JP2012019948A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine enabling a game player to know, before a presentation gimmick starts operation, that the presentation gimmick may operate.SOLUTION: A Pachinko game machine 1 first determines whether a presentation using the moving gimmick 7 is performed. When it is determined that the presentation using the moving gimmick 7 is performed, an EL display unit 6 is moved to a position which makes, for example, an end part of the moving gimmick 7 visible through an EL screen 60 before the moving gimmick 7 starts operation; and an image of display contents for notifying the operation of the moving gimmick 7 is displayed on the EL screen 60.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a director for performing an effect for improving the interest of a game.

  In a pachinko gaming machine, when a player rotates a handle, a game ball is launched from a launching device to a game area, and a big hit lottery is executed with the winning of the game ball as a trigger. When the jackpot lottery is won, the jackpot is opened and the player can enjoy the jackpot game. This type of pachinko gaming machine is provided with a director for performing various effects in order to improve the fun of the game.

  For example, in a pachinko gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, a director is arranged above a liquid crystal display device that displays decorative symbols. The director is configured by including an LED substrate including a plurality of LEDs, and performs various effects using light. Since this stage effect is a large-sized thing which has the magnitude | size over the both right and left ends of the game area | region where a game ball moves, a larger space is required compared with a small production role. For this reason, in the pachinko gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, in order to increase the size of the director without reducing the game area, the director is arranged on the back side of the game board that transmits light.

JP 2009-5848 A

  By the way, in a conventional gaming machine having a director such as the pachinko machine described in Patent Document 1, the degree of reliability that the player wins the jackpot lottery is recognized based on whether or not the director plays. However, it was not possible for the player to determine whether or not the production actor would work until the production of the production actor actually started.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine in which a player can grasp that a director is operating before the director starts operating.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems. In addition, the reference numerals in parentheses and supplementary explanations in this column show the correspondence with the embodiments described later in order to help understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention.

  The gaming machine (1) according to the present invention has an effect agent (7) for performing an effect and a transmissive first display screen (60), and receives a driving force from driving means (29, 30). A movable display (6) that moves relative to the game board (2), a determination means (131) that determines whether or not to perform an effect using the effect agent (7), and the determination means (131) When it is determined that an effect using the effect agent (7) is performed, the drive means (29, 30) are controlled before the effect agent (7) starts operating. A drive control means (151) for moving the movable display (6) to a position where at least a part of the stage effect (7) can be seen through one display screen (60); and the drive control means (151). When the movable indicator (6) is arranged at the visible position, the stage effect The first effect image to notice the operation of 7) comprises a display and control unit (140) to be displayed on the first display screen (60).

  A fixed display (5) fixed to the game board (2) and having a second display screen (50) is provided. The display control means (140) stores the second effect image in the frame buffer (1426A or 1426B). A drawing means (1424) for drawing and drawing in the empty area of the frame buffer (1426A or 1426B) as a divided image obtained by dividing the first effect image into a plurality of regions; It reads out from the frame buffer (1426A or 1426B) and outputs it to the fixed display (5), and also reads out the divided image from the frame buffer (1426A or 1426B) as the first effect image and the movable display (6). And an output means (1427) for outputting to.

  Calculation means (141) for calculating a division number indicating the size of the divided image and the number of the divided images constituting the first effect image based on the size of the empty area and the size of the first effect image. The drawing unit (1424) may draw the image of the size and the number of division images calculated by the calculation unit (141) as the divided image in the empty area.

  Based on the size of the empty area and the size of the first effect image, there is provided division determination means (141) for determining whether or not division is necessary for rendering the first effect image in the empty area, The drawing unit (1424) draws the first effect image as the divided image in the empty area when the division determining unit (141) determines that the division is necessary, and the division determining unit (141) divides the first effect image. Is determined to be unnecessary, the first effect image is drawn in the empty area without being divided, and the output means (1427) outputs the divided image to the movable display (6). A process of reading from the frame buffer (1426A or 1426B) and outputting it as the first effect image, or the first effect image as the frame buffer (1426A or 1426) ) May perform a process of outputting read from.

  According to the present invention, when an effect using the effect agent is performed, before the operation of the effect agent starts, at least a part of the effect agent can be displayed in a visible position through the first display screen. The device moves and the first effect image of the display content for notifying the start of the operation of the effect item is displayed on the first display screen. Therefore, the player can grasp that the director is operating before the operation of the director is started.

Schematic front view of pachinko machine 1 Schematic plan view showing a part of the pachinko gaming machine 1 Enlarged view of the display 4 in FIG. A perspective view showing a configuration of the drive mechanism 10 A perspective view showing a configuration of the drive mechanism 10 Exploded perspective view of drive mechanism 10 Enlarged perspective view of EL display 6 The block diagram which shows the structural example of the control apparatus of the pachinko gaming machine 1 The block diagram which shows the structural example of the image sound control part 140 Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of VRAM_FB1426. The flowchart which shows an example of main operation | movement performed by the game control part 100 Detailed flowchart of the start port switch process in step S2 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of special symbol processing in step S4 of FIG. The flowchart which shows an example of the presentation control process performed by the presentation control part 130 Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the notice effect by EL display device 6 Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the notice effect by EL display device 6 The flowchart which shows an example of the drive control processing performed by the lamp control part 150 The flowchart which shows an example of the setting process performed by the image sound control part 140 Explanatory drawing for explaining the main image size, the sub image size, the frame buffer size, and the size of the free area Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the setting process performed by the image sound control part 140 The flowchart which shows an example of the display control process performed by the image sound control part 140 A flowchart showing an example of a drawing process performed by the VDP 142 Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the drawing process performed by VDP142 when one screen display using the liquid crystal screen 50 is performed. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the drawing process performed by VDP142 when the division | segmentation number SN is set to "0". Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the drawing process performed by VDP142 when the division | segmentation number SN is set to "4" Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the output processing of the divided image by the output circuit 1427 Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification of the timing which performs a notice effect Schematic diagram for explaining a modification of drive mechanism 10

  Hereinafter, a pachinko gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[Schematic configuration of pachinko gaming machine 1]
First, a schematic configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a pachinko gaming machine 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a game board 2 on which game balls are launched, and a frame member 3 surrounding the game board 2. The frame member 3 is a member that supports a transparent glass plate (not shown) arranged in parallel with the game board 2 at a predetermined interval on the front side of the game board 2 (the front side in FIG. 1). The frame member 3 is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the game board 2 via a hinge (not shown), and is configured to be detachable from the game board 2.

  A game area 20 in which a game ball moves is formed between the glass plate supported by the frame member 3 and the game board 2. When the player holds the handle 31 and rotates the lever 32 in the clockwise direction, a game ball is launched from a launching device (not shown) with a hitting force corresponding to the rotation angle of the handle 31. The launched game ball is guided to an upper position of the game area 20 by a guide member (not shown), and changes its moving direction by contacting a game nail or windmill (not shown) arranged in the game area 20. While falling along the surface of the game board 2.

  The game area 20 is provided with a first start port 21, a second start port 22, a large winning port 23, a normal winning port 24, and a gate 25, as winning items related to winning and lottery. In addition, a discharge port 26 for discharging game balls that have not entered the start ports 21 and 22 or the winning ports 23 and 24 to the outside of the gaming region 20 is provided below the big winning port 23 in the gaming region 20. .

  The first start port 21 and the second start port 22 are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval with the first start port 21 as the upper side of the second start port 22. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, when a game ball wins at the first start port 21 or the second start port 22, the prize ball is paid out and a big win lottery is executed. In the following description, the jackpot lottery executed when the game ball is won at the first start port 21 is referred to as “first special symbol lottery”, and the game ball wins at the second start port 22 as an opportunity. The jackpot lottery executed as is called “second special symbol lottery”, and these lotteries are collectively called “special symbol lottery”.

  Between the 1st starting port 21 and the 2nd starting port 22, the electric tulip 27 which has a pair of blade member imitating a tulip flower is arrange | positioned. The electric tulip 27 is configured to change its posture between a closed posture (see FIG. 1) in which the pair of blade members are closed and an open posture (not shown) in which the pair of blade members are open. When the electric solenoid operates, the posture changes from the closed posture to the open posture.

  In a state where the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 27 is in the closed position, the entry path of the game ball to the second start port 22 is blocked by the member constituting the first start port 21 and the electric tulip 27, and the game ball Does not enter the second starting port 22. On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the gate 25, a normal symbol lottery (opening / closing lottery of the electric tulip 27) is executed, and when the normal symbol lottery is won, the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 27 is opened for a specified time. The operation of returning to the closed posture after maintaining the posture is performed a prescribed number of times. Thus, by winning the normal symbol lottery, the approach path of the game ball to the second start port 22 is released, and the game ball can win the second start port 22. That is, the second special symbol lottery can be executed. Incidentally, when a game ball wins the normal winning opening 24, the lottery is not executed, but more prize balls are paid out than when the game ball wins the first start opening 21 and the second start opening 22.

  The special winning opening 23 is opened according to the result of the special symbol lottery. A plate for opening and closing the big prize opening 23 is provided at the opening of the big prize opening 23. In a state where the special symbol lottery is not won, since the plate is in the same plane as the surface of the game board 2, the game ball does not enter the big winning opening 23. On the other hand, when the special symbol lottery is won, the upper end side of the plate is tilted toward the surface side of the game board 2 with the lower end side of the plate as an axis, and the special winning opening 23 is opened.

  A panel lamp 8 is provided above a liquid crystal display 5 which will be described later. The board lamp 8 emits light according to the progress of the game by the player, thereby performing various effects by light. A movable accessory 7 (an example of a director in the present invention) is arranged at a position close to the liquid crystal display 5. The movable accessory 7 is configured to be movable with respect to the game board 2, and performs various effects by rotating, for example, a built-in light emitting element (see FIGS. 15 and 16). In addition, although this embodiment demonstrates the case where only the movable combination 7 is provided as a production | presentation combination, in other embodiment, the movable combination other than the movable combination 7 may be further provided, You may provide the production | presentation combination (fixed combination) fixed with respect to the game board 2. FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a part of the pachinko gaming machine 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame member 3 includes a stop button 33, a take-out button 34, a speaker 35, a frame lamp 36, an effect button 37, an effect key 38, in addition to the handle 31 and the lever 32. And a dish 39 are provided.

  The tray 39 is provided so as to protrude from the frame member 3 to the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and accumulates game balls supplied to the above-described launching device and paid-out prize balls. When the player grasps the handle 31 and rotates the lever 32 in the clockwise direction, the game balls stored in the tray 39 are supplied to the launching device and are launched into the game area 20 at predetermined time intervals. The launch of the game ball is temporarily stopped when the player presses the stop button 33.

  The take-out button 34 is provided at a position close to the plate 39. When the player operates the take-out button 34, a part of the lower surface of the tray 39 is opened, and the game balls accumulated on the tray 39 fall into a box (not shown) arranged below the tray 39. The dish 39 may be constituted by one dish, or by two dishes, an upper dish for collecting game balls and prize balls supplied to the launching device, and a lower dish for collecting only prize balls. May be.

  The effect button 37 and the effect key 38 are provided for the player to input an operation for the effect, respectively. The effect key 38 has a center key and a plurality of (here, four) peripheral keys arranged around the center key, and is arranged adjacent to the effect button 37. The effect button 37 and the effect key 38 function as operation means for the player to input operation information.

  The speaker 35 outputs music, sound, sound effects, etc., and performs effects by sound. The frame lamp 36 performs various effects by light, such as changing a lighting or blinking pattern, changing a light emission color, and changing a light irradiation direction.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the display 4 in FIG. The display 4 displays information on the result of the special symbol lottery and the normal symbol lottery described above and the number of reserved lotteries. As shown in FIG. 3, the display 4 includes a first special symbol display 41, a second special symbol display 42, a first special symbol hold indicator 43, a second special symbol hold indicator 44, and a normal symbol display. A device 45, a normal symbol holding display 46, and a game state display 47 are provided.

  The first special symbol display 41 variably displays the special symbol in response to the winning of the game ball at the first starting port 21, and then stops and displays the special symbol indicating the result of the first special symbol lottery. The first special symbol hold indicator 43 displays the number of holds in the first special symbol lottery. The second special symbol display 42 variably displays the special symbol in response to the winning of the game ball at the second starting port 22, and then stops and displays the special symbol indicating the result of the second special symbol lottery. The second special symbol hold indicator 44 displays the number of holds in the second special symbol lottery. The normal symbol display 45 displays the result of the normal symbol lottery started when the game ball has passed through the gate 25. The normal symbol hold indicator 46 displays the number of normal symbol lottery holds. The game state display 47 displays the game state at the time when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on.

  Although the schematic configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 has been described so far, the configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 described above is merely an example, and the board surface configuration and the like of the gaming board 2 may be changed as appropriate.

  The main feature of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is that before the movable accessory 7 operates, the EL display 6 (see FIG. 1) described later is moved in front of the movable accessory 7 to move the movable accessory. 7 is provided with a function of performing a notice effect (see FIGS. 15 and 16) for causing the EL display 6 to display an image of a display content for notifying that the device 7 operates. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 for realizing such functions will be described in detail.

