JP2009273736A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine preventing deterioration in a display frame rate and also conducting various performances. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine includes: display control means for controlling display means displaying an image; and performance control means conducting transmission processing to generate display information based on performance data stored by a performance data storage means, and to transmit the information to the display control means every prescribed time, and preparation processing to generate preparation data for generating the display information based on the performance data before starting the transmission processing. When the preparation data exists before conducting the transmission processing, the performance control means generates the display information based on at least the preparation data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game table represented by a ball ball game machine (pachinko machine) and a revolving game machine (slot machine).

  A gaming table such as a pachinko machine is provided with a symbol display unit that can display a plurality of symbols, which is advantageous to the player when the symbols on the symbol display unit are in a specific form that is a combination of predetermined specific symbols. A game state is generated.

  The display control unit of such a game machine is equipped with a CGROM (character generator ROM), a VRAM (video RAM), a display control CPU (processing device), a VDP (video display processor), and the like. The display control CPU performs overall control for forming the display target image, and the VDP draws image data stored in advance in the CGROM on the VRAM in accordance with a command from the display control CPU to form a display image. Then, the image data formed on the VRAM is read and an arbitrary image is displayed on the display device. In addition, there is a method of displaying a moving image by alternately switching two regions of the VRAM between a drawing state and a reading state. However, in the above method, there is a possibility that the frame rate may drop if the drawing of the image data does not end within a predetermined time and the frame is dropped.

  In order to solve such a problem, conventionally, image data used for the subsequent display image is transferred from the CGROM to the VRAM during the remaining period of the display image formation time of each frame period (see Patent Document 1 below). ).

  However, in the above method, since the attribute creation process is performed after the generation of Vsync and the drawing process is started, the time for starting the drawing process is delayed, and there is a possibility that the frame is dropped. Further, VDP cannot be effectively used while the display control CPU is performing the attribute creation process. Furthermore, since the time devoted to the drawing process is short, there is a problem that the number of processed sprite data per frame cannot be increased.

JP 2005-177093 A

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a game machine capable of preventing a display frame rate from being lowered and capable of various displays.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, in the present invention, display information is generated on the basis of display control means for controlling display means for displaying an image and effect data stored in effect data storage means, and the display is performed at predetermined time intervals. Production control means for performing transmission processing to be transmitted to the control means, and preparation processing for generating preparation data for generating the display information based on the presentation data before the start of the transmission processing, The production control means adopts a configuration that generates the display information based on at least the preparation data when the preparation data is present when the transmission process is performed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game machine that can prevent a display frame rate from being lowered and can display various images.

  Hereinafter, a pachinko machine (game table) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Overall configuration>
First, the overall configuration of the pachinko machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the figure is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the pachinko machine 100 from the front side (player side).

  The pachinko machine 100 includes a later-described game board (board surface) 102 disposed on the back side of a door member 156 made of a glass or resin transparent plate member 152 and a transparent member holding frame 154 so as to be visible through glass. .

  Below the door member 156, a launcher 138 that is rotated by a launcher motor 602, which will be described later, a launcher 140 that is attached to the tip of the launcher 138 and launches a ball toward the game area 104, which will be described later, A launch rail 142 for guiding a ball launched by the heel 140 to an outer rail 106 described later, a storage tray 144 for temporarily storing the ball and supplying the stored ball to the launch rail 142 in sequence, A chance button 146 is provided for changing the effect display by the decorative symbol display device 110, which will be described later, when the player can perform a pressing operation and detects the operation at a predetermined time.

  Further, below the launcher 138 and the launcher 140, an operation handle 148 for controlling the launcher 138 and operating the launch intensity of the sphere toward the game area 104 is disposed. Below the 144, a lower plate 150 is provided for storing overflow balls that cannot be stored in the storage plate 144.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the game board 102 of FIG. 1 as viewed from the front.

  The game board 102 is provided with an outer rail 106 and an inner rail 108, and a game area 104 in which a game ball (hereinafter simply referred to as “ball”) can roll is defined.

  In the center of the game area 104, an effect device 200 is provided. In the effect device 200, a horizontally long decorative symbol display device 110 is arranged at substantially the center, and a normal symbol display device 112, a special symbol display device 114, a normal symbol hold lamp 116, and a special symbol hold around the periphery thereof. A lamp 118 and a high-probability medium lamp 120 are provided. Hereinafter, the normal symbol may be referred to as “general symbol” and the special symbol may be referred to as “special symbol”.

  The rendering device 200 performs rendering by operating the display of the decorative symbol display device 110 and a movable part (not shown).

  The decorative symbol display device 110 is a display device for displaying various images used for decorative symbols and effects. In the present embodiment, the decorative symbol display device 110 is configured by a liquid crystal display device (Liquid Crystal Display). The decorative symbol display device 110 is divided into four display areas, a left symbol display area 110a, a middle symbol display area 110b, a right symbol display area 110c, and an effect display area 110d, and the left symbol display area 110a and the middle symbol display area 110b. The left symbol display area 110c displays different decorative symbols, and the effect display area 110d displays an image used for the effect. Further, the positions and sizes of the display areas 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d can be freely changed within the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 110. The decorative symbol display device 110 employs other display devices such as a dot matrix display device, a 7-segment display device, an EL (ElectroLuminescence) display device, a drum display device, and a leaf display device instead of the liquid crystal display device. May be.

  The general map display device 112 is a display device for displaying a general map, and is configured by a 7-segment LED in this embodiment. The special figure display device 114 is a display device for displaying a special figure, and is constituted by a 7-segment LED in this embodiment.

  The general-purpose hold lamp 116 is a lamp for indicating the number of general-purpose variable games that are held (details will be described later). In this embodiment, it is possible to hold up to two general-purpose variable games. . The special figure hold lamp 118 is a lamp for indicating the number of special figure variable games that are held (details will be described later). In this embodiment, up to four special figure variable games can be held. . The high probability lamp 120 is a lamp for indicating that the gaming state is a high probability state or a high probability state, and is turned on when the gaming state is changed from the low probability state to the high probability state. Turns off when changing from probability state to low probability state.

  Further, around the effect device 200, a general winning opening 122, a general drawing starting opening 124, a first special drawing starting opening 126, a second special drawing starting opening 128, and a variable winning opening 130 are arranged. ing.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of general winning holes 122 are provided on the game board 102. When a predetermined ball detecting sensor (not shown) detects a ball entering the general winning holes 122 (in the general winning holes 122). In the case of winning a prize, a payout device described later is driven, and a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of balls is discharged as a prize ball to a storage tray 144 described later. The ball discharged to the storage tray 144 can be freely taken out by the player, and with these configurations, the prize ball is paid out to the player based on the winning. The ball that has entered the general winning opening 122 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharged to the amusement island side. In this embodiment, a ball to be paid out to a player as a consideration for winning is sometimes referred to as a “prize ball”, and a ball lent to a player is sometimes referred to as “rental ball”. They are called “balls (game balls)”.

  The normal start port 124 is configured by a device called a gate or a through chucker for determining whether or not a ball has passed through a predetermined area of the game area. One is arranged. Unlike the ball that has entered the general winning opening 122, the ball that has passed through the normal start port 124 is not discharged to the amusement island side. When the predetermined ball detection sensor detects that the ball has passed through the usual figure starting port 124, the pachinko machine 100 starts the usual figure variable game by the usual figure display device 112.

  In the present embodiment, only one first special figure starting port 126 is disposed at the center of the game board 102. When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the first special figure starting port 126, a payout device, which will be described later, is driven, and a predetermined number (three in this embodiment) of balls will be described later as prize balls. While discharging to the storage tray 144, the special figure display game by the special figure display device 114 is started. The ball that has entered the first special figure starting port 126 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharged to the amusement island side.

  The second special figure starting port 128 is called an electric tulip (electric chew), and in the present embodiment, only one second special figure starting port 128 is disposed directly below the first special figure starting port 126. This second special figure starting port 128 is provided with wings that can be opened and closed to the left and right. While the wings are closed, it is impossible to enter a sphere. Is stopped and displayed, the blades open and close at a predetermined time interval and a predetermined number of times. When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the second special figure starting port 128, a payout device described later is driven, and a predetermined number (5 in this embodiment) of balls is stored as described below as award balls. While discharging to the plate 144, the special figure display game by the special figure display device 114 is started. The ball that has entered the second special figure starting port 128 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharged to the amusement island side.

