JP2011229555A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine configured such that an image for display is generated by overlaying a plurality of images to reduce a processing load by stopping drawing a wasteful image that may be hidden.SOLUTION: The game machine includes: an image overlay unit generating the image displayed in an image display by overlaying a first image on a second image; a first size/coordinate calculation unit calculating a size and a coordinate of the first image; a second size/coordinate calculation unit calculating the size and the coordinate of the second image; and a drawing stop determination unit giving a direction to stop drawing the second image when it is hidden, by determining whether the second image is hidden by the first image, based on an output of the first and the second size/coordinate calculators.

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine (a spinning machine, slot machine) having a plurality of spinning cylinders having symbols arranged on an outer peripheral surface is known. This type of gaming machine gives a certain game value to a game medium (medal) and performs a game for acquiring such a game medium. In addition, this type of gaming machine has an internal lottery triggered by the player's rotation start operation and starts rotation of a plurality of spinning cylinders, and a mode according to the result of the internal lottery as a player's stop operation trigger. In order to stop multiple cylinders. The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line in a state where the plurality of spinning cylinders are stopped, and medals are paid out according to the game result.

  The gaming machine executes a control related to the game including the internal lottery process and generates and transmits a predetermined command, a sub board that receives the command and executes a predetermined process based on the command, And rendering means such as a liquid crystal display device controlled by the sub-board. The main board sends commands to the sub-board when various game operations such as medal insertion, bet button operation, start lever operation, stop button operation, etc., and informs the result of the internal lottery and provides various effects. Also send commands when doing.

  The sub board performs a predetermined process such as rendering based on a command received from the main board. For example, in order to display a predetermined animation, a drawing command for instructing the image generation is generated.

When displaying a large number of characters, the characters in the non-display area are not displayed. JP, 2002-042109, A When a medical panorama image was generated from a plurality of images, it did not hide a certain area which overlapped.

  When an image is generated in a gaming machine, a plurality of images are generated, and the images are overlaid and displayed simultaneously to enrich the image expression. An increase in the number of images to be generated means an increase in processing amount. If the amount of processing exceeds the capacity of the processing apparatus, the image cannot be updated within a predetermined time, and so-called “processing loss” occurs.

  When the processing drop occurs, the animation displayed on the liquid crystal display device is displayed slowly or a frame drop occurs. In addition, the synchronization between the animation and sound is lost, causing a gap. In such a state, the player becomes stressed and dislikes, and the willingness of the game may be lost. Eventually, it may lead to a decline in the reputation of the gaming machine.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing the occurrence of processing failure in a gaming machine that generates a plurality of images to be displayed simultaneously. To do.

The present invention executes a control related to a game including an internal lottery process and generates and transmits a predetermined command, a sub board that receives the command and executes a process related to an effect based on the command, In a gaming machine comprising an image display device that displays a screen related to the effect,
A first drawing unit for drawing a predetermined first image in response to a drawing command generated by the sub-board;
A second drawing unit for drawing a predetermined second image in response to a drawing command generated by the sub-board;
An image superimposing unit that superimposes the first image drawn by the first drawing unit on the second image drawn by the second drawing unit and generates an image to be displayed on the image display device;
A first size / coordinate calculation unit that calculates the size and coordinates of the first image drawn by the first drawing unit in response to the drawing command;
A second size / coordinate calculator that calculates the size and coordinates of the second image drawn by the second drawing unit in response to the drawing command;
When the first image drawn by the first drawing unit is superimposed on the second image drawn by the second drawing unit based on the calculation results of the first size / coordinate calculation unit and the second size / coordinate calculation unit And a drawing stop determination unit that determines whether the second image is hidden by the first image, and instructs the second drawing unit to stop drawing when the second image is hidden. .
For example, the drawing stop determination unit
When it is determined that all of the second image is hidden by the first image, the second drawing unit is instructed to stop the drawing, or
When it is determined that a part of the second image is hidden by the first image, at least one of instructing the second drawing unit to stop drawing the hidden part is performed.

Instead of the first size / coordinate calculation unit and the second size / coordinate calculation unit,
An overlapping drawing table that stores in advance the timing at which the second image is hidden in the first image;
A timer for measuring time corresponding to the drawing of the first drawing unit and the second drawing unit,
The drawing stop determination unit compares the timing of the overlapping drawing table with the output of the timer, and stops drawing to the second drawing unit according to the timing at which the second image is hidden by the first image. You may make it command.
The overlapping drawing table stores in advance, for example, a timing at which the entire second image is hidden by the first image and a timing at which the second image is partially hidden by the first image,
The drawing stop determination unit
When it is determined that it is time to hide all of the second image by the first image, the second drawing unit is instructed to stop all drawing, or
When it is determined that it is time to hide a part of the second image in the first image, at least one of instructing the second drawing unit to stop drawing the hidden part May be performed.

Instead of the first size / coordinate calculation unit and the second size / coordinate calculation unit,
A first drawing notification unit that receives the drawing command and notifies the first drawing unit to draw on a predetermined first layer;
A second drawing notification unit for receiving the drawing command and notifying that the second drawing unit draws on a predetermined second layer;
Priorities are determined in advance for the first layer 1 and the second layer,
The image superimposing unit superimposes one of the first image drawn by the first drawing unit and the second image drawn by the second drawing unit on the other based on the priority, and displays the image on the image display device Generate an image
When the drawing cancellation determination unit receives a drawing notification from the first drawing notification unit and the second drawing notification unit, either the first drawing unit or the second drawing unit is based on the priority. May be instructed to stop drawing.
For example, the drawing stop determination unit
When it is determined that all of the second image is hidden by the image of the first drawing unit, the second drawing unit is instructed to stop the drawing, or
When it is determined that a part of the second image is hidden by the image of the first drawing unit, at least one of instructing the second drawing unit to stop drawing the hidden part I do.

