JP2008099891A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute an optimal display control at small loads in both of resources and processing in a game machine having a picture display device for displaying a picture. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine is provided with a display control part including a frame memory besides a control part. The control part sets performance data for a performance including a continuous performance continuing over a period longer than one game according to the proceedings of a game. When an error occurs, the game machine sets error display data displayed by moving a two-dimensional error object back and forth in a three-dimensional space. If the performance data are set by a timer interruption for every one frame period, polygons of objects included in the performance data are converted on screen coordinates, however, polygons positioned in the front of the error object are excluded from the display objects and the picture drawing command including the error object, and polygons positioned backward the error object is output on the display control part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine, and more particularly to a game having an image display device that displays an image and performing an effect of a type selected according to the progress of the game by displaying the image on the image display device. Related to the machine.

  A slot machine generally includes a variable display device having a plurality of (usually three) reels having a plurality of types of symbols as identification information drawn on the outer periphery, and each reel has a start lever by a player. Rotation is started by operating, and when the player operates a stop button provided corresponding to each reel, the rotation is stopped within a range of a predetermined maximum delay time from the operation timing. . Then, a prize is generated according to the display mode derived when the rotation of all the reels is stopped. In order for winning of each combination to occur, generally, a winning flag must be set by winning an internal lottery performed in advance (usually when the start lever is operated).

  The variable display device of the slot machine derives a display result corresponding to the setting state of the winning flag based on the result of the internal lottery. That is, in the variable display device, the symbol of the role corresponding to the set winning flag is not derived on the winning line, or the symbol of the role corresponding to the winning flag that is set is not derived on the winning line. The symbol that is derived only when the winning flag for a specific role is set (reach eyes), the symbol that is easily derived when the winning flag for a specific role is set (chance eye), Symbols (losing eyes) that are derived only when the winning flag is not set are derived.

  Although the result of the internal lottery in the slot machine is determined by internal determination, the slot machine is shown to the player to some extent according to the display result derived to the variable display device in this way. Is the original gameplay. However, it is difficult for beginners who are unfamiliar with games to distinguish between reach, chance and lose eyes. In addition, it is possible to determine whether or not the winning flag is set based on these, only if the winning flag is carried over to the next game if no winning is made (the winning flag is not carried over by the variable display device). Judging by eyes does not make sense.)

  Therefore, in many slot machines in recent years, in addition to the outcome of the variable display device, an effect according to the progress status of the game such as the setting status of the winning flag is performed. An image display device such as a liquid crystal display is widely used as an effect means for performing such an effect. Since the image display device can display not only animation images such as characters, but also characters and the like, it is not only used for producing effects according to the progress of the game, but also when an error occurs, an error display screen Has also been used for the purpose of displaying (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-191941 A (paragraphs 0058 and 0059)

  Of course, even if an error display screen is displayed when an error occurs, in order to resume the production before the error occurred after the error is released, the data for executing the production that was executed until then remains set. In the state, data for error display must be set. Then, it is necessary to finally display an error display screen on the image display device based on the error display data among the set data.

  In order to realize this, for example, in the slot machine of Patent Document 1, when an effect display screen is displayed according to the effect image data, if an error occurs, a warning image is further displayed so as to cover the effect image data. The error display screen is displayed on the image display device by covering the data. That is, when the error display screen is displayed, the effect image data is written in the same manner as when no error has occurred even though the effect display screen is not originally displayed.

  Patent Document 1 does not specifically show a method of putting an error display screen on the effect display screen. However, in addition to the warning image data for displaying the error display screen in this way, writing of effect image data is performed. If the image data is drawn with each layer as a separate layer, and the error display screen is used as the upper layer, the image memory is overlaid, and a separate frame memory is required for each layer, which requires a large storage capacity. Become.

  On the other hand, if only one frame memory is prepared, before the warning image data for displaying the originally displayed error display screen is written into the frame memory, the rendering image data that is not originally displayed is the frame memory. It will be written in. Since the image data for presentation is written in the frame memory and then the warning image data is overwritten in the frame memory, a large processing load is added to the writing of the image data that does not need to be displayed. .

  By the way, recently, the effect screen is not composed of a simple two-dimensional animation, but is composed of a three-dimensional animation based on perspective transformation of a polygon so that a more dynamic effect can be performed on the image display device. . In the three-dimensional animation, a fine image is displayed according to the number of polygons. Therefore, if a fine display is performed, the processing load for writing image data increases accordingly.

  In order to write the image data of the three-dimensional animation image in the frame memory, means (for example, a Z buffer) for determining the front-rear relationship of each polygon is required. When both the effect display screen and the error display screen are made to be three-dimensional animation images and are divided into different layers, a Z buffer is also required for each layer, and the required storage capacity is further increased. In addition, when only one frame memory is prepared and the warning image data is written after the production image data is written, it is necessary to refer to the Z buffer when writing the warning image data. growing.

  In addition, when only one frame memory is prepared and both the effect screen and the error display screen are 3D animation, when the polygons of both screens are handled in the same 3D space, the effect screen and the error display screen are displayed. May interfere. That is, if an object constituting the effect screen exists before the polygon of the object constituting the error display screen, the error display screen is disturbed by the movement of the object.

  In order to avoid this, it is sufficient to operate the object constituting the effect screen only within the range of the rear surface of the object constituting the error display screen, but at least the error display screen in the virtual three-dimensional space is constituted. The operation of the objects constituting the effect screen is restricted by the objects. On the other hand, if the size of the virtual three-dimensional space in which the object constituting the effect screen and the object constituting the error display screen are increased, the amount of calculation for perspective-transforming the object in the virtual three-dimensional space on the virtual screen May increase the processing load.

  An object of the present invention is to enable optimal display control with a small load in terms of resources and processing in a gaming machine having an image display device for displaying images.

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
A gaming machine (slot machine 1) having an image display device (liquid crystal display 4) for displaying an image,
The image data of each object set as a display target object is drawn in a frame memory (frame memory of the VRAM 127) for each predetermined frame period according to a parameter indicating the display priority set for each of the objects, and the frame Production control means (production control board 102 (especially CPU 121, VDP 126)) that outputs an image signal corresponding to the image data drawn in the memory every frame period;
A display drive circuit (a liquid crystal driver of the liquid crystal display 4) that outputs a drive signal corresponding to the image signal output from the effect control means and displays an image on the image display device;
The production control means includes
A parameter (Z value) indicating the priority of display, which is an object (polygon) corresponding to the selected type of effect, by selecting the type of effect by displaying the image on the image display device according to the progress of the game ) Effect selection means (steps S208, S209, S218, S226, S234, S239 → S304) for setting the object for which the object is set as a display target object;
The object corresponding to the type of the selected effect set as the display target object in the period from the selection of the effect type by display of the image by the effect selection means to the end of the effect of the selected type Display status determination means (steps S305 and S310) for determining whether or not the priority indicated in the parameter set in each of the parameters is within a predetermined range (smaller than the Z value of the error object / reel area object);
When the display status determining means determines that the priority is not within a predetermined range, an object whose priority indicated in the set parameter is not within the predetermined range is set as the display target object. And display object setting prohibiting means for prohibiting (steps S309 and S312).

  In the gaming machine according to the first aspect, image data corresponding to an object set as a display target object is drawn in a frame memory every predetermined frame period, and an image signal corresponding to the image data drawn in the frame memory is received. Each frame period is output to the display drive circuit, and an image is displayed on the image display device. Here, the writing of the image data to the frame memory is performed according to the priority indicated in the parameter set for each display target object.

  Here, during the period from the selection of the type of effect by display of the image to the end of the effect of the selected type, depending on the selected type of effect, unless prohibited by the display target setting prohibiting means The selected object is set as the display target object. By setting an object according to the selected effect as a display target object, an image of the selected effect can be displayed on the image display device. Here, the image data of the object set as the display target object is drawn in the frame memory every predetermined frame period, so that it is possible to display an effect image selected by one frame of moving image in the predetermined frame period. .

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the priority indicated in the parameter set for each object according to the type of the selected effect is not within the predetermined range in the period until the effect of the selected type ends. An object whose priority indicated by the parameter is not within a predetermined range is prohibited from being set as the display target object.

  Here, for example, if another object for which a parameter indicating a priority higher than the priority included in the predetermined range is set may be set as the display target object, the display target object is set. In addition, the image data of the object corresponding to the type of effect selected with respect to the image data of the other object is not drawn in the frame memory, and the image display apparatus can be prevented from interfering with each other.

  If another object is set as a display target object, the object of the selected type is used to leave the image data of the other object in the frame memory as the image data of the image to be finally displayed on the image display device. And other objects need not be treated as separate layers. For this reason, there is no waste of preparing a frame memory for each layer, and the resource load is small.

  Further, in the period until the selected type of production ends, it is determined that the priority indicated in the parameter set for each object according to the type of the selected production is not within a predetermined range. However, it is only prohibited that an object corresponding to the selected type of effect is set as a display target object, and the selection of the effect type itself is not invalidated. For this reason, even after the object corresponding to the selected type of performance is once prohibited from being set as a display target object, no extra processing load is applied when the prohibition is no longer necessary.

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the second aspect of the present invention provides:
A gaming machine (slot machine 1) having an image display device (liquid crystal display 4) for displaying an image,
The image data of each object set as a display target object is drawn in a frame memory (frame memory of the VRAM 127) for each predetermined frame period according to a parameter indicating the display priority set for each of the objects, and the frame Production control means (production control board 102 (especially CPU 121, VDP 126)) that outputs an image signal corresponding to the image data drawn in the memory every frame period;
A display drive circuit (a liquid crystal driver of the liquid crystal display 4) that outputs a drive signal corresponding to the image signal output from the effect control means and displays an image on the image display device;
The production control means includes
A parameter (Z value) indicating the priority of display, which is an object (polygon) corresponding to the selected type of effect, by selecting the type of effect by displaying the image on the image display device according to the progress of the game ) Effect selection means (steps S208, S209, S218, S226, S234, S239 → S304) for setting the object for which the object is set as a display target object;
The object corresponding to the type of the selected effect set as the display target object in the period from the selection of the effect type by display of the image by the effect selection means to the end of the effect of the selected type Display status determination means (steps S305 and S310) for determining whether or not the priority indicated in the parameter set in each of the parameters is within a predetermined range (smaller than the Z value of the error object / reel area object);
When the display status determining means determines that the priority is not within a predetermined range, when the object corresponding to the selected type of effect is set as the display target object, the selected type of effect is selected. And a parameter resetting unit (modification of steps S309 and S312) for resetting a parameter set to the corresponding object to a parameter of a priority included in the predetermined range.

  In the gaming machine according to the second aspect, image data corresponding to an object set as a display target object is drawn in a frame memory every predetermined frame period, and an image signal corresponding to the image data drawn in the frame memory is received. Each frame period is output to the display drive circuit, and an image is displayed on the image display device. Here, the writing of the image data to the frame memory is performed according to the priority indicated in the parameter set for each display target object.

  Here, during the period from the selection of the type of effect by display of the image to the end of the effect of the selected type, depending on the selected type of effect, unless prohibited by the display target setting prohibiting means The selected object is set as the display target object. By setting an object according to the selected effect as a display target object, an image of the selected effect can be displayed on the image display device. Here, the image data of the object set as the display target object is drawn in the frame memory every predetermined frame period, so that it is possible to display an effect image selected by one frame of moving image in the predetermined frame period. .

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the priority indicated in the parameter set for each object according to the type of the selected effect is not within the predetermined range in the period until the effect of the selected type ends. The parameter of the object is reset to the priority parameter included in the predetermined range.

  Here, for example, if another object for which a parameter indicating a priority higher than the priority included in the predetermined range is set may be set as the display target object, the display target object is set. In addition, the image data of the object corresponding to the type of effect selected with respect to the image data of the other object is not drawn in the frame memory, and the image display apparatus can be prevented from interfering with each other.

  If another object is set as a display target object, the object of the selected type is used to leave the image data of the other object in the frame memory as the image data of the image to be finally displayed on the image display device. And other objects need not be treated as separate layers. For this reason, there is no waste of preparing a frame memory for each layer, and the resource load is small.

  Further, in the period until the selected type of production ends, it is determined that the priority indicated in the parameter set for each object according to the type of the selected production is not within a predetermined range. However, it is only prohibited that an object corresponding to the selected type of effect is set as a display target object, and the selection of the effect type itself is not invalidated. For this reason, even after the object corresponding to the selected type of performance is once prohibited from being set as a display target object, no extra processing load is applied when the prohibition is no longer necessary.