  The variable winning opening 130 is called a big winning opening or an attacker, and in this embodiment, only one variable winning opening 130 is arranged below the center of the game board 102. This variable winning opening 130 has a door member that can be freely opened and closed. When the door member is closed, it is impossible to enter a ball, and the special figure display device 114 stops displaying the jackpot symbol. In this case, the door member opens and closes at a predetermined time interval (for example, an opening time of 29 seconds and a closing time of 1.5 seconds) and at a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times). When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the variable winning opening 130, a payout device described later is driven, and a predetermined number (15 balls in this embodiment) of balls is stored in a storage tray 144 described later as a prize ball. Discharge. The ball that has entered the variable prize opening 130 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharged to the amusement island side.

  Further, a plurality of disk-shaped hitting direction changing members 132 and game nails 134 called windmills are arranged in the vicinity of these winning openings and starting openings, and at the bottom of the inner rail 108, An out port 136 is provided for guiding a ball that has not won any prize opening or starting port to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharging it to the game island side.

  The pachinko machine 100 supplies the ball stored in the storage tray 144 by the player to the launch position of the launch rail 142, drives the launch motor 602 with strength according to the operation amount of the player's operation handle 148, The launcher 138 and the launcher 140 are passed through the outer rail 106 and the inner rail 108 to launch into the game area 104. Then, the ball that has reached the upper part of the game area 104 falls downward while changing the advancing direction by the hitting direction changing member 132, the game nail 134, etc., and a winning opening (general winning opening 122, variable winning opening 130) or starting opening (First special figure start port 126, second special figure start port 128), or the out port 136 without winning any of the winning port and start port, or just passing the normal start port 124 To reach.

<Director>
Next, the rendering device 200 of the pachinko machine 100 shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

  A warp device 230 and a stage are provided on the front side of the effect device 200, and a decorative symbol display device 110 is provided on the back side of the effect device 200. That is, in the rendering device 200, the decorative symbol display device 110 is positioned behind the warp device 230 and the stage.

  The warp device 230 discharges the game ball that has entered the entrance 232 provided at the upper left of the effect device 200 to the front stage 234 below the front surface of the effect device 200, and the game ball discharged to the front stage 234 is the front surface. When the player enters the second entrance 236 provided at the rear of the center of the stage 234, the game ball is discharged from the outlet 238 provided in the lower center of the stage device 200 above the first special figure starting port 126. It is discharged toward the first special figure starting port 126. The game ball discharged from the discharge port 238 is easy to enter the special figure starting port 126.

  As a part of the production device 200, as a movable member that operates in conjunction with the display of the decorative symbol display device 110, for example, a part or all of the display area of the decorative symbol display device 110 is shielded or exposed. A shutter device (424 to be described later) can be provided.

<Control unit>
Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the pachinko machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 shows a circuit block diagram of the main control unit, payout control unit, launch control unit, and power supply management unit, and FIG. 4 shows a circuit block diagram of a sub control unit that mainly performs effect control. It is a thing.

  The control unit of the pachinko machine 100 can be roughly divided into a main control unit 300 that controls the central part of the game and a command signal (hereinafter simply referred to as a command) transmitted by the main control unit 300. The pachinko machine 100 is equipped with a sub-control unit 400 that performs control, a payout control unit 550 that performs control related to game ball payout, a launch control unit 450 that performs game ball launch control, and the power supplied to the pachinko machine 100 The power management unit 650 generates predetermined power for transmitting power to the electrical component.

<Main control unit>
First, the main control unit 300 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described.

  The main control unit 300 includes a basic circuit 302 that controls the entire main control unit 300. The basic circuit 302 stores a CPU 304, a control program describing the game control contents of the CPU, and various data. ROM 306, RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, I / O 310 for controlling input / output of various devices, counter timer 312 for measuring time and frequency, and the operation of CPU 304 are monitored. A watchdog timer (WDT) 313 for transmitting an initialization signal to the control circuit 302 when the control signal output from the basic circuit 302 is not received for a predetermined time (32.8 ms in this embodiment). It is equipped with.

  Each part of the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300, in particular, the basic circuit 302 and peripheral devices, or a later-described payout control unit 550, sub-control unit 400, etc. are connected to a system bus (address bus / data bus). An output driver IC / connector or the like is used.

  Note that other storage means may be used for the ROM 306 and RAM 308 described above, and this is the same for the sub-control unit 400 and the payout control unit 550 described later. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 314b as a system clock.

  The main control unit 300 also includes a counter circuit 316 that is used as a hardware random number counter that changes a numerical value in the range of 0 to 65535 each time a clock signal output from the crystal oscillator 314a is received (the circuit includes a first counter 316). 1 and 2 are provided with two counter circuits for processing the winnings at the special figure starting port as described later), and the glass frame is opened to detect the opening / closing of the glass frame 151. Sensor, front frame opening sensor for detecting opening / closing of the front frame, lower plate full sensor for detecting that the lower plate 150 is full of balls, ball detecting means for detecting the passing of winning balls through various winning holes, etc. A sensor circuit 320 for receiving a predetermined signal output from the various sensors 318 including and outputting a result of comparison or comparison with a reference voltage to the counter circuit 316 and the basic circuit 302; A display circuit 322 for performing display control of the diagram display device 114, a display circuit 324 for performing display control of the map display device 112, and various status display units 326 (a map hold lamp 116, a special map hold lamp 118) And a solenoid circuit 332 for controlling various solenoids 330 for opening and closing the second special start port 1280, the variable winning port 130, and the like. Yes.

  The ball detecting means for detecting the passing of the winning balls at the various winning ports of the various sensors 318 includes a winning ball detecting sensor for detecting the passing of the winning balls at the normal start port 124 and the first special figure starting port 126. The first special figure starting port winning ball detecting sensor for detecting the passing of the winning ball, the second special figure starting port winning ball detecting sensor for detecting the passing of the winning ball of the second special figure starting port 128, and the variable winning port 130 A variable winning opening winning ball detecting sensor for detecting the passing of the winning ball, a general winning opening winning ball detecting sensor for detecting the passing of the winning ball to the general winning opening 122, and the like are included. The main control unit 300 determines whether or not to make the predetermined winning opening advantageous to the player based on the reception of the predetermined signal including the detection information of the winning ball sensor.

  Further, the main control unit 300 is provided with an information output circuit 334, and the main control unit 300 pachinko through the information output circuit 334 to an information input circuit 550 provided in an external hall computer (not shown). The game information (for example, game state) of the machine 100 is output.

  The main control unit 300 is provided with a voltage monitoring circuit 336 that monitors the voltage value of the power source supplied from the power management unit 650 to the main control unit 300. The voltage monitoring circuit 336 is a voltage value of the power source. Is less than a predetermined value (9v in this embodiment), a low voltage signal indicating that the voltage has dropped is output to the basic circuit 302.

  In addition, the main control unit 300 is provided with a start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) 338 that outputs a start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. When the activation signal is input, game control is started (main control unit reset interrupt processing described later is started). Here, when the voltage value of the power supplied to the activation signal transmission circuit 338 exceeds a predetermined value, the activation signal is output to the basic circuit 302. When the power sufficient to operate the electrical components / electric circuits such as the basic circuit 302 is supplied to the basic circuit 302, the voltage value of the power supplied to the start signal transmission circuit 338 exceeds a predetermined value. A circuit of the main control unit 300 is configured.

  Further, the main control unit 300 is provided with an output interface for transmitting a command to the sub-control unit 400 and an output interface for transmitting a command to the payout control unit 550. The sub-control unit 400 includes An input interface for receiving commands from the main control unit 300 is provided, and the payout control unit 550 is provided with an input interface for receiving commands from the main control unit 300. With this configuration, communication between the main control unit 300, the sub control unit 400, and the payout control unit 550 is enabled. Information communication between the main control unit 300, the sub control unit 400, and the payout control unit 550 is one-way communication, and the main control unit 300 can transmit signals such as commands to the sub control unit 400 and the payout control unit 550. However, the sub-control unit 400 and the payout control unit 550 are configured not to transmit a signal such as a command to the main control unit 300.

  One-way communication between the main control unit 300 and the sub control unit 400 can be performed by transmitting a signal from the I / O 310 to an I / O 410 (described later) of the sub control unit 400. One-way communication between the main control unit 300 and the payout control unit 550 can be performed by transmitting a signal from the I / O 310 to the I / O 710 of the payout control unit 550.

<Discharge control unit>
Next, the payout control unit 550 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described.

  The payout control unit 550 includes a basic circuit 702 that controls the entire payout control unit 550. The basic circuit 702 includes a CPU 704, a ROM 706 for storing control programs and various data, and temporary data. RAM 708 for storing data, I / O 710 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer 712 for measuring time and frequency. The CPU 704 of the basic circuit 702 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 714 as a system clock.

