association with the basic color information.
Specifically, the color tone information changing unit 3043 changes the color tone information of the model necessary for rendering based on the basic color information for each drawing timing determined by the basic color changing unit 3042. That is, the color of the model is determined by the color tone information included in the vertex information of each polygon constituting the model. Therefore, when the basic color is determined, the color tone information changing unit 3043 is applied to each of all the vertices in the model. Tone information is generated. The generated vertex information is stored in the color tone information storage layer 3052.

(Rendering means 3044)
The rendering unit 3044 is a functional block for rendering the model in a color tone corresponding to the color tone information.

  First, the rendering unit 3044 converts the arrangement of each model defined in the world coordinate system into a viewpoint coordinate system (viewing coordinate system) based on the viewpoint C set for the effect pattern. The viewing transformation is performed on each model. With this conversion, the model is defined in a coordinate system in which the position of the viewpoint C is the origin (0, 0, 0) and the depth direction is the Z-axis direction. At this time, it is too heavy to perform calculation processing on all models that fall within the viewing angle. For this reason, the rendering unit 3044 performs clipping processing. That is, in order to exclude a model that is too close or too far from a conversion target, the rendering unit 3044 sets a certain conversion range (view volume; view volume) in the virtual three-dimensional space, and is a model arranged in the view volume. Perform coordinate transformation only for.

  Next, the rendering unit 3044 performs normalization conversion processing on the model defined in the viewpoint coordinate system as necessary in order to facilitate the hidden surface removal processing. By performing this normalization transformation, for example, the coordinate value of the visual volume is simply defined in the range of -1.0 to +1.0 for the x and y components and in the range of 0 to +1.0 for the z component. become able to. The rendering unit 3044 performs a perspective projection calculation process on the model in the viewing volume, and calculates device coordinates on the projection plane (view screen) corresponding to the display area. At this time, if the models appear to overlap each other from the viewpoint, hidden line erasure for erasing the originally invisible line and hidden surface erasure for erasing the originally invisible surface are performed. A known painter algorithm, Z buffer method, scan line method, and ray tracing method can be applied to the hidden surface removal method.

  Next, the rendering unit 3044 generates an actual display image for each polygon assigned to the projection plane. First, in order to determine the color tone of the polygon itself, the color tone information stored in the color tone information storage layer 3052 is referred to. Next, light source information is read from the light source / viewpoint information storage unit 3033, and a vector operation is performed to modulate the color tone determined by the color tone information with light based on the light source information. If necessary, the rendering unit 3044 reads texture data for the texture developed on the surface of each polygon from the texture data storage unit 3032.

  The rendering unit 3044 maps the texture to the polygon of the model when the texture data exists. In order to adapt the texture to the shape of each polygon, affine transformation or the like is performed as necessary.

  Further, the rendering unit 3044 performs polygon shading based on the color tone information provided at each vertex. When performing glow shading, based on the calculation formula that includes factors such as the intensity of incident light, incident angle, specular reflectance, highlight characteristic coefficient, ambient light intensity, and environmental reflectance with respect to the tone information of each vertex. Find the tone of the vertex. Then, the tone of an arbitrary point in the polygon is calculated by linear interpolation from the tone of surrounding vertices. Also, when performing von shading, the normal vector of each vertex is averaged, the normal vector of an arbitrary point in the polygon is obtained by linear interpolation from the normal vector of surrounding vertices, and the color tone of the arbitrary point is calculated Calculate based on the formula.

  Note that the calculation may be further simplified by limiting the parameters of the calculation or simplifying the calculation formula. On the contrary, if the apparatus has a high calculation capability, a strict rendering calculation may be performed by applying a ray tracing method, a radiosity method, or the like.

  By these processes, the color tone at an arbitrary point of each polygon is determined, and the image data is generated. The rendering unit 3044 performs rendering processing on all polygons to generate frame image data. The generated image data is stored in the output image storage layer 3053. The display image based on the frame image data generated in this way is a single basic image, although there is a slight difference in brightness due to the different light source conditions depending on the orientation and position of the polygon. Since the color is uniformly reflected in the color tone information, the entire model is displayed with a color that is a uniform basic color.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of a model and a projection plane arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space.
As shown in FIG. 9, as a result of perspective projection conversion with the viewpoint C set in the virtual three-dimensional space as a reference, a projection plane 600 on which the virtual three-dimensional space is projected is obtained. Assume that models 500 and 510 are arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space by modeling processing. The model 500 is projected onto the projection plane 600 by perspective projection conversion, thereby forming a model image 602. In addition, the model 510 is projected onto the projection plane 600 to form a model image 612. The model 500 and the model 510 are provided with different basic color information, and have different color tones. The color tone of each model changes with time in the sequence shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, for example.

