JP2008183446A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a display process in a picture display device side by just outputting a game state signal according to a game state in a pinball game machine. <P>SOLUTION: A graphic controller 30 is so formed that a signal analysis means 32 analyses game state signals D1, D2 to Dn based on the game state signals D1, D2 to Dn transmitted from a main controller 20 and outputs a display control signal. A selection means 36 receiving the display control signal selects symbol information from a storage means 34. A composition means 38 composes at least two symbols based on the selected symbol information and a display control signal and displays a picture on the picture display device 42 based on the composed picture information. The main controller 20, by just transmitting a game state signal D1, D2 to Dn from the main controller to the graphic controller 30, allows the picture display device 42 to compose at least two symbols and simultaneously display them. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine, and relates to a technique for displaying a symbol on an image display device provided in a ball game machine body.

  An image display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display device is generally provided on a board surface of a recent bullet ball game machine. Since various symbols (including character information) are displayed on the image display device, the player can recognize the current gaming state and the like. For example, the screen display of the image display device is simulated by a slot machine, and symbols such as numbers and fruits appear in each slot composed of a plurality of drums. And when a game ball passes (or wins) a predetermined area | region, each drum will be rotated only for a predetermined period. After the predetermined period has elapsed, if symbols such as numbers that are stopped and displayed on the image display device are aligned, a “big hit” character or the like is displayed.

  In the conventional ball game machine, in order to realize the above-described symbol display, a single frame memory corresponding to the display screen of the image display device is configured. The state control program monitors the current gaming state (that is, the state including at least the special profit state and the normal state), and selects a symbol suitable for the gaming state. The symbols thus selected are set (written) in the frame memory for each screen, and the desired symbols are displayed on the display screen of the image display device.

  However, in a conventional ball game machine, the state control program also performs display processing on the image display device while monitoring the current game state. For this reason, it is difficult to secure time for controlling a device (for example, a solenoid for opening and closing a tulip) provided in the ball game machine. In particular, in order to display a complex symbol by synthesizing a plurality of symbols, a considerable amount of time is required for the synthesizing process. Therefore, the state control program considering both the display processing of the image display device and the device control processing is complicated, and it takes much time to create the state control program. For this reason, there has been a problem that the manufacturing cost of the entire ball and ball game machine becomes high.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and the problem is that the state control program side realizes display processing on the image display device side only by outputting a gaming state signal corresponding to the gaming state, It is to reduce the manufacturing cost of the whole ball game machine by reducing the development man-hours for display processing.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the ball game machine 10 includes an image display device, displays symbols in a variable manner, and can switch a game state between a special profit state and a normal state at least. A main control unit that switches and controls the gaming state of the ball game machine between a special profit state and a normal state, and a video control unit that controls the image display device, the main control unit comprising: A first CPU for controlling the whole of the ball and ball game machine, and a first non-volatile storage means for storing a game control program, wherein the symbol variation time can be switched between long and short, and the main control The video control unit controls a command specified by the first CPU according to a high probability of winning and a length of a symbol variation time, and a command indicating a current probability state according to a change in a gaming state. Sent to the department The video control unit includes a second CPU, a second non-volatile storage means storing a video control program, a video controller for displaying an image on the image display device, and a game state on the image display device. Third non-volatile storage means in which the symbol data of the symbol displayed is stored, and third volatile storage means to which the symbol data is transferred from the third non-volatile storage means, the video controller, A memory having a character table area is provided therein, and the second CPU analyzes the command sent from the main control unit according to a video control program stored in the second nonvolatile storage means, Necessary data such as a symbol number is set in the character table area, and the video controller sets the symbol number set in the character table area. Is read from the third non-volatile storage means, transferred to the third volatile storage means, and an image signal is generated from the design data stored in the third volatile storage means and output. It is characterized by that.
As schematically shown in FIG. 1, an image display device 42 is provided, and at least a bullet ball gaming machine main body 40 that can be switched between a special profit state and a normal state, and the bullet ball gaming machine main body 40 is in a special profit state. Switching between the normal state and the normal state, and outputting the game state signals D1, D2,..., Dn according to the game state, and analyzing the game state signals D1, D2,. A signal analysis unit 32 for outputting a display control signal, a storage unit 34 for storing a plurality of symbol information, a selection unit 36 for selecting symbol information from the plurality of symbol information based on the display control signal, And a graphic controller 30 for controlling the image display device 42, comprising a synthesizing unit 38 for synthesizing at least two symbols based on the selected symbol information and the display control signal. The graphic controller 30 analyzes and displays the gaming state signals D1, D2,..., Dn based on the gaming state signals D1, D2,..., Dn sent from the main controller 20. A control signal is output, the selection means 36 selects symbol information from the storage means 34 based on the display control signal, and the combining means 38 includes at least two symbols based on the selected symbol information and the display control signal. synthesizing a design may be that a configuration to be displayed on the image display device 42 based on the synthesized image information.

  Here, the “symbol information” is information (data) that is the basis of a symbol (image) displayed on the image display device 42, and is not only a single symbol but also a slightly different symbol for displaying a moving image. It is assumed to include a set of In addition, the “symbol” is not limited to a symbol such as a fruit, and includes various symbols necessary for transmission to a player or a game hall related person such as a character or a symbol. Furthermore, “image information” is information (data) after combining a plurality of symbol information and symbol data described later. In the case of “selecting symbol information from the plurality of symbol information”, there are cases where zero symbol information is selected, that is, symbol information stored in the storage means 34 is not selected at all. Shall be included.