[Configuration of Liquid Crystal Display 5]
The liquid crystal display 5 (an example of the fixed display of the present invention) is fixed to the housing of the pachinko gaming machine 1 that supports the game board 2. For this reason, the liquid crystal display 5 is fixed to the game board 2. As the liquid crystal display 5, for example, a liquid crystal screen 50 having a screen resolution (vertical pixel number × horizontal pixel number) of “600” in the vertical direction 11 and “800” in the horizontal direction 12 (the number of pixels in the present invention). A liquid crystal display having an example of a second display screen is used. The liquid crystal display 5 displays an image output from an image sound control unit 140 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) described later on the liquid crystal screen 50. On the liquid crystal screen 50, for example, various display objects such as a decorative symbol for notifying the result of the special symbol lottery, a character or item for performing a notice effect, a hold display image indicating that the special symbol lottery is put on hold are displayed. Is done.

[Configuration of EL Display 6]
The EL display 6 (an example of the movable display of the present invention) is disposed on the front side of the liquid crystal screen 50 and the movable accessory 7, and includes a first stepping motor 29 that is transmitted via a drive mechanism 10 described later, The second stepping motor 30 can be moved up and down and left and right by receiving the driving force. The EL display 6 in the present embodiment is a transparent EL display that monochromatically displays an image output from the image sound control unit 140 on a transparent EL screen 60 (an example of the first display screen of the present invention). The EL screen 60 is fixed to the frame 61 by being fitted into an opening formed in a resin frame 61. As the EL screen 60, for example, a screen having a screen resolution of “240” in the vertical direction 11 and “320” in the horizontal direction 12 is used. Accordingly, the liquid crystal display 5 and the EL display 6 are configured such that the screen resolution of the liquid crystal screen 50 is larger than that of the EL screen 60.

  Since a transmissive EL display is used as the EL display 6, even if the image is displayed on the EL screen 60, the player can display on the liquid crystal screen 50 located on the back side of the EL display 6. The object and the movable accessory 7 can be visually recognized through the EL screen 60.

[Configuration and Operation of Drive Mechanism 10]
Next, the drive mechanism 10 that moves the EL display 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the driving mechanism 10 and shows a state in which the EL display 6 is located at a position where the display object displayed on the liquid crystal screen 50 can be visually recognized through the EL screen 60. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the driving mechanism 10 and shows a state in which the EL display 6 is located at a position where a part of the movable accessory 7 can be visually recognized through the EL screen 60. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the drive mechanism 10. FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the EL display 6.

  The drive mechanism 10 moves the EL display 6 vertically and horizontally along the liquid crystal screen 50 and the movable accessory 7. In the present embodiment, the driving mechanism 10 transmits the driving force of the first stepping motor 29 (see FIG. 8) to the EL display 6 to move the EL display 6 in the vertical direction 11 (see FIG. 1). A lift drive mechanism 200 and a slide drive mechanism 220 that transmits the driving force of the second stepping motor 30 (see FIG. 8) to the EL display 6 to move the EL display 6 in the horizontal direction 12 (see FIG. 1). It is composed of

  The elevating drive mechanism 200 includes a first support member 201, a guide member 202, a guide member 203, a first rotating shaft 204, a second rotating shaft 205, a first driving belt 206, and a second driving belt 207. Yes.

  The first support member 201 is a thin plate-like member having the horizontal direction 12 as a longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the first support member 201 is disposed in front of the liquid crystal screen 50. Therefore, the first support member 201 is transparent in order to minimize a decrease in the visibility of the image displayed on the liquid crystal screen 50. It is made of resin. An insertion hole 62 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) penetrating in the horizontal direction 12 is formed in the frame 61 of the EL display 6, and the first support member 201 is inserted into the insertion hole 62 to form the frame. 61 is supported so as to be movable in the horizontal direction 12.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first support member 201 has a connecting member 194 fixed to one end thereof and a connecting member 197 fixed to the other end thereof. The connecting member 194 includes a cylindrical insertion hole 195 through which the guide member 202 (see FIG. 6) is inserted, and a holding piece 196 that holds the first drive belt 206 (see FIG. 6). The guide member 202 is a rod-shaped member having a circular cross-sectional outer shape, and is fixed to the housing of the pachinko gaming machine 1 so that the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the vertical direction 11. The outer diameter dimension of the guide member 202 is set slightly smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the insertion hole 195, and the connecting member 194 is movable in the vertical direction 11 when the guide member 202 is inserted into the insertion hole 195. Supported by the guide member 202.

  The connecting member 197 is a member having the same shape as that of the connecting member 194, and a holding piece 199 that holds the insertion hole 198 through which the guide member 203 (see FIG. 6) is inserted and the second drive belt 207 (see FIG. 6). And have. The guide member 203 is a member having the same shape as the guide member 202 and is fixed to the housing of the pachinko gaming machine 1 so as to face the guide member 202 with a predetermined interval. The connecting member 197 is supported by the guide member 203 so as to be movable in the vertical direction 11 by inserting the guide member 203 through the insertion hole 198.

  Thus, since the connecting member 194 and the connecting member 197 are supported by the guide member 202 and the guide member 203, the first support member 201 can slide in the vertical direction 11.

  A first rotation shaft 204 is provided above the guide members 202 and 203, and a second rotation shaft 205 is provided below the guide members 202 and 203 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The first rotating shaft 204 and the second rotating shaft 205 are rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) so that the axial direction thereof coincides with the horizontal direction 12. As shown in FIG. 6, the first rotating shaft 204 has a gear 212 and a pulley 208 fixed to one end thereof, and a pulley 209 fixed to the other end. The second rotating shaft 205 has a pulley 210 fixed to one end thereof and a pulley 211 fixed to the other end thereof.

  Between the pulley 208 and the pulley 210, an endless first drive belt 206 having teeth formed on the inside is stretched. A second drive belt 207 having the same configuration as the first drive belt 206 is stretched between the pulley 209 and the pulley 211.

  The driving force of the first stepping motor 29 (see FIG. 8) is input to the gear 212 (see FIG. 4) of the first rotating shaft 204. Thereby, the 1st rotating shaft 204 to which the gear 212 was fixed rotates. Teeth that mesh with the teeth of the first drive belt 206 and the second drive belt 207 are formed on the outer circumferences of the pulleys 208 to 211, and the rotational force of the first rotating shaft 204 is first via the pulleys 208 and 209. It is transmitted to the drive belt 206 and the second drive belt 207. As a result, the first drive belt 206 and the second drive belt 207 move circumferentially, and the first rotation shaft 204 and the second rotation shaft 205 rotate synchronously. Since the connecting members 194 and 197 fixed to both ends of the first support member 201 are fixed to the first drive belt 206 and the second drive belt 207 by sandwiching pieces 196 and 199, the first stepping motor 29 The driving force is also transmitted to the first support member 201 and the EL display 6 supported by the first support member 201 moves in the vertical direction 11. Note that the direction of movement of the EL display 6 in the vertical direction 11 can be switched by switching the rotation direction of the first stepping motor 29 to forward rotation or reverse rotation.

  On the other hand, the slide drive mechanism 220 is roughly divided into a second support member 221, a guide member 222, a guide member 223, a first rotation shaft 224, a second rotation shaft 225, a first drive belt 226, and a second drive belt 227. I have.

  The second support member 221 is a thin plate member whose longitudinal direction is the vertical direction 11. Similar to the first support member 201, the second support member 221 is formed of a transparent resin. An insertion hole 63 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) penetrating in the vertical direction 11 is formed in the frame 61 of the EL display 6, and the second support member 221 is inserted into the insertion hole 63 to be framed. 61 is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction 11.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the second support member 221 has a connecting member 214 fixed to one end thereof and a connecting member 217 fixed to the other end thereof. The connecting member 214 has a cylindrical insertion hole 215 through which the guide member 222 (see FIG. 6) is inserted, and a holding piece 216 that holds the second drive belt 227 (see FIG. 6). The guide member 222 is a rod-shaped member having a circular cross-sectional outer shape, and is fixed to the housing of the pachinko gaming machine 1 so that the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the horizontal direction 12. The outer diameter dimension of the guide member 222 is set slightly smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the insertion hole 215, and the connecting member 214 is guided so as to be movable in the horizontal direction 12 when the guide member 222 is inserted into the insertion hole 215. Supported by member 222.

  The connecting member 217 is a member having the same shape as that of the connecting member 214, and includes an insertion hole 218 through which the guide member 223 (see FIG. 6) is inserted, and a holding piece 219 that holds the first drive belt 226 (see FIG. 6). And have. The guide member 223 is a member having the same shape as the guide member 222, and is fixed to the housing of the pachinko gaming machine 1 so as to face the guide member 222 with a predetermined interval. The connecting member 217 is supported by the guide member 223 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction 12 by inserting the guide member 223 through the insertion hole 218.

  Thus, since the connecting member 214 and the connecting member 217 are supported by the guide member 222 and the guide member 223, the second support member 221 is slidable in the horizontal direction 12.

  A first rotating shaft 224 and a second rotating shaft 225 are provided outside the guide members 222 and 223 in the horizontal direction 12 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The first rotating shaft 224 and the second rotating shaft 225 are rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) such that the axial direction thereof coincides with the vertical direction 11. As shown in FIG. 6, the first rotating shaft 224 has a gear 232 and a pulley 228 fixed to one end thereof, and a pulley 229 fixed to the other end. The second rotating shaft 225 has a pulley 230 fixed to one end and a pulley 231 fixed to the other end.

  Between the pulley 228 and the pulley 230, an endless annular first drive belt 226 having teeth formed inside is stretched. A second drive belt 227 having the same configuration as the first drive belt 226 is stretched between the pulley 229 and the pulley 231.

  The driving force of the second stepping motor 30 (see FIG. 8) is input to the gear 232 (see FIG. 4) of the first rotating shaft 224. Thereby, the 1st rotating shaft 224 to which the gear 232 was fixed rotates. Teeth that mesh with the teeth of the first drive belt 226 and the second drive belt 227 are formed on the outer circumferences of the pulleys 228 to 231, and the rotational force of the first rotating shaft 224 is first via the pulleys 228 and 229. It is transmitted to the drive belt 226 and the second drive belt 227. As a result, the first drive belt 226 and the second drive belt 227 move circumferentially, and the first rotation shaft 224 and the second rotation shaft 225 rotate synchronously. Since the first driving belt 226 and the second driving belt 227 have connecting members 214 and 217 fixed to both ends of the second support member 221 fixed by sandwiching pieces 216 and 219, the second stepping motor 30 The driving force is also transmitted to the second support member 221 so that the EL display 6 supported by the second support member 221 moves in the horizontal direction 12. Note that the moving direction of the EL display 6 in the horizontal direction 12 can be switched by switching the rotation direction of the second stepping motor 30 to forward rotation or reverse rotation.

  Thus, the EL display 6 moves in the vertical direction 11 by the lifting drive mechanism 200 and moves in the horizontal direction 12 by the slide drive mechanism 220. In addition, each component of the drive mechanism 10 excluding the first support member 201 and the second support member 221 is a decorative cover 14 that partitions the region where the liquid crystal display 5 and the like are provided from the game region 20 (see FIG. 1). 1 does not appear in FIG.

[Configuration of control device of pachinko gaming machine 1]
On the back side of the game board 2 (the back side in FIG. 1), a control device for controlling the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided in addition to a ball tank for storing game balls to be paid out as prize balls. .

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the control device of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the control device of the pachinko gaming machine 1. As shown in FIG. 8, the control device of the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a game control unit 100, a payout control unit 120, an effect control unit 130, an image sound control unit 140, and a lamp control unit 150.

[Configuration of Game Control Unit 100]
The game control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, and a RAM 103. Based on the program stored in the ROM 102, the CPU 101 performs various arithmetic processes related to the number of payout prize balls such as internal lottery and determination of winning. In addition to the above programs, the ROM 102 stores the maximum number of holdings Umax1 for the first special symbol lottery, the maximum number of holdings Umax2 for the second special symbol lottery, and the like. The RAM 103 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 101 executes the program, or as a work area for data processing. The main functions of the game control unit 100 are as follows.

  The game control unit 100 transmits data necessary for various effects to the effect control unit 130. For example, when a game ball wins the first start port 21 or the second start port 22, a special symbol lottery is executed, and data indicating the determination result is transmitted to the effect control unit 130.

  The game control unit 100 controls the opening time when the blade member of the electric tulip 27 is in the open posture, the number of times the blade member is opened and closed, and the opening / closing time interval between the closing of the blade member and the opening thereof. In addition, the game control unit 100 holds the number of special symbol lottery due to the game ball winning the first start port 21 or the second start port 22 and the normal symbol lottery due to the game ball passing through the gate 25. Manage numbers.

  The game control unit 100 controls the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 23 according to the result of the special symbol lottery. For example, a predetermined condition (for example, 30 seconds after the grand prize opening 23 is opened, ten game balls are awarded to the big prize opening 23, or the cumulative opening time of the big prize opening 23 is within 1.8 seconds) Until the condition is satisfied, the round in which the plate of the big prize opening 23 protrudes and tilts to maintain the open state of the big prize opening 23 is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times).

  The game control unit 100 pays out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the place where the game is won when a game ball wins the first start port 21, the second start port 22, the big winning port 23, and the normal winning port 24. The controller 120 is instructed. When the payout control unit 120 pays out a prize ball in accordance with an instruction from the game control unit 100, information on the number of prize balls paid out is sent from the payout control unit 120 to the game control unit 100. The game control unit 100 manages the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the information acquired from the payout control unit 120.