(Display control unit 306)
The display control unit 306 reads the frame image data stored in the output image data storage layer 3053 of the image data storage unit 305 at every drawing timing and transfers the frame image data 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 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. If it is not yet the drawing timing (NO), the process proceeds to step S211 and the display control unit 306 continues the display control based on the frame image data 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. The drawing timing may be set every frame period, or may be set every one or more frame periods.

  When the drawing timing is reached in step S202 (YES), the image control unit 301 proceeds to step S203 and checks whether or not the basic color variation processing flag according to the present invention is on. When the basic color variation processing flag is not turned on (NO), that is, when the basic color variation processing of the present invention is not performed, the process proceeds to step S211 and the display control unit 306 performs display control.

  On the other hand, if the basic color variation processing flag is turned on in step S203 (YES), the process proceeds to step S204, and the model placement unit 3041 of the image data generation unit 304 reads model data from the model data storage unit 3031. Then, modeling conversion calculation is performed on the vertex coordinates of each polygon to determine polygon coordinates in the world coordinate system. The determined vertex coordinates of the polygon are sequentially stored in the arrangement information storage layer 3051.

  Next, in step S205, the basic color changing unit 3042 of the image data generating unit 304 determines whether or not the model to be processed is a target model for changing the basic color. If it is not the target model for the basic color variation, the process proceeds to step S209, and the rendering unit 3044 performs the rendering process for the normal model.

  On the other hand, when the processing target model is the basic color variation target model in step S205 (YES), the process proceeds to step S206, and the basic color variation means 3042 stores the basic color information stored in the basic color information storage unit 3032. Refer to When the basic color variation pattern is based on the variation sequence in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11, the basic color variation unit 3042 specifies the hue, saturation, and luminance (brightness) at the next drawing timing for each model. . Then, the process proceeds to step S207, and the tone information changing unit 3042 uniformly changes the tone information for each of the vertexes of the polygons constituting the model for each model. By this process, for example, if the basic color is “blue”, a color tone of “blue” is assigned to all the polygons. In step S208, the color tone information changing unit 3042 stores the calculated color tone information in the color tone information storage layer 3052 as part of the vertex information. Through the processing so far, the color tone for each model is determined.

  When such color tone setting is completed, in step S209, the rendering unit 3044 of the image data generation unit 304 executes rendering processing. First, the rendering unit 3044 performs viewing conversion. A normalization transformation is then performed, followed by a perspective projection transformation. Then, necessary hidden line removal processing and hidden surface removal processing are executed.

  Next, the rendering unit 3044 reads light source information from the light source / viewpoint information storage unit 3033. When texture data exists, the texture data is read from the texture data storage unit 3032 in units of polygons. Then, shading processing is performed on each polygon to generate image data. In step S210, the rendering unit 3044 outputs the generated frame image data to the output image storage layer 3053. Finally, in step S211, the display control unit 306 outputs the frame image data stored in the output image storage layer 3053 to the effect display device 40.

(Advantages of Embodiment 1)
The first embodiment has the following advantages.
(1) In this embodiment, each model is configured to be able to change color tone in correspondence with basic color information. Therefore, if the program designer determines one basic color for each model, the color tone of the entire model can be easily set.

  (2) In the present embodiment, since the model is defined by a surface model, a change in color tone can be expressed with a relatively small calculation load.

  (3) In the present embodiment, the color tone determined by the basic color information is variably controlled so as to be different for each model, so that various colors can be displayed in accordance with the characteristics and position of the model.

  (4) In particular, according to the first embodiment, variation control is performed so that the color tone of the model continuously varies according to the variation sequence as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, so that a natural color change can be expressed. Therefore, it is possible to provide an interesting image display in which the basic color of the model changes sequentially.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the basic color variation of the model is linked to the lottery result of the gaming machine.

  Since the configuration of the gaming machine in the second embodiment is the same as that described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. However, from the main control board 50, it is assumed that all the lottery results by the combination lottery unit 103 are transferred to the sub-control board 60, and the basic color variation of the effect control unit 202 that receives the lottery results via the effect pattern selection unit 201. The means 3042 is configured to be able to determine the basic color of the model according to the lottery result.