In the above invention, the gaming state signals D1, D2,..., Dn indicate symbol specifying information for specifying at least two symbols to be displayed on the image display device 42 and whether or not the symbols are displayed in a varying manner. or as having a change state flag.

  Here, the “symbol specifying information” is not limited to information (for example, symbol numbers or symbol symbols) specifying symbol information stored in the storage unit 34, but also information (for example, image) in which symbols are converted into numerical data. Data). Therefore, in the case of “symbol specifying information for specifying at least two symbols”, when at least two symbols are constituted only by the information for specifying the symbol information stored in the storage means 34, the symbols are converted into numerical data. In the case where at least two symbols are constituted only by the information that has been made, the case where at least two symbols are constituted by combining the information specifying the symbol information stored in the storage means 34 and the information obtained by converting the symbols into numerical data There are three modes.

According to the invention of claim 1, it is possible to display a symbol optimal for the current gaming state.
According to the above invention, the graphic controller 30 is based on the gaming state signals D1, D2,..., Dn sent from the main controller 20, and the signal analyzing means 32 analyzes the gaming state signals D1, D2,. Display control signal. In addition, the selection unit 36 that has received the display control signal selects symbol information from the storage unit 34. Then, the synthesizing unit 38 synthesizes at least two symbols based on the selected symbol information and the display control signal, and displays them on the image display device 42 based on the synthesized image information. Therefore, it is possible to synthesize at least two symbols and display them simultaneously on the image display device 42 only by sending one game state signal D1, D2,..., Dn from the main controller 20 to the graphic controller 30.

According to the above invention, the game state signals D1, D2,..., Dn sent from the main controller 20 to the graphic controller 30 have the symbol specifying information and the variation state flag. For this reason, it is possible to instruct at least two symbols to be displayed on the image display device 42 by the symbol specifying information, and to instruct whether the symbols are changed or displayed in the stopped state by the change state flag.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the appearance of a pachinko machine 100 that is one of the ball game machines 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. 2 and 3 are views showing the appearance of the pachinko machine 100. FIG. 2 shows a front view and FIG. 3 shows a back view. In these drawings, the same numbers are assigned to the same elements. The pachinko machine 100 is also one of the ball game machine main bodies 40.

  First, the surface of the pachinko machine 100 will be described. In FIG. 2, on the game board surface 102, a game area and a rail C that partitions the periphery of the game area are provided in a clockwise spiral shape. The rail C is provided with a lower left portion of the game board surface 102 as a starting end and an upper left portion that is slightly inwardly rotated as an end. Accordingly, a path for the game ball B passes from the lower left portion to the upper left portion of the game board surface 102. Further, a return rubber 140 is provided at a substantially middle point of the rail C (that is, an upper right portion of the game board surface 102), and a return ball prevention holder 110 is provided at the end of the rail C. When the player operates the launching device (not shown) by hand, the game ball B is launched along the rail C in the direction of arrow A. The return rubber 140 is provided to return the game ball B in the reverse direction when the game ball B is strongly hit. The return ball prevention holder 110 is provided to prevent the game ball B returned by the return rubber 140 from entering back into the passage.

  In the game area (that is, inside the rail C provided in a spiral shape), the gates 116 and 130, the ordinary electric accessory 118, the special device 120, the special winning opening 132 and the out opening 138 are appropriately arranged. ing. Similarly, nails and windmills that scatter the game ball B, or indicator lights 112, 114, 122, 142, 144, and 146 that entertain the eyes of the player are appropriately arranged on the game board surface 102. Yes. The special device 120 includes a normal symbol display device 124, a normal symbol memory number display device 124a, a special symbol display device 126, and a special symbol memory number display device 126a.

  The normal symbol display device 124 is a device that displays a normal symbol. The normal symbol displayed on the normal symbol display device 124 starts to change at a predetermined time. After the change, a case where the normal symbol displayed in a stopped state matches a predetermined symbol is defined as “winning”. As an ordinary symbol, for example, a number is appropriate. Although it is appropriate to use a 7-segment LED (Light Emitting Diode) for the normal symbol display device 124, a color or monochrome liquid crystal display device, CRT or LED display device (specifically, an LED in a rectangular area). Other display devices capable of displaying normal symbols, such as image display devices arranged in a grid pattern, may be applied.

  The special symbol display device 126 is one of the image display devices 42, and is a device that displays special symbols. The special symbol displayed on the special symbol display device 126 starts to change at a predetermined time. After the change, a case where the special symbol displayed in a stopped state matches a predetermined symbol is defined as “big hit”. For example, a combination of a symbol and a number is appropriate as the special symbol. In addition, it is desirable to use a color liquid crystal display device for the special symbol display device 126 in view of visibility, size of the housing, and power saving. Specifically, an LCD module “TFD40W11” manufactured by Toshiba Corporation is appropriate. The special symbol display device 126 is not limited to a color liquid crystal display device, and other display devices capable of displaying special symbols such as a monochrome liquid crystal display device, a CRT, a 7-segment LED, or an LED display device are applied. May be.

  Furthermore, the normal symbol memory number display device 124 a is a device that displays the number of times of changing the normal symbol displayed on the normal symbol display device 124. Similarly, the special symbol memory number display device 126a is a device that displays the number of times that the special symbol displayed on the special symbol display device 126 is changed. The normal symbol memory number display device 124a and the special symbol memory number display device 126a are each provided with, for example, four LEDs. However, as in the case of a display device such as a CRT or a display unit such as a 7-segment LED, the memory is stored. Other display devices for letting the player recognize the number may be applied.

