JP2013099585A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine that displays a background image with less load and displays an advance notice properly according to a display state of the background image.SOLUTION: The game machine includes a display position specifying means for specifying a display position of an advance notice image in the background image, according to the time measured by a reproduction time timer when determined to display the advance notice image in background image display control processing. The advance notice image is displayed in the display position specified by the display position specifying means on a moving image to be reproduced as a background image.

Description

  The present invention comprises variable display means capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information that can be identified by each, and starts variable display of identification information based on the establishment of a predetermined start condition, and the display result of variable display The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player when a specific display result is obtained.

  As a generally known slot machine, a variable display device having a reel in which a plurality of types of identification information such as symbols are arranged on the outer periphery is provided, and a display result when display of the variable display device is stopped is predetermined. Some are configured so that a predetermined game value can be given when the combination of identification information is obtained.

  The game value means that a big bonus game or a regular bonus game is started and the player is in an advantageous state, or a condition for paying out a predetermined value such as coins or a condition for adding points is easily established. It is.

  Some slot machines are provided with an information display device such as an LCD in addition to the variable display device, and display various information such as a game state and a notice display regarding a winning combination. Game progress in the slot machine is controlled by game control means such as a microcomputer. When various types of information displayed on the information display device have various aspects, the capacity of the program related to information display control increases. Therefore, it is difficult to control various information displayed on the information display device by the microcomputer of the game control means having a limited program capacity, and the display control microcomputer is different from the microcomputer of the game control means. It is advisable to use (display control means).

  In such a slot machine, there is one in which a notice display regarding a winning combination is performed according to the positional relationship between an object and a viewpoint position in a virtual space (for example, Patent Documents 1-4).

  Also, a three-dimensional CG based on a polygon (a minimum unit plane constituting the surface of a three-dimensional object such as a character arranged in a virtual space, specifically, a polygon plane such as a triangle or a quadrangle). Since there is a heavy control burden, there is one that reproduces a moving image created by three-dimensional CG.

JP 2005-58353 A JP 2005-58354 A JP 2005-58355 A JP 2005-58356 A

  However, if the background is to be drawn with a three-dimensional CG based on polygons, the drawing position of the object for displaying a notice, etc., is displayed using the display parameters as in the slot machine described in Patent Documents 1-4 described above. Although it can be determined, when a moving image created by the three-dimensional CG is reproduced, it is difficult to determine how an object for displaying a notice is displayed.

  For this reason, there is a problem in that it is difficult to perform an appropriate advance notice display that reduces the burden of displaying the background image and that does not cause an uncomfortable appearance according to the display state of the background image.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a gaming machine that can reduce the display load of the background image in the gaming machine that displays the background image, and can perform an appropriate notice display according to the display state of the background image. The purpose is to provide.

The gaming machine according to the present invention includes variable display means (for example, a variable display device 9) capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information (for example, special symbols) each identifiable, and a predetermined start condition (for example, the previous time) The variable display of the identification information is started based on the establishment of the variable display), and the specific game state advantageous to the player when the display result of the variable display becomes the specific display result (for example, the jackpot display result) Whether or not a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 1) that is controllable to (for example, a big hit gaming state), when a start condition is satisfied, whether or not the display result of variable display of identification information is to be a specific display result Predetermining means for determining (for example, a part for executing processing for determining whether or not to make a big hit in the game control means provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1), and variable display means for identifying information in a variable table And display control means for deriving and displaying the display result based on the determination result of the pre-decision means (for example, the part that executes the process corresponding to step S704 in the display control means provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1) and the variable display means A background image reproduction means (for example, a background image reproduction means for displaying a background image of a reproduction period that is not synchronized with the variable display period of the identification information by continuously reproducing the moving image as the background image of the variable display of the information without being divided for each variable display of the identification information. The portion corresponding to step S705 in the display control means included in the pachinko gaming machine 1) and the time from the start of playback of the moving image played back by the background image playback means are counted from the initial value of the playback time timer. Reproduction time counting means (for example, step S811 in the display control means provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1) The background image playback means continues the video playback until the playback time timer counts a value indicating that the video playback period has elapsed, and indicates that the playback period has elapsed. When the value shown is timed, the playback time timer is initialized and the moving image is played back from the beginning, and the playback time timer means does not initialize the playback time timer even if the display control means derives and displays the display result. Whether or not to display a preview image notifying the possibility that the display result of the variable display of the identification information becomes the specific display result when the means determines that the display result of the variable display of the identification information is the specific display result Notice display determining means (for example, a part for executing a process for determining whether or not to execute a notice effect in the display control means included in the pachinko gaming machine 1), and the notice display determining means Based on the decision to display, the display position specifying means for specifying the display position in the background image of the preview image according to the time measured by the playback time timer (for example, in the display control means provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1) The portion that executes the process corresponding to step S814) and the background image reproduction means at the display position specified by the display position specification means within the period during which the display control means variably displays the identification information on the variable display means. Preliminary image display means for displaying a preview image superimposed on the video to be played (for example, a part for executing processing corresponding to step S816 in the display control means provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1, a step in the VDP provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 A portion for executing processing corresponding to S952).