  In order to realize these functions, the game control unit 100 includes a first start port switch (SW) 111, a second start port switch (SW) 112, an electric tulip opening / closing unit 113, a gate switch (SW) 114, a large A winning port switch (SW) 115, a large winning port control unit 116, a normal winning port switch (SW) 117, and the display 4 are connected.

  The first start port switch 111 detects that a game ball has won the first start port 21 and sends a detection signal to the game control unit 100. The second start port switch 112 detects that a game ball has won the second start port 22 and sends a detection signal to the game control unit 100. The electric tulip opening / closing part 113 has an electric solenoid coupled to the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 27 so as to be capable of driving transmission. The electric solenoid is activated in accordance with a control signal from the game control unit 100, and the posture of the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 27 changes. The gate switch 114 detects that a game ball has passed through the gate 25 and sends a detection signal to the game control unit 100. The big prize opening switch 115 detects that a game ball has won the big prize opening 23 and sends a detection signal to the game control unit 100. The special winning opening control unit 116 has an electric solenoid coupled to the plate of the special winning opening 23 so as to be able to transmit drive. The electric solenoid is activated in response to a control signal from the game control unit 100, and the special winning opening 23 is opened and closed. The normal winning port switch 117 detects that a game ball has won the normal winning port 24 and sends a detection signal to the game control unit 100.

  The game control unit 100 displays the result of the first special symbol lottery on the first special symbol display unit 41 and displays the number of holdings on which the first special symbol lottery is held on the first special symbol hold display unit 43. The game control unit 100 causes the second special symbol lottery result to be displayed on the second special symbol lottery display 42, and causes the second special symbol lottery hold number to be displayed on the second special symbol lottery indicator 44. The game control unit 100 displays the result of the normal symbol lottery on the normal symbol display unit 45, and displays the number of holdings of the normal symbol lottery on the normal symbol hold display unit 46. The game control unit 100 causes the game state display 47 to display the game state of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

[Configuration of Payout Control Unit 120]
The payout control unit 120 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, and a RAM 123. Based on the program stored in the ROM 122, the CPU 121 performs arithmetic processing when controlling the payout of prize balls. The RAM 123 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 121 executes the program, or as a work area for data processing.

  Based on an instruction from the game control unit 100, the payout control unit 120 sends out the game ball from the ball tank to the plate 39 so that a predetermined number of prize balls corresponding to the place where the game ball has won is paid out to the plate 39. The dispensing motor 125 is controlled.

  In addition to the payout motor 125, a payout ball detection unit 126, a ball presence detection unit 127, and a full tank detection unit 128 are connected to the payout control unit 120. The payout ball detection unit 126 detects the number of prize balls paid out from the ball tank to the tray 39 by the payout motor 125. The ball presence detection unit 127 detects the presence or absence of a game ball in the ball tank. The full tank detection unit 128 detects that the tray 39 is full of game balls. The payout control unit 120 executes predetermined processing according to the detection results of the payout ball detection unit 126, the ball presence detection unit 127, and the full tank detection unit 128.

[Configuration of Production Control Unit 130]
The effect control unit 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, and an RTC (real time clock) 134. Based on the program stored in the ROM 132, the CPU 131 performs a calculation process when controlling the effect. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 131 executes the program, or as a work area for data processing. The RTC 134 measures the current date and time.

  The production control unit 130 sets production contents based on data indicating the result of the special symbol lottery sent from the game control unit 100. In that case, the input of the operation information from the production | presentation button 37 or the production | generation key 38 is received, and the production | generation content according to the operation information may be set. The effect control unit 130 transmits a command for instructing execution of the effect of the set effect contents to the image sound control unit 140 and the lamp control unit 150.

[Configuration of Lamp Controller 150]
The lamp control unit 150 includes a CPU 151, a ROM 152, and a RAM 153. The CPU 151 performs arithmetic processing when controlling the panel lamp 8, the frame lamp 36, the light emission of the movable accessory 7, and the operation of the movable accessory 7. The ROM 152 stores programs executed by the CPU 151 and various data. The RAM 153 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 151 executes the program, or a work area for data processing or the like.

  The CPU 151 of the lamp control unit 150 reads the light emission pattern data corresponding to the command transmitted from the effect control unit 130 from the light emission pattern data stored in the ROM 152, and the panel lamp 8, the frame lamp 36, and the movable light. The light emission of the accessory 7 is controlled. Further, the CPU 151 reads out the operation pattern data corresponding to the command transmitted from the effect control unit 130 from the operation pattern data of the movable accessory 7 stored in the ROM 152 and operates the movable accessory 7. The drive of (not shown) is controlled.

  The CPU 151 of the lamp control unit 150 controls driving of the first stepping motor 29 and the second stepping motor 30. The first stepping motor 29 is arranged so that its rotation shaft meshes with the gear 212 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) of the lifting drive mechanism 200, and the driving force of the first stepping motor 29 is input to the gear 212. As a result, the EL display 6 moves in the vertical direction 11. On the other hand, the second stepping motor 30 is arranged such that its rotation shaft meshes with the gear 232 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) of the slide drive mechanism 220, and the driving force of the second stepping motor 30 is applied to the gear 232. As a result of the input, the EL display 6 moves in the horizontal direction 12. In the present embodiment, the first stepping motor 29, the second stepping motor 30, the lift drive mechanism 200, and the slide drive mechanism 220 function as drive means for moving the EL display 6.

[Configuration of Image Sound Control Unit 140]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image sound control unit 140. As shown in FIG. 9, the image sound control unit 140 generates a control signal for instructing execution of various effects, and an image for expressing effects according to the control signal generated by the CPU 141. A VDP (Video Display Processor) 142 to be generated and an acoustic DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 143 to generate acoustic data for realizing an effect corresponding to the control signal generated by the CPU 141 are provided. In the present embodiment, the image sound control unit 140 functions as a display control unit of the present invention.

  A control ROM 144 and a RAM 145 are connected to the CPU 141. The control ROM 144 stores programs executed by the CPU 141, various data, and the like. The RAM 145 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 141 executes the program, or a work area for data processing. Based on the command received from the effect control unit 130, the CPU 141 generates a control signal for controlling the operation of the VDP 142 and the acoustic DSP 143, and outputs the control signal to the VDP 142 and the acoustic DSP 143.

  An acoustic ROM 146 and an SDRAM 147 are connected to the acoustic DSP 143. The acoustic ROM 146 stores various acoustic data related to music, sound, sound effects, and the like output from the speaker 35. The SDRAM 147 is used as a work area for data processing by the acoustic DSP 143.

  The acoustic DSP 143 reads the acoustic data corresponding to the control signal input from the CPU 141 from the acoustic ROM 146 to the SDRAM 147 and performs necessary data processing on the acoustic data. Then, the acoustic data after the data processing is output to the speaker 35 via an amplifier (not shown) in synchronization with the image display on the liquid crystal screen 50 or the EL screen 60 or asynchronously with the image display.

  The VDP 142 draws an image based on the control signal input from the CPU 141 and outputs the image to the liquid crystal display 5 and the EL display 6. The VDP 142 includes a CPU I / F 1421, a decoder 1422, a ROM I / F 1423, a drawing engine 1424, a VRAM_RS 1425, a VRAM_FB 1426, and an output circuit 1427. In this embodiment, the drawing engine 1424 functions as the drawing unit of the present invention, and the output circuit 1427 functions as the output unit of the present invention.

  The VDP 142 is provided with an internal bus 1428 and an internal bus 1429. The CPU I / F 1421, the decoder 1422, the ROM I / F 1423, the drawing engine 1424, and the VRAM_RS 1425 are connected to be communicable via an internal bus 1428. Further, the drawing engine 1424, the VRAM_FB 1426, and the output circuit 1427 are connected via an internal bus 1429 so as to communicate with each other.

  The CPU I / F 1421 is an interface that connects the VDP 142 and the CPU 141 in a communicable manner. A control signal generated by the CPU 141 is input to the VDP 142 via the CPU I / F 1421. The ROM I / F 1423 is an interface for reading image data from the image ROM 148.

  The image ROM 148 stores material data that is a material constituting an effect image displayed on the liquid crystal display 5 and the EL display 6. Specifically, image data related to characters, items, etc. for performing a decoration according to the size of a decorative pattern composed of three numbers and the degree of expectation, and image data related to a background image displayed as a background screen on the liquid crystal display 5 , Material data for realizing a so-called sprite function, such as image data relating to characters such as “reach” and “gekiatsu”, is stored.

  The VRAM_RS 1425 is a memory used as a storage area for temporarily storing material data read from the image ROM 148 or a work area for drawing processing executed by the drawing engine 1424. For example, when image data encoded by the Moving Picture Experts Group phase 2 (MPEG2) method is read from the image ROM 148, the image data decoded by the decoder 1422 is stored in the VRAM_RS 1425 as material data. The material data stored in the VRAM_RS 1425 is used for drawing processing performed by the drawing engine 1424. For this reason, by drawing material data frequently used in the drawing process in the VRAM_RS 1425, the drawing process by the drawing engine 1424 can be efficiently executed.

  The drawing engine 1424 draws an image to be displayed on the VRAM_FB 1426 on the liquid crystal screen 50 of the liquid crystal display 5 and the EL screen 60 of the EL display 6 based on a control signal from the CPU 141. Specifically, based on the control signal from the CPU 141 and the material data stored in the VRAM_RS 1425, the color of each pixel is calculated, and rendering processing for writing the calculated color value in the VRAM_FB 1426 is performed. An image drawn on the VRAM_FB 1426 is composed of a plurality of pixel data corresponding to an image for one frame, and each pixel data includes color information indicating R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue). And an alpha value indicating the transparency of the pixel. The output circuit 1427 outputs the image drawn on the VRAM_FB 1426 to the liquid crystal display 5 and the EL display 6 at a predetermined display timing, and displays the image on the liquid crystal screen 50 and the EL screen 60. When only the liquid crystal display 5 is used, the drawing engine 1424 draws only an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal screen 50 on the VRAM_FB 1426 and the output circuit 1427 outputs the image to the liquid crystal display 5. .

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for describing a configuration of the VRAM_FB 1426. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the VRAM_FB 1426 is a double buffer type memory including a first frame buffer 1426 </ b> A and a second frame buffer 1426 </ b> B each storing an image for one frame drawn by the drawing engine 1424. The drawing engine 1424 draws an image of the next frame in the second frame buffer 1426B while outputting the image in the first frame buffer 1426A to the liquid crystal display 5 and the EL display 6. On the other hand, while the image in the second frame buffer 1426B is being output to the liquid crystal display 5 and the EL display 6, the image of the next frame is drawn in the first frame buffer 1426A. In this manner, the drawing engine 1424 can perform drawing processing at a high frame rate by performing drawing processing on the other frame buffer while outputting an image from one frame buffer.

[Main operations by game control unit 100]
Next, main operations performed in the game control unit 100 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of main operations performed by the game control unit 100. The game control unit 100 repeatedly executes a series of processes shown in FIG. 11 at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) in a normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off. . Note that the processing of the game control unit 100 described based on the flowcharts of FIG. 11 and subsequent figures is performed according to instructions issued by the CPU 101 based on a program stored in the ROM 102.

  In the random number update process (step S1), the CPU 101 of the game control unit 100 updates various random numbers such as jackpot random numbers, symbol random numbers, reach random numbers, variation pattern random numbers, and normal symbol random numbers. Here, the jackpot random number is a random number for determining whether the special symbol lottery is won (big hit) or lost (losing). The symbol random number is a random number for determining a winning type (long hit, short hit, presence / absence of transition to a high probability state, presence / absence of transition to a short-time gaming state) when a special symbol lottery is won. The reach random number is a random number for determining whether to perform an effect with reach or an effect without reach when the special symbol lottery is lost. The variation pattern random number is a random number for determining a variation pattern when a special symbol is displayed in a variable manner. The normal symbol random number is a random number for determining whether the normal symbol lottery is won or lost. The jackpot random number, the design random number, the reach random number, the variation pattern random number, and the normal design random number are incremented by “1” every time the process of step S1 is performed. Then, the values at the time each lottery is performed are acquired by the start switch (SW) process in step S2 or the gate switch (SW) process in step S3, and in the special symbol process in step S4 or the normal symbol process in step S5. used. Note that a loop counter is used as the counter for performing the processing of step S1, and after reaching the set maximum value of the random number, it returns to “0” again.

  In the start port switch (SW) process (step S2), the CPU 101 monitors the states of the first start port switch 111 and the second start port switch 112, and when a detection signal is output from either switch, A process related to the number U1 of the special symbol lottery U1 and the number U2 of the special symbol lottery reserved U2 and a process of acquiring random numbers (a jackpot random number, a symbol random number, a reach random number, and a variation pattern random number) are executed. Details of the start port switch process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In the gate switch (SW) process (step S3), the CPU 101 monitors the state of the gate switch 114. When the game ball passes through the gate 25 and a detection signal is output from the gate switch 114, the normal symbol lottery is performed. It is determined whether the number of holds is less than the upper limit value. Then, when it is determined that the number of holds is less than the upper limit value, a normal symbol random number used for the normal symbol processing in step S5 is acquired.