  The ordinary electric accessory 118 includes a pair of electric movable wing pieces (so-called tulips) that are opened when “hit”. The big winning opening 132 is a horizontally long winning opening, and includes a lid that is opened at the time of “big hit”. In the horizontally long winning opening, a plurality of winning openings are provided horizontally, and one (for example, the central portion) of the winning openings 134 is set as a “special area”. Further, on the inside of the lid of the grand prize winning opening 132, a big winning prize winning number display device 136 for notifying the player of how many game balls B have won the big winning prize opening 132 is provided. In addition, a normal winning opening is provided on the left and right sides of the big winning opening 132. The gates 116 and 130 detect the passage of the game ball B. The out port 138 is a lower part of the game board surface 102 and is provided with the rail C interposed therebetween.

  Next, the back surface of the pachinko machine 100 will be described. In FIG. 3, on the back of the game board 104, detection switches 160, 164, 168, 170, 172 (hereinafter simply referred to as “detection switch 160 etc.”), an ordinary electric accessory solenoid 162, a big prize opening solenoid 174, Mounting holes 112a, 114a, 118a, 120a, 122a, 132a, 144a and an out-hole 138a are provided. In addition, a detection switch for detecting the passage of the game ball B that has won the normal winning opening and a guide rail for guiding the game ball B that has won the prize are appropriately provided.

  Here, the attachment holes 112a, 114a, 122a, and 144a are holes for attaching the indicator lights 112, 114, 122, and 144, respectively. Similarly, the attachment holes 118a, 120a, and 132a are holes for attaching the ordinary electric accessory 118, the special device 120, and the special winning opening 132, respectively. Further, the out port hole 138 a is a hole for the out port 138.

  Each of the detection switches 160 and the like is a switch for detecting the passage of the game ball B, and a proximity switch for determining the passage by a change in magnetism is generally used. The detection switches 160 and 168 detect the game ball B passing through the gates 130 and 116, respectively. The detection switch 164 detects the game ball B that has won the ordinary electric accessory 118. The detection switch 172 detects the game ball B that has won the grand prize opening 132, and the detection switch 170 detects the game ball B that has won the prize opening 134 (special area). The detection signals detected by these detection switches 160 and the like are all sent to the main control unit 220 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. It is also used as a detection device for controlling the operation of the accessory 118 or the like.

  The ordinary electric accessory solenoid 162 is a solenoid for opening and closing the pair of movable blades configured in the ordinary electric accessory 118 to the left and right when “hit”. The special winning opening solenoid 174 is a solenoid for opening and closing the lid provided in the special winning opening 132 in the case of “big hit”.

  Next, electrical connection for operating the pachinko machine 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 is a wiring system diagram of the pachinko machine 100, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing configurations of the main control unit 220 and the video control unit 240. As shown in FIG. The same elements as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 4, the electrical wiring system of the pachinko machine 100 is roughly composed of a board surface part 200 and a frame part 300. The panel unit 200 includes a terminal unit 210, a main control unit 220, a video control unit 240, and a relay unit 260. The frame unit 300 includes a crime prevention unit 306, a launch control unit 330, a relay unit 302, a terminal unit 340, and a relay unit 324.

  First, the board surface part 200 will be described. The main control unit 220 is one of the main controllers 20 and includes a CPU (processor) 230 shown in the following diagram and has a function of controlling the entire pachinko machine 100. The video controller 240 is one of the graphic controllers 30 and is connected to the main controller 220. Detection switches 160, 168, 170, and 172 are connected to the relay unit 260 and relay detection signals sent to the main control unit 220. The terminal unit 210 includes four connector terminals, and sends a signal sent from the main control unit 220 to a terminal unit 340 to be described later using one of the terminals 212. The other terminals are connected to a normal electric accessory solenoid 162 and a special prize opening solenoid 174.

  Here, between the main control unit 220 and the video control unit 240, between the main control unit 220 and the relay unit 260, between the video control unit 240 and the special symbol display device 126, between the main control unit 220 and the terminal unit 210, etc. Are connected by a cable having a connector. In addition, the antistatic device 312 provided in the frame unit 300 described later is connected to the ground through the main control unit 220, and prevents malfunction of the pachinko machine 100 due to static electricity.

  Next, the frame part 300 will be described. The crime prevention unit 306 detects an illegal act during a game (for example, an act of guiding a game ball using a magnet to win a winning opening) in order to prevent an illegal act during the game. The crime prevention unit 306 is connected to a speaker 320 and a prize ball payout prohibiting switch 322. Here, the speaker 320 sounds a sound effect and a warning sound. The prize ball payout prohibiting switch 322 is a switch for prohibiting the payout of prize balls.

  The launch controller 330 includes a motor drive circuit 334 for launching the game ball B, and a touch terminal 314, a handle switch 316, a launcher stop switch 318, and a motor 332 are connected to the launch controller 330. Here, the touch terminal 314, the handle switch 316, and the launching device stop switch 318 are all terminals or switches for the player to manually operate the launching device in order to launch the game ball B. The touch terminal 314 is a terminal that detects that the player's hand is touching the launching device. The handle switch 316 is a switch for driving the motor 332 to fire the game ball B. The launcher stop switch 318 is a switch for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball B.