  According to this invention, in a gaming machine that generates a display image by overlaying a plurality of images, when the rendered image is hidden and wasted as a result of the overlay, rendering of the image is stopped. Since the drawing stop determining unit that instructs to do so is provided, it is not necessary to draw a useless image that is hidden, and the processing load can be reduced.

It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which opened the front door 180 degree | times. It is a block diagram of a slot machine. It is a block diagram of the apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a process flowchart of the apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a block diagram of the apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the content of the overlapping drawing table which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the duplication drawing table which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. It is a block diagram of the apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of invention.

Embodiment 1 of the Invention
FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door closed, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door opened 180 degrees.
1 and 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a slot machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 100 can be opened and closed by a hinge or the like on the slot machine main body 120 and one side of the front surface of the slot machine main body 120. And a front door 130 attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 1, a game display unit 131 is provided substantially in the center of the front door 130, and a medal insertion slot 132 for a player to insert medals is provided at the lower right corner of the game display unit 131. Provided below the medal insertion slot 132 is a reject button 133 for forcibly discharging a clogged medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132 to the outside of the slot machine 100.

  Further, a start switch 134 for starting a game is provided at the lower left of the game display unit 131, and three stop switches 140 are provided corresponding to the three spinning cylinders. A medal payout port 135 is provided at the center of the lower end of the front door. A liquid crystal display device LCD is provided above the game display unit 131.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine main body 120 is fixed to the inner bottom surface, stores a plurality of medals therein, and stores the stored medals at a payout port 135 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. A hopper device 121 for paying out the sheets one by one is installed. An upper portion of the hopper device 121 is provided with a hopper tank 122 that opens upward and stores a plurality of medals therein. Inside the slot machine main body 120, a reel (rotating cylinder) unit 203 including three rotating cylinders is installed at a position where the game display unit 131 comes when the front door 130 is closed. The reel unit 203 includes three spinning cylinders (first to third drums) in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surface. The game display unit 131 is provided with an opening through which the player can see the symbols of the rotating drums of the reel unit 203. A power supply unit 205 is provided on the left side of the hopper device 121.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the medal (coin) selector 1 is attached to the back side of the front door 130 on the back side of the medal slot 132 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. This medal selector 1 rolls the medal toward the hopper device 121 while detecting the passage of the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132, and has a different diameter medal or iron or iron whose outer diameter is different from the predetermined dimension. This is an apparatus for selecting and removing illegal medals made of an alloy and selecting and eliminating a predetermined number or more of medals that can be inserted per game.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a lead-out path 136 that covers the lower side and communicates with the payout port 135 of the front door 130 is provided below the medal selector 1. The medals distributed by the medal selector 1 are returned to the player from the payout port 135 via the derivation path 136.

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the slot machine 100 according to the embodiment of the invention.
In this figure, the display about the power supply system is omitted. Although not shown, the slot machine includes a power supply unit for generating a DC power supply (+5 V or the like) from a commercial power supply (AC 100 V).
The slot machine 100 includes a main substrate (processing unit) 10 and a sub substrate 20 that operates in response to a command from the main substrate (processing unit) 10 as main processing devices. At least the main substrate 10 is accommodated inside the case so that it cannot be contacted from the outside, and is sealed so that traces remain when these substrates are removed.

  The main board 10 is used for performing an internal lottery in response to a player's operation, and for performing processing such as rotation / stop of the spinning cylinder and payout of medals. The main board 10 includes a CPU that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like.

  The sub board 20 is for receiving a command signal from the main board 10 and notifying the result of the internal lottery and performing various effects. The sub-board 20 includes a CPU that performs a control operation in accordance with a preset program corresponding to the command signal, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like. Only one command flows from the main board 10 to the sub board 20, and conversely, no command is issued from the sub board 20 to the main board 10.

  The main board 10 has a bet switch BET, a start switch 134, a stop button 140, a reel (rotating cylinder) unit 203, a hopper driving unit 80, a hopper 81, and a medal detection for counting the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81. The part 82 (these 80, 81, and 82 comprise the above-mentioned hopper apparatus 121) is connected. A peripheral substrate (local substrate) such as a liquid crystal control substrate 200 for controlling the liquid crystal display device, a speaker substrate 201, and an LED substrate 202 is connected to the sub substrate 20.

  A liquid crystal display device LCD shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the liquid crystal control board 200. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the liquid crystal display device LCD refers to both the liquid crystal control substrate 200 and the liquid crystal display device LCD (in other words, the liquid crystal display device LCD is a liquid crystal control substrate). 200).

  Further, medal sensors S1 and S2 of the medal selector 1 are connected to the main board 10.

  The medal selector 1 is provided with medal sensors S1 and S2 for counting medals. The medal sensors S1 and S2 are provided on the downstream side (near the exit) of a medal passage (not shown) provided in the medal selector 1 (the upstream side of the medal passage communicates with the medal slot 132). The two medal sensors S1 and S2 are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval along the medal traveling direction. The medal sensors S1 and S2 are, for example, photointerrupters that have a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion that face each other, are formed in a U-shaped cross section, and are positioned so that the detection optical axis faces the medal passage from above. . Each photo interrupter detects the passage of a medal sent without being blocked on the way. The reason why two photo interrupters are adjacent is not only to detect the number of medals but also to monitor whether or not the passage of medals is normal. That is, by providing two photo interrupters adjacent to each other, it is possible to detect the passing speed and passing direction of medals, thereby detecting not only the number of medals but also an illegal act moving in the reverse direction.

  The reel unit 203 includes three spinning cylinders 40a to 40c, stepping motors 155a to 155c that respectively rotate these, and spinning cylinder position detectors 159a to 159c that detect their positions, respectively (stepping motor 155a ˜155c may be simply referred to as a motor 155 or a motor).

