JP2011194029A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control lamp lighting in association with sound in a game machine.SOLUTION: A game machine includes: a tune composition data table which includes sound data for generating sounds, data of a duration period corresponding to the sound data, and tempo data corresponding to the duration period; and a tempo generation processing part which receives the data of the duration time and the tempo data in association with the sound data and generates a lighting control signal of a light emitting element on the basis of the data of duration period and the tempo data. Sounds are generated by a speaker on the basis of the sound data, and light emission of the light emitting element is controlled by the lighting control signal generated by the tempo generation processing part.

Description

  The present invention relates to an effect system in a gaming machine such as a ball ball game machine or a revolving game machine (slot machine).

  A ball ball game machine (a so-called pachinko machine) installed in a game machine installation store or the like uses a game ball (also called a game medium) to play a game. The borrowed game balls are launched to the board surface provided on the game board of the ball game machine, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out each time the game balls enter a predetermined winning opening. The game balls to be paid out are called prize balls.

There are the following winning holes provided on the board of the ball game machine.
(1) Ordinary winning device (2) Start chucker (starting winning device)
(3) Attacker (Large winning device)
(4) Through chucker (winning chucker)

The start chucker (starting winning device) is also called a specific winning device. When a game ball is accepted by the start chucker (start prize-winning device) and enters the winning state, the prize ball is paid out and an electronic lottery is performed. In the case of winning, the game state is advantageous to the player from the normal state. Thus, the attacker (large winning device) is opened.
The attacker (large winning device) is also called a special winning device.

  The through chucker (winning chucker) does not pay out the winning ball directly, but is included in the winning slot in this specification. When it is detected that the game ball has passed through the through-chucker (winning chucker), an electronic lottery is performed. The time is released to make it easier for the game ball to enter the start chucker (start prize winning device). The game ball received by the through chucker (winning chucker) moves on the board as it is, and is received by another winning port or a discharge port (out port) described below.

  In addition to the prize opening, a discharge port (out port) is provided on the board surface of the ball game machine. The discharge port (out port) is an opening provided in the lower part of the guide rail (the place where the game balls are collected by gravity) arranged to partition the game area on the board surface. A game ball that is not accepted by any of the winning device, start chucker (starting winning device), and attacker (large winning device) is received and discharged out of the board.

  As described above, an electronic lottery is performed when a game ball is received in a specific winning opening of the ball game machine. In many cases, the lottery uses a random number generated by hardware such as a counter or a register or a random number generated by a counter executed by software.

  In order to perform processing related to a game including electronic lottery, the ball and ball gaming machine obtains processing information generated by a control unit that performs electrical game control processing and generates main processing information. Thus, a sub-control unit that performs control to perform a predetermined output mode process is provided, and further, peripheral boards such as a payout control unit, a game ball payout device, an electrical decoration control unit, and an acoustic control unit connected thereto are provided.

JP 2006-255316 A

  In gaming machines, effects are produced by sound and light according to the gaming state, but many of them are controlled separately by sound and light, and the sense of unity is lacking in the effects by sound and light. In view of this problem, the invention described in Patent Document 1 aims to improve the sense of unity of sound and light. Two methods are described as means for achieving the object.

(1) Crest value measurement method of sound waveform signal In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the lamp is turned on at the timing when the volume of the sound (music) output from the speaker reaches a predetermined value Vb. , Trying to improve the sense of unity between audio and light effects.

(2) Timing chart data method (method of measuring and storing the peak value of the sound waveform signal in advance)
Timing chart data is stored in advance as a set with the corresponding phrase data (which seems to be sound data), and the lamp is turned on based on the timing chart data, so that a sense of unity between voice effects and light effects Is trying to improve. Compared to the above method, it is not necessary to actually measure the crest value of the sound waveform signal that is actually output, so that the processing amount in the voice control device can be reduced. In paragraph 0069 of the specification of the above-mentioned patent document 1, “timing chart data TD is composed of a group of output timing data of the light emission command H, and the timing chart data TD is the same time as the phrase data FD ( The output timing of the light emission command H is set corresponding to the peak value of the phrase data FD, specifically, the peak value of the phrase data FD, that is, the volume is predetermined. The light emission command H is set to be output at the timing when the value Vb is reached. ”Therefore, the lamp is lit at the timing when the volume reaches the predetermined value Vb. In this respect, there is no difference between (1) and (2).