  The relay unit 302 is provided between the main control unit 220 and the crime prevention unit 306, and relays signals transmitted and received between them. The relay unit 302 is connected to a prize ball payout motor 308, a prize ball payout solenoid 304, and a prize ball detection switch 310. Here, the prize ball payout solenoid 304 is a solenoid for opening and closing a prize ball payout lid. The prize ball payout motor 308 is a motor for paying out prize balls. The prize ball detection switch 310 is a switch that detects the payout of a prize ball.

  The terminal unit 340 is connected to the right side of the crime prevention unit 306 in the drawing, and includes an outlet 344 connected through a fuse 342, indicator lamps 346, 348, 350, and a prize ball break detection switch 336. The relay unit 324 is provided between the crime prevention unit 306 and the launch control unit 330 and relays signals transmitted and received between them. In addition, the relay unit 324 includes a frame detection switch 326 that detects that the frame of the pachinko machine 100 has been opened. The above-mentioned indicator lights 346, 348, 350 are indicator lights 112, 114, 122, 142, 144, 146 and other indicator lights appropriately disposed on the game board surface 102 shown in FIG. The detection switch 336 is a switch for detecting a broken piece of the prize ball.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main control unit 220 and the video control unit 240, and shows the minimum configuration necessary for carrying out the present invention. For this reason, for example, when the game ball B wins a normal winning opening, the description of the configuration and operation for the process of paying out a predetermined number of prize balls is omitted. In the figure, the main control unit 220 includes a CPU 230, a ROM 232, a RAM 234, a communication circuit 236, a music processing circuit 222, an output processing circuit 224, and an input processing circuit 226.

  The CPU 230 controls the entire pachinko machine 100 according to the game control program stored in the ROM 232. The ROM 232 uses an EPROM for cost reduction, but is not limited to this, and an EEPROM or a flash RAM may be used. The control program includes a video command program for outputting the game state signals D1, D2,..., Dn to the video control unit 240, a determination program for determining whether it is “winning” or “out of”, and a normal symbol display device A program such as a symbol display program for displaying a predetermined symbol on 124, an accessory control program for controlling the ordinary electric accessory 118, or a big prize opening control program for controlling the big prize opening 132 is also stored.

  Here, the game state signals D1, D2,..., Dn are signals that are sent from the main control unit 220 to the video control unit 240 while changing their contents (data) depending on the current game state of the pachinko machine 100. Specifically, it instructs a symbol to be displayed on the special symbol display device 126, its color, and the like.

  The RAM 234 generally uses a DRAM to increase the access speed, but is not limited to this, and a nonvolatile memory such as an SRAM or a flash RAM may be used. The RAM 234 stores various data or input / output signals such as game state signals D1, D2,..., Dn, a gate counter, an accessory counter and a jackpot counter. The communication circuit 236 is a circuit that performs mutual transmission of data to and from the video control unit 240. The communication circuit 236 transmits the game state signals D1, D2,..., Dn sent from the CPU 230 via the bus 238 to the video through the communication line. The data is sent to the control unit 240.

  The input processing circuit 226 receives the respective detection signals sent from the detection switches 160, 168, 170, 172, other detection switches, etc., and converts them into data formats that can be processed in the main control unit 220. Then, the data is transferred to the CPU 230 or the RAM 234. The music processing circuit 222 converts it into an analog signal according to ringing data sent from the CPU 230 via the bus 238, sends it to the speaker 320, and outputs sound or plays BGM. Further, the output processing circuit 224 converts the driving signal sent from the CPU 230 via the bus 238 into driving signals for driving the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 162 and the big prize opening solenoid 174, and sends them. Note that each of the above components is coupled to the bus 238.

  Next, the configuration of the video control unit 240 will be described. As shown in the figure, the video controller 240 includes a CPU 250, ROMs 244 and 252, a RAM 246, a video controller 256, a D / A converter 258, and a communication circuit 242.

  The CPU 250 is one of signal analysis means 32, and analyzes the game state signals D1, D2,..., Dn sent from the main control unit 220 through the communication line according to the video control program stored in the ROM 252. Then, the CPU 250 sends a display control signal (command data) necessary for displaying a symbol to the video controller 256 via the bus 254 according to the analysis result. As with the ROM 232, an EPROM is used for the ROM 252 in order to keep the cost low. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a storage device such as an EEPROM or a flash RAM may be used. The communication circuit 242 is a circuit that performs the same operation as that of the communication circuit 236, and transmits transmission / reception data to / from the main control unit 220.

  The video controller 256 is a device that is realized by combining the selecting unit 36 and the combining unit 38, and is a controller for displaying an image (symbol) on the special symbol display device 126. The video controller 256 selects symbol information based on the display control signal from the plurality of symbol information 34a,..., 34n stored in the RAM 246, and synthesizes at least two symbols together with the display control signal. The synthesized image signal is sent to the special symbol display device 126 through the D / A converter 258, and the symbol is displayed. It is appropriate to use “TFT-GA” manufactured by AmTEC for the video controller 256. The video controller 256 includes a memory for realizing the above-described symbol composition processing. The memory map is shown in FIG. 6 and will be described later. The video controller 256 is connected to a ROM 244, a RAM 246, and a D / A converter 258. Here, the ROM 244 and the RAM 246 are one of storage devices that embody the storage unit 34.

