JP2008242619A - Image generation device and image generation program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image as an image acquired using a gradation filter, without increasing arithmetic processing quantity virtually. <P>SOLUTION: This image generation device is provided with a plane object arrangement part 304 for arranging a plane object with a predetermined distance from a point of view for fluoroscopic projection conversion; a contrast change color development part 310 for developing a predetermined contrast change color to the plane object; and a color synthesis part 311 for performing the synthetic arithmetic operation of the contrast change color and a color relating to the background of the plane object with respect to each pixel after fluoroscopic projection conversion. Thus, it is possible to apply the contrast similar to that set in the contrast change color to the whole display picture, and to apply the same effects as those in the case of using a gradation filter for a camera to a display image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image generation apparatus suitable for a game machine, and more particularly, to an image processing technique for obtaining an effect such as a gradation filter (gradation filter).

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image processing technique for setting an ambient light and performing a rendering process on an image generated by applying a computer graphics technique. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-102995 discloses a technology configured to obtain ambient light from preset surface information and environmental information around a three-dimensional object, and to shade one of the three-dimensional objects. It is disclosed. With such a configuration, it is possible to display a more realistic image by displaying a three-dimensional image shaded according to the surrounding environment (Patent Document 1, paragraphs 0012, 0011, etc.).
JP 2003-102995 A (paragraphs 0012, 0011, etc.)

  However, in the above prior art, realistic image expression is possible considering the reflection of ambient light from surrounding objects, but when sunlight is set as a light source, the entire object placed in the virtual three-dimensional space Since the setting is such that the sunlight is uniformly applied, an image in which sunlight is reflected on all surfaces facing in a specific direction of any object is obtained. An image that brightens one part and darkens the other part was not obtained.

  A process such as a spotlight that sets illumination light only for a specific object and brightens a part thereof has a relatively large amount of calculation processing, and a process that sets a spotlight for a plurality of objects is a game device or the like. This processing is too heavy for an apparatus having a relatively low processing capacity.

  In other words, the conventional technology has not provided a device for brightening the upper half of the display screen like a gradation filter used in a camera and obtaining a video effect in which the image of the ground portion is darkened. .

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image using a gradation filter without substantially increasing the amount of calculation processing.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image generation apparatus according to the present invention is an image generation apparatus that generates a display image obtained by perspective projection conversion of an object arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space, and a viewpoint for the perspective projection conversion. A plane object placement unit that arranges a plane object at a predetermined distance from the plane, a shade change color development unit that develops a predetermined shade change color on the plane object, and the shade change color for each pixel after the perspective projection conversion, And a color composition unit that performs a composition operation with a color related to the background of the planar object.

  Similarly, the image generation program of the present invention is an image generation program that causes a computer to operate as an image generation apparatus that generates a display image obtained by perspective projection conversion of an object arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space. , A function of arranging a planar object at a predetermined distance from the viewpoint for the perspective projection conversion, a function of developing a predetermined shading change color on the planar object, and the shading change for each pixel after the perspective projection conversion An image generation program for executing a function of performing a composition operation of a color and a color related to the background of the planar object.

  According to the invention, the planar object is arranged at a predetermined distance from the viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space, the shade change color is developed on the plane object, and the color related to the background pixel and the shade change color are color-synthesized. The entire display screen is provided with the same shade as the shade set for the shade change color, and the same effect as when the gradation filter is used in the camera is given to the display image. Only the processing equivalent to adding one object called a plane object is increased, and the amount of calculation processing of the apparatus is hardly increased.

  The predetermined distance for installing the planar object may be the distance closest to the viewpoint compared to other objects, but the planar object may be arranged behind some objects. In this case, there is an effect that gradation can be selectively applied only to the object located behind the planar object.

  Further, the planar object need not occupy the entire display image area, and may be arranged so as to cover a part of the area as viewed from the viewpoint. This is suitable for the case where gradation is used for only a part of the display image.

  An image generation apparatus according to a modification of the present invention is an image generation apparatus that generates a display image obtained by perspective projection conversion of an object arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space, and develops a color in each pixel after the perspective projection conversion In this case, at least a partial region of the display image in which the color is developed is provided with a color composition unit that performs a composition operation on each pixel with a predetermined shade change color.

  Similarly, an image generation program according to a modification of the present invention is an image generation program that causes a computer to operate as an image generation apparatus that generates a display image obtained by perspective projection conversion of an object arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space. When the computer develops a color for each pixel after the perspective projection conversion, the computer performs a composition operation with a predetermined shading change color for each pixel in at least a partial region of the display image in which the color is developed. It is an image generation program for executing a function.

  According to such an invention, in the rendering process after the perspective projection return, at least a partial area of the display screen is uniformly subjected to the composition operation for each pixel based on the shade change color. Therefore, it is possible to provide an effect of using the gradation filter separately from the modeling conversion in the virtual three-dimensional space.

  Note that the shade change color need not be applied to the entire display image area, and may be applied to only a partial area. This is suitable for the case where gradation is used for only a part of the display image.

  Here, the “light and shade change color” refers to a texture of a predetermined color, that is, a gradation pattern, set so that the color density changes from one end to the other end of the display screen, as in the gradation filter. This light and shade change color is combined with the background color for each pixel.

  Further, there is no limitation on the degree, color tone, and range of the change characteristics of the shade change color. For example, the light and shade change color can be configured such that the color density continuously changes from one end to the other end of the display image. This provides the same effect as when using a so-called gradation filter in which the color density changes continuously. The term “continuous” means that the color density may change linearly or may change in a multi-linear manner, and an appropriate shading change may be set according to the contents of the effect.