  The hopper driving unit 80 rotates the hopper 81 and performs an operation of paying out medals of the payout number instructed by the main board 10. The gaming machine includes a medal detection unit 82 that operates every time a medal is paid out, and the main board 10 receives a medal actually paid out from the hopper 81 based on an input signal from the medal detection unit 82. You can manage the number.

  The insertion accepting unit 1050 receives the outputs of the medal sensors S1 and S2 of the medal selector 1, accepts the insertion of medals for each game, and determines that the medal corresponding to the specified number of insertions has been inserted. A process of permitting the rotation start operation of the first cylinder to the third cylinder is performed. Note that the pressing operation of the start switch 134 is an opportunity to start the rotation of the first cylinder to the third cylinder, and is an opportunity to execute the internal lottery. Also, a prescribed number of throws is set according to the gaming state, the prescribed number of throws is set to 3 in the normal state and the bonus established state, and the prescribed number of throws is set to 1 in the bonus state.

  When medals are inserted, the inserted medals are set to the inserted state up to a specified number of insertions according to the gaming state. Alternatively, when the bet switch BET is pressed in a state where medals have been credited to the gaming machine, the credited medals are set to the inserted state by limiting the prescribed number of insertions according to the gaming state. The main board 10 controls whether or not to accept a medal. From the point when the start switch 134 is pressed and the rotation of each cylinder starts (game start time), when the three stop switches 140 are pressed and the rotation of each cylinder stops (when medal payout is completed when winning) (game) When the medal is not accepted (when it is not permitted), the medal sensor S1, S2 does not count the medal and is returned as it is. . Similarly, the main board 10 controls the validity / invalidity of the bet switch BET according to whether or not the medal insertion is accepted. In addition, the bet switch BET is valid from the end of the game to the start of the game, but during other periods (when pressing of the BET switch is not permitted), the bet switch BET is pressed. Even it is ignored.

  The main board 10 incorporates random number generating means 1100. The random number generation means 1100 is a means for generating a random number for lottery. The random value can be generated based on, for example, a count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts numerical values so as to circulate a predetermined count range). In this embodiment, the “random number value” is not only a value that is randomly generated in a mathematical sense, but even if the generation itself is regular, the acquisition timing and the like are irregular. Includes a value that can function as a random number.

  The internal lottery means 1200 performs an internal lottery in which the player determines whether or not the winning combination is based on a start signal from the start switch 134. That is, a lottery table selection process for selecting a lottery table (not shown) stored in a memory (not shown) of the main board 10, a random number determination process for determining the winning of a random number obtained from the random number generating means 1100, The lottery flag setting process for setting a flag to that effect when a big win or the like is won by the determination result is performed.

  In the lottery table selection process, a lottery table (not shown) stored in a storage unit (ROM) (not shown) is used to determine which lottery table is used for internal lottery. In the lottery table, for each of a plurality of random values (for example, 65536 random values from 0 to 65535), replay, small role (bell, cherry), regular bonus (RB: bonus), and big bonus (BB :), etc., are associated with each other. In addition, a normal state, a bonus establishment state, and a bonus state can be set as the gaming state, and a replay lottery state, a replay low probability state, and a replay high probability state can be set as replay lottery states.

  In the random number determination process, a random value (lottery random number) is acquired from the random number generation means (not shown) for each game based on a start signal from the start switch 134, and the lottery table is referred to for the acquired random value. Then, it is determined whether or not the winning combination is won.

  In the lottery flag setting process, the lottery flag of the winning combination determined to be won based on the result of the random number determination process is changed from the non-winning state (first flag state, off state) to the winning state (second flag state, on Status). When two or more types of winning combinations are won, a lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more types of winning winning combinations is set to the winning state. The lottery flag setting information is stored in storage means (RAM).

A lottery flag (possible carryover flag) that can carry over the winning state for the next game until winning, and a lottery flag that is reset to the non-winning state without bringing the winning state to the next game regardless of winning Carry-over impossible flag) may be provided. In this case, there are a regular bonus (RB) and a big bonus (BB) as a combination to which the former carry-over possible flag is associated, and other combinations (for example, small role, replay) correspond to the latter carry-over impossible flag. It is attached.
In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, if a regular bonus is won by internal lottery, the winning state of the regular bonus lottery flag is carried over until the regular bonus is won, and if the big bonus is won by internal lottery, the big bonus lottery A process of carrying over the winning state of the flag until the big bonus is won is performed. At this time, the main board 10 determines whether or not a role other than the regular bonus and the big bonus (small role and replay) is used even in a game in which the winning state of the regular bonus or big bonus lottery flag is carried over by the internal lottery function. An internal lottery is performed. In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game in which the winning state of the regular bonus lottery flag is carried over, if a small role or replay is won in the internal lottery, the regular bonus lottery flag and the internal lottery already won In a game in which the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of winning combinations or replay lottery flags won in the win state are set to the winning state and the winning state of the big bonus lottery flag is carried over, it is small in the internal lottery When a winning combination or replay is won, a lottery flag corresponding to two or more kinds of winning combinations including a big bonus lottery flag that has already been won and a small bonus or replay lottery flag that has been won in an internal lottery is set to a winning state. Set.

  The spinning cylinder control means 1300 rotates the first to third cylinders with a stepping motor based on a start signal generated by a player pressing the start switch 134 (rotation start operation), and the first to Press operation (stop operation) of the three stop buttons 140 respectively corresponding to the rotating cylinder in a state where the rotation speed of the third cylinder reaches a predetermined speed (about 80 rpm: a rotation speed of about 80 rotations per minute) ) And control to stop the first to third cylinders driven to rotate by the stepping motor according to the lottery flag setting state (internal lottery result).

  In addition, when the player presses the three stop buttons 140 in a state where the pressing operation (stop operation) with respect to the three stop buttons 140 is permitted (validated), Based on the signal, the supply of the drive pulse (motor drive signal) to the stepping motor of the reel unit 203 is stopped, thereby controlling each of the first to third drums.