  As with the ROM 252 and the like, the ROM 244 uses an EPROM to keep the cost low, and stores a symbol for display according to the gaming state and the like. The ROM 244 is desirably a high-speed accessible one so that symbols can be displayed at high speed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a storage device such as an EEPROM or a flash RAM may be used. Further, a high-speed DRAM is used as the RAM 246, and an area for storing a plurality of symbol information 34a,..., 34n is provided.

  Further, the D / A converter 258 is a signal converter for converting the image signal (specifically, digital video data) sent from the video controller 256 into an analog signal and sending it to the special symbol display device 126. . All of the above components are coupled to the bus 254 except for the ROM 244, the RAM 246, and the D / A converter 258.

  Next, a memory map of a memory provided in the video controller 256 is shown in FIG. 6 and will be described with reference to this. This memory map shows the minimum configuration necessary to implement the present invention. 6A, the memory map 400 is roughly divided into a ROM area 402, a work area 404, a character table area 406, and a palette table area 408.

  The ROM area 402 stores a video output program for controlling the entire video controller 256, and sets data in the character table area 406 based on a display control signal, or a composition for video output in the work area 404. Processing (logical operation processing) is performed. The work area 404 is an area corresponding to each section (hereinafter referred to as a “display section”) obtained by dividing a screen uniformly (or non-uniformly) into a predetermined number (for example, 6), or a plurality of symbols. Is an area for synthesizing and outputting video.

  Further, the character table area 406 is provided with a plurality of character tables 410 corresponding to each symbol (character), and a symbol for specifying a symbol to be displayed on the special symbol display device 126 and setting of its color are set. Do. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6B, the character table 410 is provided with a character code column 412 and a palette number column 414. A symbol number is set in the character code column 412, and a pallet number is set in the pallet number column 414. Here, the symbol number is a unique number assigned to each of the plurality of symbol information 34a, ..., 34n. The pallet number is a number set in the pallet table 420.

  A palette table 420 in the palette table area 408 is provided for each character table 410. The palette table 420 is provided with a palette number column 422 and a color code column 424 as shown in FIG. In the palette number field 422, codes (for example, numerical values 1, 2, 3, 4 and English letters a, b, c, d, etc.) are set in order, and a color code field 424 indicates colors to be added to symbols. Specify with color code.

  Here, the specified color code is a color that can be displayed on the special symbol display device 126 (for example, 4096 colors), and includes a transparent color that allows the other screen to be seen through. Specifically, there is a method of selecting one color by setting the lightness of each primary color based on the three primary colors of red, green, and blue. Also, based on color tone and lightness, the color tone (for example, color tone ring / visible light spectrum, etc.) and lightness are divided into a plurality of levels, and one color is designated to select one color. There is a method. In this way, not only primary colors but also intermediate colors can be designated.

  In this way, by gradually setting specific data, the color of the symbol corresponding to the symbol unit (symbol portion) can be set continuously and in detail. Although the pallet number column 414 of the character table 410 is configured to set the pallet number set in the pallet table 420, the color code may be directly set. In this case, since the pallet table 420 is unnecessary, the capacity of the RAM 246 (one of the storage means 34) can be kept small. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the pachinko machine 100 (ball game machine 10) can be kept low.

  Next, symbol data stored in the ROM 244 which is one of the other storage means 34 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the symbol data 500, 510,..., 5n0. In the figure, each symbol data of symbol data 500, 510,..., 5n0 is information (digital data) embodied by symbol information 34a,..., 34n, and symbol number data 502 and pixel data (pixel data). And is also called “bitmap data”.) 504. The symbol number data 502 stores a symbol number, and this symbol number is a unique number assigned corresponding to the symbol to be displayed on the special symbol display device 126. The pixel data 504 has a predetermined shape area (for example, a rectangular area of 240 pixels wide × 416 pixels long) for storing the contents of the design, and one pixel 506 is composed of 1-bit data.

  In this way, depending on the contents of the symbol stored in the pixel data 504 and the color code set in the palette number column 414 of the character table 410, various colors are attached to the symbol (character) and displayed on the special symbol display device 126. It becomes possible to make it.

  Next, software (processing procedure) for realizing the present invention in the pachinko machine 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for carrying out the present invention. In these processing procedures, the processing shown in steps S10 to S12 in FIG. 8 is realized by the CPU 230 executing the game control program stored in the ROM 232 of the main control unit 220 shown in FIG. For example, it is executed by time division processing every 1 millisecond).

8 is realized by the CPU 250 executing a video control program stored in the ROM 252 of the video control unit 240 shown in FIG. These series of processes are executed each time a new symbol is displayed on the special symbol display device 126, and the same symbol is continuously displayed until the next execution.

  In FIG. 8, there may be a need to display symbol information on the special symbol display device 126 due to a change in the gaming state (for example, the game ball B passes through the gates 116 and 130). In this case, first, the main control unit 220 sets game state signals D1, D2,..., Dn to be sent to the video control unit 240 (step S10). Here, specific contents of the command block 600 which is one of the gaming state signals D1, D2,..., Dn will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9A shows an example of the command block 600. This command block 600 is a fixed-length data block consisting of 12 elements. SUM). The command block 600 is not limited to a fixed length, and may be a variable length data block. In this case, it is necessary to give the block length to one element (for example, a header) or to form a data string that can recognize the final end of the block.

