JP2008104680A - Game machine and simulation program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which is capable of a display enjoyable and full of virtual reality pertaining to game values such as those of the number of tokens or the like. <P>SOLUTION: As for the display showing the game values such as those of token related objects representing the number of bets and the number of credits, degree of expectation objects representing the degree of expectation for the development to special winning combinations and number of put-out token objects, values of parameters (degree of transparency, positions and the like) for defining textures for game values utilizing a continuous function g to accomplish a neon tubular flashing expression. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine.

  A gaming machine (slot machine) that includes a change display section (hereinafter referred to as a reel) that changes a symbol in accordance with a lottery performed for each game, and determines the success or failure of a winning combination by a combination of symbols displayed by rotation and stop of each reel. Etc.) are known.

  In such a gaming machine, a game is played by betting (so-called betting) a medal (game medium) with a predetermined maximum allowable bet number as an upper limit. When the player inserts 1 to 3 medals into the medal slot, the inserted medals become the number of bets, and 1 to 5 winning lines are activated according to the number of bets. After the player operates the start lever, the player stops each corresponding reel by operating each stop button provided for each reel. When the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning is displayed on the activated winning line due to the stop of the reel, it is determined that the winning is made, and a predetermined number of medals corresponding to the winning are paid out to the player.

  In this gaming machine, medals and the like paid out in accordance with winnings can be stored (credited) inside the gaming machine. Furthermore, instead of actually inserting medals from the medal slot, one to three bets can be designated by operating the bet switch based on the credited medals. Information on the number of medals related to the game, such as the number of medals bet on the game (the number of bets), the number of medals paid out by winning a prize, the number of medals to be credited (number of credits), is provided in 7 segments provided on the front of the gaming machine Since a numerical value is displayed on a display device such as an LED, the player can check information on the number of medals related to the game at any time using the display device such as a 7-segment LED (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 3-72313

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, even if an effect with a sense of reality (for example, a notification effect by a character) is performed according to the gaming state, information on the number of medals is displayed on a display such as a 7-segment LED regardless of the effect. However, there was a problem of lack of realism and lack of interest.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine or the like capable of displaying an interesting and interesting display of information related to a game medium such as a coin. .

  In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine of the present invention is a gaming machine that varies a plurality of symbols on condition that a gaming medium is inserted, and that pays out gaming media according to a stop mode of the symbol, Generating means for generating a quantity object representing the quantity of game media; first parameter changing means for changing a parameter representing at least one of transparency, position, and color of the quantity object based on a predetermined continuous function; and the parameter Display means for displaying the quantity object based on the above.

  According to this configuration, the quantity object representing the quantity of game media is changed based on the continuous function for the parameter representing at least one of transparency, position, and color. In addition, an interesting display is possible (see FIG. 12).

Here, in the above configuration, a determination unit that determines whether or not to perform an effect representing a predetermined gaming state;
In the case of performing the production, it is preferable that the apparatus further includes second parameter changing means for changing a parameter representing the color of the quantity object. Here, the “gaming machine” according to the present invention is not limited, but includes, for example, a slot machine, a pachinko machine (including a first kind pachinko machine, a second kind pachinko machine), and the like.

  The simulation program according to the present invention is stored in a storage medium and distributed. Such a storage medium is a computer-readable medium such as various ROMs, USB memories equipped with flash memories, SD memories, memory sticks, memory cards, FDs, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, etc. A typical storage medium. In addition, the broad recording medium includes a transmission medium such as the Internet capable of transmitting the program. This is because the program (downloaded) transmitted through the transmission medium is stored in the memory as it is and executed by the computer.

  According to the present invention, information relating to game media such as coins can be displayed with a sense of realism and interestingness.

  Hereinafter, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one applied to a gaming machine (slot machine) installed in a game hall or the like will be exemplified. The following embodiments are merely examples of application of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and can be applied with various modifications.

A. The present embodiment relates to a gaming machine according to the basic configuration of the present invention.
First, the case configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, a front panel 20 is attached to a front surface portion of a housing of the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment so as to be freely opened and closed. It is a display area in which an effect display device 40 having a display function is provided in the upper part of the front panel 20, and an operation unit is provided in the center.

  An effect display device (display means) 40 having a display function is provided at the top of the housing. The effect display device 40 is configured to include, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and is configured to be able to display images for various effects and information necessary for a game in a display area. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, in addition to the effect display area 410 for displaying various effects (such as the appearance of a character), the number of credits, the number of bets, the number of winning big bonuses, and the like are displayed. The game value display area 420 is included (details will be described later).