  That is, each time the three stop buttons 140 are pressed, the spinning cylinder control means 1300 determines the stopping position of the spinning cylinder corresponding to the pressed button among the first to third cylinders. Thus, control is performed to stop the spinning cylinder at the determined stop position. Specifically, referring to a stop control table (not shown) stored in the storage means (ROM), the first time corresponding to the pressing timing, pressing order, etc. of the three stop buttons (mode of stop operation) A stop position of the cylinder to the third cylinder is determined, and control is performed to stop the first cylinder to the third cylinder at the determined stop position.

  Here, in the stop control table, the positions of the first cylinder to the third cylinder (pressing detection position) at the time when the stop button 140 is operated, and the actual stop positions (or pressing detection of the first cylinder to the third cylinder). Correspondence with the number of sliding frames from the position) is set. Depending on the setting state of the lottery flag, a stop control table for determining the stop positions of the first cylinder to the third cylinder may be prepared.

  In the gaming machine, the reel unit 203 includes an index sensor composed of a photosensor, and the spinning cylinder control means 1300 is based on a reference position signal detected by the index sensor every time the spinning cylinder rotates once. By obtaining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotation shaft of the step motor) from the reference position (the frame detected by the index sensor), the current rotation state of the drum can be monitored. That is, the main board 10 can obtain the position of the rotating cylinder when the stop switch 140 is operated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the rotating cylinder.

  The spinning cylinder control unit 1300 performs so-called pull-in processing and kicking processing as control for stopping the spinning cylinder. The pull-in process is a control for stopping the spinning cylinder so that the symbol corresponding to the combination whose lottery flag is set to the winning state is stopped on a valid winning determination line (so that the winning combination can be won). It is processing. On the other hand, the kicking process means that the symbol corresponding to the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state does not stop on a valid winning determination line (so that a non-winning combination cannot be won) Is a control process for stopping the process. That is, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the lottery flag setting state, the stop button 140 pressing timing, the pressing order, and the stop position of the spinning cylinder that has already stopped (in the display pattern) in order to realize the pull-in processing and kicking processing. The stop control table is set so that the stop position of each cylinder changes according to the type). In this way, the main board 10 can stop the symbol of the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the winning state in a winning form, while the symbol of the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state is in the winning form. Control is performed to stop the first to third cylinders so as not to stop.

  In the gaming machine, the first to third cylinders are set to a control state in which the rotating cylinder corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within 190 ms from when the stop button 140 is pressed. Yes. That is, in the stop control table for determining the stop position of each rotating cylinder, the number of frames required from when the stop button 140 is pressed until each cylinder stops is in the range of 0 to 4 frames (predetermined pull-in range). Is set in

  The winning determination means 1400 performs a process of determining whether or not a winning combination has been won based on the stopping modes of the first to third cylinders. Specifically, referring to the winning determination table stored in the storage means (ROM), the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line when all of the first to third cylinders are stopped. It is determined whether or not this is a predetermined winning combination form.

  The winning determination means 1400 executes a winning process based on the determination result. As a process at the time of winning a prize, for example, when a small role wins, the hopper 81 is driven to perform a medal payout control process, or a credit is increased (a predetermined maximum number is increased to 50, for example, When the replay is won, a replay process is performed. When a big bonus or a regular bonus is won, a game state transition control process for shifting the game state is performed.

  The payout control means 1500 performs payout control processing relating to the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a small combination wins, the number of medals to be paid out in the game is determined based on a payout predetermined for each combination, and the medals corresponding to the determined number of payouts are determined by the hopper driving unit 80. Then, the hopper 81 is driven to pay out. At this time, a current flows through a motor (not shown) built in the hopper 81.

  When medal credits (internal storage) are permitted, instead of actually paying out medals by the hopper 81, the number of credits stored in a credit storage area (not shown) of the storage means (RAM) (not shown) A credit addition process for adding the number of payouts to the number of credited medals is performed to virtually pay out medals.

  When the replay is won, the replay processing means 1600 performs a replay process (regame process) for setting the same preparatory state as the previous game without requiring insertion of medals owned by the player for the next game. When a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed in which the same number of medals as the previous game is automatically set to the insertion state without using the player's own medals (including credit medals). The game machine is set in a state of waiting for a rotation start operation (pressing operation of the start switch 134 by the player) in the next game in a state where the same winning determination line as the previous game is validated. The replay lottery states include a replay no lottery state in which replay is excluded from the internal lottery, a replay low probability state in which the replay winning probability is set to about 1 / 7.3, and a replay winning probability of about 1 / A plurality of lottery states such as a high replay probability state set to 6 can be set. By changing the replay lottery state, the winning probability of the replay in the internal lottery is changed.

  Further, the main board 10 may perform control to shift the gaming state between the normal state, the bonus establishment state, and the bonus state (gaming state transition control function). As the game condition transition condition, one condition may be defined, or a plurality of conditions may be defined. When a plurality of conditions are established, transitioning the gaming state to another gaming state based on the fact that one of the plurality of conditions is satisfied or all of the plurality of conditions are satisfied Can do.

  The normal state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of types of game states, and a transition from the normal state to the bonus establishment state is possible. The bonus establishment state is a gaming state that shifts when a big bonus or a regular bonus is won in the internal lottery. In the bonus establishment state, when the big bonus is won in the internal lottery in the normal state, the lottery flag corresponding to the big bonus is maintained in the winning state until the big bonus is won, and the regular bonus is won in the internal lottery in the normal state Until the regular bonus is won, the lottery flag corresponding to the regular bonus is maintained in the winning state. In the bonus state, it is determined whether or not the end condition is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out by the bonus game, and medals exceeding a predetermined payout limit number are paid out according to the type of bonus won. The bonus state is terminated and the gaming state is returned to the normal state.