  Here, the specific contents of the command block 600, that is, the format 610 is shown in FIG. In the figure, the contents of elements COM0, COM2, and COM4 are symbol numbers that identify symbols to be displayed on the left, right, and middle in order when the symbols are displayed in a varying manner. The contents of the elements COM6, COM7, and COM8 are symbol numbers that identify symbols to be displayed on the left, right, and middle sides in order at the time of stop after symbol variation. Here, any one numerical value from 0 to 12 is designated for the elements COM0, COM2, COM6, and COM7, and any one of 0 to 17 is designated for the elements COM4 and COM8. Furthermore, the contents of the elements COM1, COM3, and COM5 are image data of symbols that are displayed on the left, right, and middle sides in order. For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, the image data 620 is composed of 48 rows of data, and one row consists of 8 bits (= 1 byte) of data. Each bit data 622 constituting the image data 620 corresponds to the pixel 506 described above. Thus, the elements COM0, COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, COM5, COM6, COM7, and COM8 are data elements that embody the symbol specifying information. Although the number of elements in this case is nine, the number of elements varies depending on the display form of the special symbol display device 126.

In this way, each element COM0, COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, COM5
As shown in FIG. 11A, the symbol corresponding to the symbol number specified in is the six display sections 702, 704, 710, 708, 712, 706 on the display screen 700 of the special symbol display device 126.
Is displayed in each display section. That is, six symbols can be combined and displayed on the display screen 700 simultaneously (or for each display section).

Here, the symbols corresponding to the symbol numbers designated by the respective elements COM6, COM7, and COM8 are displayed in the three display sections 702, 710, and 712 when displayed at the stop after the change.
Is displayed in each display section. That is, three symbols are synthesized and displayed simultaneously in the upper display area of the display screen 700. Each display section 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712
The size of the area is fixed in advance, and the correspondence relationship in which area the symbol designated by which element is displayed is also set in advance.

  Also, the content specified in the element COM9 is information (status 612) for transmitting the current state on the main control unit 220 side to the video control unit 240 side, and an example thereof is shown in the status list 630 in FIG. Show. Specifically, the element COM9 is composed of 8-bit data, and is composed of three types of data.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 10B, the most significant bit 634 (D7) is data indicating the current probability state, and the middle bit 636 (D6 to D4) is the current gaming state 632 on the main control unit 220 side. The data indicating the display content 640 is stored in the lower bits 638 (D3 to D0). More specifically, as the most significant bit 634, for example, “1” is designated when the probability is high, and “0” is designated when the probability is normal. The middle bit 636 is “0” when the game state 632 is turned on, “1” when the game state 632 is symbol change, “2” when the game state 632 is reach due to symbol change, and the game state 632. “3” is designated when the game is a big hit, and “4” is designated when the gaming state 632 is illegal.

  The lower bit 638 (D3 to D0) changes a command value according to the display content 640. For example, in order to represent the reach state with a plurality of display states when the symbol changes, the special reach state display, the super reach state display, and the normal reach state display are each “2” according to the probability of winning. , “1”, “0”. By this designation, the variation time of the symbols displayed on the special symbol display device 126 can be switched to “long”, “medium”, and “short”.

  In addition, it is good also as a structure in which the display mode of a symbol, a background color, etc. differ according to each lower bit 638 (D3-D0). According to this configuration, it is possible to gradually amplify the expectation of hitting when the reach state is established, especially when the symbols change. In addition, since the main control unit 220 can change the display mode, background color, and the like of the symbols only by specifying the lower bits 638, the display process can be realized more easily. In this way, by transmitting the current state on the main control unit 220 side to the video control unit 240 side as the status 612 (element COM9), it is possible to display a symbol optimal for the current gaming state.

Next, the element COM10 is a data element that embodies the variation state flag, and designates a code or a numerical value indicating whether or not the symbol displayed on the special symbol display device 126 is varied. For example, when designating numerically, the fastest symbol variation is “21”, the numerical value is lowered as the variation rate becomes slow, the lowest symbol variation is “1”, and the case where no variation is made is “0”. Specify one of the numbers. By this element COM10, on the main control unit 220 side, the element COM10
It is possible to instruct the presence / absence of the symbol variation, the variation speed, and the like only by designating. The element COM11 stores a value obtained by summing the data contents of each element excluding the element COM11, that is, a checksum. This element COM11
Thus, it can be confirmed whether or not the command block 600 is normally transmitted from the main control unit 220 to the video control unit 240.

Returning to FIG. 8, when the command block 600 is set in step S10, it is transmitted to the video controller 240 (step S12). The command block 600 (in particular, the checksum of the element COM11) includes an error correcting code (ECC) for correcting data errors due to transmission errors.
Code) is desirable. Examples of such error correction codes include a cyclic Hamming code, a BCH code (Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem Code), and a Reed-Solomon code. With this correction code, even when a data error occurs due to, for example, impulse noise when the command block 600 is transmitted, the error is corrected. For this reason, since display with erroneous data is prevented, reliability is improved.

  When receiving the command block 600 (step S20), the video control unit 240 sets the data table according to the contents specified in the transmitted command block 600 (step S22). This data table is set to the characters shown in FIG. 6 (A) in order to properly display the symbols specified by the elements COM0, COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, COM5, COM6, COM7, and COM8 of the command block 600. Necessary data is set in the table 410 and the palette table 420.

  Thereafter, the symbol is set (step S24). Specifically, the symbol data 500, 510,..., 5n0 stored in the ROM 244 shown in FIG. Forward to. For example, symbol data that matches the symbol number initially set in the character code column 412 of the character table 410 shown in FIG. 6B (that is, the symbol number specified by the element COM0) is shown in FIG. The data is transferred to an area in the RAM 246 corresponding to the display section 702 shown.