The gaming machine according to the present invention is displayed by a plurality of types of identification information (for example, symbol display reels 514a, 514b, and 514c) each of which can be identified by the start condition being established by the player's start operation. The display condition is derived when a stop condition is established by a player's derivation operation on variable display means (for example, display means including symbol display reels 514a, 514b, and 514c provided in the variable display area 502). As a result, one game is completed, and a gaming machine (for example, a small role winning, a replay winning, a big bonus winning, a regular bonus winning) can be generated according to the display result derived to the variable display means ( For example, in the slot machine 500), the start condition (for example, the start switch 525 is operated) is satisfied. In addition, a specific display result with a transition to a gaming state advantageous to the player (a gaming state in which a privilege capable of performing a regular bonus game is granted, a game in which a privilege capable of performing a big bonus game is granted Predetermining means (for example, in the CPU 602) that determines whether or not it is allowed to derive a plurality of types of winning display results including the state, or a display result that will be shifted to one of the gaming states) Step S3) and a derivation control unit (for example, for stopping the variable display of the identification information in accordance with the determination result of the predetermination unit and deriving and displaying the display result of the variable display unit when the stop condition is satisfied. , A portion for executing step S5 in the CPU 602) and the effect display means (for example, provided separately from the variable display means) A liquid crystal display device in which the symbol display reels 514a, 514b, and 514c are visibly provided on the front side of the image display device 541 and the symbol display reels 514a, 514b, and 514c (for example, a liquid crystal display device that displays on transparent or translucent glass). Note that the installation positions of the symbol display reels 514a, 514b, and 514c and the installation position of the image display device 541 in Fig. 1 may be reversed. Display control means (for example, the part that executes step S704 in the CPU 631 for display control) that plays the effect display, and by continuously reproducing the moving image as the background image of the effect display in the effect display means for each game, Background image of the playback period that is not synchronized with the game execution period by the player's start and stop operations A background image reproduction means for displaying an image (for example, a portion for executing step S705 in the display control CPU 631) and a time from the start of reproduction of a moving image reproduced by the background image reproduction means are counted from the initial value of the reproduction time timer. Playback time counting means (for example, the portion of the display control CPU 631 that executes step S811), and the background image playback means keeps the moving picture until the playback time timer counts a value indicating that the moving picture playback period has elapsed. When the value indicating that the playback period has elapsed is counted, the playback time timer is initialized and the moving image is played back from the beginning. The playback time timer is derived by the derivation controller. Even if it is displayed, the playback time timer is not initialized, and the predetermining means displays any winning display result according to the determination contents of the predetermining means. A notice display determining means (for example, a notice display determining means for deciding whether or not to display a notice image (for example, an image for notifying which winning is internally won) for notifying whether or not it is allowed to be issued) Based on the reception of the reel rotation start operation command in the display control CPU 631, a part for executing a process for determining whether or not to execute the notice effect is determined), and the notice display determining means decides to display the notice image. Display position specifying means for specifying the display position of the preview image in the background image according to the time measured by the playback time timer (for example, the part for executing step S814 in the display control CPU 631), and the display position specifying The notice image display means for displaying the notice image on the moving image reproduced by the background image reproduction means at the display position specified by the means For example, portions for performing the steps S816 in the display control CPU 631, and further comprising a portion) for performing the steps S952 in VDP633.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the variable display means capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information, each of which can be identified, is provided, and the variable display of the identification information is started based on the establishment of a predetermined start condition. A gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player when the display result of the variable display becomes the specific display result, and the display result of the variable display of the identification information when the start condition is satisfied Predetermining means for determining whether or not to be a specific display result, display control means for variably displaying the identification information in the variable display means, and deriving and displaying the display result based on the determination result of the predetermining means, and variable display The background image of the reproduction period that is not synchronized with the variable display period of the identification information by continuously reproducing the moving image as the background image of the variable display of the identification information in each means without being divided for each variable display of the identification information Background image reproduction means to be displayed, and reproduction time timing means for measuring the time from the start of reproduction of the moving image reproduced by the background image reproduction means from the initial value of the reproduction time timer, the background image reproduction means Video playback continues until the timer counts a value indicating that the video playback period has elapsed, and when the timer counts a value indicating that the playback period has elapsed, it initializes the playback time timer and plays the video from the beginning. The reproduction time measuring means does not initialize the reproduction time timer even if the display control means derives and displays the display result, and the predetermining means determines that the display result of the variable display of the identification information is the specific display result. A notice display determining means for deciding whether or not to display a notice image for notifying that the display result of the variable display of the identification information becomes a specific display result, and a notice display determining means, Based on the decision to display the notification image, the display position specifying means for specifying the display position in the background image of the notice image according to the time measured by the playback time timer, and the display control means is the variable display means And a notice image display means for displaying a notice image superimposed on a moving image to be reproduced by the background image reproduction means at a display position specified by the display position specifying means within a period during which the identification information is variably displayed. Since the background image is displayed by a moving image for presentation display rather than by drawing with 3D CG using polygons, the display load of the background image can be reduced. At the display position in the background image specified by the display position specifying means, a preview image is superimposed on the moving image to be reproduced by the background image reproducing means. Since it is supposed to be displayed, there is an effect that it is possible to perform an appropriate notice display according to the display state of the background image.