The sub board 20 generates commands (liquid crystal display device commands and drawing commands) for displaying a predetermined screen on the liquid crystal display device LCD in accordance with commands from the main board 10.
When an image is generated in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention, a plurality of images are generated, and these are superimposed and displayed simultaneously. Drawing is drawing an image. The image is an image displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device LCD, and is actually represented by image data such as RGB luminance data written in the memory. An image can be said to be a collection of image data, and drawing an image means writing image data.

  FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic functional block diagram showing only parts necessary for explanation of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. The configuration of FIG. 4 is actually realized by the CPU executing a program stored in advance in the ROM. It should be noted that both the case where the entire configuration of FIG. 4 is realized by the sub-substrate 20, the case where a part is realized by the sub-substrate 20, and the case where the rest is realized by the liquid crystal control substrate 200, are both embodiments Shall be included.

  Reference numerals 50-1 and 50-2 denote a first drawing unit and a second drawing unit that draw a predetermined image (for example, reference numerals A and B in FIG. 6) in response to a drawing command generated by the sub-board 20. . The first drawing unit 50-1 and the second drawing unit 50-2 normally draw different images in response to different drawing commands. The first drawing unit 50-1 and the second drawing unit 50-2 are not different in terms of their operations, but are handled as upper images when the generated images are superimposed (combined). Or whether it is treated as the lower image. The first drawing unit 50-1 generates an upper image, and the second drawing unit 50-2 generates a lower image.

  50a-1 and 50a-2 receive a drawing command and calculate the size and coordinates (positions) of the images drawn by the first drawing unit 50-1 and the second drawing unit 50-2, respectively. It is.

  For example, when the first drawing unit 50-1 draws a circle with the symbol A in FIG. 6, the size / coordinate calculation unit 50a-1 obtains the radius and center coordinates of the image A, and the second drawing unit 50-2 6 is drawn, the size / coordinate calculation unit 50a-2 obtains equations and center coordinates of the four straight lines constituting the rhombus B. Alternatively, the size / coordinate calculation unit 50a-2 may obtain a circle circumscribing the rhombus B, and obtain the radius and center coordinates thereof. In any of the size / coordinate calculation units 50a-1 and 50a-2, a circle circumscribing an arbitrary image may be obtained, and its radius and center coordinates may be obtained.

  51 is generated by the first drawing unit 50-1 in the lower image generated by the second drawing unit 50-2 based on the outputs of the size / coordinate calculation unit 50a-1 and the size / coordinate calculation unit 50a-2. When the upper image is overlaid, it is determined whether or not the lower image is hidden by the upper image. If the upper image is hidden, the drawing cancellation determination unit that instructs the second drawing unit 50-2 to stop drawing. is there. In the example of FIG. 6, since the image B is completely hidden by the image A, the drawing of the image B is stopped. Note that the upper side and the lower side indicate a superposition relationship, and the upper image is displayed with priority over the lower image by superimposing. For example, when the image data of the upper image and the image data of the lower image are read at the same position (coordinates) in order to display the image, the image data of the upper image exists (except for the case of being transparent). ) Always displays the upper image (the image data of the lower image is discarded), and the lower image is displayed only when the image data of the upper image does not exist or is present but is transparent Is done.

  If the size / coordinate calculation units 50a-1 and 50a-2 obtain a circle circumscribing the images drawn by the first drawing units 50-1 and 50-2, respectively, the radius and center coordinates (XY coordinates) Suppose that Let the radius and center for the upper image be rA, (xA, yA), and the radius and center for the lower image be rB, (xB, yB). Here, if rA <rB, the lower image is not completely hidden, so that the drawing by the second drawing unit 50-2 is not stopped. Since rA> rB and the deviation between the center (xA, yA) and the center (xB, yB) is smaller than the difference in radius = rA−rB, it is considered that the lower image is completely hidden. Drawing of the second drawing unit 50-2 is stopped. If the deviation is greater than or equal to the difference between the radii, at least part of the lower image may be displayed, so that the drawing may not be stopped. In this case, in consideration of the difference in the radius (including which direction the shift is included), the drawing may be performed only for a portion that is highly likely to be displayed.

  The processing of the size / coordinate calculation unit 50a-1, the size / coordinate calculation unit 50a-2, and the drawing stop determination unit 51 is performed prior to drawing.

  An image superimposing unit 52 superimposes the upper image drawn by the first drawing unit 50-1 and the lower image drawn by the second drawing unit 50-2. The image synthesized by the image superimposing unit 52 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD. Superposition is to superimpose the remaining image on one of a plurality of images. As a result of superposition, the upper image hides the lower image (except when the upper image is transparent or translucent). For example, the image A is superimposed on the image B as shown in FIG. In this example, the image B is completely hidden by the image A. In other words, the superimposed upper image A is displayed with priority over the lower image B. For superposition, for example, two memory planes (layers), each of which is an image memory, are prepared, one upper image is drawn on the other, and the lower image is drawn on the other. The image data of the other memory plane is read at the same time, and when an image exists in both of them, the screen display is performed based on the data of the one memory plane. In this case, it can be said that the one memory plane has a higher priority than the other memory plane. Alternatively, the superimposition can be realized by, for example, a process of writing the lower image first and then writing (overwriting) the upper image when writing image data to one memory plane.