  In the special symbol process (step S4), the CPU 101 executes a special symbol lottery, displays the special symbol on the display 4 in a variable manner, and then executes a process for stopping and displaying the special symbol indicating the result of the special symbol lottery. . This special symbol process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  In the normal symbol process (step S5), the CPU 101 determines whether or not the normal symbol random number acquired in the gate switch process in step S3 matches the winning value. Then, after the normal symbol is variably displayed on the normal symbol display 45 (see FIG. 3) of the display device 4, the normal symbol indicating the determination result is stopped and displayed.

  In the special prize opening process (step S6), the CPU 101 controls the opening / closing of the special prize opening 23 via the special prize opening control unit 116 when the special symbol lottery is won.

  In the electric tulip processing (step S7), the CPU 101 determines that the normal symbol random number matches the winning value in the normal symbol processing in step S5, and the pair of blades of the electric tulip 27 via the electric tulip opening / closing unit 113. Actuate the member. When the electric tulip 27 is operated, a game ball can be awarded to the second start port 22, and when the game ball wins the second start port 22, the second special symbol lottery is started.

  In the prize ball process (step S8), as described above, the CPU 101 controls the number of game balls received and controls the payout of prize balls according to the prize.

  In the output process (step S9), the CPU 101 sends various commands set in the RAM 103 and information necessary for the effect to the effect control unit 130 in the start port switch process in step S2 and the special symbol process in step S4. In addition, a command instructing the payout of the winning ball set in the RAM 103 in the winning ball processing in step S8 is sent to the payout control unit 120.

[Start-up switch processing by game control unit 100]
FIG. 12 is a detailed flowchart of the start port switch process in step S2 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 101 of the game control unit 100 receives a game ball in the first start port 21 based on the presence or absence of a detection signal from the first start port switch 111, and the first start port switch 111. It is determined whether or not is turned on (step S21). When it is determined that the first start port switch 111 has been turned on (step S21: YES), the CPU 101 reads the maximum number Umax1 of the first special symbol lottery UROM1 from the ROM 102 and stores the first special symbol lottery stored in the RAM 103. It is determined whether or not the hold number U1 is less than Umax1 (step S22).

  When the CPU 101 determines that the hold number U1 is less than the maximum hold number Umax1 (step S22: YES), the CPU 101 rewrites the value of the hold number U1 stored in the RAM 103 to a value obtained by adding “1” (step S23). Then, the CPU 101 obtains random numbers (big hit random numbers, symbol random numbers, reach random numbers, and variation pattern random numbers) used for the first special symbol lottery etc. reserved by the processing of step S23 and stores them in a predetermined area of the RAM 103. (Step S24).

  When it is determined that the first start port switch 111 is OFF (step S21: NO), when it is determined that the hold number U1 is equal to the maximum hold number Umax1 (step S22: NO), or the process of step S24 is performed. In this case, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the game ball has won the second start port 22 and the second start port switch 112 is turned on based on the presence or absence of the detection signal from the second start port switch 112 ( Step S25). If it is determined that the second start port switch 112 has been turned on (step S25: YES), the CPU 101 reads the maximum number Umax2 of the second special symbol lottery from the ROM 102 and stores the second special symbol lottery stored in the RAM 103. It is determined whether or not the hold number U2 is less than the maximum hold number Umax2 (step S26).

  When the CPU 101 determines that the hold number U2 is less than the maximum hold number Umax2 (step S26: YES), the CPU 101 rewrites the value of the hold number U2 stored in the RAM 103 to a value obtained by adding “1” (step S27). Then, the CPU 101 obtains random numbers (big hit random numbers, symbol random numbers, reach random numbers, and variation pattern random numbers) used for the second special symbol lottery suspended by the processing of step S27 and stores them in a predetermined area of the RAM 103. (Step S28).

  When it is determined that the second start port switch 112 is OFF (step S25: NO), when it is determined that the hold number U2 is equal to the maximum hold number Umax2 (step S26: NO), or the process of step S28 is performed. In such a case, the series of processing ends, and the processing proceeds to the gate switch processing in step S3 of FIG.

[Special symbol processing by game control unit 100]
FIG. 13 is a detailed flowchart of the special symbol process in step S4 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 101 of the game control unit 100 determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is a big hit based on information stored in the RAM 103 (step S41). . When the CPU 101 determines that the jackpot is being hit (step S41: YES), since the special symbol representing some jackpot has already been selected and stopped, the special symbol is displayed without starting the special symbol variation display. The process ends, and the process proceeds to the normal symbol process in step S5 of FIG.

  If the CPU 101 determines that the jackpot is not being hit (step S41: NO), the CPU 101 determines whether or not the special symbol change display by the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42 is being displayed (step S41). S42). When the CPU 101 determines that the special symbol variation display is not being performed (step S42: NO), the CPU 101 determines whether or not the holding number U2 stored in the RAM 103 is "1" or more (step S43). When the CPU 101 determines that the hold number U2 is “1” or more (step S43: YES), the CPU 101 rewrites the hold number U2 stored in the RAM 103 with a value obtained by subtracting “1” (step S44).

  When the CPU 101 determines that the hold number U2 is not “1” or more (the second special symbol lottery is not held) (step S43: NO), the hold number U1 stored in the RAM 103 is “1” or more. It is determined whether or not (step S45). When the CPU 101 determines that the hold number U1 is “1” or more (step S45: YES), the CPU 101 rewrites the hold number U1 stored in the RAM 103 with a value obtained by subtracting “1” (step S46). On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the number of holds U1 is not equal to or greater than “1” (the first special symbol lottery is not held) (step S45: NO), the special symbol processing is started without starting the variable symbol display. And the process proceeds to the normal symbol process in step S5 of FIG.

  After performing the process of step S44 or step S46, the CPU 101 executes a jackpot determination process (step S47). Specifically, when the process of step S47 is executed following the process of step S44, the CPU 101 reads the jackpot winning value stored in the ROM 102 into the RAM 103, and wins a game ball to the second starting port 22. The result of the second special symbol lottery is a jackpot based on whether or not the jackpot random number acquired in the process of step S28 (see FIG. 12) and stored in the RAM 103 coincides with the jackpot winning value. Or whether it is lost. On the other hand, when the process of step S47 is executed subsequent to the process of step S46, the CPU 101 reads the winning value stored in the ROM 102 into the RAM 103 and triggered by the winning of the game ball at the first start port 21. Whether or not the result of the first special symbol lottery is a jackpot based on whether or not the jackpot random number acquired in the process of step S24 (see FIG. 12) and stored in the RAM 103 matches the winning value of the jackpot. Determine if there is.

  When the result of the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery is a jackpot, the CPU 101 reads the symbol random number assigned to each of the plurality of types of jackpots from the ROM 102. Then, depending on whether the symbol random number acquired together with the jackpot random number used for determining whether or not it matches the winning value described above matches the symbol random number assigned to which of the jackpots of a plurality of types of jackpots Determine the type of jackpot. The jackpot symbol corresponding to the jackpot type is set (stored) in the RAM 103 as setting information. On the other hand, when the determination result of the jackpot is lost, a lost symbol indicating that the special symbol lottery is lost is set in the RAM 103 as setting information.

  The CPU 101 executes the variation pattern selection process after setting the jackpot symbol or the lost symbol corresponding to the result of the jackpot lottery as the setting information by the process of step S47 (step S48). Specifically, when it is determined that the big hit is determined in the big hit determination processing in step S47, the big hit variation pattern table is read from the ROM 102 and set in the RAM 103. On the other hand, if it is determined to be lost, the reach random number stored in the ROM 102 is read out to the RAM 103, and the reach random number acquired together with the jackpot random number and symbol random number used in the jackpot determination process in step S47 is read out from the ROM 102. Based on whether or not the reach random number matches, it is determined whether or not to perform a reach effect for causing the player to expect a big hit. When it is determined that the reach effect is to be performed, the reach variation pattern table is read from the ROM 102 and set in the RAM 103. When it is determined that the reach effect is not performed, the loss variation pattern table is read from the ROM 102. Set in the RAM 103. Here, the variation pattern table is a table in which a plurality of variation patterns (variation times 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, etc.) prepared in advance are associated with random numbers of variation pattern random numbers.

  Next, the CPU 101 refers to the set variation pattern table and selects a variation pattern corresponding to the variation pattern random number acquired together with the jackpot random number and the symbol random number used in the jackpot determination process in step S47. The pattern variation pattern (variation time) is determined. The variation pattern selected in this way is set in the RAM 103 as setting information.

  After performing the jackpot determination process in step S47 and the variation pattern selection process in step S48, the CPU 101 sets the pattern setting information set by performing the jackpot determination process, the variation pattern setting information set by performing the variation pattern selection process, A change start command including game state information indicating the game state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is generated and set in the RAM 103 (step S49). This variation start command is a command for instructing the start of the variation display of the decorative symbol performed on the liquid crystal display 5 in accordance with the variation display of the special symbol performed on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42. And it is transmitted to the effect control part 130 by the output process in step S9 of FIG.

  Subsequent to the process of step S49, the CPU 101 starts the variation display of the special symbol based on the setting information included in the variation start command set in the process of step S49 (step S50), and measures the variation time. Is started (step S51). Information indicating this variation time is temporarily stored in the RAM 103. Note that the special symbol variation display in step S50 is performed using the second special symbol display 42 when it is performed after the processing of step S44, and the first special symbol display when it is performed after the processing of step S46. This is performed using the symbol display 41.

  When the CPU 101 starts measuring the variation time by the process of step S51 or determines that the variation of the special symbol is being displayed (step S42: YES), the CPU 101 performs the variation of step S48 from the measurement start of the variation time in step S51. It is determined whether or not the variation time corresponding to the variation pattern set in the pattern selection process has elapsed (step S52). If the CPU 101 determines that the variation time has not elapsed (step S52: NO), the special symbol process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the normal symbol process in step S5 of FIG.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the variation time has elapsed (step S52: YES), the CPU 101 sets a variation stop command for instructing the liquid crystal display 5 to end the variation display of the decorative symbol in the RAM 103 (step S53). The special symbol variation display started in the process of S50 is terminated (step S54), and the measured variation time is reset (step S55). Note that the change stop command set in the process of step S53 is transmitted to the effect control unit 130 by the output process in step S9 of FIG.

  After resetting the variation time, the CPU 101 changes the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the result of the jackpot determination process in step S47, or determines that the jackpot control unit 116 receives the jackpot 23 when it is determined to be a jackpot. A stop process such as starting the opening / closing control is executed (step S56).

[Production control processing by production control unit 130]
Hereinafter, the effect control process performed by the effect control unit 130 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16. Here, FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the effect control process performed by the effect control unit 130. 15 and 16 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the notice effect by the EL display 6. Note that the processing performed by the effect control unit 130 described based on the flowcharts of FIG. 14 and subsequent drawings is performed according to a command issued by the CPU 131 based on a program stored in the ROM 132.

  The CPU 131 of the effect control unit 130 determines whether or not an effect accompanied by a variable display of decorative symbols on the liquid crystal display 5 is being executed based on information related to the effect acquired from the image sound control unit 140 (step S101). ). When the CPU 131 determines that the effect with the variation display of the decorative symbol is not being executed (S101: NO), the CPU 131 determines whether or not the variation start command set in the process of step S49 in FIG. Step S102).

  If the CPU 131 determines that a variation start command has been received (step S102: YES), it analyzes the variation start command (step S103) and sets variation pattern setting information (symbol, variation pattern, etc.) included in the variation start command. ) To determine the production pattern (step S104). By performing the process of step S104, the decorative pattern variation pattern displayed on the liquid crystal screen 50, the operation pattern and light emission pattern of the movable accessory 7, the light emission pattern of the panel lamp 8 and the frame lamp 36, and the output from the speaker 35 are output. The output pattern of the voice to be played, whether or not to perform a notice effect for notifying the operation by the EL display 6 before the movable accessory 7 is operated, The content of the game effect such as whether to display one effect image is determined. The CPU 131 functioning as a determination unit determines whether or not to perform an effect using the movable accessory 7 by executing the process of step S104.

  By the way, the effect pattern determined in the process of step S104 arranges the EL display 6 in front of the movable accessory 7 and displays the first effect image (hereinafter referred to as “sub image”) on the EL screen 60. In the case of indicating execution of the notice effect, two-screen display by the liquid crystal screen 50 and the EL screen 60 is required. That is, it is necessary to display the sub image on the EL screen 60 while displaying the second effect image (hereinafter referred to as “main image”) on the liquid crystal screen 50. For this reason, CPU131 which determined the production | presentation pattern determines whether the notification effect of the movable accessory 7 by the EL display 6 is performed based on the production | presentation pattern determined by the process of step S104 (step S105).

  If it is determined that the notice effect is to be executed (step S105: YES), the CPU 131 generates setting information for two-screen display and sets it in the RAM 133 (step S106). As for the setting information here, the CPU 141 of the image sound control unit 140 determines that the two-screen display by the liquid crystal screen 50 and the EL screen 60 is necessary, and further the main image and the sub image to be displayed on the liquid crystal screen 50 and the EL screen 60. This is information for specifying the content of the image. When the CPU 131 performs the process of step S106 or determines not to execute the notice effect (step S105: NO), the CPU 131 performs the operation on the liquid crystal display 5 based on the setting information of the variation pattern received from the game control unit 100. A variation effect start command is transmitted to the image sound control unit 140 to instruct the start of the decorative symbol variation display and the start of the effect corresponding to the effect pattern determined in the process of step S104 (step S107). At this time, if the CPU 131 sets the setting information for the two-screen display in the RAM 133 by the process of step S106, the CPU 131 transmits a change effect start command including the setting information. On the other hand, when the setting information is not set, a variable effect start command not including the setting information is transmitted.