  The basic circuit 702 includes a sensor circuit 720 for receiving signals output from various sensors 728 including a payout sensor 158 provided in the payout device 154, and a display circuit 722 for performing display control of various lamps 730. And a motor control circuit 724 for rotationally driving the sprocket provided in the payout device 154.

  Further, a CR interface unit 556 is connected to the payout control unit 550, and the payout control unit 550 communicates with a card unit 654 provided separately from the pachinko machine 100 via the CR interface unit 556. While communicating, the operation signal input from the ball lending operation unit 407 is detected.

  The payout control unit 550 is provided with a voltage monitoring circuit 726 that monitors the voltage value of the power source supplied from the power supply management unit 650 to the payout control unit 550. The voltage monitoring circuit 726 is a voltage value of the power supply. Is less than a predetermined value (9v in this embodiment), a low voltage signal indicating that the voltage has dropped is output to the basic circuit 702.

  The payout control unit 550 is provided with a start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) (not shown) that outputs a start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. When the activation signal is input from, payout control is started.

<Launch control unit, power management unit>
Next, the launch control unit 600 and the power management unit 650 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described.

  The launch control unit 450 outputs a control signal output from the payout control unit 550 for instructing or stopping the launch, and an operation amount of the launch handle 148 by the player output from a launch intensity output circuit provided in the operation handle 148. Based on the control signal instructing the corresponding launch intensity, the launch motor 602 that drives the launcher 138 and the launcher 140 is controlled, and the ball feeder 604 that supplies the ball from the storage plate 144 to the launch rail 142 is controlled. .

  The power management unit 650 converts the AC power supplied from the outside to the pachinko machine 100 into a direct current, converts the power into a predetermined voltage, and controls the control unit such as the main control unit 300 and the payout control unit 550 and the devices such as the payout device 154. To supply. Further, the power management unit 650 is a power storage device (for example, for supplying power to a predetermined part (for example, the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300) for a predetermined period (for example, 10 days) even after the power supply from the outside is cut off. Capacitor) and electric power supplied to a predetermined component (for example, the entire basic circuit 302 of the main control unit 300) is smaller than that of the power storage device, and is supplied to static electricity noise, human error, and a game table. The battery further includes a power storage device (for example, a capacitor) for supplementing a certain amount of electric power when the electric power fluctuates and decreases due to a decrease in electric power. With this power storage device, even if the power supplied to a predetermined component (for example, the main control unit 300) becomes unstable at the time of power interruption, power recovery, etc., the predetermined component can operate stably to some extent. It is composed.

<Sub control unit>
Next, the sub-control units 400 and 500 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The sub-control unit 400 mainly controls the effect of the game table through the display control of the decorative symbol display device 110, and the sub-control unit 500 mainly controls the effect driving device and the lamps. . The sub control unit 400 and the sub control unit 500 communicate with each other via the I / O 410 and the I / O 510 in accordance with the effect control performed by the sub control unit 400.

  The sub-control unit 400 includes a basic circuit 402 that controls the entire sub-control unit 400 based on a control program and various data stored in the P-ROM 406 mainly according to commands transmitted from the main control unit 300. The basic circuit 402 includes a CPU 404, a RAM 408 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 410 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer for measuring time and frequency. 412 is installed. The CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 414 as a system clock.

  The sub-control unit 400 as an effect control means performs display control of the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 110 via a VDP (video display processor) 431 as a display control means, thereby controlling the effect of the game table. Do. Display data such as sprite data and moving image data to be displayed on the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 110 is developed in a VRAM 433 serving as display data temporary storage means. In particular, data such as characters and characters constituting the sprite data is stored in a CG-ROM 432 as display data storage means. Then, the CPU 404 of the sub-control unit 400 controls the display of the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 110 by transmitting display information (attribute data) and a drawing instruction command to the VDP 431.

  The VDP 431 includes a CPU, P-ROM, VRAM, timer, and the like specialized for image control inside, and controls drawing and reading from the CG-ROM 432 to the VRAM 433 according to a control procedure described later.

  The VRAM 433 is composed of a plurality of storage areas including two frame buffers. While the contents of one of the frame buffers are displayed on the decorative design display device (liquid crystal display device) 110, the VDP 431 is displayed with respect to the other frame buffer. Does the drawing.

  It is assumed that the display period of one frame is T1 = 1/30 seconds (about 33.3 ms), and the VDP 431 transmits a Vsync interrupt signal to the CPU 404 of the sub-control unit 400 every 1/60 seconds. This display synchronization control is controlled by a built-in timer of the VDP 431.

  In addition, the sub-control unit 400 includes a shutter device 424 such as a stepping motor or a solenoid that drives various effects for the effect of shielding or exposing part or all of the display area of the decorative symbol display device 110. A motor control circuit 426 for driving is provided. Information such as the current position of the shutter of the shutter device 424 is detected via a sensor output detection circuit 430.

  The basic circuit 402 is connected to a sound source IC 418 for controlling the speaker 416 (and an amplifier (not shown)), detects the operation of the chance button 146, and responds to the operation of the chance button 146 during the production control. The chance button lamp 146a is turned on / off (or flashing), and if necessary, the display of the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 110 is also changed.

  The sub-control unit 400 is provided with a start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) (not shown) that outputs a start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. When the activation signal is input from, production control is started.

  The sub-control unit 500 includes a basic circuit 502 that controls the entire sub-control unit 500 based on a control program and various data stored in the P-ROM 506. The basic circuit 502 includes a CPU 504 and a temporary control. A RAM 508 for storing data, an I / O 510 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer 512 for measuring time and frequency are mounted. The CPU 504 of the basic circuit 502 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 514 as a system clock.

  The sub-control unit 500 includes an effect drive control circuit 526 for driving various effects drive devices 524 such as a stepping motor and a solenoid for driving various effects for effects.

  Further, the sub-control unit 500 is provided with a serial communication control circuit 530. The serial communication control circuit 530 communicates with the effect expansion board 540 and the lamp board 570, each of which includes serial communication drive circuits 541 and 571, respectively. Thus, it is possible to control lighting / extinguishing (flashing) of various lamps 561 provided mainly on the game board frame side and various lamps 562 provided mainly on the game board side. It is necessary to change the configuration of the production expansion board 540 in response to the change of the game board, but it may have a certain degree of expandability, and in the subsequent game machine model etc., the addition or change of the game board configuration is possible. The necessary lamps may be controlled without changing the configuration.

  A power supply voltage necessary for the operation of the sub-control units 400 and 500 is supplied via the power management unit 650.

<Characteristics of control circuit>
In the present embodiment, the CPU 404 of the sub-control unit 400 controls the display of the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 110 by transmitting display information (attribute data) and a drawing instruction command to the VDP 431. The sub-control unit 400 controls a shutter device that opens and closes the LCD, a chance button lamp, and detects a chance button.

  When the VDP 431 receives display information and a drawing instruction command from the sub-control unit 400, the VDP 431 writes the command in the VDP 431 into a register, and in accordance with the display information instructed by the command, necessary data from the effect data stored in the CG-ROM 432. Is selected and drawn in an undrawn frame buffer of the two (or more) VRAM 433 frame buffers. The VDP 431 switches the frame buffer reading destination and transmits a Vsync signal (vertical synchronization signal) to the sub-control unit 400 every time a predetermined time T1 (for example, 1/30 s≈33.3 ms) corresponding to one frame period elapses. To do. In this manner, the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 110 can display a moving image by switching and displaying images every 33.3 [ms].

  The CPU 404 of the sub-control unit 400 performs calculations for generating display information related to one sprite or movie. Then, generation of display information and transmission to the VDP 431 are repeated for the amount of display in one frame, and then a drawing instruction command is transmitted to the VDP 431. Here, drawing processing of the VDP 431 is started for the first time.

  In this embodiment, when the sub-control unit 400 performs display processing, as shown in FIG. 5, first, preparation data is generated from the effect data stored in the P-ROM 432 of the sub-control unit 400 using the time for one frame. Then, it is stored in the transfer buffer (in this example, addresses 1000H to 1FFFH) of the RAM 408 of the sub-control unit 400. This transfer buffer is allocated as display information temporary storage means for temporarily storing display information, and its size is set to a capacity capable of storing display information for one frame, for example. Then, display information 801 is generated from the preparation data in the next frame section, and is transmitted to the VDP 431 together with a drawing instruction command.