The apparatus of FIG. 4 determines whether or not the lower image is hidden behind the upper image when the plurality of images are displayed in a superimposed manner when performing presentation display on the liquid crystal display device LCD by overlapping the plurality of images. However, when it becomes invisible, the lower image is not drawn. As a result, the processing amount of the CPU can be reduced, and the occurrence of processing failures can be suppressed. When at least a part of the lower image is exposed, the drawing process may be stopped for a portion (non-exposed portion) hidden in the upper image in the drawn image. In other words, the drawing process may be stopped not only for each image drawn in response to the drawing command but also for a part of the image.
In addition, in order to identify the part of the lower image that is hidden behind the upper image among the images to be drawn, a known region determination is performed (some computer high-level languages include a command for performing a region determination). That is, the outline of the image to be drawn is drawn, and whether or not the image overlaps is determined, and if it overlaps, the portion is specified. For example, in the case of the graphic A in FIG. 6, the equation of the circle is set as a contour (boundary), and a flag is set in the portion surrounded by the circle. Similarly, in the case of the graphic B, the diamond equation (four line segments) A contour is set and a flag is set on a portion surrounded by the contour. And the part which is hidden by comparing both can be calculated | required. The region where both the flag of the graphic A and the graphic B stand is hidden with the graphic A as the upper side. This region determination can also be applied to bitmaps. To create a bitmap-type region, each pixel that is not a background color is regarded as one region, and these regions are combined to generate the entire region. Alternatively, a circle or a rectangle surrounding a figure composed of pixels can be used as the region of the pixel. Region determination can determine whether the entire image is hidden, part of the image is hidden, or the image is not hidden. If part of the image is hidden, the hidden part can also be specified. it can.

  FIG. 5 is a process flowchart of the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram thereof. Hereinafter, description will be added based on these drawings.

S1: It is determined whether to draw an image.
When a drawing command is received (YES), an image is drawn. That is, when the first drawing unit 50-1 and the second drawing unit 50-2 receive the drawing command, the processes after S2 are performed.

S2: It is determined whether there is an overlap.
Calculate the size and coordinates of the rendered image. This processing is performed by the size / coordinate calculation units 50a-1 and 50a-2. In the example of FIG. 6, the radius and center coordinates of the image A (upper image) are calculated, and the equations and center coordinates of four straight lines constituting the image B (lower image) are obtained (or circumscribed on the diamond B). A circle may be obtained, and its radius and center coordinates may be obtained). In FIG. 6, square areas A ′ and B ′ indicate drawing areas, and bold lines (reference numerals A and B) indicate images that are actually drawn. The dotted line indicates the portion of the lower image that is hidden and hidden as a result of the superimposition. In addition, the outer side of the thick line is transparent (the processing related to transparency is well known, and the description thereof is omitted).

  Based on the calculated size and coordinates of image A and image B, the overlapping state of image A and image B is obtained. For example, (1) image B is completely hidden by image A and cannot be seen (case in FIG. 6), (2) part of image B is hidden by image A and cannot be seen, but part of image B is not visible Three determinations are made: visible, (3) image B is not hidden by image A. If (1) and (2) (YES), the process proceeds to S3. If (3) (NO), drawing is executed. That is, the drawing stop determination unit 51 does not issue a drawing processing stop command, and the first drawing unit 50-1 and the second drawing unit 50-2 generate an upper image and a lower image, respectively.

As in the above example, the size / coordinate calculation units 50a-1 and 50a-2 obtain circles circumscribing the images drawn by the first drawing unit 50-1 and the second drawing unit 50-2, respectively, Assume that center coordinates (XY coordinates) are obtained. Let the radius and center for the upper image be rA, (xA, yA), and the radius and center for the lower image be rB, (xB, yB). Then it becomes as follows.
(1) When “rA> rB and the deviation between the center (xA, yA) and the center (xB, yB) is smaller than the difference in radius = rA−rB”, the image B is completely in the image A. The image B is not hidden by the image A when it is hidden and cannot be seen (3) “when the deviation between the center (xA, yA) and the center (xB, yB) is larger than rA + rB (or more than rA + rB)”.
(2) Other than the above, a part of the image B is hidden by the image A and cannot be seen, but a part of the image B may be visible.

  Then, the upper image and the lower image are displayed according to the priority prepared in advance. At this time, a method such as layer management is used (the layer management method is publicly known, and the description thereof is omitted). This process is performed by the image superimposing unit 52.

S3: It is determined whether to draw an overlap.
In the case of (1) above, since the image B (lower image) is not displayed, it is determined to stop generating the image. That is, the drawing stop determination unit 51 determines to issue a drawing processing stop command to the second drawing unit 50-2. Thereby, useless processing can be eliminated and the load on the CPU can be reduced.

  In the case of (2) above, (a) the entire lower image is rendered, (b) the portion of the lower image that is not hidden by the upper image (including the portion where the upper image is transparent) is rendered. It is determined that either of the above is performed. Then, the drawing process of S5 is performed.

S4: Drawing Cancel Processing In the case of (1) above (when it is determined that drawing of the image is stopped in S3), the generation of the image is stopped. That is, the drawing stop determination unit 51 issues a drawing processing stop command to the second drawing unit 50-2.
In the case of (3) above, since NO is obtained in S2, the drawing stop determination unit 51 does not issue a drawing processing stop command to the second drawing unit 50-2.

In the case of (2) (when it is determined in S3 that either (a) or (b) is performed), in the case of (a), the drawing stop determination unit 51 issues a drawing process stop command. Absent.
In the case of (a), the drawing stop determination unit 51 issues a drawing processing stop command to the second drawing unit 50-2 except for a portion of the lower image that is not hidden by the upper image.

S5: Drawing process The drawing process is performed except for the case where the drawing is stopped or the portion where the drawing is stopped by the processes of S1 to S4.
In the case of (2) above, (a) the entire lower image is rendered, (b) the portion of the lower image that is not hidden by the upper image (including the portion where the upper image is transparent) is rendered. Do one of these. The drawing process is advantageous because the processing amount of (A) is small, but on the other hand, a process for determining which part should be drawn is added. When the load of this process becomes larger than the load of the drawing process, (a) is advantageous. If the part to be drawn can be easily specified, (a) may be adopted, and otherwise (a) may be adopted.
Since the drawing process is known, the description thereof is omitted.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the lower image is hidden or there is a hidden portion in the upper image, the drawing processing is stopped for the portion or the whole of the lower image, thereby reducing the processing load. be able to. As a result, it is possible to prevent the processing from being lost, and it is possible to prevent the animation displayed on the liquid crystal display device from being slow and the occurrence of a shift from the sound linked to the animation.