  The effect display device 40 is provided with one transparent display window 21. The area of the display window 21 is not provided with a liquid crystal for displaying an image, a member constituting the liquid crystal (such as a polarizing plate), or a circuit for controlling the liquid crystal, and transmits light. It is an area that cannot physically display an image.

Three reels (rotating drums) are arranged in a position inside the housing and visible through the display window 21. From the left side when viewed from the front, the left reel 31L, the middle reel 31C, and the right reel 31R are arranged in this order.
The reels 31L, 31C and 31R are formed in a ring-shaped hollow structure. The outer periphery of the reel is formed in the width of the reel tape that is affixed to the outer peripheral surface, and a plurality of openings are provided on the outer peripheral surface in accordance with the shape of the pattern printed on the reel tape. The inside of the reel is hollow, and the rotating shaft is supported by a frame extending from the outer peripheral surface.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The bet switch group 43 is a switch group for designating the number of bets (the number of bets) when the player inserts a medal in the credit. The bet switch group 43 includes a 1-bet / 2-bet switch 43a and a MAX bet switch (3-bet switch) 43b. It is configured. These bet switches 43a and 43b are also arranged as buttons, for example. When the 1-bet / 2-bet switch 43a is operated, one or two medals are bet (collected as a consideration for the game), and when the MAX bet switch 43b is operated, the maximum bet number of three A medal is bet. That is, the number of bets designated by the operation of the bet switch group 43 is collected from the number of medals (credits) that are credits. These bet numbers and credit numbers are displayed in the game value display area 420a shown in FIG. 6 (details will be described later).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Sub control board 60)
The sub control board 60 includes a sub CPU 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, an interface circuit (I / F circuit) 69, an image control unit 64, an image data ROM 65a, a RAM 65b, a video RAM 66, a sound source circuit 67a, a sound ROM 67b, an amplifier 68, and the like. Is provided. The image control unit 64 includes a CPU 64a and a VDP (Video Display Processor) 64b.
The sub CPU 61 and the CPU 64 a of the image control unit 64 are connected to each other via the bus 70. The image data ROM 65a and the RAM 65b are connected to the CPU 64a, the video RAM 66 is connected to the VDP 64b, and the amplifier 68 is connected to the sound source circuit 67.

  The sub CPU 61 reads (fetches), interprets (decodes) and executes instructions constituting the program. Then, the sub CPU 61 reads a program, data, and the like stored in the ROM 62, and controls the sub control board 60 as a whole, particularly selecting an effect pattern for the player, sending a command to the CPU 64a of the image control unit 64, and the like. It is like that. Note that there are no restrictions on the processing capability or development language of the sub CPU 61.

  The ROM 62 stores software programs, data, and the like necessary for effects during the game by the sub CPU 61. The RAM 63 is used when the sub CPU 61 performs various controls, and is configured to be able to temporarily store data and the like.

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

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

  The CPU 64a of the image control unit 64 reads (fetches), interprets (decodes), and executes instructions constituting the program. Then, the CPU 64a reads a program, data, and the like stored in the image data ROM 65a in accordance with a command given from the sub CPU 61, and performs control for displaying an image according to the effect. The image data ROM 65 stores original image data for generating image data such as characters, characters, and backgrounds displayed on the effect display device 40.

  The VDP 64b is responsible for overall video output to the effect display device 40, and under the control of the CPU 64a, generates frame image data based on the original image data transferred from the image data ROM 65a and develops it in the video RAM 66. I do.

  The video RAM 66 is a memory used when the VDP 64b creates an image to be displayed on the effect display device 107, and can store a plurality of frame image data.

  The sound source circuit 67a includes a sound generation circuit for a predetermined number of channels, for example, eight sound source channels, and can simultaneously reproduce frames for the number of sound source channels. The sound source circuit 67a is controlled by an effect pattern selection command output from the CPU 64a. When the tone generator circuit 67a receives an effect pattern selection command or the like output from the CPU 64a, the tone generator circuit 67a reads the tone generator data of the tone generator channel corresponding to this command from the sound ROM 67b and synthesizes them, and generates them separately for the R channel and L channel. Then, D / A conversion is performed and an analog sound signal is output. The amplifier 68 amplifies the analog sound signals of the R and L channels and outputs them from the speaker 71 as musical sounds.