  Further, it is preferable that the shade change color is configured such that the color shade change color characteristic is changed according to the image effect. When the image effect changes, the viewpoint and the image configuration change. According to such a configuration, the color density change color characteristic is changed according to the content of the image effect, and a gradation suitable for the effect content can be given.

  Further, it is also preferable that the shade change color is configured so that the color tone is changed according to the image effect. When the image effect changes, the color tone of the image changes. According to such a configuration, the color tone of the shade change color, that is, the color to which the gradation is applied changes according to the content of the image effect, so that a gradation suitable for the effect content can be given. is there.

  In addition, the color composition unit may be configured to change the addition amount of the shade change color for each pixel according to the line-of-sight direction. If the line of sight is directed upward in the virtual three-dimensional space, the proportion of the sky in the screen increases, and if it is directed downward, the proportion of the ground in the screen increases, according to such a configuration, The amount of color change is changed accordingly.For example, when the line of sight is upward, the total amount is reduced by decreasing the amount of addition, and when the line of sight is downward, the amount of addition is increased to darken the whole. It is possible to add gradations that are rich in change.

  The image generation program of the present invention is stored and distributed in a storage medium. Such a storage medium is a computer-readable medium, such as various types of ROM, USB memory with flash memory, USB memory, SD memory, memory stick, memory card, FD, CD-ROM, ± R / Physical storage media such as W, RAM, DVD-ROM, ± R / W, RAM, etc. are included. 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, the planar object is arranged at a predetermined distance from the viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space, the shade change color is developed on the plane object, and the color relating to the pixel behind and the shade change color are color-synthesized. The entire display screen is provided with the same shade as the shade set for the shade change color, and the same effect as when the gradation filter is used in the camera is given to the display image. And the processing amount of the apparatus hardly increases.

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

(Definition)
The terms used in this specification are defined as follows.
“Game” refers to a series of operations from the insertion of a medal to the operation of a stop switch before the next medal is inserted.
“Normal game” refers to a “game” executed with an expected value set for a default state.
The “special game” is a “game” that is different from the “normal game” and is advantageous to the player.

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

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

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

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

  An effect display device 40 having a display function is provided in the upper part of the housing. The effect display device 40 is configured to include, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and is configured to be able to display images for various effects and information necessary for the game on the display screen. 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 number of medals is collected as a premium. When one medal is inserted, one effective line 22a is effective. When two medals are inserted, three horizontal effective lines 22a and 22b are effective. In total, including two effective lines 22c in the direction, 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 a switch operated by the player when starting the rotation of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R, for example, a button or 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 game amount), and when the MAX bet switch 43b is operated, the maximum 3 bets Medals are bet. That is, the number of bets designated by operating the bet switch group 43 is collected from the number of medals that are credited, and the credit is subtracted by the number of bets.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The I / F circuit 54 performs timing control and the like when signals are transmitted and received between the main control board 50, the sub control board 60, the reel board 11, the central display board 12, and the power supply board 13. It is like that.

(Sub control board 60)
The sub control board 60 includes a sub CPU 61, ROM 62, control RAM 63, image control processor 64, ROM 65, video RAM 66, image data ROM 67, sound source circuit 68, sound ROM 72, amplifier 70, and interface circuit (I / F circuit) 69. Is provided. The sub CPU 61, ROM 62, RAM 63, image control processor 64, and I / F circuit 69 are connected to each other via a bus 73. The ROM 65, the video RAM 66, the image data ROM 67, and the sound source circuit 68 are connected to the image control processor 64, and the amplifier 70 and the sound ROM 72 are connected to the sound source circuit 68.

  The sub-control board 60 is roughly divided into an effect control board 60a and an image sound generation board 60b. The effect control board 60a includes the sub CPU 61, ROM 62, RAM 63, and I / F circuit 69, and the image sound generation board 60b includes the image control processor 64, ROM 65, video RAM 66, image data ROM 67, sound source circuit 68, and amplifier 70. , And a sound ROM 72. The effect control board 60 a operates based on the effect control program stored in the ROM 62, and the image sound generation board 60 b operates based on the image generation program stored in the ROM 65.

  The sub CPU 61 is an arithmetic element that controls the operation of the effect control board 60a. The sub CPU 61 reads (fetches) and interprets (decodes) instructions constituting the effect control program stored in the ROM 62, and stores the data stored in the ROM 62. Reading and effect control are performed. Note that there are no restrictions on the processing capability or development language of the sub CPU 61.

  The ROM 62 stores an effect control program and data to be executed 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 image control processor 64 is a dedicated arithmetic element that controls the operation of the image sound generation board 60 b. The image control processor 64 reads (fetches) and interprets (decodes) instructions constituting the image generation program stored in the ROM 65, and stores them in the image data ROM 67. The stored data is read to generate an image. A command is sent to the sound source circuit 68 to generate sound. Note that there are no restrictions on the processing capability or development language of the image control processor 64.

  The ROM 65 stores an image generation program and data as shown in a flowchart described below to be executed by the image control processor 64.

  The image data ROM 67 stores original image data for generating image data such as characters, characters and backgrounds for image production. The video RAM 66 is used when the image control processor 64 generates image data to be displayed on the effect display device 40, and the image data generated based on the original image data read from the image data ROM 67 is developed as frame image data. It has come to be. The effect display device 40 is connected to the sub-control board 60 so that the frame image data stored in the video RAM 66 can be displayed.

  The sound source circuit 68 generates sound under the control of the image control processor 64. Specifically, the sound source circuit 68 includes a sound generation circuit for a predetermined number of channels, for example, eight acoustic channels, and can simultaneously reproduce phrases corresponding to the number of acoustic channels. The sound source circuit 68 reads predetermined sound source data from the sound ROM 72 based on the sound effect information from the image control processor 64 and generates sound signals for the right channel and the left channel. Then, it is D / A converted and output as an analog sound signal. The amplifier 70 amplifies the analog sound signals of the left and right channels, and sends the stereo sound to the right speaker 71R and the left speaker 71R.