  After transmitting the change effect start command, the CPU 131 generates lamp setting information for the lamp control unit 150 to specify the light emission pattern of the panel lamp 8 and the frame lamp 36 based on the effect pattern determined in the process of step S104. Then, it is set in the RAM 133 (step S108). Then, the CPU 131 causes the lamp control unit 150 to operate the movable accessory 7 in accordance with the variation display of the decorative design on the liquid crystal screen 50 by the image sound control unit 140 based on the effect pattern determined in the process of step S104. It is determined whether or not (step S109). When it is determined that the movable accessory 7 is to be operated (step S109: YES), the lamp control unit 150 specifies the operation pattern and the light emission pattern of the movable accessory 7 based on the effect pattern determined in the process of step S104. Is generated and set in the RAM 133 (step S110).

  When the process of step S110 is performed, the CPU 131 determines whether or not to execute the advance notice effect of the movable accessory 7 by the EL display 6, similarly to the process of step S105, based on the effect pattern determined in the process of step S104. Is determined (step S111). When it is determined that the notice effect is to be executed (step S111: YES), the CPU 131 generates setting information for the EL display 6 necessary for the lamp control unit 150 to control the position of the EL display 6, and sets it in the RAM 133. (Step S112). Specifically, the setting information here is an EL display such as an operation timing of the EL display 6, a target position for moving the EL display 6, and a timing for returning the EL display 6 from the target position to a predetermined initial position. 6 is an information showing an operation pattern 6. Note that the target position is the position of the EL display 6 where at least a part of the movable accessory 7 (in this embodiment, the tip of the movable accessory 7) can be visually recognized through the EL screen 60. FIG. 15B and FIG. 16B, which will be described later, show a state where the EL display 6 is arranged at the target position.

  When the setting information is set in the process of step S112, when it is determined that the movable accessory 7 is not operated (step S109: NO), or when it is determined that the notice effect is not executed (step S111: NO), the CPU 131 A lamp control command for instructing start of an effect corresponding to the effect pattern determined in the process of step S104 is transmitted to the lamp controller 150 (step S113). At that time, the CPU 131 transmits a lamp control command including the setting information set in the RAM 133 in the process of step S108, the process of step S110, or the process of step S112.

  As will be described in detail later, the lamp control unit 150 that has received the lamp control command transmitted in step S113 includes the setting information of the movable accessory 7 and the setting information of the EL display 6 in the lamp control command. In this case, after the EL display 6 is moved to the target position (see FIGS. 15B and 16B) with the operation pattern indicated by the setting information of the EL display 6, the setting information of the movable accessory 7 indicates. The drive of the first stepping motor 29 and the second stepping motor 30 is controlled so as to return the EL display 6 to the initial position while operating the movable accessory 7 with the operation pattern and the light emission pattern.

  As will be described in detail later, the image sound control unit 140 that has received the variation effect start command transmitted in the process of step S107 uses only the liquid crystal screen 50 when the setting information is not included in the variation effect start command. Execute the one-screen display. On the other hand, when the setting information is included in the change effect start command, the image sound control unit 140 performs two-screen display using the liquid crystal screen 50 and the EL screen 60.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, the notice effect of the movable accessory 7 is realized by the position control of the EL display 6 by the lamp control unit 150 and the display control of the EL screen 60 by the image sound control unit 140.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of the notice effect produced by the EL display 6 when the operation of the movable accessory 7 such as stopping the rotated movable accessory 7 is determined in the process of step S104. ing. First, prior to the operation of the movable accessory 7, EL display by the lamp control unit 150 is performed so that the EL display 6 moves from the initial position (see FIG. 15A) to the target position (see FIG. 15B). The position of the device 6 is controlled. Then, when the EL display 6 moves to the target position, display control is performed by the image acoustic control unit 140 such as displaying a sub-image for a notice effect on the EL screen 60 (see FIG. 15B). In FIG. 15B, in order to suggest that the movable character 7 stops halfway and the enemy character on the liquid crystal screen 50 escapes without being damaged, the movable character 7 imitating a sword rains. A sub image (animation) showing a state of falling is displayed on the EL screen 60. After such display control is performed, the movable accessory 7 starts operating, and position control for returning the EL display 6 to the initial position is performed by the lamp control unit 150 (FIG. 15B and FIG. (See (C)). Such a notice effect that is performed before the operation of the movable accessory 7 is performed, for example, when the result of the special symbol lottery is lost, although the advance effect is developed to reach.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of a notice effect produced by the EL display 6 when the operation of the movable accessory 7 such as rotating the movable accessory 7 to the end is determined in the process of step S104. . First, prior to the operation of the movable accessory 7, the EL display 6 displays an EL display so that the EL display 6 moves from the initial position (see FIG. 16A) to the target position (see FIG. 16B). The position of the device 6 is controlled. Then, when the EL display 6 moves to the target position, display control is performed by the image sound control unit 140 such as displaying a sub-image for a notice effect on the EL screen 60 (see FIG. 16B). In FIG. 16B, in order to suggest that the movable accessory 7 rotates to the end and the enemy character on the liquid crystal screen 50 is damaged and defeated, a lightning strikes the movable accessory 7. A sub image (animation) showing a state where sufficient energy is stored is displayed on the EL screen 60. After such display control is performed, the movable accessory 7 starts to operate, and the position control for returning the EL display 6 to the initial position is performed by the lamp control unit 150 (FIG. 16B and FIG. 16). (See (C)). Such a notice effect performed before the operation of the movable accessory 7 is performed, for example, when the result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 131 determines that an effect with a variation display of the decorative symbol is being executed (step S101: YES), it is determined whether or not the variation stop command set in the process of step S53 of FIG. 13 has been received. Determination is made (step S115). When the CPU 131 determines that the change stop command has been received (step S115: YES), the CPU 131 causes the liquid crystal display 5 to stop display the decorative symbol indicating the result of the special symbol lottery and is started in accordance with the processing of step S107. The image sound control unit 140 ends the effect, and the effect started in response to the process in step S113 is ended in the lamp control unit 150 (step S116). When the process of step S116 is performed, when it is determined that the fluctuation stop command is not received (step S115: NO), or when it is determined that the fluctuation start command is not received (step S102: NO) ), A series of effect control processing ends, and the processing returns to step S101.

[Drive control processing by lamp control unit 150]
Hereinafter, the drive control process performed by the lamp controller 150 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a drive control process performed by the lamp control unit 150. Note that the processing performed by the lamp control unit 150 described based on the flowchart of FIG. 17 is performed according to a command issued by the CPU 151 based on a program stored in the ROM 152.

  The CPU 151 of the lamp control unit 150 determines whether or not the lamp control command transmitted from the effect control unit 130 in the process of step S113 described above has been received (step S201). If the CPU 151 determines that the lamp control command has not been received (step S201: NO), the process returns to step S201.

  When it is determined that the lamp control command has been received (step S201: YES), the CPU 151 starts the lamp emission control (step S202). Specifically, the light emission pattern data corresponding to the lamp setting information included in the lamp control command is read from the ROM 152, and the light emission control of the panel lamp 8 and the frame lamp 36 based on the light emission pattern data is started.

  Following the process of step S202, the CPU 151 determines whether or not there has been an operation instruction for the movable accessory 7 (step S203). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the setting information of the movable accessory 7 is included in the lamp control command. If the CPU 151 determines that an operation instruction for the movable accessory 7 has been received (step S203: YES), that is, if the lamp control command includes setting information for the movable accessory 7, the CPU 151 displays a notice effect by the EL display 6. It is determined whether or not execution has been instructed (step S204). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the lamp control command includes setting information for the EL display 6.

  If the CPU 151 determines that execution of the notice effect has been instructed (step S204: YES), the CPU 151 executes drive control of the EL display 6 (step S205). Specifically, the setting information of the EL display 6 is extracted from the lamp control command, and the EL display 6 is moved from the initial position to the target position for performing the notice effect based on the setting information. The first stepping motor 29 and the second stepping motor 30 are driven. By performing the process of step S205, the EL display 6 moves from the initial position toward the target position.

  Subsequent to the processing of step S205, the CPU 151 passes a part of the movable accessory 7 through the EL screen 60 based on the number of steps of the first stepping motor 29 and the second stepping motor 30 (in this embodiment, the movable accessory 7 It is determined whether or not the EL display 6 has moved to a position where the tip of the sword can be visually recognized (step S206). If the CPU 151 determines that the EL display 6 has not moved to a position where a part of the movable accessory 7 can be visually recognized (step S206: NO), the process returns to step S205. That is, the drive control in step S205 is performed until the EL display 6 moves to a position where a part of the movable accessory 7 can be visually recognized. As a result, the EL display 6 is arranged at the target position.

  If the CPU 151 determines that the EL display 6 has moved to a position (target position) where a part of the movable accessory 7 can be visually recognized through the EL screen 60 (step S206: YES), or the execution of the notice effect is instructed. If it is determined that there is not (step S204: NO), it is determined based on the setting information of the movable accessory 7 extracted from the lamp control command whether or not it is time to start the operation of the movable accessory 7 (step S207). ). If the CPU 151 determines that it is not time to start the operation of the movable accessory 7 (step S207: NO), the process returns to step S207. As a result, the EL display 6 is arranged at the target position until the timing for starting the operation of the movable accessory 7 and the notice effect by the image sound control unit 140 is performed.

  When the CPU 151 determines that it is time to start the operation of the movable accessory 7 (step S207: YES), the CPU 151 starts control of the movable accessory 7 (step S208). Specifically, the operation pattern data and light emission pattern data of the movable accessory 7 corresponding to the setting information of the movable accessory 7 are read from the ROM 152, the operation control of the movable accessory 7 based on the operation pattern data, and the light emission thereof. The light emission control of the movable accessory 7 based on the pattern data is started. Thereby, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the movable accessory 7 rotates.

  After starting the control of the movable accessory 7 by the process of step S208, the CPU 151 determines whether or not the EL display 6 is located at the initial position based on the number of steps of the first stepping motor 29 and the second stepping motor 30. Is determined (step S209). When the CPU 151 determines that the EL display 6 is not located at the initial position (step S209: NO), the CPU 151 controls the driving of the first stepping motor 29 and the second stepping motor 30 to initialize the EL display 6 to the initial state. Move to position (step S210).

  When the process of step S210 is performed, when it is determined that the EL display 6 is located at the initial position (step S209: YES), or when it is determined that there is no operation instruction for the movable accessory 7 (Step S203: NO), a series of drive control processing ends.

  As described above, when the CPU 151 functioning as the drive control unit determines that the effect using the movable accessory 7 is performed based on the reception of the setting information of the movable accessory 7 from the effect control unit 130, the step is performed. Before starting the operation of the movable accessory 7 by the process of S208, the process of step S205 is performed for the notice effect to move the EL display 6 to the target position (see, for example, FIGS. 16B and 16C). ).

  By the way, when the change effect start command including the setting information of the two-screen display is transmitted from the effect control unit 130 in the process of step S107 of FIG. 14 described above, the main image displayed on the liquid crystal screen 50 and the EL image 60 are displayed. The drawing processing of two images of the sub image to be performed is required. On the other hand, the first frame buffer 1426A and the second frame buffer 1426B of the VRAM_FB 1426 (see FIG. 10) both have pixel data of 720 dots in the vertical direction 11 and 960 dots in the horizontal direction 12 in this embodiment. It has a memory area that can be stored (see FIG. 20A). In contrast, the main image displayed on the liquid crystal screen 50 is composed of pixel data of 600 dots in the vertical direction 11 and 800 dots in the horizontal direction 12 (see FIG. 20A). For this reason, when an image is displayed only on the liquid crystal screen 50 without displaying an image on the EL screen 60, the drawing process can be performed without any problem. However, the sub image displayed on the EL screen 60 is composed of pixel data of 240 dots in the vertical direction 11 and 320 dots in the horizontal direction 12 (see FIG. 20C), and the main image and the sub image are drawn side by side. In this case, since the number of pixels in the vertical direction 11 or the horizontal direction 12 exceeds the number of pixels of pixel data that can be stored in the first frame buffer 1426A, the main image and the sub image are drawn together in the first frame buffer 1426A. It is impossible to do. The same applies to the case where the main image and the sub image are drawn in the second frame buffer 1426B. Therefore, the VDP 142 according to the present embodiment draws the sub image divided into a plurality of areas in the empty area (see FIG. 20B) created after the main image is drawn in the first frame buffer 1426A. The main image and the sub image can be drawn together in the first frame buffer 1426A (or the second frame buffer 1426B). Hereinafter, a process performed by the image sound control unit 140 in order to realize such a drawing process will be described in detail. In the following description, the case where the drawing process is performed using the first frame buffer 1426A will be described as an example, but the same process is performed when the drawing process is performed using the second frame buffer 1426B. Is called.