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the start condition is established by the start operation of the player, the game is started, and the player's derivation operation is performed on the variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information each of which can be identified Is a gaming machine in which a stop condition is established and a display result is derived, so that one game is completed and a winning can be generated according to the display result derived to the variable display means, and the start condition is established A pre-determining means for determining whether or not to allow a plurality of types of winning display results including a specific display result with a transition to a gaming state advantageous to the player, and a stop condition are established. Sometimes, the derivation control means for stopping the variable display of the identification information according to the determination result of the prior determination means and deriving and displaying the display result of the variable display means, and the effect display means provided separately from the variable display means In this case, the display control means for displaying the effect according to the determination content of the pre-decision means, and the effect display means reproduces a predetermined moving image as a background image of the effect display continuously without dividing the game for each player. The background image playback means for displaying a background image of a playback period that is not synchronized with the game execution period by the start operation and stop operation, and the time from the start of playback of the video played by the background image playback means is the initial value of the playback time timer A playback time timer that counts from the value, and the background image playback means continues to play the video until the playback time timer counts a value indicating that the video playback period has elapsed, and the playback period has elapsed. After counting a value indicating that, the reproduction time timer is initialized and reproducing the video from the beginning, reproducing time counting means, deriving control means guide the display results Even if it is displayed, the playback time timer is not initialized, and according to the determination content of the predetermining means, a notice image for notifying which winning display result is allowed to be derived by the predetermining means is displayed. When the notice display determining means for determining whether or not the notice display determining means decides to display the notice image, the display position of the notice image in the background image is determined according to the time measured by the playback time timer. A display position specifying means for specifying, and a notice image display means for displaying a notice image on the moving image to be reproduced by the background image reproducing means at the display position specified by the display position specifying means. Therefore, since the background image is displayed by the moving image as the background image of the effect display, not by drawing with the 3D CG by the polygon, the background image In addition to being able to reduce the display burden of the image, it is also possible to display a preview image superimposed on the display position specified by the display position specifying means in the video, so an appropriate notice display according to the display status of the background image There is an effect that can be performed.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the slot machine as viewed from the front. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of a game control board (main board). It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure in a display control board. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of VDP. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the movie data memorize | stored in CGROM. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the content of display control data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a frame buffer. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the main process which CPU in a main board | substrate performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows the signal line of a display control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the command form of a control command. It is a timing diagram showing the relationship between an 8-bit control signal and an INT signal constituting a control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the content of a display control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the background image displayed on an image display apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the background image displayed on an image display apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the notice effect which displays the notice character in a background image. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the notice effect which displays the notice character in a background image. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the notice effect which displays the notice character in a background image. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the notice effect which displays the notice character in a background image. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU for display control performs. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a command reception buffer. It is a flowchart which shows a command reception interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a background moving image display control process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the table for notification effect content determination. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the V blank interruption process performed by CPU for display control. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the image expansion process performed by VDP. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the image display process performed by VDP. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the expansion | deployment timing and display timing of each picture when the movie image based on IP movie data is reproduced and displayed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the storage state of a frame buffer when IP movie data is processed. FIG. 30A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the development timing and display timing of each picture when a movie image based on the IPB movie data of this example is reproduced and displayed. FIG. 30B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the development timing and display timing of each picture when a movie image based on conventional IPB movie data is reproduced and displayed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the storage state of a frame buffer when IPB movie data is processed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the expansion | deployment timing of each picture, and a display timing when the movie image based on IPB movie data is reproduced and displayed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the storage state of a frame buffer when IPB movie data is processed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the content of display control data. FIG. 35A shows an example of decompression timing and display timing when IPB movie data in which the picture in the last decompression order is a B picture is reproduced and displayed without displaying the picture in the last display order. It is a timing diagram. FIG. 35B is a timing chart showing an example of expansion timing and display timing when IPB movie data in which the picture in the last expansion order is not a B picture is reproduced and displayed without displaying the picture in the last display order. is there. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display control data used in order to reproduce | regenerate IPB movie data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display control data used in order to reproduce | regenerate IPB movie data. FIG. 38A shows another example of the expansion timing and display timing when the IPB movie data in which the picture in the last expansion order is a B picture is reproduced and displayed without displaying the picture in the last display order. FIG. FIG. 38B is a timing chart showing another example of the expansion timing and display timing when the IPB movie data in which the picture in the last expansion order is not a B picture is reproduced and displayed without displaying the picture in the last display order. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of a background moving image display control process. It is the front view which looked at the pachinko game machine from the front. It is a flowchart which shows the further another example of a background moving image display control process. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of an image expansion process.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, “game” may mean a “game” played in the slot machine, and “game state” may mean “game progress” in the slot machine. is there.
First, the overall configuration of the slot machine 500 of this example will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine 500 as viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 1, in the slot machine 500, a game panel (game board) 501 is detachably attached near the center. In addition, a variable display area 502 in which a plurality of types of symbols are variably displayed is provided near the center of the front surface of the game panel 501. On the left side of the variable display area 502, a one-bet lamp 503, a two-bet lamp 504, and a three-bet lamp 505 are provided. On the right side of the variable display area 502, a game over lamp 506, a replay lamp 507, a weight lamp 508, a start lamp 509, and a medal insertion instruction lamp 510 are provided.