(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)
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 an effect control program recorded in the ROM 52, whereby the following control unit 101, role lottery unit 103, reel control unit 106, winning determination The 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 reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are “winned” after each of the stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R is pressed, the winning lottery unit 103 arranges 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 be performed only once per game and may be determined up to the combination, but may be configured to perform a plurality of lotteries.
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 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.

(Operation in main control board (lottery execution unit))
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main control processing by the main control board 50.
In FIG. 5, 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 in step S101, and the combination lottery unit 103 determines that the combination is selected. A lottery process is performed (YES, step S102). On the other hand, in step S101, when the start switch 41 is not operated by the player and it is not detected that the start switch 41 is turned on (NO), the control unit 101 turns on the start switch 41. The process of step S101 is repeatedly executed until this is detected.

  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).

  In step S104, the reel control unit 106 determines whether any one of the stop switch groups 42 has been operated. If any one of the stop switches is operated (YES), the reel control unit 106 proceeds to step S105, performs reel control so that the winning combination can be won, and corresponds to the operated stop switch. Stop the rotation of the reel. Next, the process proceeds to step S <b> 106, and the winning determination unit 107 transmits information indicating that the stop switch has been pressed to the sub-control board 60 every time one of the stop switch groups 42 is operated.

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

  Subsequently, in step S107, the reel control unit 106 determines whether all the stop switches are operated and all the reels are stopped. When all the reels have not stopped yet (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 in step S107 (YES), the winning determination unit 107 proceeds to step S108 and determines the presence / absence of winning based on the combination of symbols arranged on the activated effective line. As a result, if there is any winning (YES), winning processing corresponding to the winning combination is executed (step S109). In step S <b> 110, the winning determination unit 107 transmits winning information including winning details to the sub-control board 60.

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 S108 that there is no winning (NO), the process returns to step S101.

  In the winning process, the game state control unit 108 provides the reel control unit 106 with a game state corresponding to the big bonus game or regular bonus game that is the “special role” during the “special game”. The reel control during “special game” is performed, or the sub-control board 60 is caused to perform the effect for “special game”. When the specified number of games of the big bonus game or the regular bonus game is finished, a process of shifting to the “normal game” is performed.

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

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

(Embodiment 1)
Next, the configuration and operation of the image generation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. This image generation apparatus is realized by executing the image generation program of the present invention on the image sound generation board 60b.

First, the principle of the invention in the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a range subjected to perspective projection conversion in the virtual three-dimensional space.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the image generation apparatus targets only objects that fall within a certain spatial range with respect to a predetermined viewpoint C arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space. This fixed space range defines a range in which an object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space is subjected to perspective projection conversion to a two-dimensional plane, and is referred to as a view volume (View Volume) 500. The horizontal width (X-axis direction) and the vertical width (Y-axis direction) of the viewing volume 500 correspond to the size of the display screen. A rear clipping plane 501 that prevents too many objects from being imaged and a front clipping plane 502 that excludes objects that are too close to the viewpoint C from being imaged are viewed. The volume 500 is provided. When a viewpoint is given, the image control processor 64 grasps the visual volume 500 centered on the Z-axis direction and performs rendering processing on the object modeled in the volume.

  In the present invention, in order to add light and shade to the entire display screen, a special object called a planar object is arranged from the viewpoint from the visual volume of the virtual three-dimensional space. A texture with a shade change color is mapped to the planar object. Separately, for an object in the viewing volume, a necessary texture is mapped and shaded after perspective projection conversion, and a color of each pixel is given. Then, the color of the planar object to which the shade change color is mapped after the perspective projection conversion and the color given to the object in the viewing volume after the perspective projection conversion are combined for each pixel. By this processing, the same image effect as that when the gradation filter is used for the still camera or the video camera is given to the display image.

  In FIG. 7A, the plane object 504 is arranged on the viewpoint C side of the front clipping plane 502. The shape of the planar object 504 is arbitrary, but if the entire display screen is to be shaded, it may have an area and shape that covers the viewing angle. If the display screen is a rectangle having a predetermined aspect ratio as in a normal display device, the plane object 504 is also a rectangle having the same ratio.

  Also, the distance from the viewpoint to the planar object is arbitrary, but if the shade is to be uniformly applied to any object on the display screen, it is arranged at the position of the front clipping plane or closer to the viewpoint. With such an arrangement, shade change colors are synthesized for all objects and backgrounds in the virtual three-dimensional space to be imaged.

  In addition, the planar object may be arranged in the visual volume behind the front clipping plane. With such an arrangement, the object arranged closer to the plane object as viewed from the viewpoint is not colored, and the object arranged farther than the plane object is colored. For example, in FIG. 7B, the planar object 504 is arranged in the middle of the viewing volume 500. The object 402 has a larger distance from the viewpoint than the planar object 504, and the object 403 has a smaller distance from the viewpoint than the planar object 504. In this case, the object 402 is combined with the shade change color 506 of the plane object 504 and given gradation, whereas the object 403 does not overlap with the shade change color 506 of the plane object 504 and no gradation is given. Such an arrangement is suitable when a background object, such as a rock or a mountain, is given a gradation, and a preceding object, such as a character, is not desired to be given a gradation.

  The planar object is basically arranged at right angles to the line of sight so that the line of sight from the viewpoint is parallel to the normal, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the planar object is maintained at a predetermined angle other than a right angle from the line-of-sight direction (Z-axis direction), the pattern of shade change color is observed obliquely. In the case where a gradation in which the light and shade change color is intentionally given is given, the planar object is arranged at the predetermined angle. In this case, the planar object should be set to a size and shape so that its outline is not recognized on the display screen even if it is arranged obliquely with respect to the line of sight.