  The preparation data in this embodiment is display information for generating display information (attribute data) corresponding to one or more units from the production data describing the contents of the game production. For example, the attribute data It is described in the same description format. In this way, the display information stored in the transfer buffer of the VRAM 433 has the same format as the preparation data, so that when the display information is generated from the preparation data, it is not necessary to perform data conversion processing, and the sub-control The processing load on the CPU 404 of the unit 400 can be reduced, and the time for starting the analysis processing of the transmitted data can be shortened.

  This preparation data may be attribute data instructing drawing of 2D data generated from 3D data, in addition to attribute data instructing drawing of a sprite or a movie. For example, depending on the configuration of the game control, the effect data is described by three-dimensional information such as three-dimensional data, and two-dimensional information to be displayed on the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 110 is generated from the three-dimensional information. Display control is also conceivable. In such a case, the preparation data can be generated as a process for generating two-dimensional information generated from the three-dimensional information. That is, the preparation data of the present invention includes two-dimensional information generated from such three-dimensional information. In such a configuration, the complicated process of calculating the two-dimensional information from the three-dimensional information before performing the transmission process can be performed in the preparation process, and the display information transmission start time is shortened, so the VDP 431 starts the drawing process. I can speed up the time to do.

  Alternatively, the preparation data may be intermediate data described in a data format (intermediate code) different from the display information (attribute data).

  By preparing such preparation data one frame before, generating display information (attribute data) in the next frame and transferring it to the VDP 431, display information from the production data in one frame section as in the past. Display information (attribute data) can be generated and transferred at a higher speed than when (attribute data) is generated. Thereby, the transmission start time of display information can be advanced, in other words, the time when the display control means starts drawing can be advanced.

  The display information 801 transferred to the VDP 431 includes a sprite (or movie) number stored in the CG-ROM 432 as shown in the figure, an X coordinate on the VRAM 433, a Y coordinate, a size in the X axis direction, a size in the Y axis direction, This is attribute data of one or a plurality of units including the X coordinate to be drawn, the Y coordinate to be drawn, the scale in the X-axis direction, the scale in the Y-axis direction, the rotation angle, and the translucency of the display information.

  The VDP 431 that has received the display information 801 stores the received display information 801 in a predetermined area (in this example, addresses 0000H to 7FFFH) of the internal register, and the VDP 431 performs drawing processing using the display information 801. Then, at the time of the next frame, the reading destination is switched to the frame buffer drawn at the time of the next frame and displayed on the decorative symbol display device 110. Since the drawing process is not performed at the first frame, the reading destination of the frame buffer is not changed even when the first frame moves to the next frame.

  In addition, if the generation of the preparation data does not end in the time of one frame, the calculation is performed to continuously generate display information from the presentation data that is not referenced, and the calculation is generated from the preparation data and the presentation data after being stored in the transfer buffer. The VDP performs the drawing process by transmitting the display information and the drawing instruction command to the VDP.

  Next, the control operation in the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

<Main control unit main processing>
Here, the main process of the main control unit executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the main control unit reset interrupt process.

  As described above, the main control unit 300 is provided with the start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) 338 that outputs the start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 to which this activation signal has been input starts reset by a reset interrupt and executes processing in accordance with a control program stored in advance in the ROM 306. Similarly, when the initialization signal output from the watchdog timer (WDT) 313 is input to the basic circuit 302, a reset start is performed by a reset interrupt.

  In step S101, initial setting 1 is performed. In this initial setting 1, the stack initial value is set in the stack pointer (SP) of the CPU 304, the interrupt mask is set, the initial setting of the I / O port 310, the initial setting of various variables stored in the RAM 308, and the initial value in the WDT 313. Set up. In this embodiment, a numerical value corresponding to 32.8 ms is set as an initial value in WDT 313.

  In step S102, WDT 313 is reset and time measurement by WDT 313 is restarted.

  In step S103, whether or not the low voltage signal is on, that is, the voltage value of the power supply that the voltage monitoring circuit 336 supplies from the power management unit 650 to the main control unit 300 is a predetermined value (in this embodiment, 9v), it is monitored whether or not a low voltage signal indicating that the voltage has dropped is output. If the low voltage signal is on (when the CPU 304 detects that the power supply has been shut off), the process returns to step S102. If the low voltage signal is off (if the CPU 304 has not detected the power supply being cut off), the process proceeds to step S102. The process proceeds to S104.

  In step S104, initial setting 2 is performed. In this initial setting 2, a process for setting a numerical value for determining a cycle for executing a main control unit timer interrupt process, which will be described later, to the counter / timer 312, a predetermined port of the I / O 310 (for example, a test output port, Processing for outputting a clear signal from the output port to the sub-control unit 400, setting for permitting writing to the RAM 308, and the like are performed.

  In step S105, it is determined whether or not to return to the state before the power interruption (before the power interruption), and the state before the power interruption is not restored (when the basic circuit 302 of the main control unit 300 is set to the initial state). ) Proceeds to step S108. Similarly, when the power status information indicates information other than “suspend”, the process proceeds to step S108.

  Specifically, first, a RAM clear signal transmitted when a store clerk or the like of the game shop operates the operation unit provided on the power supply board is turned on (indicating that there is an operation), that is, It is determined whether or not RAM clear is necessary, and if the RAM clear signal is on (RAM clear is necessary), the process proceeds to step S108 to set the basic circuit 302 to the initial state. On the other hand, when the RAM clear signal is OFF (when the RAM clear is not necessary), the power status information stored in the power status storage area provided in the RAM 308 is read, and whether the power status information is information indicating suspend. Determine whether or not. If the power status information is not information indicating suspend, the process proceeds to step S108 to set the basic circuit 302 to an initial state. If the power status information is information indicating suspend, a predetermined area of the RAM 308 is set. A checksum is calculated by adding all the 1-byte data stored in (for example, all areas) to a 1-byte register whose initial value is 0, and the calculated checksum results in a specific value (for example, 0) (whether or not the checksum result is normal). If the checksum result is a specific value (eg, 0) (if the checksum result is normal), the process proceeds to step S107 to return to the state before the power interruption, and the checksum result is a specific value. If the value is other than 0 (for example, 0) (if the result of the checksum is abnormal), the process proceeds to step S108 to set the pachinko machine 100 to the initial state. Similarly, when the power status information indicates information other than “suspend”, the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S107, power recovery processing is performed. In this power recovery process, the stack pointer stored in the stack pointer save area provided in the RAM 308 at the time of power failure is read and reset to the stack pointer. In addition, the value of each register stored in the register save area provided in the RAM 308 at the time of power interruption is read out, reset to each register, and then the interrupt permission is set. Thereafter, as a result of the CPU 304 executing the control program based on the reset stack pointer and registers, the pachinko machine 100 returns to the state when the power is turned off. That is, the processing is restarted from the instruction next to the instruction (predetermined in steps S110 and S111) performed immediately before branching to the timer interrupt processing (described later) immediately before the power interruption.

  In step S108, initialization processing is performed. In this initialization processing, interrupt prohibition setting, stack initial value setting to the stack pointer, initialization of all storage areas of the RAM 308, and the like are performed.

  In step S110, after setting for interrupt prohibition, the basic random number initial value update process is performed. In this basic random number initial value update process, two initial value generation random number counters for generating the initial values of the normal figure winning random number counter and the special figure random number counter, the normal figure timer random number value, and the special figure timer random number counter, respectively. Two random number counters for generating numerical values are updated. For example, if the range of values that can be taken as normal timer random numbers is 0 to 20, a value is acquired from a random number counter storage area for generating a normal timer random value provided in the RAM 308, and 1 is added to the acquired value. Then, it is stored in the original random number counter storage area. At this time, if the result of adding 1 to the acquired value is 21, 0 is stored in the original random number counter storage area. Other initial value generation random number counters and random number counters are similarly updated. Further, after this basic random number initial value update process is completed, interrupt permission is set, and the process proceeds to step S111.

  Note that the counter circuit 316 in FIG. 3 is used as each random number counter. Among the above random number counters, the special figure random number counter particularly constitutes the jackpot counter described above or later, and the CPU 304 enters the user mode (described later), as shown in step S110 above. The timing for starting each of the random number counters is almost constant. Therefore, when the value of the random number counter is extracted from the time when the CPU 304 enters the user mode, the timing at which the value is equivalent to the jackpot is also almost constant. It is.

  In step S111, effect random number update processing is performed. In this effect random number update process, a random number counter for generating an effect random number used by the main control unit 300 is updated.

  The main control unit 300 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S110 and S111 except during the timer interrupt process starting at predetermined intervals.