[Setting of divided image size and number of divisions by image acoustic control unit 140]
In the first frame buffer 1426A and the second frame buffer 1426B, when the main image is drawn, an empty area that is not used for the drawing process is generated (see FIG. 19D). The sub image is drawn in this empty area, but if it cannot be drawn as it is in the empty area, it is drawn in the empty area as a divided image divided into a plurality of areas. The process of drawing the sub-image as a divided image is performed based on a preset divided image size SS and division number SN.

  Hereinafter, the process of setting the divided image size SS and the division number SN will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a setting process performed by the image sound control unit 140. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the main image size, the sub image size, the frame buffer size, and the size of the empty area. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram for describing a setting process performed by the image sound control unit 140. Note that the processing performed by the image sound control unit 140 described based on the flowcharts of FIG. 18 and the subsequent steps is performed according to a command issued by the CPU 141 based on a program stored in the control ROM 144 (see FIG. 9).

  For example, when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, or when switching from a one-screen display using the liquid crystal display 5 to a two-screen display using the liquid crystal display 5 and the EL display 6, the divided image size A setting instruction command for instructing setting processing of the SS and the number of divisions SN is transmitted from the effect control unit 130 to the image sound control unit 140. On the other hand, the CPU 141 of the image sound control unit 140 determines whether a setting instruction command has been received (step S301). If the CPU 141 determines that the setting instruction command has not been received (step S301: NO), the process returns to step S301.

  When it is determined that the setting instruction command has been received (step S301: YES), the CPU 141 acquires the main image size, the sub image size, and the frame buffer (FB) size (step S302). Specifically, the frame buffer sizes of the first frame buffer 1426A and the second frame buffer 1426B are acquired from the VDP 142 and stored in the RAM 145, and the screen resolution of the liquid crystal screen 50 and the screen resolution of the EL screen 60 are set to the main image size and The sub image size is acquired from the liquid crystal display 5 and the EL display 6 via the VDP 142 and stored in the RAM 145. Here, as shown in FIG. 19A, the frame buffer size includes the number of pixels L1 in the vertical direction 11 and the horizontal direction 12 of the pixel data that can be stored in the first frame buffer 1426A (or the second frame buffer 1426B). In this embodiment, the information is 720 × 960 (vertical pixel number L1 × horizontal pixel number C1) (see FIG. 20A). As shown in FIG. 19B, the main image size is information indicating the number of pixels L2 in the vertical direction 11 and the number of pixels C2 in the horizontal direction 12 of the pixel data constituting the main image. In this embodiment, the resolution is equal to 600 × 800 (vertical pixel number L2 × horizontal pixel number C2) (see FIG. 20A). As shown in FIG. 19C, the sub image size is information indicating the number of pixels L3 in the vertical direction 11 and the number of pixels C3 in the horizontal direction 12 of the pixel data constituting the sub image. It is equal to the resolution and is 240 × 320 (vertical pixel number L3 × horizontal pixel number C3) in this embodiment (see FIG. 20C).

Next, the CPU 141 calculates the size of the free area that occurs after the main image is drawn in the first frame buffer 1426A based on the acquired main image size and frame buffer size (step S303). Specifically, by using the following arithmetic expression, the minimum vertical pixel number L4 (see FIG. 19D) and the minimum horizontal pixel number C4 (see FIG. 19D) of the pixel data that can be drawn in the empty area. Is calculated.
Minimum vertical pixel number L4 = vertical pixel number L1-vertical pixel number L2
Minimum horizontal pixel number C4 = horizontal pixel number C1−horizontal pixel number C2
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, since the vertical pixel number L1 is “720” and the vertical pixel number L2 is “600”, “120” is calculated as the minimum vertical pixel number L4, and the horizontal Since the pixel number C1 is “960” and the horizontal pixel number C2 is “800”, “160” is calculated as the minimum horizontal pixel number C4 (see FIG. 20B).

Subsequently, the CPU 141 calculates the total number ST of pixel data constituting the sub-image and the total number VT of pixel data that can be drawn in the empty area using the following arithmetic expression, and determines whether the total number ST is less than the total number VT. Is determined (step S304).
Total number ST = vertical pixel number L3 × horizontal pixel number C3
Total number VT = vertical pixel number L4 × horizontal pixel number C1 + horizontal pixel number C4 × (vertical pixel number L1−vertical pixel number L4)
Here, the vertical pixel number L3 is the number of pixels in the vertical direction 11 of the pixel data constituting the sub-image, and the horizontal pixel number C3 is the number of pixels in the horizontal direction 12 of the pixel data constituting the sub-image. After calculating the total number ST and the total number VT, the CPU 141 determines whether or not the total number ST is smaller than the total number VT. If the total number ST is less than the total number VT, it can be determined that the sub-image can be drawn in the first frame buffer 1426A as it is or divided. On the other hand, if the total number ST is larger than the total number VT, it can be determined that even if the sub-image is divided, it cannot be drawn in the first frame buffer 1426A as it is.

  When determining that the total number ST is less than the total number VT (step S304: YES), the CPU 141 functioning as the division determination unit determines whether or not the sub image needs to be divided in order to draw the sub image in the empty area. Determination is made (step S305). Specifically, the number of vertical pixels L3 (see FIG. 19C) of the pixel data constituting the sub image is smaller than the minimum number of vertical pixels L4 (see FIG. 19D) of the empty area, or the sub image. Whether or not the horizontal pixel count C3 (see FIG. 19C) of the pixel data constituting the pixel data satisfies the condition of at least one of the minimum free horizontal pixel count C4 (see FIG. 19D). Determine. Here, if the number of vertical pixels L3 is smaller than the minimum number of vertical pixels L4 or the number of horizontal pixels C3 is smaller than the minimum number of horizontal pixels C4, it is possible to draw the sub-image in an empty area without dividing it. It can be determined that there is. On the other hand, when the vertical pixel number L3 is larger than the minimum vertical pixel number L4 and the horizontal pixel number C3 is larger than the minimum horizontal pixel number C4, the sub image cannot be drawn as it is in the empty area, so the sub image is divided and drawn. It can be determined that it is necessary. As described above, the CPU 141 determines the necessity of dividing the sub image based on the size of the empty area and the sub image size.

  When the CPU 141 determines that the division is unnecessary (step S305: NO), the CPU 141 sets the division number SN to “0” (step S306). Here, the division number SN is information indicating the number of divided images drawn in the empty area. In other words, the division number SN is information indicating the number of divided images constituting the sub image. The division number SN set in step S6 is stored in the RAM 145 as setting information. This setting information is included in the control signal output to the VDP 142 and sent to the VDP 142. As will be described in detail later, when the division number SN is set to “0”, the divided image is not drawn in the empty area, and the sub image is drawn as it is.

When the CPU 141 functioning as a calculation unit determines that the division is necessary (step S305: YES), the CPU 141 calculates the divided image size SS and the division number SN based on the free area size and the sub image size (step S307). . Here, the divided image size SS is information indicating the size (number of vertical pixels and number of horizontal pixels) of one divided image when the sub-image is divided into the number of divided images indicated by the number of divisions SN. . In step S307, the divided image size SS (the number of vertical pixels SSL of the divided image and the number of horizontal pixels SSC of the divided image) and the number of division SN are calculated using the following arithmetic expressions.
The number of vertical pixels of the divided image SSL = the minimum number of vertical pixels L4
The number of horizontal pixels SSC of the divided image = the minimum number of horizontal pixels C4
Number of divisions SN = (vertical pixel number L3 / minimum vertical pixel number L4) × (horizontal pixel number C3 / minimum horizontal pixel number C4)
As shown in FIGS. 20B and 20C, in this embodiment, “120” is calculated as the minimum vertical pixel number L4, and “160” is calculated as the minimum horizontal pixel number C4. Therefore, the divided image size SS here is 120 × 160 (vertical pixel number SSL × horizontal pixel number SSC). The division number SN is calculated as “4” by (240/120) × (320/160).

  After calculating the divided image size SS and the division number SN, the CPU 141 stores the calculated divided image size SS and the division number SN in the RAM 145 as setting information (step S308). This setting information is included in the control signal output to the VDP 142 and sent to the VDP 142. When the setting process in step S306 is performed instead of the setting process in step S308, the divided image size SS is not calculated because it is not necessary to divide the sub-image, and the division number SN is set as “setting information”. Only information indicating “0” is sent to the VDP 142.

  Here, the relationship between the divided image size SS and the free area size when the divided image size SS and the number of divisions SN are changed will be described with reference to FIG. When the division number SN is set to “0” for the sub-image having the vertical pixel number L3 of “240” and the horizontal pixel number C3 of “320” (when the process of step S306 is performed). As apparent from FIGS. 20B and 20C, since the number of vertical pixels L3 exceeds the minimum number of vertical pixels L4 and the number of horizontal pixels C3 exceeds the minimum number of horizontal pixels C4, the first frame A sub-image cannot be drawn as it is in the empty area of the buffer 1426A.

  Further, if the division number SN is set to “2”, the first sub-image is drawn in the empty area as two divided images having a vertical pixel number of “240” and a horizontal pixel number of “160”. And a second method of drawing the sub-image in the empty area as two divided images with the vertical pixel number “120” and the horizontal pixel number “320” (middle of FIG. 20C). (Refer to the figure below.) However, when drawing a sub-image with the first method, it is possible to draw two divided images in a region (see FIG. 20B) extending in the vertical direction 11 in the empty region. However, a divided image cannot be drawn in an area extending in the horizontal direction 12 in the empty area. This is because the number of vertical pixels “240” of the divided image exceeds the minimum number of vertical pixels L4 (= 120) in the empty area. Also, when considering sub-image drawing by the second method, it is possible to draw two divided images in an area (see FIG. 20B) extending in the horizontal direction 12 in the empty area. However, it is impossible to draw two divided images in an area extending in the vertical direction 11 in the empty area. This is because the horizontal pixel number “320” of the divided image exceeds the minimum horizontal pixel number C4 (= 160) of the empty area. As described above, when the number of divisions SN is set to “2” when the sub image illustrated in the present embodiment is drawn as a divided image in the empty area, the divided image cannot be drawn in the empty area depending on the position where the divided image is drawn. Cases can arise.

  On the other hand, when the number of divisions SN is set to “4” as described above, the vertical pixel number SSL is an empty area as is apparent from the diagrams on the right side of FIGS. 20B and 20C. Is set to “120” which is the same as the minimum vertical pixel number L4, and the horizontal pixel number SSC is set to “160” which is the same as the minimum horizontal pixel number C4 of the empty area. Then, four divided images of this divided image size SS are drawn in the empty area. In this case, each divided image can be drawn in either the area extending in the vertical direction 11 or the area extending in the horizontal direction 12 in the empty area. Therefore, unlike the case where the division number SN is set to “2”, there is no case where the divided image cannot be drawn in the empty area depending on the position where the divided image is drawn. As described above, the number of divisions SN and the divided image size SS are set to appropriate values so that the divided images can be surely fit in the empty area regardless of the arrangement of the divided images drawn in the empty area.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 141 determines in step S304 that the total number ST is larger than the total number VT (step S304: NO), even if the sub-image is divided, all pixel data constituting the sub-image is drawn in the empty area. It is impossible to do. Therefore, if the CPU 141 determines that the total number ST is larger than the total number VT (step S304: NO), the CPU 141 calculates a reduction ratio (step S309), and stores the calculated reduction ratio in the RAM 145 as setting information (step S309). S310). Then, the process proceeds to steps S307 and S308, and the divided image size SS and the division number SN are set.

  Here, a method for setting the reduction ratio will be described. For example, when the reduction ratio is set to “0.5” in step S309, the sub-image (the left side of FIG. 20C) has the vertical pixel number L3 of “240” and the horizontal pixel number C3 of “320”. As a sub-image having the vertical pixel number L3 of “120” (= 240 × 0.5) and the horizontal pixel number C3 of “160” (= 320 × 0.5), the steps S307 and S308 are performed. Processing is performed. In this case, in the rendering process, a sub image in which the number of pixels in the vertical direction 11 and the horizontal direction 12 is halved is generated on the VRAM_RS 1425, and the sub image is a divided image based on the divided image size SS and the division number SN. Are drawn in the empty area of the first frame buffer 1426A. These divided images are output to the EL display 6 after scaling processing (enlargement processing) for doubling the number of pixels in the vertical direction 11 and the horizontal direction 12 is performed by the drawing engine 1424. Thereby, even if it is divided, it becomes possible to draw a sub-image that cannot be drawn in the empty area in the empty area. Therefore, in a gaming machine equipped with an image display having a large screen resolution with respect to the free space size, the problem that conventional drawing processing cannot display an image on the image display is a problem with the divided image size SS and the divided number SN. This can be solved by setting a reduction ratio in addition to.

  Note that the reduction magnification is such that, for example, the total number of sub-images after reduction (= the number of vertical pixels × the number of horizontal pixels) is less than or equal to the total number VT of pixel data that can be drawn in a free area (preferably smaller than the total number VT by a predetermined number or more) Value). This makes it possible to draw the sub image as a divided image in the empty area. However, if the reduction ratio is too small, the image quality of the image displayed on the EL display 6 as a result of the scaling process may be deteriorated. Therefore, the reduction ratio is set so that the total number of pixels of the sub-image after reduction is the total number VT. It is preferable to set the value as large as possible within a range not exceeding.