  Here, between the sub CPU 61 and the CPU 64a of the image control unit 64, not only transmission of signals from the sub CPU 61 to the CPU 64a but also transmission of signals from the CPU 64a to the sub CPU 61 are performed. Specifically, various commands and data are transmitted from the sub CPU 61 to the CPU 64a, and detection results of various check errors (parity error, check sum error, etc.) are transmitted from the CPU 64a to the sub CPU 61.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Game state control unit 108)
The gaming state control unit 108 is a functional block for controlling the special game from the next game until the predetermined end condition is satisfied when the winning determination unit 107 has won a special role as a result of the determination. It is.
For example, the game state control unit 108 causes the reel control unit 106 to perform reel control for special games according to the lottery result of the role lottery unit 103 during the special game, or causes the sub control board 60 to perform special game effects. Or let it be done.

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

(Functional block on sub control board)
Next, a functional configuration of the sub control board 60 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the sub control board 60.
The sub-control board 60 includes an effect control unit 201, an effect pattern storage unit 202, and an image control unit 260. The effects implemented by the sub-control board 60 are effects by an image displayed in the image display area around the display window 21 by the effect display device 40 and effects by sound generated from the speaker 71. Unlike the operations on the main control board 50, these effects do not change the direction of the game itself, such as a lottery of a role. However, the effects of the images and sounds give the player a stimulus and win the prize. It plays an important role in raising expectations and eliminating monotony.

(Production control unit 201)
The effect control unit 201 is functionally realized by the sub CPU 61 executing a computer readable program recorded in the ROM 62. The effect control unit 201 designates a lottery command that represents a lottery result (such as winning of a small role or a special role) output from the role lottery unit 103 of the main control board 50, or the operation content of the player (for example, the number of bets). A state command representing an operation or a pressing operation of a stop switch, etc., and an effect pattern corresponding to the received command is selected from the effect pattern storage unit 202 and transferred to the image control unit 260, or the received command is directly used as an image. Or transfer to the control unit 260.

  More specifically, when receiving a lottery command from the main control board 50, the effect control unit 201 obtains a lottery result (such as winning a special role) from the effect pattern storage unit 202 in which a plurality of effect patterns are stored. A corresponding effect pattern is selected, and the selected effect pattern is sent to the image control unit 260. On the other hand, when the production control unit 201 receives a command representing the pressing operation of each bet switch 43 for designating the number of bets from the main control board 50, an operation representing the number of bets (1 bet, 2 bets, 3 bets). The contents are sent to the image control unit 260.

(Production pattern storage unit 202)
The effect pattern storage unit 202 stores a plurality of effect patterns according to each command, and specifically stores a management table in which lottery results (such as winning a small role or special role) and the effect patterns are associated with each other. ing. The effect pattern storage unit 202 also stores an expectation effect pattern that is expected to win a special role (such as a big bonus), and is transferred from the effect control unit 201 to the image control unit 260 at a predetermined timing. (Details will be described later).

(Image control unit 260)
The image control unit 260 is functionally realized by the CPU 64a or the like of the image control unit 64 executing a computer-readable program recorded in the image data ROM 65a. The image control unit 260 controls an image displayed on the effect display device 40 in accordance with an effect pattern sent from the effect control unit 201 and a state command representing the operation content of the player, and controls a musical sound output from the speaker 71. To do. FIG. 5 shows functional blocks obtained by dividing the image control unit 260 from functional aspects.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image control unit 260 includes an image generation instruction unit 301, a sound control unit 302, an object data storage unit 3031, a texture data storage unit 3032, a camera angle setting / switching unit 303, and image data generation as functional blocks. Unit 304, image data storage unit 305, and display control unit 306.

  In the above configuration, the image generation instruction unit 301 and the sound control unit 302 are functionally realized by the sub CPU 61 executing a program stored in the ROM 62. The object data storage unit 3031 and the texture data storage unit 3032 correspond to the image data ROM 65a. The image data storage unit 305 corresponds to the video RAM 66. Each configuration of the camera angle setting / switching unit 303 and the image data generating unit 304 and the display control unit 306 are functionally realized by an image control unit 64 that executes an image switching program.