  In short, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 turns on the lamp at the timing when the volume reaches the predetermined value Vb, and the lamp lighting is completely dependent on the volume (the peak value of the sound waveform signal). It is impossible to light up regardless.

  The invention described in the above-mentioned patent document 1 makes the effect by light dependent on the effect by sound, and in a specific case, for example, when the volume is changing at a constant rhythm with a good tempo, one of both. It seems that you can feel the experience.

  However, the music / sound used for the production of gaming machines is not only that. For example, the volume is not always synchronized with the rhythm at a predetermined value Vb. In addition, the lamp may continue to be lit when the volume change is poor, or the non-lighting state may continue. In such a case, according to the invention described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the effect by light and the effect by sound are scattered.

  In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the light effect is completely dependent on the sound effect (volume). In other words, because the light emission timing is determined at the timing when a certain amount of sound is generated, the light effect is performed separately from the sound effect, or a specific effect (for example, the sound and Are not synchronized, but by gradually increasing the tempo and gradually synchronizing the sound and the light, it is not possible to aim for an effect that excites tension and raises expectations.

  That is, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the light effect is completely deprived of the effect of the sound due to the restriction that the effect is completely dependent on the sound effect.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can remove the restriction that the effect of light is completely dependent on the effect of sound, and can significantly increase the amount of data for the effect. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine having an effect function of light without light.

The present invention relates to a control unit that executes control related to a game, a sub-control unit that receives a command from the control unit and executes processing related to an effect, and an acoustic control unit and a light-emitting element control unit connected to the sub-control unit A gaming machine comprising: a speaker that outputs sound by the control of the acoustic control unit; and a light emitting element that emits light by the control of the light emitting element control unit.
A song composition data table including sound data for generating the sound, duration data corresponding to the sound data, and tempo data corresponding to the duration;
In response to the sound data sent to the acoustic control unit, the duration data and the tempo data are received, and a lighting control signal for the light emitting element is generated based on the duration data and the tempo data. The tempo generation processing unit to send to the light emitting element control unit,
The sound control unit generates sound from the speaker based on the sound data,
The light emitting element control unit controls light emission of the light emitting element based on the lighting control signal generated by the tempo generation processing unit.

  The lighting control signal is, for example, either a pulse signal having a predetermined interval generated based on the tempo data in the duration of the sound data, or a luminance signal having a predetermined interval.

The first sound data and the second sound data are continuously sent from the music composition data table to the acoustic control unit,
The tempo generation processing unit receives first duration data and first tempo data corresponding to the first sound data, and second duration data and second tempo data corresponding to the second sound data. Based on the first duration data, the first tempo data, the second duration data, and the second tempo data, the tempo is continuous between the sound based on the first sound data and the sound based on the second sound data. As described above, the lighting control signal for the light emitting element may be generated based on a predetermined function.

  According to the present invention, since the lighting control signal of the light emitting element is generated based on the sound duration data and the tempo data, the lamp lighting control can be performed in association with the sound in the gaming machine. Since the light effect is not necessarily dependent on the sound effect, the degree of freedom of the effect can be increased.

It is a perspective view which shows the surface structure of a game machine. It is a perspective view which shows the back surface structure of a game machine. It is a figure (front view) which shows the mode of the board surface seen from the player. It is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5A is a block diagram of a lamp control system according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram of a music composition data table according to the embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart of the lamp lighting control process which concerns on embodiment of invention. The timing chart of the processing concerning an embodiment of the invention is shown. The other timing chart of the process which concerns on embodiment of invention is shown. The variation of the lamp | ramp luminance signal which concerns on embodiment of invention is shown.