  The main control unit 300 performs main control unit timer interrupt processing at regular intervals in addition to the main processing described above. The main control unit 300 includes a counter / timer 312 that generates a timer interrupt signal at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, about once every 2 ms), and the main control unit timer interrupt processing is triggered by this timer interrupt signal. Do. In the main control unit timer interrupt process, the main control unit 300 detects the winning state of each winning port using each ball detection sensor via the input port of the I / O 310, and draws using the random number counter (316). To control the entire game. In this game control, an effect command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400 to cause effect control using the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 110 and each effect device.

  Next, production control by the sub-control units 400 and 500 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 13, and in particular, display control of the decorative symbol display device 110 by the sub-control unit 400 and its VDP 431 will be described in detail. . 7 and FIG. 9 show the procedure of effect control and display control of the sub-control unit 400, FIG. 8 shows the procedure of effect control of the sub-control unit 500, and FIG. 10 shows the decorative symbol display device 110 by the VDP 431 of the sub-control unit 400. Each of the display control procedures is shown. 7 and 9 can be stored in the P-ROM 406 of the sub-control unit 400, and the control procedure of FIG. 8 can be stored in the P-ROM 506 of the sub-control unit 500. The control procedure of FIG. 10 can be stored in a built-in P-ROM (not shown) of the VDP 431.

<Sub-control unit (400) main processing>
First, the sub control unit main process executed by the CPU 404 of the sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The sub-control unit 400 is provided with a reset signal output circuit that outputs a reset signal when the power is turned on. The CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 to which this reset signal has been input starts reset by a reset interrupt and executes processing in accordance with a control program stored in advance in the P-ROM 406. First, various initial settings are performed in step S301. In this initial setting, input / output ports are initialized and various variables are initialized. In step S301, a Vsync variable described later is reset to zero.

  In step S302, command input processing (FIG. 7B described later) for inputting the effect command transmitted from the main control unit 300 is performed.

  In step S303, it is determined whether or not the Vsync variable assigned to the RAM 408 or the like is 2 or more. As described above, the VDP 431 sends a Vsync interrupt signal to the CPU 404 of the sub-control unit 400 every 1/60 seconds of a half of the predetermined time T1 = 1/30 s (about 33.3 ms) corresponding to one frame section. Although this is transmitted, this Vsync variable is incremented by 1 by the Vsync interrupt process of FIG.

  That is, as shown in the Vsync interrupt process of FIG. 7G, when a Vsync interrupt from the VDP 431 occurs, the CPU 404 increments the Vsync variable by 1 in step S901.

  Therefore, determining whether or not Vsync variable ≧ 2 in step S303 is equivalent to determining whether or not a time corresponding to a predetermined time T1 = 1/30 s corresponding to one frame period has elapsed. If step S303 is negative, the process returns to step S302 to repeat the command input process. When step S303 is affirmed, that is, when a time corresponding to one frame section T1 = 1/30 s has elapsed, effect control to be executed in one frame section is performed after step S304.

  First, in step S304, the Vsync variable is reset to zero.

  In step S305, effects for controlling the display of the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 110, the speaker 416, the shutter device 424, various lamps (561, 562) and the like according to the effect command transmitted from the main control unit 300. Update the data.

  In step S306, the sound source IC 418 and the speaker 416 are controlled based on the effect data to perform sound output processing.

  In step S307, the operation state of the chance button 146 is detected according to the winning and the display state of the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 110 controlled according to the lottery state, and the chance button lamp 146a is set to the chance button 146. Control the lighting / extinguishing (flashing) state suitable for the operation state.

  In step S308, the shutter device 424 is moved using the motor control circuit 426 and the sensor output detection circuit 430 in synchronization with the display state of the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 110 that is controlled according to the winning state and the lottery state. Make it work.

  In step S309, according to the effect command transmitted from the main control unit 300, the sub control unit 500 transmits a control command for driving various effect drive devices 524, lamps 561, 562, and the like.

  In step S310, a display control process (FIG. 9) described later using the VDP 431, VRAM 433, and CG-ROM 506 is executed, and the process returns to step S302.

  The CPU 404 of the sub-control unit 400 repeatedly executes the above processing thereafter except for interruption by strobe processing, chance button interrupt processing, and Vsync interrupt processing, which will be described later.

<Command input processing>
Next, the command input process (step S302) in the sub-control unit main process will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of command input processing.

  In step S401, the contents of a command storage area to be described later are confirmed, and it is determined whether or not an unprocessed command remains. If an unprocessed command remains in the command storage area, the process proceeds to step S402. If an unprocessed command does not remain in the command storage area, the process ends and returns to the sub-control unit main process. .

  FIG. 7C is a flowchart showing the flow of the variation pattern selection process, and FIG. 7D is a flowchart showing the flow of the symbol stop process. In step S402, based on the type of unprocessed command to be processed next among the unprocessed commands stored in the command storage area, the variation pattern selection process shown in FIG. This is executed based on the change start command) and the symbol stop process shown in FIG. There are other processes based on unprocessed commands. For example, a round start command that is output from the main control unit 300 every time the opening control of the variable winning opening 130 is started during the jackpot and includes information indicating the number of opening of the variable winning opening 130 after the jackpot start is an unprocessed command. For example, a round start process is performed. Other processing is omitted here.

  In the variation pattern processing in step S501 of FIG. 7C, the value of the jackpot flag, the probability variation flag, and the timer number included in the unprocessed command are extracted and stored in the respective storage areas of the RAM 408. Further, with reference to the variation number selection table and the symbol determination table prepared in advance in the P-ROM 406 or the like, effect data (in this embodiment, combination of variation number and temporary stop symbol / stop symbol) is selected, and this is stored in the RAM 408. After the data is stored in the storage area provided in FIG.

  Specifically, the sub-control unit 400 acquires a random value that takes any value in the numerical range of 0 to 127 generated by a predetermined random number generation unit as a random number value for variation determination, and provides the random value for the RAM 358. Stored in the fluctuation determining random value storage area. Next, on the basis of the status of the jackpot flag, the variable number table used when the jackpot flag prepared in advance is turned on (hit the jackpot) and the jackpot flag is turned off (hits the jackpot) is referred to, and the timer The corresponding variation number is selected based on the number, the probability variation flag, and the obtained variation determination random number value, and the selected variation number is stored in the variation number storage area provided in the RAM 408.

  Next, the sub-control unit 400 acquires a random number value that takes any value in the numerical range of 0 to 127 generated by the predetermined random number generation unit as a design determination random value, and is provided in the RAM 408. Store in the determination random number value storage area. Next, the temporary stop symbol combination and the stop symbol combination are stored in each symbol storage area provided in the RAM 408 based on the variation number and the acquired symbol determining random number value, and the process is terminated.

  In the symbol stop process of step S601 in FIG. 7D, three decorative symbols constituting the combination of the stopped symbols stored in the symbol storage area are displayed in the left, middle, and right symbol display areas of the decorative symbol display device 110. The setting is made to display in the three display areas, and the process ends. In the round start process, information indicating the number of times the variable winning opening 130 is opened after the jackpot start included in the unprocessed command is extracted and stored in the storage area of the RAM 408.

<Strobe interrupt processing>
Next, strobe interrupt processing of the sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of strobe interrupt processing.

  This strobe interrupt process is a process executed when the sub control unit 400 detects a strobe signal output from the main control unit 300. In step S701 of the strobe interrupt process, the effect command output from the main control unit 300 is stored as an unprocessed command in the command storage area provided in the RAM 408.

<Chance button interrupt processing>
Next, the chance button interrupt process of the sub-control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of chance button interrupt processing.

  This chance button interruption process is a process executed when the sub control unit 400 detects an operation of the chance button 146 by the chance button detection circuit 380.

  In step S801 of the chance button interrupt process, a value is acquired from the detection counter stored in the detection counter storage area of the RAM 408 for measuring the number of times the chance button 146 is pressed, and 1 is added to the acquired value. Store in the original detection counter storage area.

<Vsync interrupt processing>
As described above, when a Vsync interrupt from the VDP 431 occurs, the CPU 404 increments the Vsync variable by 1 in step S901 as shown in FIG.

<Sub-control unit (500) main processing>
Next, the sub-control unit main process executed by the CPU 504 of the sub-control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As in the case of the sub-control unit 400, the CPU 504 of the basic circuit 502 of the sub-control unit 500 that has input the reset signal performs reset processing in accordance with a control program stored in advance in the P-ROM 506 after reset start by a reset interrupt. In step S1001, various initial settings are performed. In this initial setting, input / output ports are initialized and various variables are initialized.