  Below the variable display area 502, there are provided a credit display 511, a game number display 512, and a payout display 513, each of which is composed of 7-segment LEDs and digitally displays the corresponding numerical values. In this embodiment, the variable display area 502 has three symbol display areas of “left”, “middle”, and “right”, and the symbol display reels 514a, 514b, and 514c correspond to the symbol display areas, respectively. Is provided.

  An operation table 520 on which various input switches and the like for the player to perform various operations is provided in the lower frame portion of the game panel 501. Behind the operation table 520 is a BET switch 521 for betting (betting) one coin at a time, and a MAXBET switch for betting one coin at the maximum number (three in this example) that can be bet on one game. A checkout switch 523 and a coin insertion slot 524 are provided. Coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 524 are detected by an inserted coin sensor (not shown). In this example, every time a coin is inserted from the coin insertion slot 524, the numerical value displayed on the credit indicator 511 is increased by one, for example, with the upper limit being 50. Then, each time the BET switch 521 is pressed and one coin is bet, the numerical value displayed on the credit indicator 511 is decreased by one. Further, every time the MAXBET switch 522 is pressed and three coins are bet, the numerical value displayed on the credit display 511 is reduced by three.

  On the front side of the operation table 520, a start switch 525, a left reel stop switch 526a, a middle reel stop switch 526b, a right reel stop switch 526c, and a coin jam elimination switch 527 are provided. Side lamps 528a and 528b are provided on the left and right sides of the operation table 520, respectively. A title panel 530 that is detachably attached is provided below the operation table 520. On the title panel 530, the model name of the slot machine is drawn. Side lamps 529a and 529b are provided on the left and right of the title panel 530, respectively. Below the title panel 530, a speaker 531 for outputting sound effects and the like is provided. In addition, a coin storage tray 532 that stores coins exceeding the amount that can be stored internally (50 in this example) is provided below the title panel 530.

  A panel 540 that is detachably attached is provided at a frame portion in the upper part of the game panel 501. In the vicinity of the center of the panel 540, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 541 for notifying the player of a game method and a game state is provided. For example, when a winning occurs, an image in which the character performs a predetermined action is displayed on the LCD 541 to notify the player that a winning flag described later is set. On the upper part of the panel 540, lamps 542, 543, and 544 for notifying various information are provided. Two speakers 545a and 545b that emit sound effects are provided on the left and right sides of the panel 540. Further, side lamps 550, 551, 552, and 553 are provided around the outside of the game panel 501.

Next, a winning combination generated in the slot machine 500 will be described.
The winning combinations include small role winning, replay winning, big bonus winning, and regular bonus winning. In the slot machine 500, random numbers are extracted at the timing when the start switch 525 is operated, and it is determined whether or not to allow any one of the above winning combinations to be awarded. The fact that winnings are allowed is said to be “winning internally”. When the internal winning is made, a winning flag indicating that is set in the slot machine 500.

  In the game with the winning flag set, the reels 514a to 514c are controlled so that the winning combination corresponding to the winning flag can be drawn. Accordingly, a winning combination corresponding to the winning flag can be generated by pushing the reels 514a to 514c. On the other hand, in a game in which the winning flag is not set, the reels 514a to 514c are controlled so that no winning is generated. Therefore, even if the reels 514a to 514c are pushed, the winning cannot be generated. If a winning flag corresponding to the winning flag cannot be generated even though the winning flag is set, the winning flag is cleared. However, the regular bonus and big bonus winning flags are different from the winning flags of other winning roles, and if the winning flag does not occur in the game with the winning flag set, it corresponds to the winning flag. The winning flag is carried over to the next and subsequent games until a prize is generated.

Here, the “small prize winning” is only accompanied by a valuable value (for example, credits or medals) without generating a special game such as a big bonus game or a regular bonus game, or generating a replay game. It is a prize.
The “replay prize” is a prize that gives a privilege that the next game can be started without consuming medals or credits. When a replay winning is generated, a replay flag is set.
The “regular bonus prize” is a prize awarded with a privilege that allows the regular bonus game to be performed a plurality of times. In the regular bonus game, only a special winning combination is valid during the regular bonus game, and the winning combination is won internally with a very high probability.
Furthermore, the “big bonus winning” is a winning in which a privilege that allows a big bonus game to be performed a plurality of times is given. In the big bonus game, the winning probability of the small role winning and the regular bonus winning is set to a high probability state. The big bonus game is provided until a regular bonus prize is generated a predetermined number of times or a predetermined upper limit number of big bonus games is consumed.
It should be noted that a gaming state in which a privilege that allows a regular bonus game to be performed a plurality of times, a gaming state in which a privilege that allows a big bonus game to be performed a plurality of times, or a gaming state of any one of them are given. It may be called a specific gaming state.