An outline of the structure of the ball game machine will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
First, the external structure of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The outer frame 50 is a wooden frame member having a vertical rectangular shape for fixing to an installation location (island facilities or the like) provided in a gaming machine installation sales shop.
The main body member 51 is a member that is provided inside the outer frame 50 and serves as a longitudinal rectangular gaming machine base body that is rotatably attached to the outer frame via a hinge portion 51a. The main body member 51 is formed in a frame shape and has a space portion inside thereof.
The opening frame door 52 is mounted on the front surface of the main body member 51 on the front side of the gaming machine so as to be openable and closable, and is configured in a frame shape so that the inside is an opening. It is a door member.
A transparent plate member made of glass or resin is provided at the opening of the opening frame door 52, and an electrical decoration 52a, a speaker 52b, and the like are attached in the vicinity of the opening.
A game board (not shown in FIG. 1), which will be described later, is detachably attached to the main body member 51 using a predetermined fixing member so as to face the space of the main body member 51. After the game board is mounted on the main body member 51, the game area can be observed from the opening.

The door 53 with a ball tray is a door member provided at least with a ball tray for storing a game ball attached to the lower part of the main body member 51 on the front surface of the gaming machine so as to have a lock function and be openable and closable. In addition, the following members are attached to the door with a ball tray in the present embodiment.
(1) A ball tray in which a plurality of game balls can be stored and a passage for guiding the game balls to the firing drive device 48 is provided.
(2) A rotary operation handle 48b for performing an operation of launching the stored game ball guided to the launch drive device 48 to a game area provided on the board surface 11 of the game board 10.
(3) A ball lending-related operation unit provided with buttons for instructing a read-in related to reading a paid card and a lending process related to a borrowed game ball.
(4) A storage ball discharge operation button for a ball tray for releasing the game ball stored in the ball tray into a game ball collecting container (common name, dollar box).

Next, an internal configuration of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As described above, reference numeral 40 denotes a control unit that is provided via the main body member 51 or the game board 11 or a support member attached thereto, and performs electrical game control processing to generate main processing information.
40b is provided through the main body member 51 or the game board 11 or a support member provided to the main body member 51, or a sub member that performs control to perform predetermined output mode processing by obtaining processing information generated by the control unit 40. It is a control unit.
A payout control unit 42 performs payout control of prize balls.
43 is a game ball payout device for paying out game balls.
Reference numeral 44 denotes a lamp control unit (light emitting element control unit) that controls a lamp (not shown) and the electric decoration 52a.
An acoustic control unit 46 generates sound by controlling and driving the speaker 52b.
49 is a control device for controlling the firing drive device 48, and is a launch control device for controlling the launch of a game ball to a game area provided on the board surface via a rotary operation handle 48b.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the game board of the gaming machine.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 11 denotes a board surface of the game board 10. The board surface 11 changes the direction of the guide rail 12, the discharge port (out port) 13 that guides the game ball that has fallen through the substantially circular game area defined by the guide rail 12, and the direction of the game ball that moves in the game area. It is a rectangular board surface provided with a plurality of obstacles such as the nailing 14 and the windmill 14a.

  The game area of the board surface 11 described above is partitioned and formed into a substantially circular shape by the guide rail 12 (including a sliding part for sliding the game ball and a regulation part for regulating the game ball), and the movement of the game ball that has been launched It is an area that regulates the range. A restricting portion is provided to follow the sliding portion. The sliding portion is arranged on the board surface 11 in a spiral as a whole.

  The discharge port (out port) 13 is a collection opening provided at a position where the game balls thrown into the game area converge.

  The game nails as the obstacles 14 are a plurality of rod-shaped members that are driven into appropriate positions on the board surface 11 in order to make the movement direction irregular by contacting with the game ball or to restrict the movement direction.

Reference numeral 30a denotes a variable display device (center accessory) that is provided at the center or slightly above the game area and has one or more variable display units such as an effect display lamp and a liquid crystal display device LCD.
30b is a through chucker (winning chucker).
30c is a normal winning device having a normal winning opening.
30d is a start chucker (start winning device) having a start winning opening.
30e is an attacker having a big prize opening.
In the following description, 30b to 30d may be collectively referred to as a winning opening 30 or the like.
Although not shown, the ball passage detectors 20b, 20c, and 20d are provided inside the 30b, 30c, and 30d (the reference numerals in parentheses in the figure mean that).