  Note that the gaming machine according to the second aspect may not include the display status determination unit, and in this case, the parameter resetting unit may select the selection set as the display target object. Regardless of whether or not the priority shown in the parameter set for each object according to the type of the effect is within a predetermined range, the parameter set for the object according to the selected type of effect is The priority parameter included in the predetermined range may be reset.

In the gaming machine according to the first and second aspects,
When another object is set as a display target object, the presentation control unit sets the processing order of the objects according to the selected type of presentation set as the display target object. The display control is performed so that an object other than the object corresponding to the selected type of presentation is processed as the display target object before the object corresponding to the selected type of presentation without specifying Processing order designating means (step S313) for designating the processing order to the means can be further included.

  In this case, the image data of the other object for which the parameter with the higher priority indicated is set in the frame memory first than the priority indicated in the parameter set for the object according to the type of the selected effect. Will be drawn. For this reason, the process of drawing the image data of the object corresponding to the selected type of effect that does not remain in the frame memory finally becomes unnecessary, and the processing load can be further reduced.

In the gaming machine according to the first and second aspects,
The display status determining means includes error determining means for determining whether or not an error has occurred in the game in the gaming machine (step S202 (error command reception determination)), and an error has occurred by the error determining means. Is determined as to whether the priority indicated in the parameter set for each of the objects corresponding to the selected type of effect set as the display target object is within a predetermined range ( Step S309),
The production control means, when it is determined by the error determination means that an error has occurred, shows an image for notifying the occurrence of the error and has a higher priority than the priority included in the predetermined range. It may further include error object setting means (steps S240 → S308) for setting an error object for which a parameter to be set is set as a display target object.

  When an error occurs in this way, the error object is set with a parameter indicating a priority higher than the priority included in the predetermined range, so that the display target object is not prohibited by the display target setting prohibiting means. And an image for notifying the occurrence of an error can be displayed on the image display device. On the other hand, the display status determination means determines whether or not the priority indicated in the parameter set for each object according to the selected type of effect is within a predetermined range at least when an error occurs.

  By performing this determination, an object in which the priority indicated in the set parameter is in a predetermined range (that is, in a range in which the priority is lower than the parameter set in the error object) interferes with the error object. It will not be displayed. In the case of the gaming machine according to the second aspect, all parameters corresponding to the selected type of production are reset to a range lower than the priority of the error object. The corresponding object is no longer displayed by interfering with the error object

The gaming machine according to the first and second aspects is as follows.
A game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using a game value (medal), and a variable display device (variable display device 2) that displays a plurality of types of identification information in a variable manner. The slot machine (slot machine 1) may be one in which one game is completed by deriving the display result in () and winning can be generated according to the display result derived to the variable display device. here,
In the image display device, at least a part of the region is arranged as a transmission region (reel region) on the front surface of the variable display device, and the identification information displayed by the variable display device by setting the image of the transmission region to a transmission color Can be a transmissive display device that shows through to the player,
The display status determination means may include game period determination means (step S202 (reception determination of winning status notification command and winning command)) for determining whether or not it is a period from the start to the end of one game. . In this case,
The effect control means is a transparent color object corresponding to the transparent area and is included in the predetermined range when the game period determination means determines that the period is from the start to the end of one game. It may further include a transparent area object setting means (steps S215 → S311) for setting a transparent area object in which a parameter indicating a higher priority than the priority is set as the display target object.

  In this case, in a period from the start to the end of one game, a transparent area object in which a parameter indicating a priority higher than a priority included in a predetermined range is displayed in the transparent area of the transparent display device. Since it is set as the target object, the visibility of the variable display device on the rear surface of the transmissive area can be ensured. The image display device may be any device as long as it can transmit the identification information displayed by the variable display device to the player in the period from the start to the end of one game with the image of the transparent region as the transparent color. Depending on the images displayed in other periods, the identification information displayed by the variable display device may not be shown to the player.

Here, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect,
The display target setting prohibiting means has a priority indicated in the set parameter for the object in the transparent area when the game period determining means determines that the period is from the start to the end of one game. It may be prohibited to set an object not within the predetermined range as the display target object (step S312). And since the object according to the selected effect is not set as a display target object if it is in the transparent area, a transparent color image will be displayed.

On the other hand, in the gaming machine according to the second aspect,
The parameter resetting means, when the game period determining means determines that it is a period from the start to the end of one game, the object according to the selected type of effect for the object in the transparent area When setting as a display target object, the parameter set to the object corresponding to the selected type of effect can be reset to the priority parameter included in the predetermined range (step S312). Deformation).

  In these cases, the object corresponding to the selected type of effect is not set as a display target object if it is within the transparent region, so the image of the object corresponding to the selected type of effect is an image of the transparent region of the transparent color. It will not happen to interfere with.

When the gaming machine also includes the error object setting means, the priority indicated by the parameter set for the transparent area object is higher than the priority indicated by the parameter set for the error object. can do.
Here, the processing order designating means may designate the processing order to the display control means so that the transparent area object is processed before the error object (step S313).

The gaming machine according to the first and second aspects is as follows.
A game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using a game value (medal), and a variable display device (variable display device 2) that displays a plurality of types of identification information in a variable manner. The slot machine (slot machine 1) may be one in which one game is completed by deriving the display result in () and winning can be generated according to the display result derived to the variable display device. here,
In the image display device, at least a part of the region is arranged as a transmission region (reel region) on the front surface of the variable display device, and the identification information displayed by the variable display device by setting the image of the transmission region to a transmission color It is possible to provide a transmissive display device that is transmitted to and shown to the player. In this case,
The display drive circuit may output a drive signal corresponding to a transmissive color as a drive signal at least in the transmissive region when no image signal is input from the display control means.

  As a result, even if an image signal is not output from the display control means, the image of the transmissive area of the transmissive display device has a transmissive color, so that the visibility of the variable display device on the rear surface of the transmissive area can be secured. it can.

  In the case of applying a transmissive display device in which at least a part of the image display device is disposed in front of the variable display device as a transmissive region, the image of the transmissive region has a transmissive color. An image may not be displayed in the area. In addition, when a transparent color is to be displayed in the transmissive area during the period from the start to the end of one game, the variable display device on the rear surface of the transmissive area is composed of a plurality of variable display units, some of which are variably displayed. In the state where the variable display is not stopped by the other part, the transparent color may be displayed in the area corresponding to the variable display portion in the variable area where the variable display has not been stopped yet. it can.

  In the gaming machine according to the first and second aspects, the predetermined frame period is a period of a number of frames that does not hinder the display of a moving image by an image of each frame period. Preferably there is. For example, if one frame period is 1/30 second, the predetermined frame period is a period of about 1, 2, or 3 frames, but if the predetermined frame period is one frame period, this period is also That is 1/30 second.

  In the gaming machine according to the first and second aspects, the effect by displaying the image on the image display device can be, for example, an effect by displaying a three-dimensional moving image. Here, the parameter set to each object can be a Z value in the screen coordinates obtained by perspective-transforming each object on the virtual screen by the virtual camera and converting the coordinates of the virtual three-dimensional space. In this case, an object having a Z value close to the virtual camera in the clipping range between the front clip plane (virtual screen) and the rear clip plane has a higher parameter priority.

  When an error object is set, the predetermined parameter range refers to a range of Z values that are farther from the Z value of the position of the error object. In the case where a transparent region object is set, the predetermined range of the parameter means a range of Z values that are far from the Z value of the position of the transparent region object.

  In order to display a three-dimensional moving image on the image display device in this way, conversion of the coordinates of the virtual three-dimensional space to screen coordinates by perspective transformation or rendering the Z value of each object before image data is drawn in the frame memory. Since a relatively large amount of processing such as comparison of Z values written in the Z buffer is required, the effect of the present invention is most noticeable.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall structure of the slot machine according to this embodiment. The front door of the slot machine 1 can be opened by inserting a key into the locking device 19 and rotating it clockwise. On the upper front side of the slot machine 1, a variable display device 2 is provided on the rear surface of a liquid crystal display 4 described later. Inside the variable display device 2, a reel unit 3 including three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is provided. The reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are rotated / stopped by driving the reel motors 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR (see FIG. 2), respectively.

  On the outer peripheries of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, a plurality of types of mutually distinguishable symbols such as “7”, “BAR”, “JAC”, “watermelon”, “cherry”, “bell” are arranged in a predetermined order. It is drawn. The reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are white except for the portions on which these symbols are drawn, and transmit light with high transmittance. The portion on which the pattern is drawn also transmits light according to the color of the pattern. The symbols drawn on the outer peripheries of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are displayed on the variable display device 2 in the upper, middle, and lower three stages.

  In the reel unit 3, for each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, reel sensors 3SL, 3SC, 3SR (see FIG. 2) for detecting the reference position, and a reel lamp 3LP (FIG. 2) for irradiating light from the back surface. 2). The light emitted from the reel lamp 3LP is white light. In this slot machine 1, in any game state, the game can be started only when the bet number is set to 3, and a total of 5 winning lines, 3 in the upper, middle and lower tiers and 2 in the diagonal line, are provided. Is set.

  On the front side of the variable display device 2, a liquid crystal display 4 is provided as a production means. The liquid crystal display 4 is configured by sealing liquid crystal between liquid crystal panels in which a plurality of pixels in which RGB color filters are arranged in a predetermined order is formed in a matrix, and a liquid crystal driver (not shown) The transmittance of light is changed by changing the alignment state of the liquid crystal by controlling the voltage of each pixel by driving. Each of the RGB pixels transmits R (red), G (green), or B (blue) light among the white light of the reel lamp 3LP serving as a backlight according to the alignment state of the liquid crystal, and the variable display device 2 Display a color image in front of

  The liquid crystal display 4 displays images for various effects according to the gaming state, the setting status of the winning flag, the type of symbols derived to the variable display device 2, and the like. The liquid crystal display 4 can display various information directly or indirectly related to the game, as in the case of displaying an error image when an error occurs. The liquid crystal display 4 has a larger vertical width than the variable display device 2, but the variable display device 2 is provided during the game from the start of rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R to the stop of rotation. In each pixel in a region corresponding to the position (hereinafter referred to as a reel region), the alignment state of the liquid crystal is controlled so that light is completely transmitted except for those blocked by the color filter.

  Various display units are provided around the variable display device 2 and the liquid crystal display 4. Above the variable display device 2 and the liquid crystal display 4, a game number display unit 21, a credit display unit 22, and a payout display unit 23 are provided. The game number display unit 21 is configured by a game number display 51 (see FIG. 2) using a 7-segment display, and counts the number of games and the number of winnings in a regular bonus (including a case where it is provided during a big bonus) described later. The counter value to be displayed is displayed. The game number display unit 21 may be used to display the value of a counter that counts the number of medals paid out during a big bonus, which will be described later. Furthermore, the game number display unit 21 is also used to display a code (error code) corresponding to the type of error that has occurred.

  The credit display unit 22 includes a credit display 52 (see FIG. 2) using a 7-segment display, and displays the number of credits accumulated as data according to the number of inserted medals and the number of paid-out coins as will be described later. The payout display unit 23 is composed of a 7-segment display payout display 53 (see FIG. 2), and displays the number of medals to be paid out when winning is achieved.

  On the left side of the variable display device 2 and the liquid crystal display 4, a single bet display unit 24, two bet display units 25 and 26, and three bet display units 27 and 28 are provided. The 1-sheet, 2-sheet, and 3-sheet betting display sections 24 to 28 indicate that each of the 1-sheet, 2-sheet, and 3-sheet betting lamps 54 to 58 (see FIG. 2) is turned on corresponding to the winning line. The winning line in the game is shown to the player. The 1-sheet, 2-sheet, 3-sheet betting display sections 24 to 28 are also configured so that the 1-sheet, 2-sheet, 3-sheet betting lamps 54-58 are in a blinking state when a winning combination to be described later is made, The winning line that won the role described later is shown to the player.

  On the right side of the variable display device 2 and the liquid crystal display 4, a loading instruction display unit 29, a start display unit 30, a weight display unit 31, a replay display unit 32, and a game over display unit 33 are provided. . The insertion instruction display unit 29 indicates that a medal can be inserted by turning on the insertion instruction lamp 59 (see FIG. 2). The start display unit 30 indicates that the start lamp 60 (see FIG. 2) is turned on, so that the start can be started, that is, the operation of the start lever 11 can be accepted. The weight display unit 31 indicates that a weight to be described later is applied when the weight lamp 61 (see FIG. 2) is turned on. The replay display unit 32 indicates that a replay winning to be described later has been made when the replay lamp 62 (see FIG. 2) is in a lighting state. The game over display unit 33 indicates that the slot machine 1 has been stopped by turning on the game over lamp 63 (see FIG. 2).