(Image generation instruction unit 301)
The image generation instruction unit 301 instructs the image data generation unit 304 to generate image data in accordance with the effect pattern selected by the effect control unit 201 (such as an effect pattern corresponding to the winning combination or an expectation level increasing effect pattern). . The image generation instruction unit 301 specifies a character object or the like to be displayed on the effect display device 40 according to the virtual camera angle set by the camera angle setting / switching unit 303 and notifies the image data generation unit 304 of the character object. The image generation instruction unit 301 determines the story on the image according to the effect pattern.

(Sound controller 302)
The sound control unit 302 generates a sound signal corresponding to the effect pattern selected by the effect control unit 201, and controls the sound source circuit 67 to emit sound as a musical sound. The sound controlled by the sound control unit 302 is temporally linked with the image generation instruction unit 301 so as to be closely related to the progress of the image displayed by the control of the image generation instruction unit 301. It has been taken.

(Camera angle setting / switching unit 303)
The camera angle setting / switching unit 303 continuously displays the virtual camera position and inclination (hereinafter referred to as an angle) for expanding the virtual three-dimensional space designated by the effect control unit 201 into a two-dimensional image at every drawing timing. To set. Note that the angle switching timing and the number of angles of the virtual camera, the moving speed of the virtual camera, and the like can be arbitrarily set and changed.

(Object data storage unit 3031)
The object data storage unit 3031 stores object data that is shape definition information of various objects to be displayed in the virtual three-dimensional space. The objects to be displayed are roughly divided into effect objects displayed in the effect display area 410 shown in FIG. 6 and game value objects displayed in the game value display area 420.
The effect objects include a character object Ch (see FIG. 7A) displayed in the effect display area 410, a special object Sp that is expected to develop into a special role (such as a big bonus), and the like (see FIG. 7B).
On the other hand, in the game value object, a coin-related object (quantity object) Co representing the number of bets and credits displayed in the game value display area 420a, and a special role displayed in the game value display area 420b are expected to be developed. An expectation degree object Yo representing the degree, a payout number object (quantity object) Bo representing the number of coins to be paid out in accordance with the winnings displayed in the game value display area 420c, and the like are included (see FIGS. 7A to 7C).

Here, the character object Ch and the special object Sp displayed in the effect display area 410 are configured, for example, by pasting a predetermined texture on a polygon aggregate in which a plurality of polygons having a triangle as a minimum element are combined.
On the other hand, the coin-related object Co, the expectation object Yo, and the payout number object Bo displayed in the game value display area 420a are configured, for example, by pasting a predetermined texture on a single plate polygon (details will be described later). . In addition, the relative positions (directions and sizes) of the minute polygons are three-dimensionally defined for these objects in a self-contained user coordinate system (local coordinate system).

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

  In addition to the premise that texture data is mapped to polygons, the texture data includes sprites, that is, bitmap data for images that are directly arranged in a developed two-dimensional image as a single picture. . Such a sprite is suitable for displaying an image that does not require a three-dimensional effect. However, since it can be used as a part of the object, a part of the object described above may be configured by the sprite.

(Production object generation unit 3040)
The effect object generation unit 3040 generates an effect object (character object Ch or special object Sp) to be displayed in the effect display area 410 based on the effect pattern given from the effect control unit 201 and the notification given from the image generation instruction unit 301. To do. More specifically, the object generation unit 3034 first reads out the object data specified according to the effect pattern or the like from the object data storage unit 3031 for each frame period, and generates a polygon model corresponding to each effect object. Then, the object generation unit 3034 reads the texture data for the effect object whose arrangement is determined from the texture data storage unit 3032, performs affine transformation on the texture data, and maps the texture to each polygon constituting the polygon model. .

(Game value object generation unit 3050)
The game value object generation unit (generation unit) 3050 is based on the effect pattern given from the effect control unit 201 and the notification given from the image generation instruction unit 301, and the game value object (coin related object) to be displayed in the game value display area 420. Co, an expected degree object Yo, and a payout number object Bo) are generated. Specifically, the game value object generation unit 3050 first reads out object data corresponding to each game value display area 420a to 420c from the object data storage unit 3031 for each frame period, and stores it in each game value display area 420a to 420c. Generate the corresponding plate polygon. Then, the game value object generation unit 3050 reads the texture data for the game value object whose arrangement is determined from the texture data storage unit 3032, performs affine transformation on the texture data, and maps the texture to each generated board polygon To do. In the present embodiment, the flickering of neon tube style as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B is expressed by changing the value of the parameter defining the texture using the continuous function for the texture for the game value object. According to such a configuration, it is possible to express flickering neon tube wind with a sense of realism while suppressing resource resources as compared to the case of using an animation pattern or the like. Hereinafter, details of such an expression method will be described.