The start winning device of the start chucker 30d is also called a specific winning device, and the big winning device of the attacker 30e is also called a special winning device.
The start chucker (start winning device) 30d is provided with movable pieces on both sides for expanding and contracting the opening range of the winning opening, making a variable display by winning a game ball and winning a prize for a player. Device.
The attacker (large winning device) 30e is driven and controlled by an open state that exposes the winning port and a closed state that closes the winning port. This is a winning device that allows more prize balls to be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Reference numeral 40 denotes a control unit (also referred to as a “main board”) that performs electrical game control processing and generates main processing information. The control unit 40 moves (flows down) the game area and receives signals from the ball passage detectors 20b to 20d that detect the game balls that have passed through the winning holes 30b to 30d, respectively, and passes the gaming balls through the winning holes 30b to 30d. A winning determination unit 40a for performing a lottery / determination in accordance with this is included.

  Reference numeral 41 denotes a display control unit that turns on the effect display lamp of the variable display device (center accessory) 30a. The display control unit 41 determines the identification lighting information (variable display) according to the result of electronic determination of whether or not the winning condition determination unit 40a satisfies the predetermined condition (for example, the passing of a game ball to a predetermined passing port). This is a display control device that performs stop display after variably displaying (displayed on the effect display lamp of the device (center accessory) 30a).

  It should be noted that the liquid crystal display device LCD is selected according to the result of the electronic winning / losing lottery based on the establishment of a predetermined condition in the winning determination unit 40a provided in the control unit 40 (for example, winning of a game ball to the start winning device 30d). The identification display information is variably displayed (the contents of the effect change according to the lottery result). This is because the lottery result is sent from the control unit 40 to the sub-control unit 40b, and the sub-control unit 40b receiving the lottery result generates an image corresponding to the lottery result and displays it on the liquid crystal display device LCD. Executed. The LCD of the variable display device (center accessory) 30a is a device that variably displays a specific symbol related to the big hit state and also displays a background image, various characters, and the like in an animated manner. When it is detected that the game ball has passed through the start chucker (start winning device) 30d, the displayed symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time, and the lottery is drawn when the game ball start chucker (start winning device) 30d passes. The stop symbol determined by the random number for lottery is displayed on the LCD and stopped.

  The attacker 30e includes an opening / closing plate that can be opened forward. When the symbol after the LCD fluctuation stops is a winning symbol such as “777”, a special game called “big hit” is started, and the opening / closing plate of the attacker 30e is opened a predetermined number of times. After the opening / closing plate of the attacker 30e is opened, the opening / closing plate is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number of game balls are won.

42 is a payout control unit that receives the signal of the winning determination unit 40a and controls the game ball payout device 43 according to the game balls passing through the winning holes 30b to 30d and / or according to the lottery / determination result. .
43 is a game ball payout device provided with a driving source for paying out a predetermined number of game balls according to the result of the lottery / determination according to the game balls passing through the winning openings 30b to 30d and / or as the game profits. .

  The winning devices 30b to 30d in which the game balls are provided in the game area are respectively provided with ball passage detectors (for example, switches) 20b to 20d so that the passage of the game balls can be detected. When the position of any of the winning devices 30b to 30d passes, the ball passage detectors 20b to 20d detect this, and the winning determination unit 40a performs a predetermined lottery / determination process. For example, when the ball passage detector 20b detects a game ball that has passed through the through chucker (winning chucker) 30b, a predetermined lottery is performed, and when winning, the start chucker (starting winning device) 30d is released for a predetermined time. That is, a pair of movable pieces provided opposite to each other on both the left and right sides of the start chucker (start winning device) 30d are opened outward. At the same time, the effect of winning is displayed on the variable display device (center accessory) 30a. Then, when it is detected that the game ball has passed the start chucker (starting winning device) 30d, a predetermined lottery is performed, and when winning, the big winning device of the attacker 30e is released.