  Further, on the horizontal surface of the trapezoidal portion provided below the variable display device 2 and the liquid crystal display 4, a medal slot 13, a single BET button 14, a MAXBET button 15, a settlement button 16, and an effect mode A switching button 17 is provided. The BET button lamps 70a and 70b (see FIG. 2) that are turned on when the number of bets can be set from the credits (maximum 50) accumulated as data are arranged inside the single BET button 14 and the MAX BET button 15. Has been.

  The medal insertion slot 13 is for a player to insert a medal from here, and when insertion of a medal is detected by the insertion medal sensor 44 (see FIG. 2) when the insertion instruction display unit 29 is lit, A bet number is set or credits are stored as data. The single BET button 14 and the MAX BET button 15 are buttons operated by the player when setting the number of bets (1, 3 respectively) from the credits accumulated as data. When detected by the sheet BET switch 45 (see FIG. 2) or the MAXBET switch 46 (see FIG. 2), the number of bets from the credit is set. The settlement button 16 is a button for instructing to pay out credits. When an operation is detected by the settlement switch 47 (see FIG. 2), medals corresponding to credits accumulated as data are paid out.

  A start lever 11 and stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are provided on the vertical surface of the trapezoidal portion. The start lever 11 is operated by the player when starting the game. When the operation is detected by the start switch 41 (see FIG. 2), the reel drive motors 3ML, 3MC, 3MR are started to be driven. 3L, 3C, and 3R start to rotate. When the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R can be operated when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R start to rotate, operation enable lamps 63L, 63C, and 63R (FIG. 2) provided therein are provided. (See) is lit, and the player is informed.

  The stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are buttons that the player operates to stop the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R at a desired timing, respectively, and the operations are stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R (see FIG. 2). Is detected, the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped. The maximum stop delay time from the operation of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R to the stop of rotation of the corresponding reels 3L, 3C, 3R is 190 milliseconds.

  The reels 3L, 3C and 3R rotate 80 times per minute and change the design of 80 x 21 (number of symbols per reel) = 1680 frames, so a maximum of 4 symbols in 190 milliseconds Can be pulled in. That is, the stop symbols selected by the stop control table described later are the symbols displayed when the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are operated, and the symbols that are four frames ahead of them, for a total of five frames. It is a design.

  Further, a panel that covers the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R is applied as the bonus notification section 36. The bonus notifying unit 36 notifies the player that the bonus notification lamp 66 (see FIG. 2) is turned on, so that a regular bonus winning and a big bonus winning to be described later are possible. Further, on the right side of the stop button 12R, there is provided a medal clogging elimination button 18 that mechanically vibrates the slot machine 1 when a medal is jammed.

  On the lower front side of the slot machine 1, a medal payout port 71 and a medal storage tray 72 are provided. The medal payout port 71 discharges medals paid out by the hopper 80 (see FIG. 2) to the outside. The medal storage tray 72 is for storing paid-out medals. The front panel on the medal storage tray 72 is irradiated with light emitted from the fluorescent lamp 6 (see FIG. 2) installed therein.

  Speakers 7U, 7L, and 7R are provided as rendering means on the lower front side of the slot machine 1 and on the left and right sides of the upper front side, respectively. The speakers 7U, 7L, and 7R output start sounds when the start lever 11 is operated, output sound effects when winning, big bonus entry, and regular bonus entry, and further alarm sounds when abnormal In addition to the output of the above, the sound for various effects according to the gaming state is output.

  Further, on the front side of the slot machine 1, an effect by light is performed by light emission of game effect lamps 75 </ b> A to 75 </ b> M (see FIG. 2) as effect means so as to surround the variable display device 2 and the liquid crystal display 4. Game effect display sections 5A to 5M are provided. The game effect display units 5A to 5M perform effects by light in various patterns according to the progress of the game. Note that the light emission colors of the game effect display units 5A to 5M may be either single colors or multiple colors.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the control circuit of the slot machine 1. As shown in the figure, the control circuit of the slot machine 1 includes a power supply board 100, a game control board 101, an effect control board 102, a reel relay board 103, a reel lamp relay board 104, an external output board 105, and an effect relay board 106. It is divided roughly.

  The power supply board 100 transforms an external power supply voltage of AC 100V and supplies operating power to the game control board 101 and other parts of the slot machine 1. In FIG. 2, only the game control board 101, the hopper 80, and the switches 91 to 94 are connected, but the power supply board 100 also supplies power to other units. The power supply board 100 is provided in the slot machine 1 and is connected to a hopper 80 that includes a hopper motor 82 that performs a medal payout operation and a payout sensor 81 that detects a medal payout operation.

  The power supply board 100 sets a winning probability for an internal lottery to be described later, and a setting switch 91 and a setting switch 91 for changing setting values (setting 1 to setting 6) of medal payout rates calculated based on the probability. Are connected to a setting key switch 92 for enabling the operation, a second reset switch 93 for resetting the internal state (RAM 112), and a main switch 94 for switching the power ON / OFF, and detection of these switches. A signal is sent to the game control board 101. These switches 91 to 94 are provided inside the slot machine 1.

  The game control board 101 is a control board on the main side that controls the overall flow of the game in the slot machine 1, and includes a control unit 110 including a CPU 111, a RAM 112, a ROM 113, and an I / O port 114. It is installed. Further, a random number generation circuit 115, a sampling circuit 116, a power supply monitoring circuit 117, a reset circuit 118, and other circuits are mounted.

  The CPU 111 has an interrupt function (including an interrupt prohibition function) such as a timekeeping function and a timer interrupt, and executes a program (described later) stored in the ROM 113 to perform processing related to the progress of the game, and in the slot machine 1 Control each part of the control circuit directly or indirectly. The RAM 112 is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes a program. The ROM 113 stores programs executed by the CPU 111 and fixed data. The I / O port 114 inputs and outputs control signals to and from each circuit connected to the game control board 101.

  The random number generation circuit 115 is configured by a counter that counts up and updates the value every time a predetermined number of pulses are generated, as will be described later, and the sampling circuit 116 acquires the numerical value counted by the random number generation circuit 115. . The random number generation circuit 115 is provided for each type of random number used for the progress of the game, and a range of numerical values to be counted for each type of random number is determined. The CPU 111 sends an instruction to the sampling circuit 116 according to the processing to acquire the numerical value indicated by the random number generation circuit 115 as a random number (hereinafter, this function is referred to as a hardware random number function). As a random number for internal lottery described later, a numerical value obtained by processing a numerical value extracted by the hardware random number function by software is used.

  The power monitoring circuit 117 monitors the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply substrate 100, and outputs a voltage drop signal to the control unit 110 when detecting a voltage drop. Although not particularly shown, the control unit 110 includes an interrupt input terminal connected to the power supply monitoring circuit 117, and an external interrupt is generated in the CPU 111 when a voltage drop signal is input to the interrupt input terminal. The CPU 111 executes a power interruption interrupt process.

  The reset circuit 118 outputs a reset signal when the voltage rises to a level at which the control unit 110 can be activated when the power is turned on to start the control unit 110, and generates a signal periodically output from the control unit 110. When the count is incremented without being cleared based on the reset counter, that is, when the control unit 110 does not operate for a certain time, a reset signal is output to the control unit 110 and the control unit 110 is restarted. .

  The CPU 111 also has a function of updating the numerical value of the specific address in the RAM 112 by timer interrupt processing and acquiring the updated numerical value as a random number (hereinafter, this function is referred to as a software random number function). The CPU 111 transmits various commands to the effect control board 102 via the I / O port 114. Note that information (commands) is sent from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102 only in one direction, and no information (commands) is sent from the effect control board 102 to the game control board 101.

  Connected to the game control board 101 are a single BET switch 45, a MAXBET switch 46, a start switch 41, stop switches 42L, 42C, 42R, a settlement switch 47, a first reset switch 48, and a throw-in medal sensor 44. Detection signals from the switches / sensors are input. In addition, detection signals of the reel sensors 3SL, 3SC, and 3SR are input via the reel relay substrate 103. In accordance with the detection signals of these switches / sensors input via the I / O port 114 or the detection signals of various switches input via the power supply board 100 as described above, the CPU 111 on the game control board 101 Processing is in progress.

  The game control board 101 also includes a flow path switching solenoid 49, a game number display 51, a credit display 52, a payout display 53, a loading instruction lamp 59, a single betting lamp 54, two betting lamps 55, 56, Three betting lamps 57 and 58, a game over lamp 63, a start lamp 60, a replay lamp 62, BET button lamps 70a and 70b, and operation valid lamps 63L, 63C, and 63R are connected, and the CPU 111 follows the progress of the game. These operations are controlled.

  The game control board 101 is connected to reel motors 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR via a reel relay board 103. The CPU 111 controls the reel motors 3ML, 3MC, 3MR via the reel relay substrate 103 and stops the reels 3L, 3C, 3R with reference to a winning flag set in the RAM 112 by an internal lottery to be described later. An effect control board 102 is further connected to the game control board 101 via an effect relay board 106.

  The effect relay board 106 is a board provided to ensure one-way information transmitted from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102. The effect relay board 106 does not check the game control board 101 and the effect control board 102 by checking this state, and an illegal signal (especially an external input to the effect control board 102 is input to the control unit 110 of the game control board 101). It is possible to check whether or not a modification has been made such that a signal is input).

  The effect control board 102 is a sub-side control board that controls the execution of effects in the slot machine 1, and includes a control unit 120 including a CPU 121, a RAM 122, a ROM 123, and an I / O port 124, a VRAM 126, A display control unit 125 including a VRAM 127 is mounted.

  The CPU 121 of the control unit 120 executes a program (described later) stored in the ROM 123 to perform processing related to the execution of the effect, and controls each circuit in the effect control board 102 and each circuit connected thereto. The performance is performed based on a command received from the game control board 101 via the I / O port 124. The CPU 121 also has a software random number function by interrupt processing, like the CPU 111 of the game control board 101. The CPU 121 also has a function of outputting a drawing command to the VDP 126 of the display control unit 125.

  The RAM 122 is used as a work area when the CPU 121 executes a program. The configuration of the RAM 122 will be described later. The ROM 123 stores programs executed by the CPU 121 and fixed data. The effect data stored in the ROM 123 will be described later. The I / O port 124 inputs and outputs control signals to and from each circuit (excluding the liquid crystal display 4) connected to the effect control board 102.

  The effect control board 102 is connected with game effect lamps 75A to 75M, a liquid crystal display 4, speakers 7L, 7R, and 7U, a fluorescent lamp 6, a weight lamp 61, and a bonus notification lamp 66. A reel lamp 3LP is connected via a reel lamp relay substrate 104. The control unit 120 of the effect control board 102 controls each of these parts (excluding the liquid crystal display 4) to perform effects.

  The VDP 126 of the display control unit 125 draws image data in a frame memory formed in the VRAM 127 according to a drawing command output from the CPU 121. The VRAM 127 is formed of two frames of frame memory for drawing image data of an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 4, one of which is for writing image data and the other is for reading image data. Thus, writing and reading are alternately switched every frame period. In the frame memory that is switched for writing, all image data drawn by the switching is cleared.

  The VRAM 127 is provided with a Z buffer. Since the Z buffer is used only when writing image data, it is not necessary to prepare two Z buffers unlike the frame memory. The VRAM 127 is further provided with an area for temporarily storing data delivered from the CPU 121 (polygon data delivered with a drawing command outputted from the CPU 121).

  The VDP 126 also sequentially reads the image data written in the reading frame memory at the same time as writing the image data in the writing frame memory in each frame period, and outputs a predetermined signal to the image signal corresponding to the read image data. A synchronization signal is added and output to the liquid crystal driver of the liquid crystal display 4. The liquid crystal driver outputs a drive signal corresponding to the image signal input from the VDP 126 to each pixel of the liquid crystal display 4, controls the voltage of each pixel, and changes the alignment state of the liquid crystal to thereby display an arbitrary color image. One image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 one frame period.

  The reel relay board 103 relays between the game control board 101, the external output board 105 and the reel unit 3. The reel relay substrate 103 is also connected with a full sensor 90, and its detection signal is input. The full tank sensor 90 is provided inside the slot machine 1 and detects that the medals in the overflow tank storing the medals overflowed from the hopper 80 are full.

  The reel lamp relay board 104 relays between the effect control board 102 and the reel unit 3. The external output board 105 is connected to an external device such as a hall management computer and receives a big bonus medium signal, regular bonus medium signal, reel control signal, stop signal input from the game control board 101 via the reel relay board 103. The switch signal, medal IN signal, medal OUT signal, and winning status signal are output to the external device.