Embodiment 2 of the Invention
FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic functional block diagram showing only parts necessary for explanation of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. The configuration in FIG. 7 is actually realized by the CPU executing programs and tables stored in advance in the ROM.

  In FIG. 7, the same or corresponding parts as in FIG.

  53 is an overlapping drawing table that stores in advance the timing at which the lower image is hidden in the upper image. An image such as an animation displayed on the gaming machine is determined in advance, and an image other than an image determined at the time of design is not displayed. Therefore, it is possible to grasp in advance whether or not the lower image is hidden by the upper image and when. The contents of the overlapping drawing table 53 are as shown in FIG.

  54 is a timer for measuring the processing time. The timer 54 is started at the start of drawing, for example, at the start of a predetermined animation, and thereafter, the timer 54 counts in synchronization with the drawing process. Therefore, it is possible to specify which image is drawn based on the output of the timer 54.

  In the apparatus of FIG. 7, the drawing cancellation determination unit 51 compares the output of the timer 54 with the contents of the overlapping drawing table 53, and if it is time to stop drawing the lower image, the drawing cancellation determination unit 51 Command to stop the drawing process.

  This operation will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a timing chart format showing the image processing performed by the gaming machine, that is, the upper and lower images drawn by the first drawing unit 50-1 and the second drawing unit 50-2 and the result of the overlap determination. Is displayed. An example in which animation start is adopted as a reference for timing is shown.

  Drawing by the first drawing unit 50-1 and the second drawing unit 50-2 is the same as that in the first embodiment of the invention.

  The overlap determination in FIG. 9 is a process (determination) that is not actually performed in the second embodiment of the invention, and is displayed for convenience of explanation. The duplication determination means a result that would have been obtained if the duplication determination of the first embodiment of the invention was performed. As described above, images such as animations displayed on the gaming machine are predetermined, and it is possible to grasp in advance whether or not the lower image is hidden in the upper image and when it is, The overlap determination of the first embodiment of the invention is performed in advance, the time zone in which the overlap occurs is obtained, and the result is written in the overlap drawing table 53 in advance. In the example of FIG. 9, duplication occurs in ts1 to te1 and ts2 to te3. The generation of the lower image is stopped during these periods. In the example of FIG. 9, the period from ts2 to te3 is divided into two, ts2 to te2 and ts3 to te3. However, it doesn't matter whether they are combined into one.

  In the example of FIG. 9, the drawing stop determination unit 51 instructs to stop the drawing process when the time t indicated by the timer 54 is greater than ts1, and cancels the command when the time t is greater than te1. The same applies to ts2 and te3. When ts3, te2 and so on are continuous, no particular processing is performed. The previous instruction is maintained.

  According to the second embodiment of the invention, the same effects as those of the first embodiment of the invention can be obtained.

In addition, there is no need to perform duplication determination when performing image generation processing on the gaming machine (because it is determined in advance at the design stage), and therefore, there is an advantage that the processing load is smaller than in the first embodiment of the invention. is there.
When a part of the lower image is hidden, the entire lower image may be drawn, or the hidden part may not be drawn. For example, the overlapping drawing table 53 stores in advance the timing at which the entire lower image is hidden by the upper image and the timing at which the lower image is partially hidden by the upper image. Specifically, the timer value of the contents of the overlapping drawing table 53 is set in each of the first case in which all the lower images are drawn and the second case in which drawing is not performed for the hidden portion. When all the lower images are drawn, the process is performed based on the timer value of the first case, and when the hidden part is not drawn, the process is performed based on the timer value of the second case. You may make it switch a 1st case and a 2nd case suitably.

Embodiment 3 of the Invention
FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of a gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic functional block diagram showing only parts necessary for explanation of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the invention. The configuration shown in FIG. 10 is actually realized by the CPU executing a program stored in advance in the ROM.

  10, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  Reference numeral 50 b-1 denotes a drawing notification unit that receives a drawing command and notifies that the first drawing unit 50-1 draws on a predetermined layer 1.

  50b-2 is a drawing notification unit that receives a drawing command and notifies that the second drawing unit 50-2 draws on a predetermined layer 2.

  Note that a layer is a function that allows an image to be used in an overlapping manner like a cell image and a structure for that function. Since the layer is publicly known, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the third embodiment of the present invention, the priorities of layer 1 and layer 2 are determined in advance. For example, the priority of layer 1> the priority of layer 2 is set. In this case, layer 1 and layer 2 correspond to the above-described upper image and lower image. By reversing the definition of priority, layer 1 and layer 2 can correspond to the above-described lower image and upper image.

  When the first drawing unit 50-1 and the second drawing unit 50-2 draw on the layer 1 and the layer 2, respectively, and the priority of the layer 1 is set to the priority of the layer 2, the drawing stop determination unit 51 Is determined as follows.

(1) When a drawing notification is received from the drawing notification unit 50b-1 (drawing on layer 1) and no drawing notification is received from the drawing notification unit 50b-2 (not drawing on layer 2), an instruction to stop the drawing process is given do not do.

(2) When drawing notification is not received from the drawing notification unit 50b-1 (not drawn on layer 1) and drawing notification is received from the drawing notification unit 50b-2 (drawing on layer 2), the drawing processing is stopped. Do not order.

(3) When a drawing notification is received from the drawing notification unit 50b-1 (drawing on layer 1) and a drawing notification is received from the drawing notification unit 50b-2 (drawing on layer 2), the drawing notification unit 50b- 2 is instructed to stop the drawing process. When the priority setting is reversed, the drawing notification unit 50b-1 is instructed to stop the drawing process.

  That is, when layer 1 and layer 2 are drawn at the same time, priority is given to the drawing of the higher priority layer, and the lower priority layer is not drawn. By processing in this way, drawing of a layer hidden by a high-priority layer can be stopped.