  40b is a sub-control unit (also referred to as “sub-board”) that performs control to perform predetermined output mode processing including effects such as blinking of light and generation of sound by obtaining processing information generated by the control unit 40. It is. The sub control unit 40b includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a VDP (video display processor) that generates an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD. An output signal from the sub-control unit 40b is sent to peripheral boards such as the lamp control unit 44, the acoustic control unit 46, and the movable body control unit 47. Further, the sub-control unit 40b receives a signal from the effect button ESW operated by the player (in FIG. 1, the display of the effect button ESW is omitted).

  Reference numeral 44 denotes a lamp control unit (light emitting element control unit) for controlling lighting of the lamp / electric decoration 52a and the like provided on the game board 10 or the gaming machine casing. The lamp / lighting 52a is made of a light emitting element such as an LED or a light bulb. In the following description, the light emitting elements are collectively referred to as “lamps”.

  An acoustic control unit 46 generates music, sound effects, and sound through a speaker 52b provided in the game board 10 or the gaming machine casing.

Reference numeral 47 denotes a movable body control unit that controls the movable body 52 c provided in the game board 10.
The movable body 52c is an obstacle that changes the falling action of the game ball launched on the game board 10, and the state is changed by the processing of the sub-control unit 40b (the movable body 52c in FIG. 3). Is omitted). The movable body 52c, for example, moves back and forth between a normal state and a different state. The movable body is, for example, a flat plate shape, a cylindrical shape, a disk shape, a gear shape having irregularities, or the like. Although not shown, a power unit for driving the movable body 52c is provided. The movable body control unit 47 actually drives the power unit. The power unit is, for example, a driving device using electric power or magnetic force such as a motor or a solenoid, or a control device including a driving source.

  The effect button ESW is pressed by the player, and when pressed, changes the aspect of the effect image displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD to increase the player's participation in the game, It is designed to enhance interest. For example, an effect image displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD can be selected in conjunction with the operation of the effect button ESW.

  The sub control unit 40b includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a VDP as described above. A CPU (processing unit), ROM (nonvolatile storage unit, memory), RAM (readable and writable storage unit, memory), VDP, and I / O (not shown) are connected to a BUS (not shown) composed of a plurality of bits (wiring). I / O device) is connected. Processing related to the game executed by the sub-control unit 40b is executed by the CPU operating in accordance with a program stored in advance in the ROM. When performing processing, the CPU stores various data in the RAM, reads as necessary, performs processing, and stores it again as necessary. The RAM may have received a battery backup, and in this case, the stored contents are retained even during power-off.

  The sub-control unit 40b receives the command signal from the main control unit 40, and based on the command signal, controls the production devices such as the liquid crystal display device LCD, the lamp / electric decoration 52a, the speaker 52b, the movable body 52c, and the production button ESW. Is.

  FIG. 5A is a block diagram of a lamp control system according to the embodiment of the invention. The lamp control unit 44, the sound control unit 46, the lamp / lighting 52a, and the speaker 52b are the same as those shown in FIG.

  40DT is a music composition data table that sends sound data to the sound control unit 46 to generate sound and sends predetermined data to the tempo generation processing unit 40TG to generate a tempo signal. The music composition data table 40DT is storage means for storing data as described below in advance. Specifically, the music composition data table 40DT is composed of a ROM, but it outputs sound data according to the progress of a predetermined process, The process of outputting predetermined data to the generation processing unit 40TG is realized by the CPU reading the contents of the ROM according to the program and outputting the contents to a BUS (not shown) or transmitting from the I / O. From this point, it can be said that the music composition data table 40DT includes a ROM, a CPU, and a program. That is, it can be said that the music composition data table 40DT is realized by the operations of the CPU, ROM, and RAM, rather than the hardware (IC etc.) of the music composition data table 40DT existing in the sub-control unit 40b. This also applies to the tempo generation processing unit 40TG.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the music composition data table 40DT is a unit that indicates the tempo of performance in the sound data S, sound identification information SID, duration TD, BPM (Beats Per Minute music, hereinafter “tempo”. May be written).