Next, an outline of the game provided by the slot machine will be described.
For example, when a coin is inserted from the coin insertion slot 524 and the BET switch 521 or the MAXBET switch 522 is pressed to set the bet number, the start lamp 509 is lit and the operation of the start switch 525 is effectively accepted. The player is informed that it has become. When the start switch 525 is operated by the player while the start lamp 509 is lit, the symbol display reels 514a to 514c provided in the variable display area 502 are not within the wait time period. Start spinning. The wait time is a game progress adjustment period set in the slot machine in order to prevent the game from progressing too quickly. In addition, when a regular bonus prize or a big bonus prize is internally won at the timing when the start switch 525 is operated, an internal prize is displayed by, for example, displaying a screen on which a predetermined character performs a predetermined action on the LCD 541. A player or the like is notified of the fact.

  When a predetermined time elapses after the symbol display reels 514a to 514c start rotating, the operation enable lamps provided in the reel stop switches 526a to 526c are turned on. When the operation valid lamp is lit, the player is notified that the operation of each of the reel stop switches 526a to 526c has become effective. The player can determine the order in which the symbol display reels 514a to 514c are stopped. When the player presses one of the reel stop switches 526a to 526c, the corresponding operation valid lamp is turned off. Thereafter, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch is stopped. If the symbol display reels 514a to 514c are left for a predetermined period or more without being stopped, the symbol display reels 514a to 514c are automatically stopped and the operation valid lamps are turned off.

  When all the symbol display reels 514a to 514c are stopped, the symbol display reels 514a to 514c displayed in the variable display area 502 are determined according to the number of bets among the upper, middle, and lower symbols. It is determined whether or not a prize has been won by a combination of symbols positioned on a valid winning line. When the bet number is 1, only the winning line in the middle horizontal row in the variable display area 502 is valid. When the bet number is 2, the top three, the middle, and the bottom three pay lines in the variable display area 502 are valid. When the number of bets is 3, a total of five pay lines including three horizontal rows and two diagonal rows in the variable display area 502 are effective lines.

  When a combination of symbols on the active line has a predetermined display form and a winning occurs, a predetermined game effect is made by sound, light, display on the LCD 541, etc. The game starts.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a main board (game control board) 600 provided in the slot machine 500. FIG. 2 also shows a display control board 630, a reel unit 650, a lamp control board 660, and a sound control board 680. Note that other substrates such as a power supply substrate and a relay substrate are also connected to the main substrate 600, but are not shown in FIG. The main board 600 has a basic circuit 601 for controlling the slot machine 500 in accordance with a control program, a switch circuit 606 for supplying a signal from the start switch 525 and a stop switch signal from each of the stop switches 526a to 526c to the basic circuit 601; A motor circuit 607 for driving a reel motor 651 and the like for rotating the symbol display reels 514a to 514c in accordance with a command from the basic circuit 601 is mounted. The motor circuit 607 outputs a reel control signal to the reel motor 651 in order to control rotation and stop of the symbol display reels 514a to 514c.

  The basic circuit 601 includes a CPU 602 that performs a control operation according to a program, a RAM 603 that is an example of a storage unit used as a work memory, a ROM 604 that stores a game control program, and the like, and an I / O port unit 605. In this embodiment, the RAM 603 and ROM 604 are built in the CPU 602. That is, the CPU 602 is a one-chip microcomputer. Note that the one-chip microcomputer only needs to include at least the RAM 603, and the ROM 604 and the I / O port unit 605 may be externally mounted or built-in. The I / O port unit 605 is a terminal capable of inputting / outputting information in the microcomputer.

  Further, the main board 600 includes a random number generation circuit 612 that generates random numbers such as a big hit random number (a random number used for determining whether or not to allow the generation of a bonus game), and a random number in response to reception of the start switch signal. A sampling circuit 613 that acquires a random number from the generation circuit 612 and outputs the random number to the basic circuit 601 is provided. Although not shown, the main board 600 includes, for example, 8-bit data and a 1-bit strobe signal (INT signal) corresponding to each of the display control board 630, the lamp control board 660, and the sound control board 680. A plurality of output buffer circuits are provided.

  In this embodiment, display control means mounted on the display control board 630 performs display control of the LCD 541 provided in the slot machine 500. The LCD 541 displays various information such as a display relating to a winning notice and a display for notifying a game state and a game method under the control of the display control means. The lamp control means mounted on the lamp control board 660 controls the lighting of the reel lamps 652a to 652i, various side lamps 550, and the like provided in the slot machine 500 and the fluorescent lamp 671. Furthermore, sound control means mounted on the sound control board 680 controls sound output of the speakers 531, 545 a, 545 b provided in the slot machine 500.

  In this example, the display control means does not perform display control of the variable display area 502, but performs control for performing predetermined display on the LCD 541 in accordance with a display control command from the main substrate 600. In addition, the lamp control board 660 and the sound control board 680 execute control related to the light emitter and sound output in synchronization with the control of the display control board 630, for example.