  Then, screen display is performed (step S26). That is, the video controller 256 synthesizes the symbol data of each display section stored in the RAM 246 shown in FIG. 5 according to the contents of the character table 410 and the pallet table 420 set in step S22, and adds a color to this. An image signal (specifically, digital video data) is output. Thus, the image signal is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 258, sent to the special symbol display device 126, and displayed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the same symbol number as the symbol number data 502 of the symbol data 500 in which the symbol representing the English character “A” is set is designated in the element COM0 of the command block 600. . Similarly, it is assumed that a symbol representing the English character “B” and a symbol representing the English character “C” are sequentially specified in the elements COM2 and COM4. In addition, it is assumed that image data representing the numbers “7”, “8”, and “0” are designated in the elements COM1, COM3, and COM5, respectively. Furthermore, image data is specified such that there are two ☆ between the numbers “7” and “8” and one ☆ between the numbers “8” and “0”. Shall. As described above, by including the image data as the symbol specifying information, symbols not prepared on the video control unit 240 side can be displayed, and moreover, the main control unit 220 side can control them.

When the command block 600 in which such symbol number and image data are specified is sent from the main control unit 220 to the video control unit 240, a display screen 700 as shown in FIG. 11A is displayed on the special symbol display device 126. Is done. In addition, when the code | symbol and numerical value which show the fluctuation | variation of a special symbol are designated by element COM10 (variation state flag) of the command block 600, the symbol of the specific display area of the special symbol display apparatus 126 changes (for example, In that particular display section, the display is scrolled upward from the lower side). Thus, element COM10
Since the symbol displayed on the special symbol display device 126 (image display device 42) can be changed simply by designating a sign or a numerical value, the display processing of the main controller 220 (main controller 20) is further simplified. be able to.

In the above embodiment, the display sections 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712 shown in FIG.
It is configured to display one symbol for each, but it is configured to display a single symbol by combining a plurality of display sections, and each displays a composite of a plurality of symbols as the entire display screen 700. Also good. An example of the display screen 700 with this configuration (this example is the display section 702, 710, 712
FIG. 11 (B) shows one symbol on the whole, that is, the English letter “W” is displayed). In FIG. 11B, one symbol (message “ROUND 16”) is also displayed in the display sections 706 and 708 as image data. In this way, the display form of the display screen 700 can be diversified according to a mode in which one symbol is displayed in a plurality of display sections.

  Therefore, when a change in the gaming state makes it necessary to display symbol information on the special symbol display device 126, the main control unit 220 (main controller 20) causes the command block 600 (gaming state signals D1, D2,..., Dn). ) To the video controller 240 (graphic controller 30), the special symbol display device 126 (image display device 42) can simultaneously display at least two symbols. For this reason, since the control processing (that is, the above-described state control program) on the main control unit 220 side can be simplified, the development man-hours for the display processing can be reduced. In this way, the manufacturing cost of the pachinko machine 100 (ball ball game machine 10) can be kept low.

  Although one embodiment of the ball game machine 10 has been described above, the structure, shape, size, material, number, arrangement, operating conditions, etc. of other parts in the display control device are also limited to this embodiment. It is not something. For example, the game state signals D1, D2,..., Dn (command block 600) are configured to include symbol specifying information (elements COM0 to COM8) and a variation state flag (element COM10). Depending on the pattern displayed on the display device 126), the number of consecutive times during the jackpot operation, the symbol specifying information for designating moving image display (also referred to as “animation display”) for continuously displaying slightly different symbols, etc. It is good also as a structure containing. According to this configuration, the continuous number of times ("ROUND 16" is displayed and "16" is a numerical value designated by the continuous number) as shown in FIG. 11B or an animation is displayed. It becomes possible to make it.

  Moreover, although the ball ball game machine 10 of the present invention is applied to the pachinko machine 100, the present invention is not limited to this and can be similarly applied to a game machine using game balls such as an arrangement ball. Even with such a gaming machine, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, the symbol data 500, 510,..., 5n0 shown in FIG. 7 may be configured only by the pixel data 504, and a palette number or a color code may be stored for each pixel 506. In this configuration, it is possible to express all the colors necessary for displaying a symbol with one symbol data.

  The display sections 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, and 712 shown in FIG. 11 are configured to fix the areas to be displayed in advance corresponding to the order of the elements, and the size of the areas is also fixed. Display designation information such as designating the size and position of the area may be included in the command block 600 (game state signals D1, D2,..., Dn). In this configuration, regardless of the order of data specified by each element of the command block 600, the main control unit 220 can freely command the display section where the symbol is to be displayed and the size and position of the display section area. be able to.

  Even if the display designation information is included in the command block 600, the amount of data does not increase so much, so that the time required for transmission from the main control unit 220 to the video control unit 240 does not increase so much. For example, in order to specify the size and position of the area of the display section, vertical and horizontal data and coordinate values may be specified in order. In this way, the degree of freedom of the display form can be improved.

  Then, in the processing procedure shown in FIG. 8, only the command block 600 is sent from the main control unit 220 to the video control unit 240, but the command block 600 is sent from the main control unit 220 to the video control unit 240 by handshake. You may comprise as follows. That is, after the command block 600 is received by the video control unit 240 in step S20, it is determined whether or not it has been normally received. Specifically, the determination is made based on whether or not the checksum of the element COM11 matches the value obtained by summing the data of each element actually received (except for the element COM11).