  When the setting process based on the flowchart of FIG. 18 described above is performed, information indicating whether or not the sub image needs to be reduced when the main image and the sub image are drawn in the first frame buffer 1426A, and the case where the reduction is necessary Is set with a reduction ratio, information indicating whether or not sub-image division is necessary, and a division image size SS and a division number SN (when the division number SN = 0, only the division number SN) is set. Information is stored in the RAM 145 as information. Drawing processing for two-screen display by the drawing engine 1424 described later is executed based on this setting information.

  When executing a one-screen display using only the liquid crystal display 5, the CPU 141 outputs a control signal that does not include the setting information stored in the RAM 145 by the setting process to the VDP 142. As a result, only the main image is drawn on the VRAM_FB 1426, and a one-screen display using only the liquid crystal display 5 is performed. On the other hand, when executing two-screen display using the liquid crystal display 5 and the EL display 6, the CPU 141 outputs a control signal including setting information to the VDP 142. As a result, the main image and the sub image are drawn on the VRAM_FB 1426, and the two-screen display using the liquid crystal display 5 and the EL display 6 is performed. In this way, the CPU 141 can appropriately perform the drawing process by switching and outputting the control signal not including the setting information and the control signal including the setting information. Further, by performing the setting process, for example, even when the screen resolution of the EL screen 60, that is, the sub image size changes due to reuse of the EL display 6, the first frame buffer 1426A or the second frame buffer 1426B has a free space. It is possible to appropriately draw the sub-image.

[Display Control Processing by Image Sound Control Unit 140]
Next, display control processing performed by the image sound control unit 140 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of display control processing performed by the CPU 141 of the image sound control unit 140. Note that the processing performed by the image sound control unit 140 described based on the flowcharts of FIG. 21 and subsequent figures is performed according to a command issued by the CPU 141 based on a program stored in the control ROM 144 (see FIG. 9).

  The CPU 141 of the image sound control unit 140 determines whether or not the variable effect start command transmitted from the effect control unit 130 by the process of step S107 in FIG. 14 has been received (step S401). If the CPU 141 determines that the variation effect start command has not been received (step S401: NO), the process returns to step S401.

  When determining that the variable effect start command has been received (step S401: YES), the CPU 141 determines whether or not the EL display 6 has been instructed to execute the advance effect of the movable accessory 7 (step S402). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the received change effect start command includes setting information for two-screen display. If the CPU 141 determines that the execution of the notice effect is not instructed (step S402: NO), that is, if the change effect start command does not include the setting information for the two-screen display, only the main image is drawn. One screen display to be output to the liquid crystal display 5 is instructed to the VDP 142 (step S403). Specifically, a control signal that does not include setting information related to the division generated by the setting process of FIG. 18 is output to the VDP 142.

  When the process of step S403 is performed, since the lamp control command not including the setting information of the EL display 6 is transmitted from the effect control unit 130 to the lamp control unit 150, the EL display 6 does not move. In addition, the image display on the EL screen 60 is not performed.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 141 determines that execution of the notice effect is instructed (step S402: YES), that is, if the change effect start command includes the setting information for the two-screen display, the 2 received from the effect control unit 130 is received. Based on the screen display setting information, the contents of the sub image to be displayed on the EL screen 60 for the notice effect, the display start timing of the sub image, and the display end timing of the sub image are set, and the setting information is stored in the RAM 145. Store (step S404). Then, the CPU 141 sets (stores) setting information for division obtained by the setting process described above based on FIG. 18 in the RAM 145 (step S405).

  After performing the process of step S405, the CPU 141 instructs the VDP 142 to display a two-screen display that draws the main image and the sub-image and outputs them to the liquid crystal display 5 and the EL display 6 (step S406). Specifically, a control signal including two pieces of setting information set in the RAM 145 in the processes of steps S404 and S405 is output to the VDP 142.

  When the process of step S406 is performed, since the lamp control command including the setting information of the EL display 6 is transmitted from the effect control unit 130 to the lamp control unit 150, the EL display 6 moves to the target position. Then, the display of the sub image on the EL screen 60 is started at the timing of the target position (the display start timing), and the sub image is displayed at the operation start timing of the movable accessory 7 (the display end timing). After the end (the notice effect is finished), the screen is switched to the single screen display using only the liquid crystal screen 50.

  Thus, the image sound control unit 140 operates the movable accessory 7 when the lamp control unit 150 places the EL display 6 at a position where the tip of the movable accessory 7 can be visually recognized through the EL screen 60. Is displayed on the EL screen 60.

[Drawing process by VDP142]
Hereinafter, the drawing process performed by the VDP 142 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a drawing process performed by the VDP 142. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram for describing a drawing process performed by the VDP 142 when one-screen display using the liquid crystal screen 50 is performed. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram for describing a drawing process performed by the VDP 142 when the division number SN is set to “0”. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram for describing a drawing process performed by the VDP 142 when the division number SN is set to “4”. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram for describing divided image output processing by the output circuit 1427. In the following description, the case where the drawing process is performed using the first frame buffer 1426A will be described as an example. However, the drawing process using the second frame buffer 1426B is also the drawing process using the first frame buffer 1426A. Done in the same way.

  When a control signal from the CPU 141 is input to the VDP 142, the following series of drawing processing is repeatedly executed. That is, the drawing engine 1424 selects a frame buffer to be used for the drawing process as shown in FIG. 22 (step S501). Specifically, among the first frame buffer 1426A and the second frame buffer 1426B, the frame buffer that outputs the image to the liquid crystal display 5 is specified, and the frame buffer that does not output the image is selected as the current frame buffer. Select a frame buffer to be used for frame rendering.

  For example, when the first frame buffer 1426A is selected in step S501, the drawing engine 1424 draws the main image displayed on the liquid crystal display 5 in the first frame buffer 1426A (step S502). For example, a first image indicating a decorative design and a character, a second image as a background image indicating a background such as a decorative design, and a third image as a character image are read from the image ROM 148 to the VRAM_RS 1425 and these images are read out. The main image, which is an image obtained by combining the images, is drawn in the first frame buffer 1426A (see FIG. 23).

  Subsequently, the rendering engine 1424 is instructed to execute the two-screen display based on whether or not the control signal input from the CPU 141 includes the setting information regarding the sub-image division and the setting information for the two-screen display. It is determined whether or not (step S503). If the drawing engine 1424 determines that execution of one-screen display has been instructed because the control signal does not include two pieces of setting information (step S503: NO), the drawing engine 1424 stores the previous information stored in the second frame buffer 1426B. It is determined whether or not the processing for displaying the main image of the frame has been completed and it is time to display the main image of the next frame drawn in the first frame buffer 1426A in the processing of step S502 (step S504). If it is determined that the display timing has not come (step S504: NO), the process returns to step S504. When the drawing engine 1424 determines that the display timing has come, the output circuit 1427 reads the main image from the first frame buffer 1426A and outputs it to the liquid crystal display 5 as shown in FIG. Step S505).

  On the other hand, when the drawing engine 1424 determines that the setting information is included in the control signal and the execution of the two-screen display is instructed (step S503: YES), the drawing engine 1424 responds to the setting information generated in the process of step S404. A sub-image is generated (step S506). Specifically, the content of the image to be displayed as the sub image is determined based on the setting information. Depending on the determination result, for example, whether to display the sub-image exemplified in FIG. 15B or the sub-image exemplified in FIG. 16B is determined. When the content of the sub-image is determined, the drawing engine 1424 reads material data for generating the sub-image from the image ROM 148 to the VRAM_RS 1425, and synthesizes the read material data on the VRAM_RS 1425 to generate a sub-image. 24 and 25 illustrate 240 × 320 (vertical pixel number × horizontal pixel number) sub-images generated in this way.

  After generating the sub-image by performing the process of step S506, the rendering engine 1424 includes information indicating the reduction ratio set by the process of step S310 (see FIG. 18) as the setting information in the control signal output from the CPU 141. Whether or not the reduction ratio is set is determined based on whether or not it is set (step S507). If the drawing engine 1424 determines that the reduction ratio has been set (step S507: YES), the drawing engine 1424 reduces the sub-image generated in step S506 based on the information indicating the reduction ratio extracted from the control signal. Processing is performed (step S508). For example, when the reduction ratio is set to “0.5”, the rendering engine 1424 determines that the vertical pixel number L3 is “240” from the sub-image having the vertical pixel number L3 of “480” and the horizontal pixel number C3 of “640”. (= 480 × 0.5) and the horizontal pixel number C3 is “320” (= 640 × 0.5). As a result, even if it is divided, it is possible to draw a sub-image that could not be drawn in the empty area.

  When the drawing engine 1424 performs the process of step S508 or determines that the reduction ratio is not set (step S507: NO), the division number SN included in the control signal output from the CPU 141 is “ It is determined whether it is “0” (step S509). If it is determined that the number of divisions SN is “0” (step S509: YES), the sub image in the VRAM_RS 1425 can be drawn in the empty area of the first frame buffer 1426A without being divided, and thus the sub image is left as it is. Drawing is performed in an empty area (step S510). Specifically, the sub image generated in the VRAM_RS 1425 in the process of step S506 is directly drawn in the empty area of the first frame buffer 1426A. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 18, in the present embodiment, when the reduction ratio is set by the process of step S310, the division number SN is set to a value other than “0”. Is never done.

  As described above, when the CPU 141 determines in advance that the division is unnecessary, the drawing engine 1424 does not divide the sub-image into the empty area in the first frame buffer 1426A formed by drawing the main image. draw.

  FIG. 24 shows an example in which the sub image is drawn in the empty area of the first frame buffer 1426A without being divided. As illustrated in FIG. 24, unlike the example described above for the main image having the vertical pixel number L2 of “600” and the horizontal pixel number C2 of “800”, the vertical pixel number L1 is “840” and the horizontal pixel. When a frame buffer having the number C1 of “1120” is prepared, the minimum vertical pixel number L4 of the empty area of the frame buffer is “240” (= 840−600), and the minimum horizontal pixel number C4 is “320”. (= 1120-800). When drawing a sub-image in which the vertical pixel number L3 is “240” and the horizontal pixel number C3 is “320” in such an empty area, the vertical pixel number L3 of the sub-image is equal to the minimum vertical pixel number L4, and Since the horizontal pixel number C3 is equal to the minimum horizontal pixel number L4, sub-image division is not necessary. In such a case, the division number SN is set to “0”, and the drawing engine 1424 draws the sub image in the empty area of the first frame buffer 1426A without dividing the sub image.

  When the process of step S510 is performed, the drawing engine 1424 completes the process of displaying the image of the previous frame stored in the second frame buffer 1426B, and the first frame buffer 1426A is processed by the processes of steps S502 and S510. It is determined whether or not it is time to display the image of the next frame drawn in step S511. If it is determined that the display timing is not reached (step S511: NO), the process returns to step S511.

  When the drawing engine 1424 determines that the display timing has come (step S511: YES), the output circuit 1427 reads the main image from the first frame buffer 1426A as shown in FIG. Are output from the first frame buffer 1426A and output to the EL display 6 (step S513).

  On the other hand, when the drawing engine 1424 determines that the division number SN included as the setting information in the control signal output from the CPU 141 is not “0” (an even number of 2 or more) (step S509: NO), The sub-image is rendered as a divided image in the empty area of the first frame buffer 1426A (step S515). Specifically, the sub image generated in the VRAM_RS 1425 in the process of step S506 or the sub image reduced in the process of step S508 is divided into SN divided images of the divided image size SS output as setting information from the CPU 141. The image is divided and each divided image is drawn in an empty area of the first frame buffer 1426A.

  In FIG. 25, the number of divisions SN is “4”, the number of vertical pixels L3 is “240”, and the number of horizontal pixels C3 is “320”, which is four divided images (see FIG. 20C). When the divided image size SS is set to 120 × 160 (the number of vertical pixels × the number of horizontal pixels) (see the diagram on the right side of FIG. 20C), the main image is stored in the first frame buffer 1426A. A state is shown in which a sub image is drawn as four divided images with respect to an empty area generated in the case of drawing. If the CPU 141 determines in advance that division of the sub image is necessary, the drawing engine 1424 divides the sub image into a plurality of regions as illustrated in FIG. Are drawn in the empty area of the first frame buffer 1426A.

  As described above, when the CPU 141 determines that the division is necessary and the divided image size SS and the number of divisions SN are set in advance, the drawing engine 1424 sets the first frame as a divided image based on the settings. Drawing is performed in an empty area of the buffer 1426A.

  When the divided image is drawn, the drawing engine 1424 determines whether or not it is time to display the image of the next frame drawn in the first frame buffer 1426A in the processes in steps S502 and S515, similarly to the process in step S511. Determination is made (step S516). When it is determined by the drawing engine 1424 that the display timing has not come (step S516: NO), the process returns to step S516. On the other hand, when it is determined by the drawing engine 1424 that the display timing has come (step S516: YES), the output circuit 1427 reads the main image from the first frame buffer 1426A as shown in FIG. (Step S517).

  Subsequently, the drawing engine 1424 determines whether or not the reduction ratio is set based on whether or not the control signal from the CPU 141 includes information indicating the reduction ratio, or whether or not the processing in step S508 has been performed. Is determined (step S518). When the drawing engine 1424 determines that the reduction ratio is not set (step S518: NO), that is, when the processing of steps S309 and S310 is not performed in the setting processing illustrated in FIG. Then, the divided image is read from the first frame buffer 1426A, and is output to the EL display device 6 as a sub image (step S519).