  In the slot machine 1, a winning is awarded when the winning symbols are arranged on any winning line of the variable display device 2. The types of winning combinations are determined according to the gaming status, but can be broadly divided into special roles with transition to special gaming status (regular bonus, big bonus) and small roles with medal payout ( Watermelon, bell, cherry) and replaying player (replay) that allows the next game to be started without the need to set the number of bets. Here, the types of winning combinations will be described in detail.

  The regular bonus is awarded when a combination of “BAR-BAR-BAR” is aligned on any of the winning lines in the normal gaming state. When the regular bonus is won, the gaming state shifts from the normal gaming state to the regular bonus. The regular bonus ends when 12 games are consumed, or when 8 games are won (any kind of combination is possible), whichever comes first. While the game state is in the regular bonus, the regular bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112 (including the case where it is provided during the big bonus described below).

  The big bonus is awarded when a combination of “7-7-7” is arranged on any of the winning lines in the normal gaming state. When a big bonus is won, the gaming state shifts to a big bonus. In the big bonus, the regular bonus described above is repeatedly provided until the end. While the gaming state is the big bonus, the big bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112. The big bonus ends when the number of medals paid out to the player exceeds 465.

  The watermelon is awarded when a combination of “watermelon-watermelon-watermelon” is aligned on any winning line in any gaming state, and 15 medals are paid out. The bell is awarded when a combination of “bell-bell-bell” is arranged on any winning line in any gaming state, and nine medals are paid out. Cherry is awarded when the symbol “cherry” is derived on any of the winning lines for the left reel 3L in any gaming state, and two medals are paid out per winning line. When “cherry” is stopped at the upper or lower stage of the left reel 3L, the derivation is made on two pay lines, so that a total of four medals are paid out.

  Replay is awarded when a combination of “JAC-JAC-JAC” is aligned on any of the winning lines in the normal gaming state. When winning a replay, there is no payout of medals, but the next game can be started again without setting the number of bets, so three medals corresponding to the number of bets 3 that became unnecessary in the next game are paid out. This is essentially the same as.

  Note that due to the relationship between the stop control of reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, which will be described later, and the arrangement of symbols, at least for the regular bonus and the big bonus, even if the winning flag is set by the internal lottery described below, the stop button 12L , 12C, 12R may not win depending on the operation procedure (referring to the operation order and operation timing). On the other hand, for at least the bell and the replay, if the winning flag is set by the internal lottery, the player always wins regardless of the operation procedure of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R.

  Hereinafter, the internal lottery will be described. The internal lottery is to determine whether or not the winning of each combination described above is permitted before the display result of the variable display device 2 is derived and displayed (actually, when the start lever 11 is operated). . In the internal lottery, a random number for internal lottery (an integer from 0 to 65535) is acquired from the random number generation circuit 115. Then, for each combination determined according to the gaming state, the acquired random number for internal lottery, the number of bets set by the player, and each combination determined according to the set value set by the setting switch 91 This is performed according to the number of judgment values. Winning in the internal lottery is exclusive.

  When the gaming state is a regular bonus (including a case where the bonus is provided during a big bonus), watermelon, bell, and cherry are sequentially read out as a target for internal lottery. When in the normal gaming state, the regular bonus, big bonus, watermelon, bell, cherry, and replay are sequentially read out as the subject combination of the internal lottery. However, as described below, when the regular bonus winning flag or the big bonus winning flag is set, only the watermelon, bell, cherry, and replay are sequentially read out as the subject of the internal lottery.

  In the internal lottery, the number of judgment values registered for each gaming state and set value for the target part of the internal lottery is sequentially added to the random number for internal lottery. It is determined that the winning role is won. If the winning combination is determined, the winning flag of the combination is set in the RAM 112. Regardless of whether or not you win in the small role and replay, the winning flag will be erased as long as you win, but the regular bonus and big bonus winning flags will continue to the next game until you win. Carried over.

  Therefore, the regular bonus winning flag or the big bonus winning flag in the game where the regular bonus winning flag or the big bonus winning flag is carried over from the previous game in the normal gaming state and won the watermelon, bell, cherry or replay. And the watermelon winning flag, the bell winning flag, the cherry winning flag, or the replay winning flag are set in duplicate.

  Further, the number of determination values used for the internal lottery is registered in the role-specific table stored in advance in the ROM 113. Here, the same value is registered for the watermelon regardless of the set value, but different values are registered depending on the gaming state, and when the gaming state is in the regular bonus, The winning probability of the watermelon will be different depending on the game state. For example, in the normal gaming state, the winning probability of watermelon is 2015/16383, whereas in the regular bonus, the winning probability of watermelon is 14801/16383. In the normal gaming state, the replay determination value number is 2245, and the replay winning probability is approximately 1 / 7.3.

  On the other hand, the regular and big bonus winning probabilities in the normal gaming state are about 1/600 to 1/450 (depending on the set value) and about 1/400 to 1/300 (set to the set value). It is very small compared to other roles. Since the winning probability is set in this way, the medal payout rate is smaller than 1 in the normal gaming state (that is, it is inserted for setting the betting number) although there are some differences depending on the set value. The medal payout rate for regular bonuses (including those offered as a big bonus) is smaller than the number of medals that will be paid out for small roles won in the internal lottery. (That is, the number of medals to be paid out to the small combination won in the internal lottery is larger than the number of medals inserted for setting the bet number).

  Next, stop control of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R will be described. The reels 3L, 3C, and 3R constituting the variable display device 2 rotate on condition that the start lever 11 is operated and a predetermined time has passed since the start of rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R in the previous game. Be started. When the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are operated by the player, the corresponding reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are within the maximum stop delay time range of 190 milliseconds (4 frames pull-in range). In)).

  The reels 3L, 3C and 3R stop rotating so that the winning symbol set in the winning line is aligned on the winning line within the range of the maximum stop delay time of 190 milliseconds, and the maximum stop of 190 milliseconds It is controlled so that the symbol of the combination for which the winning flag is not set within the delay time is not aligned on the winning line.

  Here, when the regular bonus winning flag or the big bonus winning flag and the replay winning flag are set to be overlapped, the replay symbols are preferentially arranged on the winning line. In the replay, the replay winning is always performed regardless of the operation procedure of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R. In this case, the regular bonus or the big bonus is not won.

  If the regular bonus winning flag or big bonus winning flag and the watermelon winning flag or bell winning flag are set in duplicate, the regular bonus or big bonus symbol is controlled to be preferentially aligned on the winning line. . When the regular bonus or big bonus symbols cannot be aligned on any winning line by operating the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R, and “watermelon” or “bell” can be aligned on the winning line The "watermelon" or "bell" can be aligned on the winning line and awarded.

  When the regular bonus winning flag or the big bonus winning flag and the cherry winning flag are set in duplicate, the regular bonus or the big bonus symbol is controlled so as to be aligned on the winning line. When the symbols of the regular bonus or big bonus cannot be aligned on any winning line due to the operating procedure of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R, “cherry” can be derived to the upper or lower stage of the left reel 3L. In this case, “cherry” is led out to the upper or lower stage and the cherry is awarded.

  Note that the stop control of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R described above is based on the stop operation position and stop position of the reels that have not yet stopped according to the setting status of the winning flag (and the symbols derived for the already stopped reels). A stop control table that defines the relationship between the corresponding reel and the reels that have not been stopped is created in advance, and when each of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R is operated, the stop control table created in advance is referred to and the corresponding reel The rotation is supposed to be stopped. In the stop control table, the stop position is uniquely determined with respect to the stop operation position.

  However, if an error occurs during the game or between games, the error state is controlled, and the game cannot be progressed. The error state is a reset operation by operating the first reset switch 48 and / or the second reset switch 93 after performing processing according to the type of error that has occurred (you may not perform anything depending on the type of error). Is released, it returns to the state where the game can be progressed again. While in the error state, as described above, an error code corresponding to the type of error that has occurred is displayed on the game number display unit 21.

  On the game control board 101 side, the internal lottery is performed as described above, and the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped according to the winning flag set as a result and the operation procedure of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R. , Winning will occur. As a result of winning a prize, a medal is paid out or a game state is transferred as a payout. In this way, depending on the progress of the game on the game control board 101 side, an original effect is performed on the effect control board 102 side. Is called. In order to perform such an effect, the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 must be able to recognize the progress of the game on the game control board 101 side. Is transmitted from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102.

  The commands transmitted from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102 include at least a BET command, a winning status notification command, a winning information command, and a game state command. Furthermore, an error command and an error cancellation command that are transmitted when an error occurs and when the error is canceled are included. The commands transmitted from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102 include other commands, but since they are not directly related to the present invention, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The BET command is transmitted when the number of bets in each game is fixed (that is, becomes 3). The winning status notification command indicates the setting status of the winning flag in the RAM 112, and is transmitted when the start lever 11 is operated and an internal lottery is performed. The winning information command indicates the type of winning generated according to the display result of the variable display device 2 and the number of medals to be paid out with the winning. The display result is derived to the variable display device 2 and the winning determination is made. Sent when done. The gaming state command indicates a gaming state applied in the next game.

  The error command indicates the occurrence of an error and the type of error that has occurred, and is transmitted when an error occurs. The error cancellation command is transmitted when the error is canceled by the reset operation, but unlike the error command, there is no difference depending on the type of error.

  The CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 performs various effects based on the commands sent from the CPU 111 of the game control board 101 as described above. Among the effects executed by the control of the CPU 121, an image displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 is displayed every frame period. The image data is expanded in the frame memory of the VRAM 127, and a drawing command for causing the liquid crystal driver of the liquid crystal display 4 to output an image signal is output to the VDP 126.

  As an effect performed by displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 4, the possibility of winning a regular bonus or a big bonus is shown, and a continuous effect that is performed over a period longer than one game and the end of the continuous effect. Is controlled by a bonus or bonus that is performed when winning a regular bonus or a big bonus, a bonus winning effect that is performed when a regular bonus or a big bonus is won, and a regular bonus or a big bonus. There are an effect during bonus and a bonus end effect that is performed when the regular bonus or the big bonus ends. Further, although different from the normal performance, an error image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 when an error occurs.

  All the effects performed in the liquid crystal display 4 are performed by displaying a three-dimensional animation image. In 3D animation, a character or other object composed of multiple polygons is operated in a virtual 3D space in chronological order from the start of each production, and a rear clip plane is displayed on a virtual screen (same as the front clip plane) by a virtual camera. It is generated by perspective-transforming the range up to. Here, the viewpoint position and the reference point of the virtual camera are determined so that the Z axis of the coordinates in the virtual three-dimensional space and the Z axis of the screen coordinates (that is, the direction of the virtual camera) coincide. The data (production data) of the three-dimensional animation image for the production is stored in advance in the ROM 123 for each type, and is set in the production data area of the RAM 122 as necessary.

  As for the setting of effect data, if the game starts in the normal gaming state and the regular bonus or big bonus has not been announced yet (the jackpot effect to be described later is not performed), it will continue by lottery It is determined whether or not to produce a performance (when a regular bonus or a big bonus is won, the probability of being determined to perform a continuous performance is higher). When it is determined that the continuous effect is to be performed, the effect data (continuous effect data) of the continuous effect is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122, and 2 is set as an initial value in the continuous counter provided in the RAM 122.

  When the number of bets is set by the player's operation or based on the replay winning for the game when the continuous performance is being performed, the value of the continuous counter is decremented by one. If the value of the continuous counter is only 1 even after subtraction, continuous production is continuously performed in the game. When the value of the continuous counter becomes 0 as a result of the subtraction, the continuous effect is ended by deleting the continuous effect data set here in the effect data area, and whether the regular bonus or the big bonus is won. In response, a loss effect or a jackpot effect is performed.

  When performing the lost effect, the lost effect effect data (lost effect data) is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122, but the lost effect effect data is at the start of the game (ie, when the start lever 11 is operated). Is erased from the effect data area, and the lose effect ends. On the other hand, when the jackpot effect is performed, the jackpot effect data (hit effect data) is set in the RAM 122. However, the jackpot effect data is not obtained from the effect data area until the regular bonus or the big bonus is won. Erased. That is, the jackpot effect is continuously performed for any number of games until a regular bonus or a big bonus is won.

  When winning a regular bonus or a big bonus, a bonus winning effect is performed, and bonus winning effect effect data (bonus winning effect data) is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122. The bonus winning effect data is deleted from the effect data area when the number of bets is set by the player's operation for the next game, and the bonus winning effect ends. If the continuous production data is set in the production data area when winning the regular bonus or the big bonus, it is deleted and the value of the continuous counter is initialized to 0, and the continuous production is forced even during execution. Be terminated.