  Further, the area and shape of the planar object may be changed so as to cover only a part of the display screen. When such a planar object is used, it is possible to selectively give shade colors to a plurality of objects. For example, in FIG. 7C, the planar object 504 is disposed so as to cover only the upper part of the viewing volume 500. Although the objects 404 and 405 are arranged at substantially the same distance from the viewpoint C, when viewed from the viewpoint C, the object 404 does not overlap the plane object 504, whereas the object 405 overlaps the plane object 504. For this reason, the object 404 is not provided with gradation, whereas the object 405 is provided with gradation. Such an arrangement is suitable when it is desired to uniformly apply gradation to only a part of the display screen, for example, when gradation is not applied below the horizon but only to the sky.

  Here, the shade change color developed on the planar object can be arbitrarily set. Here, it is assumed that the density of the shade change color changes linearly. FIG. 8 shows an example of the characteristics of the shade change color used in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 shows the Y coordinate in the normalized coordinate system, and the range of the visual volume is represented by ± 1.0 in the normalized coordinate value. A normalized coordinate value of 0 is the center of the display screen.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the first embodiment, the lower side (the smaller coordinate value) in the Y-axis direction is darker and the upper side (the larger coordinate value) is lighter, continuously and linearly. In particular, a color changing color characteristic f1 in which the color density changes is set. The characteristic that the color density becomes lighter toward the top of the screen in the Y-axis direction is a shading pattern that is generally given by a gradation filter, in which the ground is dark and the sky looks bright, and is the most frequently used characteristic. It is.

  Moreover, the color tone of the light and shade change color can be arbitrarily set, and it is preferable that the color tone is suitable for the content of the image. For example, it can be a monotone light and dark color with no saturation. Also, in order to create an atmosphere such as evening, a reddish tint color is used. In order to create a morning or foggy atmosphere, a white tint color is used. In order to achieve this, it is possible to make the color change shades of blue.

  FIG. 9 shows a display example when the texture having the above-described color change color characteristics is mapped to a planar object and is not synthesized with the background image. As shown in FIG. 9, when only the plane object 504 is imaged, only the pattern of the light and shade change color 506 is observed. This light and shade change color is a pattern expressing monotone, and is set so that the color density of the pixel at the top of the screen is 0% and the color density of the pixel at the bottom of the screen is 100%. In order to express black as a positive solid color like this shade change color, complementary colors are added. For example, in the shade change color 506 as shown in FIG. 9, the RGB values of each pixel are set so that, for example, red R is 100%, green G is 100%, and blue B is 0%.

  Conversely, even with the same monotone expression, to make the black part colorless so that the background color can be seen and the white part to be aggressive white like fog is boiling, the RGB value of each pixel is Is set to 0% for each color and 100% for each color at the top of the screen.

  When setting other colors, provide a gradation pattern that continuously changes the density so that the color of the part where you want to darken the gradation color is darkened and the part where you want to see the background image is colorless, as above. Just do it.

  FIG. 10A is an example of a display screen 600 after the perspective projection conversion of the character object 602 arranged in the view volume. FIG. 10B shows a display example in which the plane object 504 in which the shade change color 506 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the shade change color developed on the plane object 504 covers the entire screen like a gradation filter and gives a unique shadow to the image. It should be noted that the shade change color and the background image developed on the planar object may be subjected to normal pixel synthesis calculation (for example, addition), but the intensity of the shade change color is arbitrarily set as a calculation parameter. For example, if the transparency of the light and shade change color is set to 0%, the background image is completely erased for the portion where the density of the light and shade change color is 100%, and the transparency of the light and shade change color is set to 100%. As a result, the shade change color is not reflected in the display image at all. Therefore, normally, the shade change color is synthesized with the background image with a fixed value, for example, 50% transparency. This transparency may be changed according to the contents of the effect and the contents of the shade change color.

  As described above, the distance from the viewpoint of the planar object and the shape / area thereof can be arbitrarily changed and applied according to the portion / region to which the gradation is desired. According to such an image generation method, in addition to other objects, only one plane object is arranged and the texture of the color change color is mapped. Therefore, the gradation filter is used without increasing the calculation processing amount of the apparatus. Such effects can be imparted.

(Functional block diagram of sub-board 60)
Hereinafter, functional blocks of the sub-board 60 in the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the sub-control board 60 according to the first embodiment.
The sub control board 60 is separated into an effect control board 60a and an image sound generation board 60b.
The effect control unit 201 is included in the effect control board 60a. The effect control unit 201 is functionally realized by the sub CPU 61 executing an effect control program readable by the computer recorded in the ROM 62.

  The image sound generation board 60b includes an object data storage unit 301, a modeling unit 302, a planar object data storage unit 303, a planar object placement unit 304, a coordinate conversion unit 305, a perspective projection conversion unit 306, a texture data storage unit 307, a color development. A color change color storage unit 309, a color change color development unit 310, and a color synthesis unit 311. Among these, the image data ROM 67 corresponds to the object data storage unit 301, the planar object data storage unit 303, the texture data storage unit 307, and the shade change color storage unit 309. Other functional blocks are functionally realized by the image control processor 64 executing the image generation program stored in the ROM 65.

(Production control unit 201)
The effect control unit 201 is a functional block that determines an effect pattern according to the lottery result of the main control board 50 by lottery.
Specifically, the production control unit 201 receives lottery result information from the role lottery unit 103 of the main control board 50, performs a lottery based on a random number according to the winning combination, etc. Or a lottery effect pattern according to the winning combination or gaming state in response to the lottery result information from the winning determination unit 107 and the special role game control unit 108 of the main control board 50. To decide.