First, when the game value object generation unit 3050 receives an instruction to generate a game value object from the image generation instruction unit 301, the first texture parameter determination unit 3051 refers to the parameter function memory M and changes the transparency of the texture. Determine a continuous function for FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a continuous function registered in the parameter function memory M. If the first texture parameter determination unit (first parameter changing means) 3051 determines that the trigonometric function g1 as shown in FIG. 8A, for example, should be used as the continuous function for changing the transparency of the texture, this trigonometric function g1. Is used to obtain the transparency α of the texture for the game value object that continuously varies in the range of 0.0 (completely transparent) to 1.0 (completely opaque).
Similarly, the second texture parameter determining unit (first parameter changing means) 3052 determines a continuous function for changing the texture position. Similar to the transparency of the texture, if it is determined that the trigonometric function g1 as shown in FIG. 8A should be used, the position β of the texture for the game value object that continuously varies within a predetermined range using the trigonometric function g1. Get.

  By performing such control, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the game value object texture (herein, the character string “CREDIT”) Tx1 is expressed with a realistic game value in which flickering of a neon tube style is expressed. The texture Tx1 ′ for the object can be generated. Here, the degree of flickering of the neon tube wind can be adjusted by changing the amplitude A, the period T, etc. of the continuous function to be used (here, the trigonometric function g1), thereby comparing with FIG. 9A. It becomes possible to generate a texture Tx1 ″ for a game value object with a large flickering degree of neon tube wind (see FIG. 9B).

The third texture parameter (determination means, second parameter change means) determination unit 3053 determines the texture color based on the type of effect pattern given from the effect control unit 201. Specifically, when it is determined that the effect pattern corresponding to the normal game is supplied from the effect control unit 201, for example, the color of the texture Tx for the game value object is determined to be blue.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the expectation-up effect pattern that expects the development from the effect control unit 201 to a special role (such as a big bonus) is supplied, the color of the texture Tx for the game value object is changed from blue to red, for example. In this way, not only the game value is simply displayed, but also the display of the game value is changed according to the game state, so that a more realistic effect can be achieved. Note that all the colors of the texture Tx for the game value object may be changed, but only a part of the colors may be changed. Further, when an effect pattern corresponding to a special game (for example, a big bonus) given from the effect control unit 201 is supplied, the color of the texture Tx for the game value object may be changed from red to white, for example, It is possible to arbitrarily change in which gaming state the display color of the gaming value is changed.

(Development unit 3060)
The development unit 3060 develops various objects arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space into a two-dimensional image. Specifically, the expansion unit 3060 performs a coordinate conversion operation for converting various objects defined in the world coordinate system into the viewpoint coordinate system, and stores them in the image data storage unit 305 as image data including the background. .

  Here, if the image data storage unit 305 is configured to be able to store image data for a plurality of frames, the image data may be generated and stored in a plurality of layers. For example, the image data for the effect object converted into the viewpoint coordinate system may be stored in one layer, and the image data for the game value object converted into the viewpoint coordinate system may be stored in another layer. .

(Display control unit 306)
The display control unit 306 reads out the image data stored in the image data storage unit 305 for each frame period and outputs it to the effect display device 40. Here, when the image data storage unit 305 includes a plurality of layers, the image data read from each layer is synthesized with the set priority order, and is output to the effect device 40 as image data for one frame. . The effect display device (display unit) 40 displays an image as shown in FIG. 7, for example, based on the image data in units of output frames from the display control unit 306.

(Operation on the main control board)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing control by the main control board 50.
When a player inserts a medal and the start switch 41 is operated, the control unit 101 detects that the start switch 41 is turned on, and the combination lottery unit 103 performs a combination lottery process (step S101 → Step S102). On the other hand, when the start switch 41 is not operated by the player and it is not possible to detect that the start switch 41 is turned on, the control unit 101 performs step S101 until it detects that the start switch 41 is turned on. Repeat the process.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  On the other hand, when the winning combination is not “special combination”, if the flag of the special combination is stored in the flag information storage unit 105 in the ON state, the storage state of the flag in the flag information storage unit 105 is determined in the next game. Carried over.