  At the start of a regular bonus (not including those provided during the big bonus) or the first game of the big bonus (that is, when the start lever 11 is operated), the effect data of the bonus effect (the bonus effect data) Is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122. Since the bonus performance data is a regular bonus (not including those provided during the big bonus) or when the big bonus ends, the bonus performance data is deleted from the performance data area. Any games will continue until the big bonus ends.

  Furthermore, when the regular bonus (not including those provided during the big bonus) or the big bonus is ended, the bonus end effect is performed, and the effect data of the bonus end effect (bonus end effect data) is the effect of the RAM 122. Set in the data area. The bonus end effect data is deleted from the effect data area when the bet number is set by the player's operation for the next game, and the bonus end effect data ends.

  Note that the start of the game in the normal gaming state when performing the continuous performance is determined based on the gaming state command received in the previous game when the winning status notification command is received. Whether or not a regular bonus or a big bonus is won when performing a lose effect or a big win effect is determined based on a winning status notification command received in the previous game when the BET command is received.

  The regular bonus or the big bonus winning when the bonus winning effect is performed is determined based on the winning information command when it is received. Regular bonus when performing during bonus (not including those offered during big bonus) or the start of the first game of the big bonus is the gaming status received in the previous game when the winning status notification command is received Judgment is made based on the presence or absence of setting of command and effect data during bonus. The end of the regular bonus (not including those provided during the big bonus) or the big bonus is determined when the gaming state command is received and based on the presence / absence of bonus effect data.

  On the other hand, when an error occurs, an error display is performed on the liquid crystal display 4. The error display is such that an error object (consisting of one polygon) provided perpendicular to the Z-axis is moved back and forth in time series from the front clip surface to a predetermined position ahead of the rear clip surface along the Z-axis. This is done by moving (that is, changing the Z value of the error object) and perspective-transforming it to the virtual screen. When the production data is set, the error object is behind the polygons that are part of the polygon included in the set production data (that is, a position far from the virtual camera viewpoint). May move to.

  Data for displaying an error (error display data) is stored in advance in the ROM 123 for each type of error, and error display data corresponding to the type of error that occurred when the error occurred is stored in the error data area of the RAM 122. When the error is cleared, it is erased from the error data area. The occurrence of an error and the type of error that has occurred are determined based on the error command received, and the cancellation of the error is determined based on the reception of the error cancellation command.

  Further, from the start to the end of one game, the reel area of the liquid crystal display 4 is set to a transparent color. In order to make the reel area a transparent color, a colorless reel area object corresponding to the range of the reel area is placed at the position of the front clip surface. Data for setting the reel area to the transparent color (reel area non-display data) is stored in the ROM 123 in advance, set in the reel area data area of the RAM 122 at the start of one game, and the reel area at the end of one game. Erase from the data area. Note that the start and end of one game are determined based on reception of a winning status notification command and a winning information command, respectively.

  The liquid crystal display 4 displays one image every frame period. The image data of the image to be displayed for each frame is drawn in the frame memory of the VRAM 127 and displayed on the liquid crystal display 4. Therefore, the CPU 121 of the control unit 120 generates a timer interrupt every frame period.

  If any effect data is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 when a timer interruption occurs, the vertexes in the virtual three-dimensional space of each polygon constituting the object included in the effect data according to the time series will be described. A coordinate position is determined, and each is converted into coordinates in the screen coordinate system by perspective transformation. Each polygon converted into the coordinates of the screen coordinate system is once set as a display target.

  Further, when error display data is set in the error data area of the RAM 122, the position of the error object in the virtual three-dimensional space is determined according to the time series, and is converted into the coordinates of the screen coordinate system. The error object is once set as a display target here. When the error object is set as the display target, the polygons that are in front of the error object among the polygons constituting the object included in the production data are excluded from the display target.

  Further, when reel area non-display data is set in the reel area data area of the RAM 122, the reel area object is set as a display target. When the reel area object is set as a display target, a portion corresponding to the reel area is excluded from the display target among the polygons and error objects constituting the object included in the presentation data to be displayed.

  In this way, when the polygons to be displayed (error object and reel object) included in the effect data, error display data, and / or reel area non-display data are determined, a drawing command is sent from the CPU 121 of the control unit 120. The data is output to the VDP 126 of the display control unit 125. The data of each polygon to be displayed is transferred to the VDP 126 together with the drawing command, but is arranged so that the VDP 126 processes the reel area object, the error object, and the polygons constituting the object included in the effect data in order. It is done. However, even if there are a plurality of polygons constituting the object included in the effect data, the processing order is not set again in these polygons.

  Upon receiving the drawing command, the VDP 126 updates the value of each pixel of the Z buffer for each polygon passed together with the drawing command while referring to the Z buffer of the VRAM 127, and stores the polygon image data in the frame memory (for writing) of the VRAM 127. Are drawn on the pixels included in the range of the polygon. If the Z value of a polygon that is on the same plane or in front of the polygon to be processed (that is, the Z coordinate value in the screen coordinate system is smaller) is written, the Z value to the Z buffer for that polygon Neither writing to image nor drawing of image data to the frame memory is performed.

  When the Z value of a polygon located on the same surface or in front of the polygon to be processed is not written in the Z buffer, the Z value for each pixel corresponding to the polygon to be processed is stored in the Z buffer. In addition to overwriting, image data is written to the frame memory. When the processing for all the polygons transferred together with the drawing command is completed, writing of the image data for one frame to the frame memory is completed.

  The VDP 126 also sequentially stores the image data written in the frame memory (for writing in the previous frame period and for reading in the current frame period) in the previous frame period in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. Read out, add a predetermined synchronizing signal thereto, and output it as an image signal (video signal) to the liquid crystal driver of the liquid crystal display 4. The drive signal corresponding to the image signal input by the liquid crystal driver is output to each pixel of the liquid crystal display 4, and one image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 every frame period.

  Hereinafter, a gaming operation in the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In the following description, the term “game” means, in a narrow sense, from the operation of the start lever 11 until the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped. However, when a game is played, the number of bets before the operation of the start lever 11 is set, and medals are paid out and the game state is shifted after the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped. Is also included in the “game” in a broad sense. In the following description, descriptions of processes not related to the present invention may be omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a game control process performed by the CPU 111 of the game control board 101 for each game. This process is also executed after the power is turned on and a predetermined boot process is performed, or immediately after the setting is changed by operating the setting switch 91. When the process of one game is started, first, an initial process including a process of clearing a predetermined area of the RAM 112 is performed (step S1).

  Next, the number of bets is set by operating one BET button 14 or MAXBET button 15 or by inserting medals from the medal insertion slot 13, and operating the start lever 11 to substantially change the game. A BET process for instructing the start is performed (step S2). After 3 is set as the bet number, the start lever 11 is activated, and a BET command is generated when the bet number is fixed and transmitted to the effect control board 102. Further, if the player has won a replay in the previous game, the same bet number (3 in this embodiment) as the previous game is automatically set by the replay game flag (the replay game flag is erased at this stage). As a result, the operation of the start lever 11 is enabled, and a BET command is generated / transmitted.

  When the number of bets is set by the BET process and the start lever 11 is operated, a random number for internal lottery is extracted, and winning to each combination determined according to the gaming state is allowed based on the extracted random number value A lottery process for determining whether or not to perform is performed (step S3). In the lottery process, a winning status notification command indicating the setting status of the winning flag in the RAM 112 is transmitted to the effect control board 102.

  When the lottery process is completed, a reel rotation process is performed (step S4). In the reel rotation process, the reel motor is operated on the condition that a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed from the start of rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R in the previous game. 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR are driven to start rotation of all the left, middle, and right reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. When predetermined conditions (detection of the reference position by the reel sensors 3SL, 3SC, 3SR after the rotation speed reaches a certain speed) from the start of rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are satisfied, the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R Is enabled. Thereafter, when the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are operated by the player, the driving of the reel motors 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR is stopped according to the setting state of the winning flag, and the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is stopped. . When the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is started and stopped, a reel rotation command and a reel stop command are transmitted to the effect control board 102, respectively.

  When the driving of each of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is stopped, it is determined whether or not any of the above-mentioned role symbols has been derived and displayed on any of the winning lines of the variable display device 2 in the display mode at the time of stopping. A determination process is performed (step S5). If it is determined in this winning determination process that a winning combination has been won, various processes corresponding to the winnings generated on the game control board 101 are performed. Here, a winning information command indicating a winning determination result is sent to the effect control board 102.

  When the winning determination process ends, a payout process is performed (step S6). In the payout process, the credit is increased by the number of payouts set in the winning determination process. However, when the number of credits accumulated as data reaches 50, the hopper motor 82 is driven to pay out an excess number of medals from the medal payout slot 71. In addition, various processes that are not related to winning (for example, a process related to the end control of the big bonus and the deletion of a winning flag that does not carry over) are also performed. At the end of the payout process, that is, at the end of one game, a game state command indicating the game state of the next game is sent to the effect control board 102. Then, the process for one game ends, and the process for the next one game starts.

  When the game in the slot machine 1 is proceeding normally, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is repeatedly performed. However, when an error occurs in the game in the slot machine 1, an error interrupt is generated for the CPU 111. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an error interrupt process performed by the CPU 11 of the game control board 101 when an error occurs. Note that the error interrupt is a priority interrupt, and any interrupt other than a power interruption interrupt (not described because it is not related to the present invention) is not accepted during the error interrupt processing.

When an error occurs, an error code corresponding to the type of error generated by controlling the game number display 51 is displayed on the game number display unit 21 (step S101), and the effect control board is further displayed according to the type of error that has occurred. An error command to be transmitted to 102 is generated (step S102). Then, the error command determined here is transmitted to the effect control board 102 (step S103).

  When the error command is transmitted, it is determined whether or not a reset operation has been performed by operating the first reset switch 48 and / or the second reset switch 93 (step S104). If the reset operation has not been performed, the process of step S104 is repeated. Here, interrupts other than power interruption interrupts are not accepted during the error interrupt process, so unless a reset operation is performed, processes other than the process of step S104 are not performed, and the game cannot proceed. Become.

  When a reset operation is performed in step S104, first, the game number display 51 is controlled to delete the error code displayed on the game number display unit 21 in step S101 (step S105). Further, an error cancel command is generated and transmitted to the effect control board 102 (step S106). Then, the error interrupt process is terminated and the process returns to the process that was being executed before the error occurred.

  In the repetition of the game as described above, the CPU 111 of the game control board 101 performs a transition of the game state among the normal game state, the big bonus, and the regular bonus, and controls the command according to the progress of the game. It is transmitted to the substrate 102. An error command is transmitted to the effect control board 102 when an error occurs, and an error cancel command is transmitted to the effect control board 102 when the error is cleared. On the other hand, the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 performs an effect corresponding to the progress of the game and an error display when an error occurs based on the command received from the game control board 101.

  An image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 as an effect according to the progress of the game, and the image is displayed every frame period. Therefore, the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 causes the liquid crystal display 4 to display an image for each frame period in addition to the main processing based on the command received from the game control board 101. In addition, a process of outputting a drawing command to the VDP 126 is also performed. Further, the VDP 126 performs processing of drawing image data in the frame memory of the VRAM 127 based on a drawing command from the CPU 121 and outputting the corresponding image signal to the liquid crystal display 4. Hereinafter, processing performed by the control on the side of the effect control board 102 will be described.

  FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are flowcharts showing main processing that is always executed by the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102. In the main process, it is determined whether or not a command sent from the game control board 101 has been received (step S201). When any command is received from the game control board 101, it is determined what kind of the received command is (step S202).

  If the received command type is the BET command transmitted in step S2, it is determined whether or not the value of the continuous counter in the RAM 122 is 0 (step S203). If the value of the continuous counter is not 0, the continuous production is still being executed, so here, the value of the continuous counter is decremented by 1 (step S204). It is determined again whether or not the value of the continuous counter has become 0 as a result of this subtraction (step S205). If the value of the continuous counter has not yet become 0, the process directly returns to step S201.

  If the value of the continuous counter becomes 0, the continuous effect data set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 is deleted (step S206). By erasing the continuous production data, the continuous production performed on the liquid crystal display 4 is completed.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the winning situation stored in the RAM 122 in the previous game indicates that the regular bonus or the big bonus is won (step S207). Here, even if the winning status in the previous game indicates that a regular bonus or a big bonus has been won, if the regular bonus or the big bonus is won, the value of the continuous counter is 0. (Refer to step S232) When the process of step S207 is performed, the regular bonus winning flag or the big bonus winning flag is carried over.