  The reel unit 650 stores a reel motor 651, reel lamps 652a to 652i, and a reel sensor 653. The reel motor 651 is a motor for rotating the reels 514a to 514c. The reel lamps 652 to 652i are provided inside the reels 514a to 514c, respectively, and illuminate the symbols visually recognized in the variable display area 502 among the symbols drawn on the reels 514a to 514c from the inside of the reels. Lamp. The reel lamps 652a to 652c are lamps that illuminate the upper symbol, the middle symbol, and the lower symbol that are visible in the variable display area 502 among the symbols drawn on the reel 514a. Reel lamps 652d to 652f are lamps that illuminate the upper symbol, the middle symbol, and the lower symbol that are visible in the variable display area 502 among the symbols drawn on the reel 514b. Furthermore, the reel lamps 652g to 652i are lamps that illuminate the upper symbol, the middle symbol, and the lower symbol that are visible in the variable display area 502 among the symbols drawn on the reel 514c. The reel sensor 653 is a sensor for sensing the rotation state, the rotation speed, and the like of each reel 514a to 514c.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the detection signal of the start switch 525 is input to the basic circuit 601 through the switch circuit 606 and also to the sampling circuit 613. The basic circuit 601 outputs a reel control signal via the motor circuit 607 when the detection signal of the start switch 525 is input. The reel motor 651 is driven by the reel control signal, and the reels 514a to 514c start to rotate.

  The sampling circuit 613 extracts one random number from the random number generation circuit 612 and outputs it to the basic circuit 601 at the timing when the detection signal of the start switch 525 is input. The CPU 602 refers to the random number received from the sampling circuit 613 and the winning determination table for each winning combination stored in the ROM 604, determines whether or not to allow the generation of a winning for each winning combination, and the determination The result is stored in the RAM 603. In this manner, whether or not the winning combination is won is determined at the timing when the start switch 525 is operated. Thereafter, the CPU 602 controls the reels 514a to 514c according to the winning results for each winning combination.

  Further, in response to the detection signal of the start switch 525 being input, the CPU 602 outputs a control command that can specify the start of the game to each board such as the display control board 630 via the buffer circuit 611. Based on the received control command, the display control board 630 controls the LCD 541 and the like according to the effect pattern defined at the start of the game, and performs a notice effect or a decorative symbol effect. Further, the lamp control board 660 controls the side lamps 550 and the like according to the lighting pattern determined corresponding to the start of the game based on the received control command. Furthermore, the sound control board 680 controls the speakers 531, 545 a, 545 b and the like according to the sound output pattern determined corresponding to the start of the game based on the received control command.

  Further, when the detection signal (stop switch signal) of the stop switches 526a to 526c is input, the CPU 602 stops the reel (any one of the reels 514a to 514c) corresponding to the stop switch signal via the motor circuit 607. A reel control signal is output to the reel motor 651. In response to the input of the stop switch signal, the CPU 602 outputs a control command that can specify the stop timing of the reels 514a to 514c to each substrate such as the display control substrate 630 via the buffer circuit. Each of the boards 630, 660, and 680 follows the LCD 541, the side lamp 550, and the speakers 531, 545a, and 545b according to the effect pattern determined corresponding to the stop timing of the reels 514a to 514c based on the received control command. Control etc.

  In the slot machine 500 described above, the display control of the variable display area 502 is performed by the main substrate 600, but may be performed by the display control substrate 630. In this case, a motor circuit may be provided on the display control board 630 so that the display control board 630 controls the motor circuit in accordance with a display control command from the main board 600. If comprised in this way, the display control board 630 can control rotation and stop of each symbol display reel 514a-514c by controlling a motor circuit and outputting a reel control signal to the reel motor 651. Become.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration in the display control board 630 together with the LCD 541, the output ports (ports 0 and 2) 605a and 605c of the main board 600, and the output buffer circuits 614a and 614c. 8-bit data is output from the output port (output port 2) 605c, and a 1-bit strobe signal (INT signal) is output from the output port 605a.

  The display control CPU 631 operates according to a program stored in the control data ROM 632. When an INT signal is input from the main board 600 via the noise filter 637 and the input buffer circuit 635B, the display control CPU 631 performs display control via the input buffer circuit 635A. Receive commands. As the input buffer circuits 635A and 635B, for example, 74HC540 and 74HC14 which are general-purpose ICs can be used. When the display control CPU 631 does not have an I / O port, an I / O port is provided between the input buffer circuits 635A and 635B and the display control CPU 631.

  Then, the display control CPU 631 performs display control of the screen displayed on the LCD 541 in accordance with the received display control command. Specifically, a command according to the display control command is given to VDP 633. The VDP 633 reads necessary data from the character ROM 640. The VDP 633 generates image data to be displayed on the LCD 541 according to the input data, and outputs R, G, B signals and a synchronization signal to the LCD 541. The VDP (video display processor) is sometimes called GCL (Graphics Controller LSI).

  FIG. 3 also shows a reset circuit 638 for resetting the VDP 633, an oscillation circuit 639 for giving an operation clock to the VDP 633, and a character ROM 640 for storing frequently used image data. The frequently used image data stored in the character ROM 640 is, for example, a person, animal, or an image made up of characters, figures, symbols, or the like displayed on the LCD 541.