According to the third embodiment of the invention, the same effects as those of the first embodiment of the invention can be obtained.
When a part of the image of the low priority layer is hidden, all of the image may be drawn, or the hidden part may not be drawn. That is, when all the images of the low priority layers are hidden, the drawing is stopped. When only a part of the images is hidden, all of the images are drawn, or the hidden portion is not drawn. For example, when the processing load of the CPU is high, the hidden portion is not drawn, and when the processing load of the CPU is low (when the CPU is free), all the images are drawn.

The first to third embodiments of the present invention have been described by taking as an example the case where two upper and lower images overlap, but the embodiment of the present invention can also be applied when three or more images overlap. For example, when there are three images α, β, and γ, and the order of superposition thereof is upper, middle, and lower (in other words, priority of image α> priority of image β> image γ The first to third embodiments of the invention described above are applied to two images β and γ, and then the embodiments of the invention described above are applied to two images α and β. In addition to applying the first to third embodiments, the first to third embodiments of the invention described above may be applied to the display portion of the image α and the image γ (in other words, the portion of the image γ not hidden by the image β). Alternatively, the three images α, β, and γ may be processed in the same manner as in the first to third embodiments of the present invention (that is, the overlapping portion of the three images is obtained in the first embodiment of the invention, In the second embodiment of the invention, the timer values of the images β and γ are stored in advance in the overlapping drawing table, and in the third embodiment of the invention, the priorities of the three layers are determined simultaneously.
Embodiments 1 to 3 of the invention can be combined as appropriate. For example, in the gaming machine, processing for stopping drawing based on the actual drawing figure of the first embodiment of the invention, processing for stopping drawing by the timer of the second embodiment of the invention, and layers of the third embodiment of the invention For example, when drawing a high-quality image without taking up the processing load, the processing of the first embodiment of the invention is performed, and when the processing load is reduced and quick processing is performed, the processing of the invention is performed. The processing of the second embodiment is performed. When drawing in a plurality of layers, the processing of the third embodiment of the invention is performed, and when drawing on the same layer, the processing of the first or second embodiment of the invention is performed.
Embodiments 1 to 3 of the invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine including a liquid crystal display device.

  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.

50-1 1st drawing part 50a-1 1st size and coordinate calculation part 50b-1 1st drawing notification part 50-2 2nd drawing part 50a-2 2nd size and coordinate calculation part 50b-2 2nd drawing notification part 51 Drawing Cancel Determination Unit 52 Image Superimposing Unit 53 Overlapping Drawing Table 54 Timer

Claims (6)

A main board that executes control related to a game including internal lottery processing and generates and transmits a predetermined command, a sub board that receives the command and executes processing related to the production based on the command, and the production In a gaming machine comprising an image display device for displaying a screen,
A first drawing unit for drawing a predetermined first image in response to a drawing command generated by the sub-board;
A second drawing unit for drawing a predetermined second image in response to a drawing command generated by the sub-board;
An image superimposing unit that superimposes the first image drawn by the first drawing unit on the second image drawn by the second drawing unit and generates an image to be displayed on the image display device;
A first size / coordinate calculation unit that calculates the size and coordinates of the first image drawn by the first drawing unit in response to the drawing command;
A second size / coordinate calculator that calculates the size and coordinates of the second image drawn by the second drawing unit in response to the drawing command;
When the first image drawn by the first drawing unit is superimposed on the second image drawn by the second drawing unit based on the calculation results of the first size / coordinate calculation unit and the second size / coordinate calculation unit And a drawing stop determining unit that determines whether the second image is hidden by the first image and instructs the second drawing unit to stop drawing when the second image is hidden. A gaming machine. The drawing stop determination unit
When it is determined that all of the second image is hidden by the first image, the second drawing unit is instructed to stop the drawing, or
When it is determined that a part of the second image is hidden by the first image, at least one of instructing the second drawing unit to stop drawing the hidden part is performed. The gaming machine according to claim 1. Instead of the first size / coordinate calculation unit and the second size / coordinate calculation unit,
An overlapping drawing table that stores in advance the timing at which the second image is hidden in the first image;
A timer for measuring time corresponding to the drawing of the first drawing unit and the second drawing unit,
The drawing stop determination unit compares the timing of the overlapping drawing table with the output of the timer, and stops drawing to the second drawing unit according to the timing at which the second image is hidden by the first image. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game machine is instructed to do so. The overlapping drawing table stores in advance the timing at which the entire second image is hidden by the first image and the timing at which the second image is partially hidden by the first image,
The drawing stop determination unit
When it is determined that it is time to hide all of the second image by the first image, the second drawing unit is instructed to stop all drawing, or
When it is determined that it is time to hide a part of the second image in the first image, at least one of instructing the second drawing unit to stop drawing the hidden part The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein: Instead of the first size / coordinate calculation unit and the second size / coordinate calculation unit,
A first drawing notification unit that receives the drawing command and notifies the first drawing unit to draw on a predetermined first layer;
A second drawing notification unit for receiving the drawing command and notifying that the second drawing unit draws on a predetermined second layer;
Priorities are determined in advance for the first layer 1 and the second layer,
The image superimposing unit superimposes one of the first image drawn by the first drawing unit and the second image drawn by the second drawing unit on the other based on the priority, and displays the image on the image display device Generate an image
When the drawing cancellation determination unit receives a drawing notification from the first drawing notification unit and the second drawing notification unit, either the first drawing unit or the second drawing unit is based on the priority. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game machine is instructed to stop drawing. The drawing stop determination unit
When it is determined that all of the second image is hidden by the image of the first drawing unit, the second drawing unit is instructed to stop the drawing, or
When it is determined that a part of the second image is hidden by the image of the first drawing unit, at least one of instructing the second drawing unit to stop drawing the hidden part The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein:

Images