  When the winning combination is “small role”, the gaming state control unit 108 performs reel control so that symbols such as bells are aligned on the active line, and the sub-control board 60 is used for “small role”. Production of a production or a small role announcement (display of a notification object, etc.) is performed. When the winning combination is “replay”, the winning determination unit 107 causes the control unit 101 to carry over the bet (the number of bets) in the game to the next game, and even if the winning combination is “special combination”, “ If it is not “Replay”, the payout control unit 109 causes the hopper device 93 to pay out the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination.

(Operation of the game value object generator on the sub control board)
Next, the operation of the game value object generating unit 3050 on the sub control board 60 will be described.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart executed intermittently by the game value object generating unit 3050.
In FIG. 11, the game value object generation unit 3050 determines a game value object to be displayed in the game value display area 420 based on the effect pattern given from the effect control unit 201 and the notification given from the image generation instruction unit 301 ( Step S201).

  For example, when an expectation-up effect that is expected to develop into a special role is performed, an expectation object Yo is displayed in the game value display area 420b. The generation process of the expectation degree object Yo will be described in detail. First, when the expectation-up effect pattern is supplied from the effect control unit 201 to the image data generation unit 304, the effect object generation unit 304 is as shown in FIG. 7B. A special object Sp is generated. On the other hand, the game value object generating unit 3050 generates an expectation object Yo as shown in FIG. 12A. As is clear by comparing FIGS. 12A to 12C, the expectation object Yo displayed in the game value display area 420b changes in accordance with the expectation. Specifically, when the expectation up effect is performed only once, an expectation object Yo displaying a character string “Are” as shown in FIG. 12A is generated, and is displayed in the game value display area 420b. Is displayed. Thereafter, when the expectation-up effect is further performed (twice in total), an expectation object Yo displaying the character strings “Are” and “you” as shown in FIG. 12B is generated, and the game value display It is displayed in the area 420b. When the expectation-up effect is further performed (three times in total), an expectation object Yo displaying character strings “Are”, “you”, and “ready?” As shown in FIG. 12C is generated. The game value is displayed in the game value display area 420b. The player can grasp the expected degree of the special role by confirming the character string displayed in the game value display area 420b.

Returning to FIG. 11, when the game value object generation unit 3050 determines the game value object to be displayed in the game value display area 420 as described above, the game value object generation unit 3050 generates a board polygon corresponding to the game value display area 420 and sets the position. (Step S202). Then, the game value object generating unit 3050 determines a texture to be pasted on each arranged board polygon (step S203), and reads texture data corresponding to the texture from the texture data storage unit 3032. Then, using the continuous function stored in the parameter function memory M as described above, the transparency α and position β of the texture are determined (step S204).
Thereafter, the game value object generating unit 3050 determines whether or not the color of the texture for the game value object should be changed based on the type of effect pattern given from the effect control unit 201 (step S205). For example, while the effect control unit 201 continues to supply the effect pattern according to the normal game, the process proceeds to step S207 without changing the texture color for the game value object. On the other hand, when the effect pattern given from the effect control unit 201 is changed from the effect pattern corresponding to the normal game to the expectation-up effect effect pattern, the color of the texture for the game value object is changed from blue to red in step S206. After the change, go to step S207.

In step S207, the game value object generation unit 3050 generates a game value object by mapping the textures whose parameters are determined as described above to each board polygon.
The game value object generated in the virtual three-dimensional space is developed into a two-dimensional image by the developing unit 3035 and stored in the image data storage unit 305 as image data. The display control unit 306 reads out the image data stored in the image data storage unit 305 for each frame period and outputs it to the effect display device 40. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, an image representing the game value object in which the flickering of the neon tube wind is expressed is displayed on the effect display device 40.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the flickering of the neon tube wind is expressed by changing the value of the parameter that defines the texture for the game value using the continuous function for the display representing the game value. To do. According to such a configuration, it is possible to express flickering neon tube wind full of realism while suppressing resource resources as compared with the case of using an animation pattern or the like.

  In the above-described embodiment, a trigonometric function is exemplified as a continuous function to be used (see FIG. 8A). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a triangular wave shown in FIG. 8B or a predetermined composite wave shown in FIG. The present invention can be applied to various continuous functions such as a function (see FIG. 8C).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, regarding the display representing the game value, the flicker of the neon tube style is expressed by changing the parameter value of the texture for the game value, but the color information of the polygon for the game value is changed. It is possible to express the flicker of neon tube wind.
Specifically, the game value object generating unit (first parameter changing unit) 3050 uses the continuous function to change the color information of each polygon constituting the game value object, while the texture value for the game value object is a parameter. Do not change the value of. The flickering of the neon tube wind may be expressed by such an aspect.