  The sound data S is data for causing the sound control unit 46 to generate sound such as music. Since the sound data S and the process for generating sound based on the data are known, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The sound identification information SID, duration TD, and BPM are data used to generate a tempo signal for lighting the lamp. These are a group of, for example, the following (the following is just an example, and actual data is more in terms of types and numbers).

Sound identification information SID = “Intro” “A part” “B part” “Rust”
Duration TD = “8 seconds” “10 seconds” “10 seconds” “10 seconds”
BPM (Beats Per Minute) = “60” “80” “100” “70”

  The sound identification information SID, duration TD, and BPM are related to each other. That is, (intro, 8 seconds, 60) (A part, 10 seconds, 80) (B part, 10 seconds, 100) (rust, 10 seconds, 70) each constitute one group of data.

  40TG is a tempo generation processing unit that generates a tempo signal for lighting the lamp based on the durations TD and BPM and sends the tempo signal to the lamp control unit 44. That is, based on the fact that specific sound data in the music composition data table is selected (for example, “Intro” is selected), the durations TD and BPM corresponding to the specific sound data are read, and a tempo signal is generated. .

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the lamp lighting control process according to the embodiment of the invention. The lamp lighting control will be described with reference to this figure.

S1: The durations TD and BPM are read from the music composition data table 40DT.
These data are read before the next sound starts to prepare for generating a tempo signal corresponding to the sound. For example, when sound data of “Intro” of a certain music is about to be sent out, data of duration TD, BPM corresponding to the “Intro”, 8 seconds in the above example, BPM = 60 is read before or at the same time. .
This process is performed by the tempo generation processing unit 40TG, that is, the CPU of the sub-control unit 40b.

S2: A lighting control signal (tempo signal) is generated based on the read durations TD and BPM.
For example, if BPM = 60, it means generating 60 pulses per minute, that is, generating a tempo signal (pulse) once per second (in general, if BPM = x, (60 / x) seconds. A tempo signal is generated every time.If the duration TD = 8 seconds of the “intro”, 8 tempo signals are generated during that time, and the start timing of the sound (for example, “intro”) It can be said that the duration TD specifies the time for outputting the signal of the tempo specified by BPM, for example, a timer (not shown) is output by the output of the first tempo signal of “Intro”. When it is activated and reaches the time duration TD (YES in S4), the output of the tempo signal is stopped, and the process proceeds to the next "A part" process.

  This process is performed by the tempo generation processing unit 40TG, that is, the CPU of the sub-control unit 40b. Then, the generated tempo signal is sent to the lamp control unit 44.

  The transmission timing of the tempo signal coincides with the switching of sound, for example, the switching of sound identification information in FIG. 5B, but the tempo signal may be generated before transmission.

  The tempo signal is a signal for causing the lamp control unit 44 to light the lamp, and is, for example, a pulse signal or a signal having a sawtooth waveform as shown in FIG.

  In the case of a pulse signal, the lamp controller 44, for example, treats the pulse signal as a signal indicating the lighting timing, and generates a signal for actually lighting the lamp based on the pulse signal (sawtooth waveform in FIG. 7). Something like). In this case, the pulse signal is not the lamp lighting waveform itself. When the lamp is lit in a pulse shape, the pulse signal may be handled as a lamp lighting waveform.

  In the case of a signal for actually lighting the lamp, such as the sawtooth waveform in FIG. 7, the lamp control unit 44 lights the lamp according to the signal. In this case, the lamp control unit 44 functions as a simple buffer.

  The tempo signal has two meanings as described above. In the case of the former pulse signal, a signal for actually lighting the lamp is generated by the lamp control unit 44, whereas in the latter case, FIG. The tempo generation processing unit 40TG generates a signal for actually lighting the lamp, such as the sawtooth waveform. However, since the difference is only in the place where the signal for actually lighting the lamp is generated, the embodiment of the present invention includes both of the above two types.

  In addition to the sawtooth waveform shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, a pulse wave, a sine wave, or the like can be used as a signal for actually lighting the lamp.