  The input buffer circuits 635A and 635B can pass signals only in the direction from the main board 600 to the display control board 630. Therefore, there is no room for signals to be transmitted from the display control board 630 side to the main board 600 side. That is, the input buffer circuits 635A and 635B constitute irreversible information input means together with the input port. Even if the circuit in the display control board 630 is tampered with, the signal output by the tampering is not transmitted to the main board 600 side.

  The outputs of the output ports 605a and 605c may be output to the display control board 630 as they are. However, by providing the output buffer circuits 614a and 614c capable of transmitting signals only in one direction, the display control board 630 is connected from the main board 600. One-way signal transmission can be made more reliable. That is, the output buffer circuits 614a and 614c constitute irreversible information output means together with the output port.

  For example, a three-terminal capacitor or a ferrite bead is used as the noise filter 637 that cuts off the high-frequency signal. However, even if noise is added between the substrates due to the presence of the noise filter 637, the influence is removed. Is done. A noise filter may also be provided on the output side of the buffer circuits 614a and 614c of the main board 600.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a portion related to image display control in the display control board 630. As described above, when the display control of the image display device 541 is executed, the display control CPU 631 gives a command corresponding to the display control command to the VDP 633. The VDP 633 reads necessary data from the CGROM (image ROM) 640. Note that the CGROM 640 stores design and character sprite image data (image data) and movie data for playing back pre-created movie images (including live-action movies). The character stored in the CGROM 640 is, for example, a person, an animal, or an image made up of characters, figures, symbols, or the like displayed on the image display device 541.

  The display control board 630 is equipped with a display control CPU 631, a ROM 632 for storing an image processing control program, an effect pattern by moving images, and the like, and a RAM 103 used as a work memory. The ROM 632 and the RAM 103 may be built in the display control CPU 631.

  When executing the display control of the image display device 541, the display control CPU 631 gives a drawing instruction (control information for reproducing a moving image) according to the image processing control program to the VDP 633. The VDP 633 reads necessary data from the CGROM 640 or the like in accordance with the drawing instruction. The CGROM 640 stores various data used for displaying moving images such as movie data to be described later and character image data superimposed on the moving images. The CGROM 640 is sometimes referred to as a character ROM because it is used to store character image data and the like. The character stored in the CGROM 640 is, for example, a person, an animal, or an image made up of characters, figures, symbols, or the like displayed on the image display device 541. Note that the character includes a moving image (video) and a still image obtained by actual shooting.

  The VDP 633 generates image data for displaying an image on the image display device 541 in accordance with a drawing instruction from the display control CPU 631, and uses a video signal (image signal as an image display signal for displaying the image indicated by the generated image data). R (red), G (green), B (blue) signal and synchronization signal) are output to the image display device 541.

  For example, the image display device 541 performs screen display by a dot matrix method using a large number of pixels. In this embodiment, the R, G, and B signals are each represented by 8 bits. Therefore, the image display device 541 can perform multi-color display of about 16.7 million colors with R, G, B each having 256 gradations in accordance with the image display signal from the VDP 633. Note that the number of bits of the R, G, and B signals may be other than 8 bits, and the number of bits of the R, G, and B signals may be different from each other.

  In addition to the CGROM 640, the display control board 630 includes various storage media such as an SDRAM (synchronous DRAM) 106. Note that a frame buffer area is secured in the SDRAM 106. The SDRAM 106 stores data relating to a display image such as character source data and palette data used for specifying or changing display colors. The source data is image data, and is expressed as source data in the sense of original image data. Further, an area used as a VRAM (video RAM) is also secured in the SDRAM 106.

  The VDP 633 is used in addition to various storage media such as a palette buffer 107 used for temporarily storing predetermined palette data and a CG data buffer 108 used for temporarily storing predetermined CG data. , A rendering control unit 109, a display signal control unit 110 for outputting a video signal to the image display device 541, and a moving image decompression unit 111 that performs decompression processing of compressed moving image data.

  The display signal control unit 110 outputs the video signal to a DAC (DA conversion circuit) 112. The DAC 112 outputs the video signal from the display signal control unit 110 as an analog signal to an LCD (liquid crystal display device) as the image display device 541.

  The drawing control unit 109 includes, for example, an attribute analysis unit, a VRAM address generation unit, a clipping unit, and a translucent luminance modulation unit. The attribute analysis unit analyzes parameters used when drawing the character. Information for designating an image drawing order, the number of colors, an enlargement / reduction ratio, a palette number, coordinates, and the like are set in the parameters.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a CG bus and a VRAM bus are provided inside the VDP 633. A CG bus interface (CG bus I / F) 113 is installed between the CGROM 640 and the CG bus. The CPU I / F 114 is also connected to the CG bus, and the display control CPU 631 can access each unit connected to the CG bus via the CPU I / F 114.