  In step S1002, an effect command transmitted by the sub control unit 400 (FIG. 7A, step S309) is detected. When an effect command is received from the sub-control unit 400, the command is stored as an unprocessed command in a command storage area provided in the RAM 508. In steps S1003 and S1004, effect control based on the received effect command is performed.

  In step S1003, on / off (flashing) of the lamps 561 and 562 is controlled via the serial communication control circuit 530, the effect expansion board 540, and the lamp board 570 based on the effect command stored in the command storage area.

  In step S1004, based on the effect command stored in the command storage area, various effect drive devices 524 such as a stepping motor and a solenoid that drive various effects for effects are driven via the effect drive device control circuit 526. .

<Display control by CPU 404 and VDP 431>
Next, display control of the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 110 by the CPU 404 of the sub-control unit 400 and the VDP 431 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, and 12 and 13.

  In the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 5, when the sub control unit 400 performs display processing, first, the preparation data is obtained from the effect data stored in the P-ROM 432 of the sub control unit 400 using the time for one frame. It is generated and stored in the transfer buffer (in this example, addresses 1000H to 1FFFH) of the RAM 408 of the sub-control unit 400. Then, display information 801 is generated from the preparation data in the next frame section, and is transmitted to the VDP 431 together with a drawing instruction command.

  By preparing such preparation data one frame before, generating display information (attribute data) in the next frame and transferring it to the VDP 431, display information from the production data in one frame section as in the past. Display information (attribute data) can be generated and transferred at a higher speed than when (attribute data) is generated.

  In addition, if the generation of the preparation data does not end in the time of one frame, the calculation is performed to continuously generate display information from the presentation data that is not referenced, and the calculation is generated from the preparation data and the presentation data after being stored in the transfer buffer. The VDP 431 performs drawing processing by transmitting the displayed display information and the drawing instruction command to the VDP 431.

  FIG. 9 shows a display control procedure of the CPU 404 of the sub control unit 400. This process shows the display control process in step S310 in FIG. 7A in detail. The processing of FIG. 9 is called and executed in one frame section from the main routine of the sub-control unit 400 of FIG.

  In step S2001 in FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not preparation data is stored in the transfer buffer of the RAM 408 of the sub-control unit 400, that is, whether or not preparation data is being generated or has been generated. Alternatively, if there is preparation data that has been generated, the process proceeds to step S2002, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2006.

  If there is preparation data being generated or has been generated in the RAM 408, it is determined in step S2002 whether or not preparation data generation (started in step S2007 described below) has been completed. If the generation of the preparation data has been completed, the process proceeds to step S2003, and display information (attribute data) to be transmitted to the VDP 431 is generated using only the generated preparation data.

  Further, if the generation of the preparation data has not ended, the process proceeds to step S2004, and display information (attribute data) to be transmitted to the VDP 431 is generated based on the preparation data and the production data generated halfway. The generation of the display information cannot be completed unless all the display information (attribute data) to be transmitted to the VDP 431 is generated. Therefore, the display information is generated without a time limit as in the case of preparation data described later.

  After steps S2003 and S2004, the generated display information (attribute data) and drawing instruction command are transmitted to the VDP 431 in step S2005.

  After step S2005, or when there is no preparation data in step S2001, it is determined in step S2006 whether display information is scheduled to be generated, that is, whether there is display information to be generated based on the production data. To do. If there is a display information generation schedule, the process proceeds to step S2007. If there is no display information generation schedule, the display control process is terminated and the process returns to the original routine (FIG. 7A).

  In step S2007, generation of preparation data based on effect data is started. This preparation data is for generating display data one frame ahead of the display data generated in steps S2001 to S2005 as described above. The preparation data is generated in step S2008 for a predetermined time (for example, 33.0 ms which is set to be slightly shorter with a margin to take a margin such as processing delay than 1/30 s≈33.3 ms). Continue until. While the passage of the predetermined time is not confirmed in step S2008, the generation of the preparation data is continued while determining whether the generation of the preparation data is completed in step S2009. In step S2008, when the elapse of the predetermined time is confirmed or the generation of the preparation data is completed, the process returns to the original routine (FIG. 7A).

  FIG. 10 shows a display control procedure of the present embodiment of the VDP 431. Here, only the display control loop is shown, and it is assumed that the initialization process is separately performed in a procedure not shown. In this initialization processing, it is assumed that processing for resetting a timer in the VDP 431 that measures a predetermined time (1/30 s≈33.3 ms) corresponding to at least one frame section to 0 is performed.

  In step S3001 in FIG. 10, it is determined whether display information (attribute data) and a drawing instruction command for instructing drawing start are received from the CPU 404 of the sub-control unit 400.

  When display information (attribute data) and a drawing instruction command are received here, drawing processing is started in step S3002. Here, the sprite (or transfer / designated bitmap) read from the CG-ROM 506 is written into the frame buffer of the currently selected VRAM 433.

  In step S3003, it is determined whether or not the timer built in the VDP 431 is measuring a predetermined time (T1 = 1/30 s≈33.3 ms) corresponding to one frame period. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S3004. By determining the one frame time in step S3003, the drawing processing start timing in step S3002 based on the drawing instruction command detection in step S3001 is substantially synchronized at the beginning of one frame interval. In this example, since the display information is generated in advance as preparation data in the previous frame, the drawing instruction command is not delayed after a predetermined time has elapsed (it takes two or more frames to generate display information).

  In step S3004, in order to display the contents of the drawn frame buffer on the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device: LCD) 110, the read-out frame buffer is switched. In step S3005, the timer incorporated in the VDP 431 is reset to zero. .

  In step S3004 in FIG. 10, the reading destination is switched when a predetermined time has elapsed, but the reading destination is not switched when the sub-control unit 400 performs display processing of the first frame (see, for example, FIG. 12). .

  FIG. 12 shows a state of drawing / displaying the two frame buffers (1, 2) of the VRAM 433 executed by the VDP 431 as described above. Here, the processing of each frame from frame 0 to frame 5 is shown, and the length of each frame section corresponds to the predetermined time T1 (= 1/30 s≈33.3 ms).

  In FIG. 12, reference numeral 1001 corresponds to the processing of steps S2006 to S2009 in FIG. 9 by the CPU 404 of the sub-control unit 400, and preparation data is generated and stored in the transfer buffer of the RAM 408. Respectively, corresponding to the interval for which the preparation data is calculated. It should be noted that display information (attribute) generation / transmission and drawing instructions are instantaneously performed with frame switching.

  When the CPU 404 of the sub-control unit 400 generates display information (attribute) that can be transmitted to the VDP 431, it transmits a drawing instruction command following this display information (attribute), thereby starting drawing on the frame buffer 1 or 2 of the VRAM 433. Is done.

  In FIG. 12, each arrow marked “Transmission and drawing instruction” indicates the relationship in which frame section the preparation data generated in a certain frame section is drawn by the VDP 431 on the frame buffer 1 or 2 of the VRAM 433. ing.

  That is, as described above, in this embodiment, in a certain frame section, if preparation data exists at the head of the frame, display information is generated from the preparation data (or further production data), and is displayed in the VDP 431 together with the drawing instruction command. Then, transmission data is generated (steps S2001 to S2005), and then the preparation data of the next frame is generated in the remaining section of the next frame section (steps S2006 to S2009). Note that since there is no preparation data for generating display information in the section of frame 0 in FIG. 12, only the preparation data generation in steps S2006 to S2009 is performed in the process in FIG.

  In addition, as described above, the preparation data is generated within a predetermined time limit (step S2008 in FIG. 9), so that the remaining time of the display data generation process is used. If there is preparation data, display information is generated based on the preparation data (step S2003 in FIG. 9). If the preparation data has not been generated and is only halfway, the display information is directly displayed from the effect data. Generate.

  As described above, preparation data for the next frame is generated in a certain frame section, drawn in the next frame section by the VDP 431, and based on the effect data by using the remaining time for generating the display information, Since the preparation data for the next frame is generated, as shown in FIG. 12, the VDP 431 can apply a section corresponding to the length of one frame section to the drawing process.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, since the display information is generated based on the preparation data, the generation time is shorter than the case where the display information is generated based only on the production data. For this reason, the transmission start time of display information can be advanced, in other words, the time when the display control means starts drawing can be advanced.

  Therefore, when a moving image is displayed on the display means, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the display frame rate due to a frame drop or the like. In addition, the amount of data that can be drawn can be increased compared to the conventional case, and a variety of display effects can be provided to the player. Furthermore, since the useless time until the display control means starts drawing can be shortened, the display control means can be effectively used in terms of time.