  Here, the production pattern is usually a state in which the start switch 41 or each stop switch 42 is pressed, a stop state of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R, a lottery result, a type of determined role, a normal game or a special game, and the like. It is selected according to the gaming state.

  The effect control unit 201 outputs the image effect information that determines the effect contents of the image together with the sound effect information that determines the sound effect contents. Such effect information may be sent in a predetermined command format. The image effect information includes information that specifies which object is to be arranged in what position and in what position in the virtual three-dimensional space at the next image update timing, and the arrangement and density of the planar object according to the present embodiment. Contains information about changing colors.

(Modeling unit 302)
The modeling unit 302 is a functional block that performs modeling conversion for placing an object in a virtual three-dimensional space with reference to the object data stored in the object data storage unit 301.

  The modeling unit 302 performs a coordinate conversion operation for arranging the object specified by the image effect information output from the effect control unit 201 in the virtual three-dimensional space. Object data stored in the object data storage unit 301 is defined in an individual modeling coordinate system (local coordinate system, object coordinate system, body coordinate system). Modeling conversion is a coordinate conversion process for defining objects defined in independent coordinate systems in a world coordinate system that defines the same virtual three-dimensional space, that is, a world coordinate system (global coordinate system).

  First, the modeling unit 302 determines the posture of the object at the next image update timing in the modeling coordinate system with reference to the image effect information. Next, coordinate transformation processing is performed on the object whose posture is determined, and position coordinates in the world coordinate system are calculated. The position of the polygon that forms the surface of the object is determined by calculating its vertex coordinates.

(Plane object placement unit 304)
The planar object placement unit 304 is a special functional block of the modeling unit 302. The planar object placement unit 304 is a functional block that places a planar object at a predetermined distance from the viewpoint for perspective projection conversion.

  That is, the planar object placement unit 304 reads planar object data that defines the planar object stored in the planar object data storage unit 303 in the modeling coordinate system, and places the planar object data at a position from the viewpoint determined according to the effect. A plane object is just one of many objects, so you can place a plane object at any time, whether it is placed before another object or after another object. As well as the arrangement of other objects.

(Coordinate conversion unit 305)
The coordinate conversion unit 305 is a viewing conversion that converts the modeling-converted object data and planar object data into a viewpoint coordinate system (viewing coordinate system) centered on the viewpoint, and a normalization conversion that converts into a normalized coordinate system. Is a functional block that implements The processing after the coordinate conversion is a drawing process for generating a two-dimensional image and relates to the rendering process.

  At the time of coordinate conversion, the coordinate conversion unit 305 performs a clipping process to exclude an object or a part of the object that is not included in the normalized view volume from the coordinate conversion target. That is, in the view volume 500 in FIG. 7A, objects that are closer to the viewpoint than the front clipping plane 502 are excluded except for the plane object 504. Also, objects placed behind the rear clipping plane 504 and objects placed outside the viewing volume 500 are excluded from the perspective projection transformation targets.

(Perspective projection conversion unit 306)
The perspective projection conversion unit 306 is a functional block that performs projection conversion for projecting an object defined in the normalized coordinate system onto a two-dimensional projection plane corresponding to the display screen.

  The perspective projection conversion includes perspective projection conversion such as one-point perspective projection, two-point perspective projection, and three-point perspective projection, and parallel projection, and projection conversion suitable for the purpose of the image generation apparatus is applied. By perspective projection conversion, an object observed from the viewpoint is projected onto a two-dimensional projection plane, that is, a view screen.

  In addition, when the physical space area of the display screen is set to an area different from the view screen subjected to the perspective projection conversion, the viewport conversion for cutting out only the space area of the display screen is performed.

(Color development unit 308)
The color development unit 308 is a functional block that reads the texture data stored in the texture data storage unit 307 and maps (develops) a pattern on the object surface after perspective projection conversion.

  The color developing unit 308 maps the texture data to the polygon using a known image texture mapping method. Since the texture data is defined as a two-dimensional image having a predetermined area, a lap mapping method is applied to this texture by performing interpolation processing such as deformation, rotation, enlargement, reduction, etc. to match the polygon shape. Other mapping methods can be variously selected according to the purpose. Solid texture mapping can be used instead of image texture mapping, and parallel projection, UV, iteration, etc. can be mapped instead of lap mapping. In addition, it is possible to use mapping such as color, bump, displacement, transparency, environment, etc., and mapping such as multiplex and mip.

  Note that the color development unit 308 may use shading processing or shadowing processing together with texture mapping. Any pixel data may be used as long as it can determine pixel data by applying various known techniques related to rendering processing for generating pixel data as a background of a planar object.

(Tint change color development unit 310)
The light and shade change color development unit 310 and the color composition unit 311 are special functional blocks of the color development unit 308. The shade change color developing unit 310 is a functional block that develops a texture related to a predetermined shade change color on a planar object.

  That is, the shade change color developing unit 310 reads the shade change color of the present invention, that is, the gradation pattern, stored in the shade change color storage unit 309, and maps it on the surface of the planar object using a normal image texture mapping method. . When the shape / area of the planar object does not match the shape / area of the original data of the shade change color, interpolation processing such as deformation, rotation, enlargement, reduction, etc. is applied to the original data.

(Color composition unit 311)
The color synthesizing unit 311 is a functional block that performs a synthesizing operation on each pixel after the perspective projection conversion with the shade change color and the color related to the background of the planar object.

  In other words, the color composition unit 311 performs a composition operation on a pixel basis for the image generated by rendering processing for other objects by the color development unit 308 and the light and shade change color developed by the light and shade change color development unit 310 on the planar object surface. To do. In this synthesis operation, each pixel of a light and shade change color with a predetermined transparency is synthesized with a pixel related to the background.