S3: The lamp is lit based on the lighting control signal (tempo signal).
This process is performed by the lamp control unit 44. As described above, the tempo signal can be either a timing signal or a signal for actually lighting a lamp.

  In the example of FIG. 7, upon receiving the tempo signal, for example, a sawtooth waveform that changes continuously and linearly from the maximum luminance (MAX) to the minimum luminance (MIN) is generated, and the lamp is lit according to this. The vertical axis of the lamp luminance signal in FIG. 7 is, for example, a current value. When the lamp brightness is proportional to the current value, the brightness changes linearly in the example of FIG. The minimum luminance may be either a state where the lamp is not emitting light or a minimum state where it can be identified that the lamp is lit. In the latter case, it is possible to distinguish between the lighting control in FIG. 7 and the lamp extinguishing.

S4: It is determined whether the sound has ended.
The tempo generation processing unit 40TG monitors the operation of the sound control unit 46 or the output data, so what kind of sound data is sent out in the music composition data table 40DT or what is the next data to be sent out. It can be grasped. For example, the switching of sound identification information can be the end of sound. Monitoring can also be performed by using a timer.

  As a result of monitoring, when it is detected that transmission of the sound data has ended (or has ended at a predetermined timing) (YES), the next durations TD and BPM are read. Then, S2 and S3 are repeated.

  When the transmission of the sound data is not completed (NO), the process of S3 is repeated.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the invention, the tempo (BPM) information of a song is stored as data, a tempo signal is generated based on the information, and the lamp is turned on based on the signal. Light effects can be controlled independently of sound effects. Since the light effect is not subordinate to the sound effect, the degree of freedom of the effect is increased.

  For example, in the example described above, (Intro, 8 seconds, 60) (A part, 10 seconds, 80) (B part, 10 seconds, 100) (Rust, 10 seconds, 70) The lighting pattern (tempo) can be switched to 4 types. This cannot be realized by the invention described in Patent Document 1. Further, if necessary, the same lighting pattern can be set for the same music piece by making each BPM the same, or by adding one sound identification information SID to one music piece. In addition, the configuration (hardware) for detecting the crest value required in the invention described in Patent Document 1 is unnecessary, and the cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the invention, the amount of data for rendering with light can be kept low. In the case of (Intro, 8 seconds, 60) (Part A, 10 seconds, 80) (Part B, 10 seconds, 100) (Rust, 10 seconds, 70), one group of data is about 3 bytes at a minimum. Yes, a minimum of 12 bytes per song is sufficient. On the other hand, if the tempo signal itself is stored as a table in the memory, the number of tempo signals is 30 in the above example, and the data amount is, for example, 30 bytes. As the song lengthens, the amount of data in the latter case increases. However, according to the embodiment of the invention, one song is divided into four parts of “intro”, “A part”, “B part”, and “rust”. As long as there is, the amount of data does not change. Keeping the amount of data low means that man-hours for creating production data can be reduced, leading to cost reduction. This is particularly a game machine for creating a lamp effect tailored to a song by a major player or the like.

  FIG. 7 shows a processing timing chart according to the embodiment of the invention.

  Times t0 to t1 are “intro”, times t1 to t2 are “A part”, and times t2 are “B part”. At times t0 to t1, the repetition period of the tempo signal is TB1 (constant), specifically, 60 seconds ÷ 60 = 1 second. From time t1 to t2, the repetition period of the tempo signal is TB2 (constant), specifically, 60 seconds ÷ 80 = 0.75 seconds. At time t2 to t3, the repetition period of the tempo signal is TB3 (constant), specifically, 60 seconds ÷ 100 = 0.6 seconds.

  As shown by the time change of the BPM in the lowermost stage, the BPM is constant at 60, 80, 100 in each of the “intro”, “A part”, and “B part”. The same applies to “rust”.

FIG. 8 shows a processing timing chart according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 shows a lighting control signal based on a predetermined function so that the tempo is continuous between the sound based on the first sound data (for example, “Intro”) and the sound based on the second sound data (for example, “A Part”). (Tempo signal) is generated.