  If the winning status of the previous game in step S207 indicates that the regular bonus or big bonus is won, the big hit effect data is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 (step S208), and the process of step S201 is performed. Return. If the winning status of the previous game does not indicate either a regular bonus or a big bonus, lose effect data is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 (step S209), and the process returns to step S201. By setting the jackpot effect data or the loss effect data, the jackpot effect or the lose effect starts after the end of the continuous effect.

  If the value of the continuous counter is 0 in step S203, it is determined whether bonus winning effect data is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 (step S210). If bonus winning effect data is set, the bonus winning effect data is stored in the RAM 122 since the bonus winning effect is performed on the liquid crystal display 4 after winning the regular bonus or the big bonus in the previous game. Erase from the data area (step S211). By erasing the bonus winning effect data, the bonus winning effect performed on the liquid crystal display 4 is completed. Then, the process returns to step S201.

  If bonus winning effect data is not set, it is determined whether bonus end effect data is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 (step S212). If bonus winning effect data is set, the regular bonus (not including the one provided during the big bonus) or the big bonus is ended in the previous game, and the bonus end effect is performed on the liquid crystal display 4 Therefore, the bonus end effect data is deleted from the effect data area of the RAM 122 (step S213). By erasing the bonus end effect data, the bonus end effect performed on the liquid crystal display 4 is ended. Then, the process returns to step S201. If bonus end effect data is not set, the process directly returns to step S201.

  If the received command type is the winning status notification command transmitted in step S3, first, the winning status indicated by the corresponding winning status notification command is stored in the RAM 122 (step S214). Next, since one game is started here, reel area non-display data is set in the reel area data area of the RAM 122 (step S215). Next, referring to the gaming state saved in step S235 of the previous game (that is, the gaming state of the current game), it is determined whether or not the gaming state of the current game is a normal gaming state (step S216). ).

  If it is not the normal gaming state, it is determined whether or not bonus effect data is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 (step S217). If the effect data during bonus is not yet set, the regular game or big bonus will be won in the previous game, and the game state will become the regular bonus or big bonus from the current game. Medium production data is set (step S218). Due to the setting of the bonus effect data, the bonus effect is started on the liquid crystal display 4 from here. Then, the process returns to step S201. If bonus effect data has already been set, the process directly returns to step S201.

  If the normal gaming state is determined in step S216, it is determined whether or not jackpot effect data is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 (step S219). If the jackpot effect data has been set, the player has already been notified of the regular bonus or the big bonus winning by the jackpot effect performed based on this, so the process directly returns to step S201.

  If the big hit effect data is not set, it is determined whether or not the loss effect data is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 (step S220). If the loss production data is not set, the process proceeds to step S222 as it is. If the lost effect data is set, the lost effect data set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 is deleted (step S221). By erasing the lost effect data, the lost effect that has been performed on the liquid crystal display 4 ends with the start of a new game. Then, the process proceeds to step S222.

  In step S222, it is determined whether or not the value of the continuous counter in the RAM 122 is zero. If the value of the continuous counter is not 0, a continuous effect is performed on the liquid crystal display 4 and no new continuous effect is started here, so the process returns to step S201 as it is.

  If the value of the continuous counter is 0, a random number is extracted by the software random number function, and depending on whether or not the extracted random number value and the winning status stored in the RAM 122 in step S214 indicate the winning of the regular bonus or the big bonus (The winning probability is higher when the regular bonus or the big bonus is won), and a continuous production lottery for determining whether or not to perform a continuous production is performed (step S223). Then, it is determined whether or not the continuous effect lottery is won (step S224).

  When the continuous effect lottery is won, first, 2 is set as an initial value in the continuous counter of the RAM 122 (step S225). Further, continuous effect data is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 (step S226). By setting the continuous effect data, the continuous effect is started from the liquid crystal display 4 from here. Then, the process returns to step S201. On the other hand, if the continuous effect lottery is not won, the process directly returns to step S201.

  If the received command type is the winning information command transmitted in step S5, the reel area non-display data set in the reel area data area of the RAM 122 is erased (step S227). Further, it is determined whether or not the received prize information command indicates a regular bonus or a big bonus prize (step S228). If neither a regular bonus nor a big bonus is shown, the process directly returns to step S201.

  If the winning of either the regular bonus or the big bonus is indicated, it is determined whether or not the big hit effect data is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 (step S229). If the jackpot effect data is set, the jackpot effect data set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 is deleted (step S230). By erasing the jackpot effect data, the jackpot effect that has been performed on the liquid crystal display 4 is terminated when the regular bonus or the big bonus is won. Then, the process proceeds to step S234.

  If the big hit effect data is not set, it is further determined whether or not the continuous effect data is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 (step S231). If the continuous effect data is set, the value of the continuous counter in the RAM 122 is cleared to 0 (step S232). Further, the continuous effect data set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 is deleted (step S233). By clearing the continuous counter and erasing the continuous production data, the continuous production performed on the liquid crystal display 4 is forcibly terminated with a regular bonus or a big bonus. If the continuous effect data is not set, the process proceeds to step S234 as it is.

  In step S234, bonus winning effect data is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122. By setting the bonus winning effect data, the bonus winning effect is started on the liquid crystal display 4 when the regular bonus or the big bonus is won. Then, the process returns to step S201.

  If the received command type is the gaming state command transmitted in step S6, the gaming state indicated by the gaming state command (ie, the gaming state applied in the next game) is stored in the RAM 122 (step S235). Here, it is determined whether or not the received gaming state command indicates that the gaming state applied in the next game is a normal gaming state (step S236). If it indicates that the game state is not a normal game state, the process directly returns to step S201.

  If it is indicated that the game state is normal, it is determined whether or not bonus effect data is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 (step S237). If the bonus effect data is not set, the regular bonus (not including those provided in the big bonus) or the big bonus has not ended in the current game, and the process directly returns to step S201.

  If the bonus bonus production data is set, the regular bonus (not including those provided in the big bonus) or the big bonus has ended in this game, so the bonus bonus production data is set in the production data area of the RAM 122. The bonus middle effect data is deleted (step S238), and the bonus end effect data is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 (step S239). By erasing the bonus effect data and setting the bonus end effect data, the bonus effect is ended with the end of the regular bonus or the big bonus, and subsequently the bonus end effect is started. Then, the process returns to step S201.

  If the received command type is the error command transmitted in step S103, error display data corresponding to the error type indicated by the received command is set in the error data area of the RAM 122 (step S240). By setting the error display data, an error display image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 instead of the effect image. If an error command is received during one game, the reel area non-display data remains set, and no error display image is displayed in the reel area. Then, the process returns to step S201.

  If the received command type is the error cancellation command transmitted in step S106, the error display data set in the error data area of the RAM 122 is erased (step S241). As a result, the display of the error display image is terminated, and the effect image before the occurrence of the error is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4. However, if an error occurs during one game, the reel area non-display data remains set, and no effect image is displayed for the reel area. Then, the process returns to step S201.

  If the received command type is another command, processing corresponding to each command type is executed (step S242). Since the processing executed when other types of commands are received is not related to the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted. Thereafter, the process returns to step S201.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a timer interruption process executed by the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 to draw image data in the frame memory of the VRAM 127 every frame period and display the image on the liquid crystal display 4. This timer interrupt process is a priority interrupt and does not return to the process of the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 until the process of the flowchart of FIG. 7 is completed. Further, the process of the flowchart of FIG. 7 is always completed in one frame period.

  In the timer interrupt process for each frame period, first, it is determined whether or not any effect data is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 (step S301). If no effect data is set in the effect data area, the process directly proceeds to step S305.

  If some kind of effect data is set in the effect data area, the vertex of each polygon constituting an object such as a character included in the effect data according to the time since the start of the effect of the set effect data is started. A position (coordinate position in the virtual three-dimensional space) is acquired (step S302). The acquired vertex position of each polygon is converted into coordinates in the screen coordinate system by perspective transformation which projects from the virtual camera onto the virtual screen (step S303).

  Further, each polygon constituting the object included in the effect data is once set as a display target (step S304). Each polygon constituting the object included in the effect data set as the display target here is passed to the VDP 126 together with the drawing command in step S314 unless it is excluded from the display target in step S309 or S312 described later. Then, the process proceeds to step S305.

  In step S 305, it is determined whether any error display data is set in the error data area of the RAM 122. If no error display data is set in the error data area, the process directly proceeds to step S310. If any one of the error display data is set, the virtual three-dimensional of the error object (one polygon) corresponding to the error display data according to the time since the display of the set error display data is started. A position in space (particularly the value of the Z coordinate) is acquired (step S306). The error object is converted into coordinates in the screen coordinate system by perspective transformation that projects from the virtual camera onto the virtual screen (step S307).

  Next, an error object (polygon) corresponding to the error display data is once set as a display target (step S308). The error object set as the display target here is passed to the VDP 126 together with the drawing command in step S314 unless it is excluded from the display target in step S312 described later. Furthermore, the polygons that are in front of the error object (the Z value is small) among the polygons that make up the object included in the presentation data once set as the display target are excluded from the display target (step S309). Then, the process proceeds to step S310.

  In step S310, it is determined whether or not reel area non-display data is set in the reel area data area of the RAM 122. If reel area non-display data is not set in the reel area data area, the process directly proceeds to step S313. If the reel area non-display data is set, a reel area object (one polygon) showing a transparent color (colorless and transparent) as an image color is set as a display target (step S311). Further, a part included in the reel area among the polygons and error objects constituting the object included in the effect data once set as the display target is excluded from the display target (step S312). Then, the process proceeds to step S313.

  In step S313, the arrangement order of the polygons to be displayed is set so that processing by the VDP 126 is performed in the order of the polygons constituting the reel area object, the error object, and the object included in the effect data. However, even if there are a plurality of polygons constituting the object included in the effect data, the arrangement order of the polygons is not set again.

  Then, a drawing command is output to the VDP 126 together with information (such as vertex coordinates) of each polygon to be displayed. If an object to be displayed is not set, a rendering command for which there are no polygons to be displayed is output to the VDP 126 (step S314). Then, the timer interrupt process for each frame period is terminated.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the VDP 126 in accordance with a drawing command from the CPU 121. Upon receiving a drawing command, the VDP 126 first determines whether there is a polygon that has not yet been dealt with in the processing among the polygons included in the received drawing command (step S401). Here, there is a case where a drawing command in which a polygon to be drawn does not exist is output. In this case, the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 8 is terminated without drawing any image data in the frame memory. .

  If there is a polygon that has not yet been processed, one polygon data (including vertices and drawing parameters) is extracted from the polygons that are not yet processed among the polygons included in the drawing command (step S402). If the reel area object is set as a display target, the polygon of the reel area object is first written in the frame memory of the VRAM 127, and the Z value of the reel area object is written in the Z buffer. If the error object is set as a display target, the polygon of the error object is written in the frame memory of the VRAM 127 as the display target first, and the Z value of the error object is written in the Z buffer (however, the reel area object is set) Only in areas that are not.)

  If the drawing parameter of the extracted polygon is set to drawing, the VDP 126 sets the Z value of the pixel in the range surrounded by the extracted polygon vertices among the Z values stored in the Z buffer provided in the VRAM 127. It is referred (step S403), and it is determined whether or not the Z value of the same surface as the polygon taken out in the Z buffer or the front surface of the polygon (the one closer to the virtual screen) is stored (step S404).

  If the Z value of the same surface as the extracted polygon or the front surface of the polygon is not stored in the Z buffer, the VDP 127 calculates the Z value for each pixel in the range surrounded by the vertices of the extracted polygon. The data is stored in the buffer (step S405). Further, the VDP 126 draws the extracted polygon image data in a frame memory (one for writing) provided in the VRAM 127 (step S406). Then, the process returns to step S401.

  If the Z value of the same surface as the extracted polygon or the front surface of the polygon is stored in the Z buffer, the process returns to step S401 without writing to the frame memory or the Z buffer. Here, if the error object is set as the display target, the polygons that make up the object included in the rendering data are set as the display target because at least the error object is on the same or rear side. The image data of the polygon is not written to the frame memory, and the Z buffer is not updated. In addition, when the reel area object is set as a display target, each polygon constituting the object included in the effect data in the range of the reel area is on the same surface or rear surface as the reel area object. Is not written to the frame memory and the Z buffer is not updated.

  In step S401, if there are no polygons that have not yet been processed, and all the polygons have been processed, drawing of the frame memory of the image data in the current frame period is complete, and the processing of this flowchart is completed. To do.

  On the other hand, in parallel with the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 8, the VDP 126 of the display control unit 125 converts the image data drawn in the frame memory (switched for reading in the current frame period) in the previous frame period, Extraction is sequentially performed in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. Then, an image signal (video signal) to which a synchronization signal is added is output to the liquid crystal driver of the liquid crystal display 4. The liquid crystal driver of the liquid crystal display 4 sequentially outputs a drive signal to each pixel according to the image signal received from the VDP 126, thereby changing the alignment state of the liquid crystal, thereby displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 4. Depending on the image signal output from the VDP 126 when no image data is drawn in the frame memory, no image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4.