It should be noted that the color development processing for other objects, the light and shade change color development processing for the planar object, and the composition calculation processing for each pixel may be executed separately or almost simultaneously. When these processes are performed sequentially, the generated image data is stored in a frame memory or the like for each procedure, and is read out from the frame memory or the like and used in the following procedure. Depending on the type of image control processor, all or some of the above processes can be performed in parallel, and the combined pixel data can be directly generated without outputting intermediate data to the memory. is there. Also, after outputting the image data of the color-expanded object to the frame memory, the pixel of the same address is rewritten with the synthesized data by directly performing the color-shading color composition operation on each pixel of the frame memory. You can also
The two-dimensional image data generated by the rendering process as described above is transferred to the effect display device 40 and displayed on the display screen at the image update timing.

(Description of operation)
Next, the functional block image generation process of the image sound generation board 60b will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an image generation process executed by the image sound generation board 60b of the sub-control board 60. This process is performed at every image update timing.

  In step S201, the image sound generation board 60b reads the image effect information from the effect control unit 201. Next, the process proceeds to step S202, where the planar object placement unit 304 determines whether to apply a gradation effect to the current effect. When the gradation effect is applied (YES), the process proceeds to step S203, and the planar object placement unit 304 reads planar object data from the planar object data storage unit 303. In step S204, a plane object is arranged at a predetermined distance from the viewpoint. When gradation is not applied in step S202 (NO), the process proceeds to step S205, and the object placement process by the modeling unit 302 is performed.

  In step S205, the modeling unit 302 reads object data from the object data storage unit 301 for objects other than planar objects. Next, in step S206, the modeling unit 302 performs a coordinate conversion operation for converting each of the object data expressed by the modeling coordinates, that is, the vertex coordinates of the polygons constituting the surface into the world coordinate system. By this processing, the object is arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S207, where the coordinate conversion unit 305 performs a viewing conversion operation / normalization conversion operation on an object including a planar object defined in the world coordinate system.

  In step S208, the perspective projection conversion unit 306 performs a perspective projection conversion operation on the object defined in the normalized coordinate system to calculate a projection position on the view screen.

  In step S209, the color developing unit 308 maps the texture onto the polygon surface of the perspective-transformed object while referring to the texture data stored in the texture data storage unit 307. When the objects are overlapped, a hidden surface removal process for prioritizing the color information of the pixel closer to the viewpoint is performed with reference to the Z value.

  In step S <b> 210, the shading change color developing unit 310 determines whether to apply a gradation effect to the current effect. When the gradation effect is applied (YES), the process proceeds to step S211, where the light / dark change color development unit 310 reads the gradation pattern from the light / dark change color storage unit 309 and develops the light / dark change color on the surface of the planar object after the perspective projection conversion. . At the same time, in step S212, the color synthesizing unit 311 synthesizes, for each pixel, the shade change color developed on the planar object and the color of the object or the like developed in step S209. At this time, both are synthesized with a predetermined transparency.

  A frame image (data) which is a set of pixel data to which gradation is given by the above processing is output to a frame buffer in the video RAM 66. Finally, the process proceeds to step S213, where the effect display device 40 displays the frame image in the frame buffer on the display screen. When no gradation effect is applied in step S210 (NO), the frame image is displayed in the same manner.

(Advantages of this embodiment)
According to this embodiment, there are the following advantages.
(1) According to the first embodiment, the plane object 504 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the viewpoint C, and the shade change color (gradation pattern) 506 is developed on the plane object 504. The color relating to the pixel behind and the shade change Since the colors are color-synthesized, the entire display screen is provided with the same shade as the shade set for the shade change color, and the same effect as when the gradation filter is used in the camera can be obtained. In addition, the processing corresponding to the addition of one plane object is only increased, and the amount of calculation processing of the apparatus hardly increases.

  (2) In the first embodiment, when the planar object 504 is arranged behind some objects, gradation can be selectively applied only to the object located behind the planar object.

  (3) In the first embodiment, when the planar object 504 is arranged so as to cover only a partial region of the visual volume 500 when viewed from the viewpoint C, gradation is given to only a part of the display image. An image can be provided.

(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment relates to an example in which the shade color characteristic to be applied is changed according to the contents of the effect.
The functional block diagram of the second embodiment is almost the same as the functional block diagram of the first embodiment described in FIG. However, the shade change color stored in the shade change color storage unit 309 referred to by the shade change color developing unit 310, that is, the gradation pattern is different.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing image generation processing in the second embodiment.
The processing of the image sound generation substrate 60b in the second embodiment is almost the same as that in the first embodiment. However, it differs in that it is configured to be able to change the light and shade change color characteristics applied according to the contents of the production each time.

  That is, when the gradation effect is applied in step S210 (YES), the shade change color developing unit 310 does not read the same shade change color characteristic data from the shade change color storage unit 309 every time, but differs depending on the contents of the image effect. The data of the density change color characteristic is read and developed (step S220).

  FIG. 12 shows an example of such a plurality of types of shade change color characteristics. FIG. 12 shows the Y coordinate in the normalized coordinate system, and the range of the visual volume is represented by ± 1.0 in the normalized coordinate value. A normalized coordinate value of 0 is the center of the display screen.