このようにして決定された基本色は、色調変更手段３０４３によって各モデルを構成するポリゴンの頂点における色調情報として更新される。そしてレンダリング手段３０４４によって、視覚的に認識される色調として画像表示される。
演出表示装置４０の表示画像を観察する遊技者は、モデルの色調変化によって、現在のゲームにおける期待値を認識することになる。 In other words, the basic color changing unit 3042 is configured to determine one basic color according to whether the lottery result is “replay”, “special role”, or “small role”. Has been. Even if the lottery result is “losing”, the basic color is determined according to the degree of expectation. For example, in the arrangement of the reel groups 31, if the same symbol is not lined up in any effective line of the effective line group 22, a basic color indicating that the expected value is small is determined. If two identical symbols are arranged on any one of the effective lines, a basic color indicating that the expected value has slightly increased is defined as a so-called reach state. Further, if the same symbols are arranged on two or more active lines, a so-called double reach state is set to indicate a basic color indicating that the expected value has further increased. Table 1 shows an example of such basic color assignment.

The basic color determined in this way is updated as color tone information at the vertices of the polygons constituting each model by the color tone changing means 3043. The rendering unit 3044 displays an image as a visually recognized color tone.
A player who observes the display image of the effect display device 40 recognizes an expected value in the current game based on a change in the color tone of the model.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained, and the color tone changed for each model corresponds to the lottery result. As a result, the interest of the player can be increased.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the above and can be implemented with various modifications.
(1) For example, in the above embodiment, the basic color variation processing of the present invention is applied to the surface model (polygon), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a model defined by sweep, skin, skeleton, swivel, particle, Boolean operation, bone, muscle, metaball, and the like.

  (2) In the above embodiment, a planar polygon is applied to the polygon of the surface model, but it may be applied to a curved surface (Bézier curved surface, B-spline curved surface, NURBS curved surface, etc.).

  In the above embodiment, tone data is generated by smooth shading. However, flat shading that sets one tone for a polygon may be used.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the color tone information is changed according to the basic color information on the assumption that the color tone of the polygon is determined by one color tone information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is assumed that the first color tone information of an achromatic color with a predetermined luminance (white) is basically set in the polygon, and in addition, a second color designating a chromatic color corresponding to the basic color information. The color tone information may be set separately. In this case, the color tone specified by the first color tone information and the color tone specified by the second color tone information are combined and rendered.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a gaming machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a general apparatus including a computer that can execute a program related to the image processing apparatus / method. . For example, the present invention can be applied to a game device or a simulation device.

  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 Detailed functional block diagram of the production control unit Flow chart showing control by main control board The flowchart which shows the illumination process of the sub control board in embodiment Relationship diagram between polygon and each vertex coordinate Schematic explaining the relationship between model layout and display area in virtual 3D space This is an example of changing the basic color information. Example of changing the hue This is an example of setting the lighting color variation, and an example of changing the saturation.

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 Model data storage unit 3032 Basic color information storage unit 3033 Light source / viewpoint information storage unit 3034 Texture data storage unit 304 Image data generation unit 3041 Model placement unit 3042 Basic color variation unit 3043 Color tone change unit 3044 Rendering unit 305 Image data storage unit 3051 Arrangement information storage layer 3052 Color tone information storage layer 3053 Output image storage layer 306 Display control unit

Claims (8)

Model placement means for placing one or more models in a virtual three-dimensional space;
Basic color variation means for varying basic color information associated with each model;
Color tone information changing means for changing the color tone information for determining the color tone of the model corresponding to the basic color information;
Rendering means for rendering the model in a color tone corresponding to the color tone information;
An image generation apparatus comprising: The model is a surface model defined by a set of a plurality of polygons,
The tone information is set for each of the polygons.
The image generation apparatus according to claim 1. Each of the polygons constituting the model is set with the color tone information for rendering an achromatic surface color having a predetermined luminance,
The image generation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the color tone information changing unit is configured to change the color tone information of each of the polygons at a time in correspondence with the basic color information. The basic color information is variably controlled so that the color tone of the model continuously fluctuates.
The image generation apparatus according to claim 1.   The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color tone determined by the basic color information is variably controlled so as to be different for each model. A gaming machine that changes the progress of the game according to the lottery result,
Model placement means for placing one or more models in a virtual three-dimensional space;
Basic color variation control means for controlling variation of basic color information associated with each model in correspondence with the lottery result;
Color tone information changing means for changing the color tone information for determining the color tone of the model corresponding to the basic color information;
Rendering means for rendering the model in a color tone corresponding to the color tone information;
An image generation apparatus comprising: On the computer,
The ability to place one or more models in a virtual three-dimensional space;
A function to control variation of basic color information associated with each model;
A function of changing the color tone information for determining the color tone of the model corresponding to the basic color information;
A function of rendering the model in a color tone corresponding to the color tone information;
An image generation program for executing On the computer,
The ability to place one or more models in a virtual three-dimensional space;
A function to control variation of basic color information associated with each model in correspondence with a predetermined lottery result;
A function of changing the color tone information for determining the color tone of the model corresponding to the basic color information;
A function of rendering the model in a color tone corresponding to the color tone information;
An image generation program for executing

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