  Thus, an image is displayed for each frame period on the liquid crystal display 4, and the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 is switched for each frame period, thereby producing an effect by a three-dimensional animation movie. When an error occurs, the error display screen is displayed while moving back and forth. During the game from the start of rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R to the stop, the image of the reel area becomes transparent and the reels 3L, 3C, 3R Visibility can be ensured.

  Note that the liquid crystal driver of the liquid crystal display 4 can output a drive signal for not displaying an image to each pixel of the liquid crystal display 4 when no image signal is input from the VDP 126. In addition, when the VDP 126 cannot receive a drawing command for each frame period from the CPU 121, the VDP 126 independently draws image data corresponding to a non-displayed image in the frame memory (for writing) of the VRAM 127. The image signal can be output to the liquid crystal driver of the liquid crystal display 4.

  As described above, in the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment, the effects such as the continuous effect, the loss effect, the jackpot effect, the bonus winning effect, the bonus effect or the bonus end effect are displayed on the liquid crystal display according to the progress of the game. However, when these effects are to be performed, the corresponding effect data is first set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 included in the control unit 120 of the effect control board 102. To do.

  When an error occurs, an error is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4. When an error is to be displayed, first, error display data is set in the error data area of the RAM 122. Further, a transparent image is displayed on the reel area of the liquid crystal display 4 that overlaps the variable display device 2 from the start to the end of one game, but a transparent image is displayed on the reel area during one game. In order to do this, first, the reel area non-display data is set in the reel area data area of the RAM 122.

  Here, in order to display an image on the liquid crystal display 4, an image signal corresponding to the image data drawn in the frame memory of the VRAM 127 is output to the liquid crystal driver of the liquid crystal display 4 every frame period. However, the rendering of the image data in the frame memory is effect data set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 in the previous frame period, error display data set in the error display data area of the RAM 122, reel of the RAM 122 This is performed in accordance with the reel area non-display data set in the area data area.

  By the way, if the effect data is set in the effect data area of the RAM 122 according to the progress of the game, except when the error display data or the reel area non-display data is set, the effect display data includes the effect display data. The position in the virtual three-dimensional space of each polygon constituting the object is specified in time series, converted to coordinates in the screen coordinate system by perspective transformation, and rendering image data is written to the frame memory for each frame period. Become. In this way, the image data written in the frame memory changes every frame period, and the image signal output to the liquid crystal driver of the liquid crystal display 4 changes, so that the progress of the game with one frame and one frame of moving image It is possible to produce effects according to the situation.

  When reel area non-display data is set in the RAM 122 (that is, during one game), image data of the reel area object to be transparent is drawn in the frame memory. Thus, during the game, the symbols drawn on the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R of the variable display device 2 can be transmitted to the player, and the visibility of the symbols on the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is ensured. Can do.

  In this case, even if the effect data is set in the RAM 122, the part corresponding to the reel area of the polygon in front of the reel area non-display data among the polygons constituting the object included in the effect data is not displayed. Excluded. Even if error display data is set, the portion corresponding to the reel area of the error object is excluded from the display target. In other words, the reel area object is set to the forefront among the polygons to be displayed, and the image data of the reel area object that is first written in the frame memory is not overwritten. It is possible to prevent a polygon image and an error object image constituting an object included in the image from interfering with a transparent color image in the reel area.

  Further, when error display data is set in the RAM 122 (that is, a period from the occurrence of an error to the cancellation), the image data of the error object is drawn in the frame memory. Thus, when an error occurs in the slot machine 1, an error display screen can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 4. Although the error object is a flat object, it moves back and forth in time series along the Z axis, so it is more important for players and amusement store clerks than when displaying a simple still image as an error display screen. Can attract.

  In this case, the error object moves back and forth along the Z-axis. However, even if the effect data is set in the RAM 122, each object constituting the object included in the effect data in front of the position of the error object at that time is included. The polygon is excluded from the display target. In other words, the error object is set on the front side of the display target among the polygons constituting the object included in the presentation data on the front, and the error object written in the frame memory first is set. Since the data is not overwritten, it is possible to prevent the error object image from interfering with the polygon image constituting the object included in the rendering data.

  Even if the reel area non-display data is set to display a transparent image in the reel area during one game, or the error display data is set to display an error display screen when an error occurs, the RAM 122 The production data set in the production data area remains as it is. For this reason, even if some or all of the objects included in the effect data are not displayed on the liquid crystal display 4, a wasteful processing load is imposed such that the effect data is set in the RAM 122 again after the game ends or after the error is canceled. It is possible to display on the liquid crystal display 4 an effect image according to the progress of the game.

  In addition, in order to cause the VDP 126 to draw image data in the frame memory of the VRAM 127, the CPU 121 passes the polygon data to be displayed to the VDP 126 when outputting a drawing command. The order is set in the order of the polygons included in the object and the effect data. The VDP 126 processes the polygons in the order received from the CPU 121, but the Z value of the reel area object is first written in the Z buffer by processing the reel area object with the highest display priority first. For this reason, when processing the next and subsequent polygons, it is completely unnecessary to overwrite the image data in the frame memory and write the Z value registered in the Z buffer in the portion corresponding to the reel area. Become.

  Further, the Z value of the error display object is written into the Z buffer first by processing the error display object before each polygon constituting the object included in the effect data. For this reason, when processing the polygons constituting the object included in the presentation data after the next time, the image data may be overwritten and written in the frame memory, or the Z value registered in the Z buffer may be updated. It becomes completely unnecessary. In this way, it is not necessary to write image data that does not finally remain in the frame memory to the frame memory or to update the Z buffer for that purpose, so the processing load on the VDP 126 can be reduced.

  The CPU 121 needs to prioritize the reel area object and the error object so as to give priority to each polygon constituting the object included in the effect data. It doesn't even sort according to value. For this reason, the processing load of the CPU 121 for setting the order in which polygons are processed is not so large.

  Further, in the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment, the effect data, error display data, and reel area non-display data are not handled as separate layers, so in the VRAM 127, the frame memory is for reading and writing. Only two are required, and only one Z buffer is prepared. For this reason, the storage capacity of the VRAM 127 can be reduced, and the resource load can be reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. Hereinafter, modifications of the above-described embodiment applicable to the present invention will be described.

  In the above embodiment, when the error display data is set, the error object moves back and forth according to the time series, but the position of the error object is fixed at a predetermined position. (However, the position is not in front of the reel area object.) In this case, regardless of whether or not the error display data is set, the CPU 121 precedes the position where the error object is set (Z) among the polygons constituting the object included in the set effect data. Polygons with small values may be excluded from the display target (polygons before the reel area object are also excluded from the display target) and passed to the VDP 126 together with the drawing command.

  Even in this case, when the reel area non-display data is set or when the error display data is set, it is natural that the polygons constituting the object included in the rendering data are in front of the reel area object and the error object. Does not exist as a display target. Thereby, the image of the effect data does not interfere with the image of the transparent color reel area object or the image of the effect object.

  In the above embodiment, among the polygons constituting the object included in the production data, when the error display data is set, the polygon that is on the same plane as or in front of the error object and the reel area non-display data are When set, the portion corresponding to the reel area of the polygon (including the error object) on the same plane as the reel area object or in front of it is excluded from the display target and is not passed to the VDP 126 together with the drawing command. It was.

  On the other hand, instead of excluding these polygons from the display target, a predetermined parameter indicating non-drawing may be added and passed to the VDP 126 together with the drawing command. In this case, after extracting the polygon in step S402, the VDP 126 determines whether or not a non-drawing parameter is added to the extracted polygon before referring to the Z buffer in step S403. If it has been added, it is sufficient to return to the processing of step S401 without drawing image data in the frame memory or updating the Z buffer, and determine whether there are any unprocessed polygons remaining.

  Alternatively, a predetermined parameter indicating the drawing priority may be added to these polygons and passed to the VDP 126 together with the drawing command. For example, the priority indicated by the parameter added to each polygon constituting the object included in the production data is 1 (lowest), the priority indicated by the parameter added to the error object is 2, and the reel area object is added to It is assumed that the priority indicated by each parameter is 3 (highest), and the numerical value of the priority of each parameter does not change depending on the situation.

  When reel area non-display data is set in the RAM 122, the priority indicated by the parameter added to the reel area object processed first by the VDP 126 is 3, and is added to the polygon to be processed thereafter. The priority indicated by the parameter is relatively lower than this. When the reel area non-display data is not set in the RAM 122 and an error object is set, the priority indicated by the parameter added to the error object processed first by the VDP 126 is 3. The priority indicated by the parameter added to the polygon to be processed thereafter is relatively lower than this. The VDP 126 can end the process for the polygon to which the parameter indicated by the relatively low priority is added when it determines that the priority of the parameter is relatively low.

  Even with these methods, the polygon in front of the reel area object (polygons and error objects constituting the object included in the rendering data) or the polygon in front of the error object (polygons configuring the object included in the rendering data) Image data is not drawn in the frame memory. As a result, the effect image and the error display screen image do not interfere with the transparent color image of the reel area, and the effect image does not interfere with the error object image.

  Further, it is not necessary to prepare a frame memory or a Z buffer for each layer as in the case of superimposing images for each layer, and the storage capacity required for the VRAM 127 can be reduced. Further, since the processing order by the VDP 126 is the order of the polygons constituting the reel area object, the error object, and the object included in the effect data as in the above embodiment, the reel area non-display data and error display data are When set, it is possible to reduce the number of times image data is written to the frame memory and the number of times the Z buffer is updated, and the processing load on the VDP 126 can be reduced.

  Also, among the polygons that make up the object included in the production data, when the error display data is set, the polygon that is on the same plane as or in front of the error object and the reel area non-display data is set Instead of excluding the portion corresponding to the reel area from the polygon (including the error object) on the same surface of the reel area object or in front of it (including the error object), the Z value of the polygon may be rewritten.

  For example, if it is determined in step S305 that the error display data is set, in step S309, the polygon value constituting the object included in the effect data is smaller than the Z value of the position of the error object ( For a polygon having a Z value (in front), the Z value may be rewritten to a value larger than the Z value of the error object. If it is determined in step S310 that the reel area non-display data is set, in step S312, the polygon (including the error object) having a value smaller than the Z value of the position of the reel area object (over the entire surface) is included. )) May be rewritten to a value larger than the Z value of the reel area object within the range of the reel area.

  When the CPU 121 outputs a drawing command to the VDP 126 in step S314, for the polygon (including the error object) whose Z value has been rewritten, the data is transferred to the VDP 126 with the Z value rewritten. do it. If the VDP 126 draws image data in the frame memory of the VRAM 127 and there is a reel area object, this image data is first drawn in the frame memory in the range of the reel area, and the Z value of the position of the reel area object is stored in the Z buffer. Will be written. Since the Z value of each polygon constituting the error object and the effect data processed after the reel area object is always larger than the Z value of the reel area object in the reel area range, Until then, the image data of the reel area object (that is, image data of transparent color) remains in the frame memory.

  If there is an error object when the VDP 126 draws image data in the frame memory of the VRAM 127, the image data of the error object is drawn in the frame memory, and the Z value of the position of the error object is written in the Z buffer. (However, if there is a reel area object, the image data of the reel area object is drawn in that range, and the Z value of the position of the reel area object remains stored in the Z buffer). Since the Z value of each polygon constituting the rendering data processed after the error object is always larger than the Z value of the error object, the error object image data until the end (however, there was a reel area object) In this case, the image data of the reel area object) remains in the frame memory within the range of the reel area.

  Note that if it is determined in step S305 that error display data has been set, the CPU 121 does not check the Z value of each polygon constituting the object included in the effect data in step S309, and checks all the Z values. The value may be rewritten to a predetermined value larger than the Z value of the error object. If it is determined in step S310 that the reel area non-display data has been set, in step S312, all the Z values of the polygons and error objects constituting the object included in the effect data are not checked. The value may be rewritten to a predetermined value larger than the Z value of the error object (that is, a value larger than the Z value of the reel area object).

  Even with this method, the polygons in front of the reel area object (polygons and error objects constituting the object included in the rendering data) or the polygons in front of the error object (polygons configuring the object included in the rendering data) Image data is not drawn in the frame memory. As a result, the effect image and the error display screen image do not interfere with the transparent color image of the reel area, and the effect image does not interfere with the error object image.