  FIG. 8 differs from FIG. 7 in that the BPM changes linearly. As shown in the figure, the BPM may be changed in each of “intro”, “A part”, and “B part”. The method of change is not limited to linear, and may be a parabola, an exponential function, a logarithmic function, a hyperbola, or the like. In FIG. 8, these straight lines (or curves) pass through the BPM corresponding to the sound at times t0, t1, t2,. This means that the tempo is continuous between the sound based on the first sound data and the sound based on the second sound data.

  In the example of FIG. 8, since the BPM of “Intro” is the BPM of the table at time t0, it gradually changes with time, and coincides with the BPM at t1, which is the start time of “A part”. By doing so, the BPM does not change stepwise discontinuously when switching from “Intro” to “A Part” as shown in FIG.

  For example, in the linear case, the interval between tempo signals decreases as follows at times t0 to t1 in FIG.

TB1 = (initial value = 1 second) − (straight line) × (time t−time t0)
However, the slope of the straight line is determined based on the condition of TB1 = 1 second (BPM = 60) at t0 and TB1 = 0.75 second (BPM = 80) at t1.

  Since TB1 = 1 second at time t0 in FIG. 8, the lamp is controlled so that the luminance changes from MAX to MIN between time t0 and time t0 + 1 seconds (= t01). At time t01, TB1 is about 0.97 seconds, and the lamp is controlled so that the luminance is changed from MAX to MIN between time t01 and time t01 + 0.97 seconds (= t02). Similarly, TB1 = approximately 0.94 seconds at time t01.

  By changing the tempo signal in the sound as described above, it is possible to increase production variations. Even if it does in this way, the amount of data required does not change. According to the method as shown in FIG. 8, fine lighting control similar to the case of storing the tempo signal itself as a table in the memory becomes possible.

FIG. 9 shows variations of the lamp luminance signal.
The embodiment of the present invention can be applied not only to a single color lamp (LED) but also to a multicolor lamp (LED).

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, RGB three-color lamps can emit light in the same manner. As shown in (a) to (c), the luminance may be changed from MIN to MAX.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, light may be emitted by shifting the RGB three-color lamps (changing the light emission phase) in one tempo signal. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5B, one RGB light may be emitted for each tempo signal. Although not shown, two of RGB may be made to emit light simultaneously and the remaining one may not be made to emit light. Further, the luminance may be changed from MIN to MAX with respect to the key or the key.

  The change in luminance may be either linear or curved.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

40DT song composition data table 40TG Tempo generation processing section S Sound data SID Sound identification information TD Duration BPM Beats Per Minute: A unit that indicates the tempo of performance in music

Claims (3)

A control unit that executes control related to a game, a sub-control unit that receives a command from the control unit and executes processing related to effects, an acoustic control unit and a light-emitting element control unit connected to the sub-control unit, and the sound In a gaming machine comprising a speaker that outputs sound by control of a control unit, and a light emitting element that emits light by control of the light emitting element control unit,
A song composition data table including sound data for generating the sound, duration data corresponding to the sound data, and tempo data corresponding to the duration;
In response to the sound data sent to the acoustic control unit, the duration data and the tempo data are received, and a lighting control signal for the light emitting element is generated based on the duration data and the tempo data. The tempo generation processing unit to send to the light emitting element control unit,
The sound control unit generates sound from the speaker based on the sound data,
The gaming machine, wherein the light emitting element control unit controls light emission of the light emitting element based on the lighting control signal generated by the tempo generation processing unit.   2. The game according to claim 1, wherein the lighting control signal is one of a pulse signal having a predetermined interval and a luminance signal having a predetermined interval generated based on the tempo data in the duration of the sound data. Machine. The first sound data and the second sound data are continuously sent from the music composition data table to the acoustic control unit,
The tempo generation processing unit receives first duration data and first tempo data corresponding to the first sound data, and second duration data and second tempo data corresponding to the second sound data. Based on the first duration data, the first tempo data, the second duration data, and the second tempo data, the tempo is continuous between the sound based on the first sound data and the sound based on the second sound data. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein a lighting control signal for the light emitting element is generated based on a predetermined function.

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