As shown in FIG. 12, the color change characteristics f2 and f3 in the second embodiment are darker on the lower side (smaller coordinate value) in the Y-axis direction and lighter on the upper side (larger coordinate value). However, the difference is that the change characteristic is not linear (linear), but multi-linear change characteristics. For example, in the light and shade change color characteristic f2, the color density is high until the Y coordinate approaches +1.0, and the color density rapidly decreases when the Y coordinate approaches +1.0.
FIG. 13 shows a display example of the light and shade change color 508 when the texture having the light and shade change color characteristic f2 is mapped to the planar object and is not synthesized with the background image. As shown in FIG. 13, with the density change color characteristic such as f2, the color of the density change color is given in many areas of the display screen, and the background color appears in a small area. It is a gradation pattern that can produce dark images near dusk.

  14 overlaps the display screen 600 after the perspective projection conversion of the character object 602 shown in FIG. 10A with the planar object 504 in which the density change color 508 of the characteristic f2 as shown in FIG. 13 is developed, for each pixel. The example of a display which carried out the synthetic | combination calculation is shown. As shown in FIG. 14, in the light / dark change color characteristic f2, since the color density is high in almost all pixels of the display screen, the image looks dark and sunk.

  Also, the light / dark change color characteristic f3 in FIG. 12 is a gradation pattern contrasting with the characteristic f2. As shown in FIG. 12, in the light / dark change color characteristic f3, the color density decreases as the Y coordinate becomes −1.0 to 0, and the color density is almost 0% in the region where the Y coordinate is 0 or more.

  FIG. 15 shows a display example of the light and shade change color 510 when the texture having the light and shade change color characteristic f3 is mapped to the planar object and is not synthesized with the background image. As shown in FIG. 15, in the shade change color characteristic such as f3, although the shade change color is given in the lower half of the display screen, the shade change color is hardly given in the upper half.

  16 overlaps the display screen 600 after the perspective projection conversion of the character object 602 shown in FIG. 10A with the planar object 504 in which the density change color 510 of the characteristic f3 as shown in FIG. 15 is developed, for each pixel. The example of a display which carried out the synthetic | combination calculation is shown. As shown in FIG. 16, in the light and shade change color characteristic f3, the color of the light and shade change color is slightly added to the lower half area of the display screen, and the color of the background image appears with almost no color added to the upper half. It is a gradation pattern that can produce an overall bright image such as daytime.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the shade change color characteristic, that is, the gradation pattern is variously changed according to the contents of the image effect, so that it is possible to express various images with the gradation pattern suitable for the effect content.

(Embodiment 3)
This Embodiment 3 is related with the Example which changes the color tone applied according to production content.
The functional block diagram of the third embodiment is almost the same as the functional block diagram of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. However, the set tone of the shade change color stored in the shade change color storage unit 309 referred to by the shade change color development unit 310 is different.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing image generation processing in the third embodiment.
The processing of the image sound generation board 60b in the third embodiment is almost the same as that in the first embodiment. However, it differs in that it is configured to be able to change the color tone of the shade change color applied in accordance with the contents of the production each time.

  That is, when the gradation effect is applied in step S210 (YES), the shade change color developing unit 310 does not read the shade change color data of the same color tone from the shade change color storage unit 309 every time, but produces an effect pattern determined by the image effect information. The shade change color is developed with a different color tone in accordance with (step S222). Although there is no limitation on the color tone to be applied, it is assumed that it matches the content of the image effect. For example, in addition to a monotone with no saturation, an atmosphere such as evening can be produced by setting the color tone of a light and shade change color in red. In addition, the morning or fog atmosphere can be obtained by setting the color tone of the shaded color to be white. Furthermore, by setting the color to change in shades of blue, an unclear atmosphere or an underwater atmosphere can be produced. What is necessary is just to program so that it may become a color tone according to the image content whenever the production content changes.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, since the color tone of the shade change color is changed according to the content of the image effect, it is possible to provide a gradation effect that further matches the effect content.

(Embodiment 4)
The fourth embodiment relates to an example in which application of the density change characteristic is changed according to the line-of-sight direction.
The functional block diagram of the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as the functional block diagram of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, and is substantially the same as the image generation process in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. However, in step S212, when the color changing color and the color of the background image are combined for each pixel, the color combining unit 311 does not combine the color changing color with the same transparency every time, but according to the direction of the line of sight. Works to change transparency for compositing.

  FIG. 18 shows a setting example of the line-of-sight angle and the color density related to synthesis, that is, transparency in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 illustrates the case where the elevation angle of the line of sight changes by ± 30 °. In this example, when the elevation angle of the line of sight is close to 30 °, the composite color density is approximately 0%, whereas when the elevation angle is close to −30 °, the composite color density is set to be approximately 100%. Yes.

  When the color composition unit 311 performs color composition, the color composition unit 311 detects the elevation angle of the line of sight and refers to the table to which the relationship shown in FIG. 18 is assigned with the elevation angle as a reference value. With the combined color density obtained as a result of the reference, the light and shade change color and the color of the background image are combined. According to the assignment as shown in FIG. 18, as the line of sight is directed upward, the transparency of the shade change color increases and the color of the gradation pattern becomes lighter. Conversely, as the line of sight goes downward, the transparency of the shade change color decreases and the color of the gradation pattern becomes darker. Therefore, it is possible to produce an effect that brightens the display screen when looking up at the sky and darkens the display screen when looking down at the ground.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the application degree of the gradation pattern is changed according to the line-of-sight direction, so that it is possible to easily produce the overall brightness change that naturally occurs according to the line-of-sight direction.

(Embodiment 5)
The fifth embodiment relates to a modification of the functional block configuration that provides the same gradation effect as the above-described embodiment.

  FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the sub control board 60 according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, the image sound generation board 60 b includes an object data storage unit 301, a modeling unit 302, a coordinate conversion unit 305, a perspective projection conversion unit 306, a texture data storage unit 307, a color development unit 308, a shade change color. A storage unit 309 and a color composition unit 320 are provided.