  Further, it is not necessary to prepare a frame memory or a Z buffer for each layer as in the case of superimposing images for each layer, and the storage capacity required for the VRAM 127 can be reduced. Further, since the processing order by the VDP 126 is the order of the polygons constituting the reel area object, the error object, and the object included in the effect data as in the above embodiment, the reel area non-display data and error display data are When set, it is possible to reduce the number of times image data is written to the frame memory and the number of times the Z buffer is updated, and the processing load on the VDP 126 can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the CPU 121 included in the control unit 120 of the effect control board 102 performs the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 7 for each frame period and outputs a drawing command to the VDP 126. . On the other hand, if the display as a moving image is not hindered, a timer interruption process may be performed every predetermined frame period longer than one frame period, and a drawing command may be output to the VDP 126. For example, when one frame period is 1/30 second, the timer interruption process shown in FIG. 7 may be performed every two frame periods or every three frame periods. However, if there is no problem in the processing capability due to the relationship between the processing capability of the VDP 126 and the number of polygons of the object included in each effect data, the smallest possible frame period (most preferably every one frame period), The timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 7 is preferably performed.

  In the above embodiment, the production data of the continuous production, the loss production, the jackpot production, the bonus prize production, the bonus production production, and the bonus production production are all constituted by three-dimensional animation data. All or a part of them may not be 3D animation data but may be 2D animation data or 2D still image data. The error display data can also be three-dimensional animation data.

  In the above embodiment, during the game from the start of rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R to the stop of all, the entire reel area on the front side of the variable display device 2 in the liquid crystal display 4 is not displayed. However, only the area corresponding to the reel that is still rotating may be set to non-display. For example, when the reels 3L, 3C are stopped and the reel 3R is not stopped among the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, only the area corresponding to the reel 3R in the liquid crystal display 4 is not displayed, and the reel 3L In other areas including the area corresponding to 3C, an effect image may be displayed.

  In this case, every time the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R stops, a reel stop command indicating the type of the stopped reel is transmitted from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102, and the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 The reel area object excluding the reel portion indicated by the received reel stop command may be reset in the reel area data area of the RAM 122.

  In the above embodiment, as processing on the side of the effect control board 102, the CPU 121 of the control unit 120 performs effect data and / or error in addition to effect data, error display data setting, and reel area non-display data setting. The position of each polygon constituting the object included in the display data is specified in the virtual three-dimensional space, converted into the coordinates of the screen coordinate system, and a drawing command is output to the VDP 126. The VDP 126 draws image data in the frame memory of the VRAM 127 based on the data of each polygon passed from the CPU 121 together with the drawing command. However, the separation of the roles of the CPU 121 and the VDP 126 is not limited to this.

  For example, if the VDP 126 included in the display control unit 125 can directly access the RAM 122 included in the control unit 120, the CPU 121 of the control unit 120 performs only the main processing shown in FIGS. It is also possible to perform only setting of effect data in the data area, setting of error display data in the error data area, and setting of reel area non-display data in the reel area data area. On the other hand, the VDP 126 generates a timer interrupt for each frame period, and accesses the RAM 122 by itself to perform the processing of steps S301 to S313 in FIG. 7, and subsequently performs the processing of steps S401 to S406 in FIG. It is good also as what performs.

  In the above embodiment, since the liquid crystal display 4 is an image display device that can make an image transparent (that is, non-display), the liquid crystal display 4 can be arranged on the front side of the variable display device 2, By making the image of the reel area corresponding to the position of the variable display device 2 transparent (that is, not displayed), the symbols drawn on the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R constituting the variable display device 2 are shown to the player. I was able to. However, other image display devices such as an organic EL (electroluminescence) display device can be used in place of the liquid crystal display 4 as long as the image display device can transmit an image.

  In addition, if the image display device such as the liquid crystal display 4 is used to display an image corresponding to the progress of the game and an image on the error display screen, the image display device is located at a position separate from the variable display device 2. It may be arranged. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a non-display area in the liquid crystal display area 4 during the game from the start to the stop of the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R.

  Further, if the liquid crystal display 4 is arranged at a position different from the variable display device 2, the variable display device 2 includes three reels 3L, 3C, 3R having a plurality of symbols arranged in a predetermined order on the outer peripheral portion. In addition to those that display the symbols variably by rotating the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, those that virtually display the symbols on a display device such as a liquid crystal display device (the liquid crystal display in the above embodiment) Unlike the virtual reel of the device 4, it is possible to apply the one used for the original winning determination).

  In the above-described embodiment, only the effects according to the progress of the game performed by the control on the effect control board 102 side are described by displaying the image on the liquid crystal display 4. In addition to the display, the speaker 7L, 7R may output sound in a predetermined manner, or effect the lighting by lighting the lamps such as the reel lamp 3LP and the game effect lamps 75A to 75E in a predetermined manner. . Further, in the slot machine including the fourth reel for production in addition to the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R constituting the variable display device 2, the production using the fourth reel may be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the number of determination values for the lottery target determined according to the gaming state is sequentially added to the random number for internal lottery, and is read as the lottery target at the time when an overflow occurs as a result of the addition. He was supposed to win the role that had been put out. On the other hand, the number of determination values may be sequentially subtracted from the internal lottery random value, and the result of the subtraction may be used as a new internal lottery random value. When the number of determination values is subtracted from the random number value for internal lottery, it can be determined whether or not an overflow has occurred in the subtraction result (here, the subtraction result becomes negative).

  In the above embodiment, the internal lottery sequentially adds the number of judgment values for each combination according to the gaming state to the acquired random number for internal lottery, and the combination is won when the addition result overflows. It was supposed to be judged. On the other hand, a winning determination table in which a determination value for determining each combination as winning is determined for each game according to the number of determination values for each combination in accordance with the gaming state, and the internal random number for internal lottery acquired It is good also as what performs an internal lottery by comparing this value with the determination value of each combination.

  In the above embodiment, the stop control table is selected in advance based on the setting status of the winning flag, the stop position of the symbol is determined with reference to the stop control table when the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped, and the stop The slot machine that stops the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R by the table system that stops the reel at the position has been described as an example. In contrast, based on the current symbol position when the stop condition is satisfied and the setting status of the winning flag, pull-in control is performed so that the symbol of the winning symbol is aligned, or the symbol of the symbol that is not winning The present invention can also be applied to a slot machine that stops the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R by a control method in which the removal control is performed so as not to align.

  In the control method, when the operation of the stop button 12L, 12C, 12R is detected, the corresponding reels 3L, 3C, 3R are 190 milliseconds from the currently displayed symbol (the left reel 3L during the challenge bonus). Within the range of the maximum stop delay time of 75 ms (with a total of 5 frames including the displayed symbols and pull-in (2 frames for the left reel 3L during the challenge bonus))) Then, it is determined whether or not there is a winning symbol for which the winning flag is set. If there is a symbol with a winning flag set (determined from the symbol of the role that is given priority for derivation in duplicate wins), select the symbol for winning the winning combination and select the winning line (already stopped) When there is a reel, the winning display mode can be derived along with the symbols on the stopped reel. Otherwise, a symbol for not winning any combination is selected and derived. That is, even when the stop of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is controlled by this control method, it can be derived by stopping the symbols within the range of the maximum stop delay time after the operation of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R is detected. The display mode corresponding to the setting status of the winning flag is derived as the display result of the variable display device 2.

  In the above-described embodiment, the slot machine to which medals are applied as a game medium used for setting the number of bets and giving game value associated with winning is described as an example. However, the slot machine embodying the present invention may be a slot machine (so-called parrot) to which a game ball used in a pachinko gaming machine is applied as a game medium. When game balls are used as game media, for example, one medal can correspond to five game balls, and when three bets are set in the above embodiment, 15 game balls are used. This is equivalent to setting the number of bets using.

  Furthermore, if it is a gaming machine having an image display device that displays an image of an effect according to the progress of the game and also displays an image according to the type of error that has occurred when an error occurs, a pachinko gaming machine The present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine other than a slot machine. When the present invention is applied to a gaming machine other than a slot machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, it is assumed that the liquid crystal display 4 is considered in the same way as a slot machine arranged at a position different from the variable display device 2. That's fine.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the overall structure of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a control circuit of the slot machine of FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the game control process which the control part in a game control board performs for every game. It is a flowchart which shows the error interruption process which the control part in a game control board performs when an error generate | occur | produces. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which the control part in an effect control board performs. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which the control part in an effect control board performs. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process which the control part in an effect control board performs for every frame period. It is a flowchart which shows the process which the display control part in an effect control board performs according to the drawing command from a control part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 2 Variable display device 4 Liquid crystal display 101 Game control board 110 Control part 111 CPU
112 RAM
113 ROM
102 Production control board 120 Control unit 121 CPU
122 RAM
123 ROM
125 Display control unit 126 VDP
127 VRAM

Claims (5)

A gaming machine comprising an image display device for displaying an image,
Image data of each object set as a display target object is drawn in a frame memory for each predetermined frame period according to a parameter indicating display priority set for each of the objects, and the image drawn in the frame memory Effect control means for outputting an image signal corresponding to the data for each frame period;
A display drive circuit that outputs a drive signal corresponding to the image signal output from the effect control means and displays an image on the image display device;
The production control means includes
Effect selection means for selecting an effect type by displaying an image on the image display device according to the progress of the game, and setting an object corresponding to the selected effect type as a display target object;
The object corresponding to the type of the selected effect set as the display target object in the period from the selection of the effect type by display of the image by the effect selection means to the end of the effect of the selected type Display status determination means for determining whether or not the priority indicated in the parameter set in each of the parameters is within a predetermined range;
When the display status determining means determines that the priority is not within a predetermined range, an object whose priority indicated in the set parameter is not within the predetermined range is set as the display target object. And a display object setting prohibiting means for prohibiting the game machine. A gaming machine comprising an image display device for displaying an image,
Image data of each object set as a display target object is drawn in a frame memory for each predetermined frame period according to a parameter indicating display priority set for each of the objects, and the image drawn in the frame memory Effect control means for outputting an image signal corresponding to the data for each frame period;
A display drive circuit that outputs a drive signal corresponding to the image signal output from the effect control means and displays an image on the image display device;
The production control means includes
According to the progress of the game, the type of effect by displaying the image on the image display device is selected, and an object corresponding to the selected type of effect and set with a parameter indicating the display priority is set. Production selection means to set as a display target object;
The object corresponding to the type of the selected effect set as the display target object in the period from the selection of the effect type by display of the image by the effect selection means to the end of the effect of the selected type Display status determination means for determining whether or not the priority indicated in the parameter set in each of the parameters is within a predetermined range;
When the display status determining means determines that the priority is not within a predetermined range, when the object corresponding to the selected type of effect is set as the display target object, the selected type of effect is selected. And a parameter resetting unit for resetting a parameter set in the corresponding object to a priority parameter included in the predetermined range. The display status determination means includes error determination means for determining whether or not an error has occurred in the game in the gaming machine, and when the error determination means determines that an error has occurred, the display target object It is determined whether or not the priority indicated in the parameter set for each of the objects according to the selected type of effect set as is within a predetermined range,
The production control means, when it is determined by the error determination means that an error has occurred, shows an image for notifying the occurrence of the error and has a higher priority than the priority included in the predetermined range. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising error object setting means for setting an error object in which a parameter to be set is set as a display target object. The gaming machine can start a game by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using a gaming value, and a display result is displayed on a variable display device that variably displays a plurality of types of identification information. Is a slot machine in which one game is ended by being derived and winning can be generated according to the display result derived to the variable display device,
In the image display device, at least a part of the region is disposed as a transmissive region on the front surface of the variable display device, and the image of the transmissive region is made transparent to transmit the identification information displayed by the variable display device. It is a transmissive display device shown to the player,
The display status determining means includes game period determining means for determining whether or not it is a period from the start to the end of one game,
The effect control means is a transparent color object corresponding to the transparent area and is included in the predetermined range when the game period determination means determines that the period is from the start to the end of one game. The transparent area object setting means which sets the transparent area object in which the parameter which shows a priority higher than a priority is set as the said display target object is further included. The Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Game machines. The gaming machine can start a game by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using a gaming value, and a display result is displayed on a variable display device that variably displays a plurality of types of identification information. Is a slot machine in which one game is ended by being derived and winning can be generated according to the display result derived to the variable display device,
In the image display device, at least a part of the region is disposed as a transmissive region on the front surface of the variable display device, and the image of the transmissive region is made transparent to transmit the identification information displayed by the variable display device. It is a transmissive display device shown to the player,
The display drive circuit outputs a drive signal corresponding to a transmissive color as a drive signal in at least the transmission region when no image signal is input from the display control means. The gaming machine according to item 1.

Images