  FIG. 16 shows the state of display control performed by the CPU and VDP of the conventional sub-control unit in the same format as FIG. As shown in the figure, conventionally, in one frame section, the CPU of the sub-control unit performs a calculation for generating display information related to one sprite or movie to be drawn in the frame section, and displays the display information. Control is performed so that drawing is started only after the drawing instruction command is transmitted to the VDP after the generation and transmission to the VDP are repeated for the amount of display in one frame. As is clear from the comparison with FIG. 12, in this conventional method, the start of VDP drawing is delayed by the time calculated by the CPU of the sub-control unit, and as a result, the time devoted to VDP drawing is shortened. Thus, there is a possibility that frames may be dropped and the number of sprites that can be drawn cannot be increased. However, as described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to spend almost the entire time of one frame section for drawing. Therefore, such a conventional problem can be solved.

  Furthermore, according to the control of the present embodiment, the image of one frame generated according to the effect data is complicated, and the generation of display information (and generation of preparation data) takes time exceeding one frame section, and the following Even if it bites into the frame section, the influence of the delay of the drawing start of the VDP 431 can be reduced.

  FIG. 13 shows display processing in the same manner as in FIG. 12 when display information generation (and preparation data generation) takes a time exceeding one frame interval in the frame 0 interval. In the case of FIG. 13, the generation of display information to be rendered in frame 1 (and preparation data generation) does not end even if the section of frame 0 is exceeded, but display data for rendering in frame 1 as described above. Has already started at frame 0, and even if it bites into the section of frame 1 slightly, the effect of shortening the time available for drawing processing of VDP 431 in the section of frame 1 can be small.

  In the first embodiment, the transfer buffer of the RAM 408 provided as the display information temporary storage means for temporarily storing display information has a capacity capable of storing display information for one frame. A capacity capable of storing display information for frames (for example, 5 frames) is prepared in the transfer buffer. Then, after the preparation process for one frame is performed, the drawing process for the subsequent frames is performed up to the number of display information (preparation data) corresponding to the storable capacity.

  FIG. 11 shows the flow of display control processing (corresponding to step S310 in FIG. 7A) of the sub-control unit 400 of this embodiment. Control procedures other than the display control process and the hardware configuration are the same as those in the first embodiment. The control procedure of FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, and the same step numbers are used for the same or equivalent processing steps as in FIG. The process of FIG. 11 is called and executed in one frame section from the main routine of the sub-control unit 400 of FIG.

  In step S2001 of FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not preparation data is stored in the transfer buffer of the RAM 408 of the sub-control unit 400, that is, whether or not preparation data is being generated or has been generated. Alternatively, if there is preparation data that has been generated, the process proceeds to step S2002, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2006.

  If there is preparation data being generated or has been generated in the RAM 408, it is determined in step S2002 whether or not preparation data generation (started in step S2007 described below) has been completed. If the generation of the preparation data has been completed, the process proceeds to step S2003, and display information (attribute data) to be transmitted to the VDP 431 is generated using only the generated preparation data.

  If the generation of the preparation data has not ended, the process proceeds to step S2004, and display information (attributes) to be transmitted to the VDP 431 based on the preparation data generated halfway and the effect data transmitted from the main control unit 300. Data). The generation of the display information cannot be completed unless all the display information (attribute data) to be transmitted to the VDP 431 is generated. Therefore, the display information is generated without a time limit as in the case of preparation data described later.

  After steps S2003 and S2004, the generated display information (attribute data) and drawing instruction command are transmitted to the VDP 431 in step S2005.

  After step S2005, or when there is no preparation data in step S2001, it is determined in step S2006 whether display information is scheduled to be generated, that is, whether there is display information to be generated based on the production data. To do. If there is a display information generation schedule, the process proceeds to step S2007. If there is no display information generation schedule, the display control process is terminated and the process returns to the original routine (FIG. 7A).

  In step S2007, generation of preparation data based on effect data is started. This preparation data is for generating display data one frame ahead of the display data generated in steps S2001 to S2005 as described above. The generation of the preparation data is continued until a predetermined time (the aforementioned 33.0 ms) elapses in step S2008. The predetermined time is set to a time that can generate one unit of display information that can be transmitted to the VDP 431 generated by the processing of steps S2001 to S2005, for example.

  While the passage of the predetermined time is not confirmed in step S2008, the generation of the preparation data is continued while determining whether the generation of the preparation data is completed in step S2009. If it is confirmed in step S2008 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process returns to the original routine (FIG. 7A).

  Further, when the generation of the preparation data is completed in step S2009, in this embodiment, in step S2010, it is further determined whether or not display information for the subsequent frame is scheduled to be generated. If the display information for the subsequent frame is scheduled to be generated, the generation process for the preparation data for the subsequent frame is started in step S2011. In step S2011, as in step S2008, the preparation data generation process is executed so as not to exceed the predetermined time assigned to generation of the preparation data, and the RAM 408 is transferred by further preparation data generation. It is checked whether or not the capacity of the buffer exceeds the capacity. If the capacity of the transfer buffer is exceeded, the preparation data generation is stopped there.

  By performing the above processing, in this embodiment, drawing in the frame buffer of the VRAM 433 is performed as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 shows a drawing process to the frame buffer of the VRAM 433 in the same format as FIG. 12 and FIG. In FIG. 14, it is known that display information for the subsequent frame is generated from the effect data from frame 0 to frame 2, and preparation data for display information generation from frame 2 to frame 5 is known. Are sequentially generated, and based on this, display data having preparation data is sequentially generated.

  As shown in FIG. 14, according to the present embodiment, a capacity capable of storing display information for a plurality of frames (for example, 5 frames) is prepared in the transfer buffer of the VRAM 433, and preparation data generation is scheduled. Is determined in advance, the preparation data is sequentially generated up to the limit of the number of display information (preparation data) corresponding to the capacity of the transfer buffer and the predetermined time allocated for preparation data generation. I have to. For this reason, when generating the display information, the display information can be generated almost based only on the preparation data, and the display information can be generated more efficiently.

  In this embodiment, in the case where drawing processing is performed by causing the VDP 431 to perform drawing processing a plurality of times in one frame section, control is performed so that preparation data is generated during each drawing processing of the plurality of times.

  The hardware and control procedures can be the same as those in the first embodiment. However, in the display control process of FIG. 9, in the first embodiment, the display information and the preparation data are set as a unit of processing for one frame, whereas in this embodiment, the display control process is performed a plurality of times within one frame section. Perform drawing processing as a unit. For example, the display information transmitted in step S2005 in FIG. 9 is display information for designating one drawing process performed a plurality of times within one frame section, and the preparation data to be generated in step S2007 is the same. This is preparatory data necessary for generating display information for designating one drawing process performed a plurality of times within one frame section.

  In the present embodiment, one drawing process performed a plurality of times within one frame section is, for example, a process of drawing one sprite when a single screen is configured by superimposing a plurality of sprites within one frame section. Can think. In this case, the preparation data generated in steps S2006 to S2009 in FIG. 9 corresponds to display information for drawing the next sprite.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, in the process of one sprite, if there is preparation data, display information generation and drawing based on the preparation data and preparation data for the next sprite are generated simultaneously.

  FIG. 15 shows a drawing process in the frame buffer of the VRAM 433 performed in this embodiment in the same format as in FIGS.

  15, reference numeral 1001 corresponds to the processing of steps S2006 to S2009 in FIG. 9, and a section in which preparation data for one sprite is generated and stored in the transfer buffer of the RAM 408 is denoted by reference numeral 1003 in step S2001 of FIG. 9. This corresponds to the processing of S2005, and corresponds to each section in which display information (attribute) is generated based on one sprite preparation data (preparation data and presentation data) and transmitted together with the drawing instruction command.

  As described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained by combining the generation of the preparation data for each smaller drawing unit and the process of generating the display information from the preparation data as in the case of the sprite. Can do.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the capacity of the preparation data prepared during each drawing process of a plurality of times is reduced, there is an advantage that the capacity of the transfer buffer of the RAM 408 of the sub control unit 400 can be reduced. is there.
<Effect>
The operational effects obtained in the configuration shown in the above embodiment are summarized as follows.