  In the fifth embodiment, the modeling unit 302 does not include the planar object arrangement unit 304, and the color development unit 308 does not include the light and shade change color development unit 310. In other words, the present embodiment does not have a configuration in which an object for a gradation pattern is arranged, that is, a configuration in which a planar object is arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space, a light and shade change color is developed, and rendering is included.

Instead, in this embodiment, the color synthesizing unit 320 operates so as to directly synthesize the shade-change color with respect to the entire image after the perspective projection conversion that has been rendered. Therefore, the shade change color is not modeled in a virtual three-dimensional space, but is given in a form such as a screen composition for a final stereoscopic image. For example, the color synthesizing unit 320 performs a pixel-unit synthesis operation and pixel data replacement on the background image output to the frame buffer directly based on the color change color data.
As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to give the entire shade change color without adding an object.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the above and can be implemented with various modifications.
For example, the shade change colors shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these. The shade change color can be variously changed and applied according to the contents of the image effect.

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

20 to 23 show examples of combined images of shade change colors and background images created by applying this embodiment.
In FIG. 20, a display image 700 is configured by a character object (person) 706, a still-life object (rock) 704 behind it, and a background image (sky) 702. A shading change color that darkens the color density of the lower part from the vicinity of the upper side of the still object 704 is applied.

  In FIG. 21, a display image 700 is constituted by a character object (person) 706, a sub-character object (horse) 708, a still-life object (rock) 704 behind it, and a background image (sky) 702. A shading change color that darkens the color density of the lower part from the middle of the still object 704 is applied.

  In FIG. 22, a display image 700 is constituted by a character object (person) 706, a still-life object (building) 704 behind the character object (person) 706, and a background image (sky) 702. A shade change color is applied such that only the upper part in the vicinity of the background image 702 is bright and the others are dark.

  In FIG. 23, a display image 700 is composed of a character object (person) 706 and a still life object (ground) 710. It is an image facing downward, and a shade change color is applied so that the entire image except the upper part becomes dark.

  As shown in the above embodiments, it is preferable to change and use the shade change color to be applied according to the contents of the image effect.

The front view of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention The block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the main control board Functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the sub-control board (Embodiments 1 to 4) Flow chart showing main control processing of main control board 5 is a flowchart illustrating image generation processing according to the first embodiment. The perspective view which shows the relationship between the visual volume of Embodiment 1, and plain object arrangement | positioning The perspective view which shows the relationship between the visual volume and plain object arrangement | positioning which concern on the modification of Embodiment 1. The perspective view which shows the relationship between the visual volume which concerns on the other modification of Embodiment 1, and plain object arrangement | positioning. Characteristic diagram of first-order linear shading change color of embodiment 1 Texture example of shaded color Example background image Image example of combining shade change color with background image 10 is a flowchart illustrating image generation processing according to the second embodiment. Color density variation color characteristics variation example Example of textures of shade change colors Image example of combining the shaded change color of the modified example with the background image Texture example of shade change color of modification 2 Image example in which the shade change color of Modification 2 is combined with the background image 10 is a flowchart illustrating image generation processing according to the third embodiment. Color Tone Change Color Characteristic Modification Example of Tone Change Color in Embodiment 4 Functional block diagram showing functional configuration of sub-control board (Embodiment 5) Example of composite image of shade change color and background image of embodiment (part 1) Example of composite image of shade change color and background image of embodiment (part 2) Example of composite image of shade change color and background image of embodiment (part 3) Example of composite image of shade change color and background image of embodiment (part 4)

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 60a Production control board 60b Image sound generation board 101 Control section 102 Lottery table 103 Role lottery section 105 Flag information storage section 106 Reel control section 107 Winning determination section 108 Game state control section 201 Production Control unit 301 Object data storage unit 302 Modeling unit 303 Plane object data storage unit 304 Plane object placement unit 305 Coordinate conversion unit 306 Perspective projection conversion unit 307 Texture data storage unit 308 Color development unit 309 Shading change color development unit 310, 320 Color composition Part

Claims (8)

An image generation device that generates a display image obtained by perspective projection conversion of an object arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space,
A planar object placement unit that places a planar object at a predetermined distance from the viewpoint for perspective projection conversion;
A shading change color developing section for developing a predetermined shading change color on the planar object;
An image generation apparatus, comprising: a color composition unit that performs a composition operation of the shade change color and a color related to the background of the planar object for each pixel after the perspective projection conversion. An image generation device that generates a display image obtained by perspective projection conversion of an object arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space,
A color synthesizing unit that performs a synthesizing operation on each pixel with a predetermined shade change color in at least a partial region of the display image in which the color is developed when the color is developed on each pixel after the perspective projection conversion; An image generation apparatus comprising:   The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color change color is configured such that the color density continuously changes from one end to the other end of the display image.   The image generation device according to claim 3, wherein the color change color characteristic of the color change color is changed according to an image effect.   The image generation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a color tone of the shade change color is changed according to an image effect.   The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color composition unit changes an addition amount of the shade change color for each pixel according to a line-of-sight direction. An image generation program that causes a computer to operate as an image generation apparatus that generates a display image obtained by perspective projection conversion of an object arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space,
To the computer,
A function of arranging a planar object at a predetermined distance from the viewpoint for perspective projection conversion;
A function of developing a predetermined shading change color on the planar object;
An image generation program for executing, for each pixel after the perspective projection conversion, a function of performing a composition operation of the shade change color and a color related to the background of the planar object. An image generation program that causes a computer to operate as an image generation apparatus that generates a display image obtained by perspective projection conversion of an object arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space,
To the computer,
When a color is developed on each pixel after the perspective projection conversion, a function for performing a composition operation with a predetermined shading change color on each pixel is executed in at least a partial region of the display image where the color is developed. Image generation program for