  Incidentally, the main image is stored in the first frame buffer 1426 </ b> A in the same arrangement as the pixels constituting the liquid crystal screen 50. For this reason, the pixel data constituting the main image may be output to the liquid crystal display 5 in the same order. When the sub image is drawn in the first frame buffer 1426A without being reduced or divided (see FIG. 24), the sub image is stored in the first frame buffer 1426A with the same arrangement as the pixels constituting the EL screen 60. Stored. For this reason, the pixel data constituting this sub-image may be output to the EL display 6 in the same order.

  On the other hand, when the sub image is drawn as the divided image in the first frame buffer 1426A (see FIG. 25), the sub image is stored in the first frame buffer 1426A with an array different from the pixels constituting the EL screen 60. Stored. Therefore, the output circuit 1427 configures the divided images so that each pixel data that configures the sub image is output in a predetermined order that should be output so that the sub image is correctly displayed on the EL screen 60. Read each pixel data. For example, when four divided images are stored in the first frame buffer 1426A in the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 25, the output circuit 1427 displays the same display as the upper left region of the sub image, as shown in FIG. For the first divided image showing the content, processing for reading out and outputting pixel data for one line in the horizontal direction 12, and for the second divided image showing the same display content as the upper right region of the sub-image, The process of reading out and outputting pixel data for one line in the horizontal direction 12 is repeated alternately. Thereby, pixel data corresponding to the upper half of the sub-image is output. Subsequently, for the third divided image showing the same display content as the lower left region of the sub image, a process of reading out and outputting pixel data for one line in the horizontal direction 12, and a lower right region of the sub image The process of reading out and outputting pixel data for one line in the horizontal direction 12 is alternately repeated for the fourth divided image showing the same display content. As a result, pixel data corresponding to the lower half of the divided image is output.

  As described above, the output circuit 1427 reads the divided image so that the sub image is correctly displayed on the EL screen 60 even when the sub image is rendered as the divided image.

  On the other hand, if the drawing engine 1424 determines that the reduction ratio has been set (step S518: YES), the drawing engine 1424 enlarges the divided image and then outputs it to the EL display 6 as a sub-image (step S520). Specifically, an enlargement process is performed on each divided image in the first frame buffer 1426A using the reciprocal of the reduction ratio as an enlargement ratio, and the divided image subjected to the enlargement process is output to the output circuit 1427. As a result, a sub-image having the same number of pixels as the screen resolution of the EL screen 60 is output. For example, when the reduction magnification is set to “0.5”, the drawing engine 1424 sets the enlargement magnification to 2 times (= 1 / 0.5). Then, each divided image stored in the first frame buffer 1426A is doubled on the VRAM_RS, and each divided image subjected to the enlargement process is output to the output circuit 1427 as a sub image.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when an effect using the movable accessory 7 is performed, at least a part of the movable accessory 7 is transmitted through the EL screen 60 prior to the start of the operation of the movable accessory 7. The EL display 6 moves to a position where (the front end portion in the present embodiment) can be visually recognized, and a notice effect for displaying a sub-image for notifying the start of the operation of the movable accessory 7 on the EL screen 60 is performed. Therefore, the player can grasp that the movable accessory 7 operates before the operation of the movable accessory 7 starts. The notice effect using the EL display 6 is performed in such a manner as to decorate the movable accessory 7, so that the effect of the movable accessory 7 is enhanced, and as a result, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is improved in interest. be able to.

  The notice effect by the EL display 6 is performed in a state where the movable accessory 7 does not overlap the liquid crystal screen 50 (see, for example, FIG. 16B). That is, a decoration effect that cannot be performed on the liquid crystal screen 50 can be performed by moving the EL display 6 and displaying the sub-image on the EL screen 60.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the sub-image is rendered in a state of being divided so as to fit in the free area of the first frame buffer 1426A or the second frame buffer 1426B. For this reason, the main image displayed on the liquid crystal screen 50 and the sub-image displayed on the EL screen 60 are displayed as one drawing means (in this embodiment, the drawing engine 1424) without providing a frame buffer having a larger capacity than necessary. ) Can be drawn in one frame buffer (first frame buffer 1426A or second frame buffer 1426B). Therefore, an increase in manufacturing cost due to the provision of the liquid crystal display 5 and the EL display 6 can be minimized.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the divided image size SS and the number of divisions SN are calculated so that the sub-image fits in the empty area of the first frame buffer 1426A or the second frame buffer 1426B, and the sub-image is based on the calculation result. The image is drawn as a divided image. For this reason, even if the screen resolution of the liquid crystal screen 50 or the EL screen 60 changes, the drawing process to the first frame buffer 1426A or the second frame buffer 1426B can be appropriately performed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the sub image is divided into images only when the sub image cannot be drawn unless the sub image is divided into the empty area of the first frame buffer 1426A (or the second frame buffer 1426B) after the main image is drawn. (See FIG. 25), and when the division is unnecessary, the sub-image is directly drawn in the empty area (see FIG. 24). For this reason, it is possible to perform an appropriate drawing process according to the size of the sub-image with respect to the empty area of the first frame buffer 1426A or the second frame buffer 1426B.

[Modification of timing of notice effect]
By the way, whether or not to perform an effect using the movable accessory 7 is determined based on a random number acquired at the timing when the game ball wins the first start port 21 or the second start port 22. This is clear from the above description based on FIGS. For this reason, as another embodiment, when the special symbol lottery and the special symbol variation display are put on hold, a process of determining whether or not to perform an effect using the movable accessory 7 (the effect pattern of step S104) The determination process may be performed not at the timing when the special symbol variation display is started but at the timing when the game ball is won. That is, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, when a game ball wins the first start port 21 or the second start port 22, the game control unit 100 acquires various random numbers necessary for the special symbol lottery. In addition, when a game ball wins the first start opening 21 or the second start opening 22 while the special symbol variation is displayed, various random numbers acquired on condition of the start opening winning are stored in the RAM 103, and the special symbol lottery is selected. And special symbols will be suspended. As described above, when the special symbol lottery and the special symbol variation display are put on hold, the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection processing based on various random numbers stored in the RAM 103 are not performed at the time of starting the special symbol variation display. A pre-determination process is performed at the time when various random numbers are stored. And the prior determination information which shows the result of this prior determination process is transmitted to the effect control part 130, and the content of the game effect which will be performed when a special symbol is variably displayed is determined. As a result, the contents of the game effect can be determined not at the timing when the special symbol variation display is started but at the timing when the game ball is won. Such a prior determination process is known as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-104689, and a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In this way, by determining the content of the game effect according to the prior determination process, as illustrated in FIG. 27, the EL display 6 can be moved at a timing earlier than the start of the variation display of the special symbol (decorated symbol). It is possible to perform a notice effect of the accessory 7. Here, FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram for describing a modified example of the timing of performing the notice effect. In FIGS. 27A to 27C, a notice effect by the EL display 6 is displayed at the timing when the second hold display image 52 indicating that the variable display of the special symbol is held twice is displayed. (See FIG. 27 (A)), the reserved ball corresponding to the hold display image 51 is digested and the special symbol is changed (see FIG. 27 (B)), and the hold ball corresponding to the hold display image 52 is displayed. The display of the variation of the special symbol is started at the timing when the symbol is digested, and the state that the movable accessory 7 operates as suggested by the notice effect (see FIG. 27C) is shown.

[Modification of Drive Mechanism 10]
FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram for explaining a modified example of the drive mechanism 10. In the above embodiment, the case where the EL display 6 is moved by the drive mechanism 10 including the lift drive mechanism 200 and the slide drive mechanism 220 has been described. However, the EL display 6 is moved by another drive mechanism. May be. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 28A, an arm 602 that is rotatably connected to a base 601 via a shaft 605 and a arm 602 that is rotatable via a shaft 606. A drive mechanism including a connected arm 603 and an arm 604 rotatably connected to the arm 603 via a shaft 607 and to which the EL display 6 is fixed may be used.

  In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 28B, a driving mechanism in which the transparent EL display 700 moves when the transparent EL display 700 fixed to the tip of the arm 701 rotates about the shaft 702 may be used. Good. In this case, since the structure of the drive mechanism is simpler than that of the drive mechanism 10, the manufacturing cost of the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be further reduced.

[Other variations]
In the above embodiment, the director of the present invention is the movable accessory 7 imitating a sword, and the movable accessory 7 is configured to rotate so as to swing the sword down. It is needless to say that the appearance shape and the operation pattern 7 are not limited to those described in the present embodiment, and should be appropriately changed according to the model of the gaming machine.

  In the above embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the sub image indicating that the movable accessory 7 is raining or thunder falls and energy is accumulated in the movable accessory 7 is displayed on the EL screen. Although the case where it is displayed on 60 was demonstrated, the display content of the sub image as a 1st effect image will be anything if a player can grasp | ascertain that the movable accessory 7 operate | moves I do not care.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where the EL display 6 was arrange | positioned in the position which can visually recognize the front-end | tip part of the movable accessory 7 through the EL screen 60, and a notice effect is performed, The EL display 6 may be arranged at a position where the portion can be visually recognized to perform a notice effect. Further, an EL screen 60 having a screen size that includes the entire movable accessory 7 is used, and the EL display 6 is disposed at a position where the entire movable accessory 7 can be visually recognized through the EL screen 60. A notice effect may be performed.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the director of the present invention is the movable accessory 7 has been described as an example. However, in other embodiments, the director is a fixed accessory fixed to the game board 2. There may be. In the case of a fixed combination, since it is not possible to produce a fixed combination using the liquid crystal screen 50, an effective advance notice can be produced by applying the present invention.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the form which the EL display 6 moves automatically, you may comprise so that the EL display 6 may be moved to the position according to the operation information from the production key 38, for example. . In this case, for example, when the production key 38 for moving the EL display 6 to the target position is operated before the movable accessory 7 moves, a modification example in which the above-described announcement production is performed can be considered.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where CPU141 functions as a calculation means which calculates division image size SS and the division | segmentation number SN, the pachinko game machine 1 does not necessarily need to be provided with a calculation means. For example, the divided image size SS and the division number SN may be stored in the control ROM 144 in advance instead of being calculated by the setting process.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where the pachinko machine 1 was provided with the division | segmentation determination means (CPU141 in the said embodiment) which determines whether the division | segmentation of a sub image is required, for example, a division | segmentation is required. If it is clear, the sub-image may be drawn as a divided image without performing the process for determining whether or not the division is necessary. That is, the gaming machine of the present invention does not necessarily have to include a division determination unit.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where one drawing engine 1424 performs drawing processing of both the main image and the sub image has been described. However, the sub image is drawn by a drawing engine different from the drawing engine that performs drawing processing of the main image. The drawing process may be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to other gaming machines such as slot machines as long as the gaming machine includes a director. Is also applicable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 2 Game board 5 Liquid crystal display (an example of the fixed display of this invention)
6 EL display (an example of the movable display of the present invention)
7 Movable combination (an example of the production of the present invention)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Drive mechanism 29 1st stepping motor 30 2nd stepping motor 50 Liquid crystal screen (an example of the 2nd display screen of this invention)
60 EL screen (an example of the first display screen of the present invention)
130 Production control unit 131 CPU
140 Image Sound Control Unit 141 CPU
142 VDP
150 Lamp control unit 151 CPU
1424 Drawing engine 1425 VRAM_RS
1426 VRAM_FB
1426A First frame buffer 1426B Second frame buffer 1427 Output circuit

Claims (4)

A director acting to produce,
A movable display having a transmissive first display screen and moving with respect to the game board in response to a driving force from the driving means;
A deciding means for deciding whether or not to produce an effect using the effect character;
When it is determined by the determining means to perform an effect using the effect agent, the effect agent is controlled through the first display screen by controlling the driving means before the effect agent starts operating. Drive control means for moving the movable display to a position where at least a part of the movable display can be visually recognized;
Display control means for displaying a first effect image for notifying the operation of the effect object on the first display screen when the movable display device is arranged at the visible position by the drive control means; , Gaming machines. A fixed indicator fixed to the game board and having a second display screen;
The display control means includes
Drawing means for drawing the second effect image in a frame buffer and drawing the first effect image in a free area of the frame buffer as a divided image obtained by dividing the first effect image into a plurality of areas;
The second effect image is read from the frame buffer and output to the fixed display, and the divided image is read from the frame buffer and output to the movable display as the first effect image. The gaming machine according to claim 1. Based on the size of the empty area and the size of the first effect image, the calculation means for calculating the size of the divided image and the number of divisions indicating the number of the divided images constituting the first effect image,
The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the drawing unit draws an image of the size and the number of divisions calculated by the calculation unit as the divided image in the empty area. Based on the size of the empty area and the size of the first effect image, comprising division determination means for determining whether or not division is necessary to draw the first effect image in the empty area;
The drawing means draws the first effect image as the divided image in the empty area when the division determining means determines that the division is necessary, and when the division determining means determines that the division is unnecessary. Draws in the empty area without dividing the first effect image,
The output means performs a process of reading the divided image from the frame buffer and outputting it as the first effect image to the movable display, or a process of reading and outputting the first effect image from the frame buffer. The gaming machine according to claim 2, which is performed.

Images