  The CPU 404 of the sub-control unit 400 generates preparation data based on the effect data before the start of the transmission process. Thus, the generation time is shorter when the display information is generated based on at least the preparation data than when the display information is generated based only on the production data. With this configuration, the display information transmission start time can be advanced. In other words, the time for the VDP 431 to start drawing can be advanced, and accordingly, when a moving image is displayed on the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 110, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the display frame rate due to a frame drop or the like. There is. In addition, the amount of data that can be drawn can be increased compared to the conventional case, and various display effects can be provided to the player. Furthermore, since the useless time until the VDP 431 starts drawing can be shortened, the VDP 431 can be effectively used in time.

  Since the frame buffer that performs the drawing process and the frame buffer that performs the reading process are switched at predetermined time intervals, it is possible to provide a moving image display that does not give the player a feeling of strangeness. In addition, since the display information transmission start time is advanced, the time for the VDP 431 to start the drawing process can be advanced. Therefore, it may be possible to prevent the display frame rate from being lowered due to frame dropping or the like. In addition, the amount of data that can be drawn can be increased compared to the conventional case, and various display effects can be provided to the player. Furthermore, since the useless time until the VDP 431 starts drawing can be shortened, the VDP 431 can be effectively used in time.

  As shown in steps S2001 to S2003 in FIGS. 9 and 11, since display information is generated based only on preparation data, the display information transmission start time is earlier, so that the time for the VDP 431 to start drawing processing is increased. There are things that can be accelerated. Therefore, when a moving image is displayed on the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 110, it may be possible to prevent a decrease in the display frame rate due to a frame drop or the like. In addition, the amount of data that can be drawn can be increased compared to the conventional case, and a variety of display effects can be provided to the player. Furthermore, since the useless time until the VDP 431 starts drawing can be shortened, the VDP 431 can be effectively used in time.

  Further, as shown in step S2004 of FIGS. 9 and 11, when there is preparation data generated halfway, the display information is generated based on the preparation data and the effect data. In this way, generating display information based on preparation data and effect data requires less generation time than generating display information based only on effect data, and can accelerate the display information transmission start time. In other words, the time when the VDP 431 starts drawing may be shortened. Therefore, when a moving image is displayed on the decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 110, it may be possible to prevent a decrease in the display frame rate due to a frame drop or the like. In addition, the amount of data that can be drawn can be increased compared to the conventional case, and various display effects can be provided to the player. Furthermore, since the useless time until the VDP 431 starts drawing can be shortened, the VDP 431 can be effectively used in time.

  Since the preparation data is stored in the transfer buffer of the VRAM 433 that stores the display information, the generation time for generating the display information from the preparation data can be shortened.

  The display information stored in the transfer buffer of the VRAM 433 has the same format as the preparation data, that is, the display information temporary storage means of the VRAM 433 and the data stored in the display information temporary storage area have the same format. is doing. For this reason, when generating display information from the preparation data, it is not necessary to perform data conversion processing, the processing load on the CPU 404 of the sub-control unit 400 can be reduced, and the time for starting analysis processing of transmitted data is started. May be able to speed up.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 9, 11, 12 to 15, etc., the configuration is such that the preparation process is performed when the transmission process is not performed, and the CPU 404 of the sub-control unit 400 is effectively used in terms of time. There are things you can do.

  The preparation data can also be configured to include two-dimensional information generated from three-dimensional information. For this reason, the complicated process of calculating the two-dimensional information from the three-dimensional information before the transmission process can be performed in the preparation process, and the transmission start time of the display information is shortened, so the time for the VDP 431 to start the drawing process can be increased. There are things that can be accelerated.

  The display control technique of the present invention is not limited to the ball and ball game machine (pachinko machine) exemplified in the above embodiment, and other game machines in which the effect control unit (sub control unit) performs display control using VDP. For example, the present invention can also be implemented in a spinning machine (slot machine).

It is the perspective view which showed the pachinko machine concerning this invention in the state which opened the door member. It is the front view which showed the structure around the game board of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the main control part of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the sub control part of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which showed the production | generation and transfer process of the display information in the sub control part (400) of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is the flowchart figure which showed the main control part main process of the pachinko machine of FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing of the sub-control unit (400) of the pachinko machine in FIG. 1, where (a) is the main processing, (b) is the command input processing, (c) is the variation pattern selection processing, (d () Is a flowchart showing symbol stop processing, (e) is strobe processing, (f) is chance button interrupt processing, and (g) is Vsync interrupt processing. It is the flowchart figure which showed the main process of the sub control part (500) of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is the flowchart figure which showed the display control process of the sub control part (400) of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is the flowchart figure which showed the display process of VDP of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is the flowchart figure which showed the different display control processing of the sub control part (400) of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is the timing chart figure which showed the display control by VDP of the pachinko machine of Figure 1. It is the timing chart figure which showed the display control by VDP of the pachinko machine of Figure 1. It is the timing chart figure which showed the different display control by VDP of the pachinko machine of Figure 1. It is a timing chart figure which showed further different display control by VDP of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is the timing chart which showed the display control by VDP of the conventional pachinko machine.

Explanation of symbols

100 Pachinko machine 102 Game board (board)
104 Game Area 106 Outer Rail 108 Inner Rail 110 Decorative Symbol Display Device 112 Universal Map Display Device 114 Special Diagram Display Device 116 Universal Map Reservation Lamp 118 Special Diagram Retention Lamp 120 High Accuracy Medium Lamp 122 General Winning Port 124 Universal Opening Port 126 1 special figure starting port 128 2nd special figure starting port 130 variable prize winning port 132 hitting ball direction changing member 134 game nail 136 out port 138 launching rod 140 launching rod 142 firing rail 144 reservoir tray 146 chance button 148 operation handle 150 lower plate 152 transparent Plate member 153 Tank rail 154 Transparent member holding frame 156 Door member 200 Production device 300 Main control unit 302 Basic circuit 304 CPU
306 ROM
308 RAM
310 I / O
312 Counter timer 313 WDT
314 Crystal transmitter 316 Counter circuit 318 Various sensors 322 Display circuit 324 Display circuit 326 Various status display unit 328 Display circuit 330 Various solenoids 332 Solenoid circuit 336 Voltage monitoring circuit 338 Start signal output circuit 400, 500 Sub control unit 402 Basic circuit 404 CPU
406 P-ROM
416 Speaker 424 Shutter device 426 Motor control circuit 430 Sensor output detection circuit 431 VDP
432 CG-ROM
433 VRAM
502 Basic circuit 506 P-ROM
524 Various drive devices for production 526 Production drive device control circuit 530 Serial communication control circuit 540 Production expansion board 541, 571 Serial communication drive circuit 550 Dispensing control unit 561, 562 Lamp 570 Lamp board

Claims (8)

Display control means for controlling display means for displaying an image;
A transmission process for generating display information based on the production data stored in the production data storage means and transmitting the display information to the display control means every predetermined time, and the display information based on the production data before the start of the transmission process. Production control means for performing preparation processing for generating preparation data for generating
The game machine characterized in that the presentation control means generates the display information based on at least the preparation data when the preparation data is present when performing the transmission process.   2. The game table according to claim 1, wherein display data storage means includes a plurality of display data storage means for storing a plurality of display data, and a plurality of storage areas for temporarily storing predetermined display data among the plurality of display data. A rendering process for rendering the display data read from the display data storage means in any one of a plurality of storage areas of the temporary storage means, and the display data rendered in the temporary storage means The display control based on the display information, a read process for reading the image and causing the display means to display, and a display switching process for switching the storage area for performing the drawing process and the storage area for performing the read process at predetermined time intervals. A game stand characterized by means.   3. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein, when the generation of the preparation data is completed before the start of the transmission process, the presentation control unit performs only the preparation data when performing the transmission process. A game table, wherein the display information is generated based on the game table.   3. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein when the transmission process is performed, the production control means is based on the preparation data and the production data when the generation of the preparation data is not completed. A game machine that generates the display information.   5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising display information temporary storage means for temporarily storing the display information, wherein the display information temporary storage means stores the display information. A game machine characterized in that said preparation data is stored in a storage area for storing.   6. The game machine according to claim 5, wherein the display control means includes a display information temporary storage area for temporarily storing the transmitted display information, and the display information temporary storage means and the display information temporary storage. An area is a gaming table characterized in that the format of stored data is the same.   7. The game machine according to claim 5, wherein the display information temporary storage means is capable of storing a plurality of the display information to be transmitted to the display control means, and the effect control means is the transmission A game table characterized in that, when processing is not performed, preparatory processing is performed up to the number of display information that can be stored in the display information temporary storage means.   8. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the effect data includes three-dimensional information, and the preparation data includes two-dimensional information generated from the three-dimensional information. A characteristic game stand.

Images