B. Modified Example In the above-described embodiment, the slot machine (dedicated machine) has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be realized by other hardware.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a simulation apparatus capable of executing the same game as the slot machine according to the present invention on the screen (pseudo game).
The simulation device 500 is, for example, a personal computer, a game machine, a mobile phone, or a PDA, and includes a control device 510, a display device 520, and an input device 530.

The control device 510 includes a CPU 510a, a ROM 510b, a RAM 510c, and the like, and centrally controls each part of the simulation device 500 by executing various control programs stored in a memory such as the ROM 510b. The memory of the control device 510 stores a simulation program for performing a pseudo game on the screen of the display device 520. The simulation program is installed through various storage media such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, and a semiconductor memory, and from a server equipped with the simulation program via a network (such as the Internet or an intranet) or a communication interface (not shown). Can be downloaded.
The display device 520 is composed of a CRT, a liquid crystal panel, and the like, and displays an image representing each element constituting the slot machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, for example, a character displayed on the effect display device 40, a game value, and the like.

The input device 530 includes a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and implements functions such as a start switch 41, a stop switch group 42, and a bet switch group 43 that constitute the slot machine 1. Specifically, by operating the input device 530 by the player, a reel rotation start / stop operation and the like are performed in the pseudo game.
According to the simulation program described above, since the same game as the gaming machine according to the present invention can be realized by a simulation device such as a personal computer or a mobile phone, the player can enjoy a pseudo game by using the simulation device. it can.

Front view of the slot machine according to the present embodiment The block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the slot machine which concerns on this embodiment Functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the main control board Functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sub-control board Functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image controller The figure for demonstrating the display area of an effect display apparatus The figure which shows the example of a screen of an effect display apparatus The figure which shows the example of a screen of an effect display apparatus The figure which shows the example of a screen of an effect display apparatus Diagram illustrating continuous function stored in parameter function memory Diagram illustrating continuous function stored in parameter function memory Diagram illustrating continuous function stored in parameter function memory An example of a flickering neon tube flicker An example of a flickering neon tube flicker Flowchart showing the control of the main control board in this embodiment The flowchart which shows control of the game value object generation part in this embodiment Diagram showing expectation object Diagram showing expectation object Diagram showing expectation object The block diagram which shows the structure of the simulation apparatus which concerns on a modification.

Explanation of symbols

10 slot machine 21 display window 31 reel 31L left reel 31C middle reel 31R right reel 40 effect display device 50 main control board 51 main CPU
52, 62 ROM
53, 63 RAM
54, 69 I / F circuit 60 Sub control board 101 Control unit 102 Lottery table 103 Role lottery unit 105 Flag information storage unit 106 Reel control unit 107 Winning determination unit 108 Game state control unit 201 Production control unit 202 Production pattern storage unit 260 Image Control unit 301 Image generation instruction unit 302 Sound control unit 3031 Object data storage unit 3032 Texture data storage unit 304 Image data generation unit 305 Image data storage unit 306 Display control unit 3040 Production object generation unit 3050 Game value object generation unit 3051 First texture Parameter determining unit 3052 Second texture parameter determining unit 3053 Third texture parameter determining unit

Claims (3)

A gaming machine that fluctuates a plurality of symbols on condition that a game medium is inserted, and pays out the game media according to a stop mode of the symbols,
Generating means for generating a quantity object representing the quantity of the game medium;
First parameter changing means for changing a parameter representing at least one of transparency, position, and color of the quantity object based on a predetermined continuous function;
And a display means for displaying the quantity object based on the parameter. A judging means for judging whether or not to produce an effect representing a predetermined gaming state;
The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising second parameter changing means for changing a parameter representing a color of the quantity object when performing the presentation. A computer that changes a plurality of symbols on condition that a game medium is inserted, and pays out the game media according to a stop mode of the symbols,
Generating means for generating a quantity object representing the quantity of the game medium;
First parameter changing means for changing a parameter representing at least one of transparency, position, and color of the quantity object based on a predetermined continuous function;
The simulation program for functioning as a display means to display the quantity object based on the parameter.