  If the total value of the data does not match the checksum of the element COM11, it is determined that the data has not been received normally, and the main control unit 220 is requested to transmit the command block 600 again. Send a signal. Upon receiving this request signal, the main control unit 220 sends the request signal to the video control unit 240 again. In this way, it is possible to easily determine whether the command block 600 has been normally transmitted from the main control unit 220 to the video control unit 240.

  In addition, the special symbol display device 126 is applied as the image display device 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be similarly applied to other image display devices (for example, the normal symbol display device 124) capable of displaying symbols. . Even in this case, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the above-described embodiment. Similarly, the symbol number is applied as the data for specifying the symbol information. However, the symbol information is not limited to the number (that is, a numerical value), and the symbol information is specified by data such as letters and symbols such as English letters or bit strings. Also good.

As described above, in a bullet ball gaming machine that includes an image display device, displays symbols in a variable manner, and can switch a gaming state between at least a special profit state and a normal state, the gaming state of the ball gaming machine is A main control unit that controls switching between a special profit state and a normal state; and a video control unit that controls the image display device, wherein the main control unit controls the entire ball game machine. 1 CPU and a first non-volatile storage means storing a game control program, the symbol variation time can be switched between long and short, and the main control unit has a high probability of winning. The command specified by the first CPU according to the length of the variation time of the symbol and the command indicating the current probability state is sent to the video control unit according to the change in the gaming state, the video control unit, First CPU, a second non-volatile storage means storing a video control program, a video controller for displaying an image on the image display device, and symbol data of a symbol displayed on the image display device according to a gaming state A third non-volatile storage means that is stored; and a third volatile storage means to which symbol data is transferred from the third non-volatile storage means, and the video controller includes a memory having a character table area therein. And the second CPU analyzes the command sent from the main control unit according to a video control program stored in the second nonvolatile storage means, and stores a symbol number or the like in the character table area. The necessary data is set, and the video controller sets the symbol data that matches the symbol number set in the character table area. Is read from the serial third nonvolatile storage means is transferred to said third volatile storage means generates and outputs an image signal from the pattern data stored in the volatile memory means the third. According to the invention of claim 1, it is possible to display a symbol optimal for the current gaming state. In the above invention, the graphic controller, based on the gaming state signal sent from the main controller, the signal analyzing means analyzes the gaming state signal and outputs a display control signal, and the selecting means receives the symbol information from the storage means. selected, synthesizing means based on the selected symbol information to the display control signal by combining the at least two symbols, may be configured to be displayed on the image display device based on the synthesized image information. Then , by only sending one game state signal from the main controller to the graphic controller, at least two symbols can be synthesized and displayed on the image display device at the same time. Therefore, the main controller can realize display processing on the image display device side only by outputting a game state signal corresponding to the game state. Moreover, since the development man-hours for the display processing can be reduced, the manufacturing cost of the entire ball and ball machine can be kept low.

Further, the invention provides a game state signal sent from the main controller to the graphics controller, the configuration and result with a pattern specific information and variable status flag instructs at least two of the symbols displayed on the image display device by pattern identification information, It can be instructed whether the symbol is changed or displayed in the stopped state by the change state flag. Therefore, the symbol to be displayed can be freely commanded by the symbol specifying information, and the symbol can be displayed in a varying manner on the image display device without always sending the symbol from the main controller by the variation state flag.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the ball game machine of this invention. It is a front view which shows the external appearance of a bullet ball game machine. It is a back view which shows the external appearance of a bullet ball game machine. It is a wiring system diagram of a ball game machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a main control part and a video control part. It is a figure which shows the structure in a video controller, Comprising: (A) shows a memory map, (B) shows the structure of a character table, (C) shows the structure of a palette table, respectively. It is a figure which shows the structure of symbol data. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence for implementing this invention. It is a figure which shows a command block, Comprising: (A) shows a block structure, (B) shows a format, respectively. It is a figure which shows an example of the data designated to a command block, Comprising: (A) shows the structure of image data, (B) shows a status list, respectively. It is a figure which shows an example of a display screen, Comprising: (A) shows the state which is changing the pattern, (B) shows the state stopped after the change, respectively.

Explanation of symbols

10
Ball game machine 20
Main controller 30
Graphic controller 32
Signal analysis means 34
Storage means 34a, ..., 34n Symbol information 36
Display control means 40
Ball game machine body 42
Image display devices D1, D2, ..., Dn Game state signal

Claims (2)

A ball game machine main body comprising an image display device and switchable between at least a special profit state and a normal state;
A main controller for controlling the switching between the special profit state and the normal state, and outputting a game state signal according to the game state;
Signal analysis means for analyzing the gaming state signal and outputting a display control signal, storage means for storing a plurality of symbol information, and selecting symbol information from the plurality of symbol information based on the display control signal A selection means, and a graphic controller for controlling the image display device, comprising a combining means for combining at least two symbols based on the selected symbol information and the display control signal,
The graphic controller, based on the gaming state signal sent from the main controller, the signal analyzing means analyzes the gaming state signal and outputs a display control signal, and based on the display control signal, the selecting means The symbol information is selected from the storage means, the synthesizing means synthesizes at least two symbols based on the selected symbol information and the display control signal, and is displayed on the image display device based on the synthesized image information. A ball game machine characterized by The game state signal includes symbol specifying information for specifying at least two symbols to be displayed on the image display device, and a change state flag indicating whether or not the symbols are displayed in a variable manner. Item 1. A ball game machine according to item 1.

Images