  Specifically, the display control CPU 631 accesses the drawing control register 115 connected to the CG bus. The drawing control register 115 stores data such as a drawing instruction from the display control CPU 631 to the drawing control unit 109. Accordingly, the display control CPU 631 writes a drawing instruction for the VDP 633 into the drawing control register 115, and the VDP 633 receives the drawing instruction from the display control CPU 631 via the drawing control register 115. A VRAM I / F 116 is installed between the SDRAM 106 and the VRAM bus. Note that the moving image decompression unit 111 can access the VRAM provided in the SDRAM 106 via the VRAM bus, and can access the drawing control register 115 via the CG bus.

  The VDP 633 reads out movie data and character source data from the CGROM 640 in response to a drawing instruction from the display control CPU 631 and develops (draws) the data in the VRAM. Further, the VDP 633 stores the image data expanded in the VRAM in the frame buffer. The display signal control unit 110 outputs the image data stored in the frame buffer to the image display device 541 via the DAC 112 as a video signal. Note that “develop in VRAM” means writing to VRAM, that is, storing in VRAM.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of movie data (moving image data for reproducing a movie image) stored in the CGROM 640. As shown in FIG. 5, in this example, multiple types of movie data are stored in the CGROM 640 in advance.

  The movie data stored in the CGROM 640 includes a plurality of types of IPB movie data shown in FIG. 5A and a plurality of types of IP movie data shown in FIG. That is, a plurality of types of IPB movie data and a plurality of types of IP movie data are created in advance and stored in the CGROM 640.

  “IPB movie data” is compressed video data (including a I picture (key picture, intra-frame encoded picture), a P picture (forward prediction encoded picture), and a B picture (bidirectional predictive encoded picture)). IPB compressed moving image data). “IP movie data” is compressed moving image data including an I picture and a P picture. That is, the IP movie data is compressed moving image data (IP compressed moving image data) that does not include a B picture.

  An “I picture” is a picture called an intra-frame coded picture, and means a picture that is expanded by itself without using images before and after sequentially displayed images. A “P picture” is a picture called a forward predictive coded picture, and is one of images that are displayed in front of itself among images that are sequentially displayed (for example, a display of an I picture or a P picture). This means a picture that is decompressed using the closest picture in order. A “B picture” is a picture called a bi-predictive coding picture, and is one of the images displayed before the sequentially displayed image (for example, the display order of the previous one of the I picture or P picture is the previous one). It means a picture that is decompressed using the closest picture) and any of the images displayed later (for example, the closest picture in the display order of the I picture or P picture later).

  Note that “I picture”, “P picture”, and “B picture” mean one or both of compressed image data in a compressed state and image data in a decompressed state unless otherwise specified. Shall. The term “picture” may mean image data, an image based on image data, or both.

  Each movie data shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the CGROM 640 in a state where the data is compressed by an encoding technique called MPEG2, for example. Each movie data is sequentially decompressed by the VDP 633 based on a drawing instruction from the display control CPU 631, and the compressed image data of each image constituting the moving image is sequentially expanded. The image data is sequentially output as a video signal to the image display device 541, and is used to reproduce and display a series of moving images on the image display device 541.

  Movie data A1 in the IPB movie data shown in FIG. 5A is movie data for movie 1 and is movie data for reproducing a moving image of movie 1. Similarly, movie data A2 to A7 are movie data for moving images 2 to 7, respectively, and are movie data for reproducing moving images of moving images 2 to 7. The movie data A8 is movie data for reproducing moving images of the first half of the moving image 8 and the moving image 9. The movie data A9 is movie data for reproducing the moving image of the latter half of the moving image 8, and the movie data A10 is movie data for reproducing the moving image of the latter half of the moving image 9. That is, the moving image 8 is reproduced by continuously displaying the movie data A8 and the movie data A9, and the moving image 9 is reproduced by displaying the movie data A8 and the movie data A10 continuously. .

  The moving images 1 to 9 are moving images having different display modes. However, the moving image 8 and the moving image 9 are moving images having the same display mode in the first half and different display modes in the second half. In addition, it is assumed that each of the moving images 1 to 9 completes the content of notification by the moving image by reproducing and displaying a series of moving images. Specifically, each of the videos 1 to 9 is used as a production video for performing a predetermined production using a series of moving images, a promotion video or an advertising video for performing a promotion or advertisement using a series of moving images, and the like. It is a video.

  In addition, movie data B1 in the IP movie data shown in FIG. 5B is movie data for background 1, and is movie data for playing back a moving image of background 1. Similarly, movie data B2 to B5 are movie data for background 2 to background 5, respectively, and are movie data for reproducing moving images of background 2 to background 5.

  Backgrounds 1 to 5 are different display modes, and are moving images used as background images. Note that, as with the moving images 8 and 9 described above, the movie data for background includes movie data in which the first half is the same display mode and the second half is a moving image having a different display mode. Good.

  In addition, it is assumed that the backgrounds 1 to 5 are not completed with the notification content of the moving image by the reproduction display of the series of moving images. That is, each of the backgrounds 1 to 5 is a moving image used as a background image or the like for displaying a background by a series of moving images by, for example, simply displaying a landscape or scenery for a certain period of time. The background may be continuously displayed by repeatedly reproducing and displaying any one of the backgrounds 1 to 5, or two or more of the backgrounds 1 to 5 may be continuously displayed. The background may be displayed continuously by playing back and displaying. The background image is continuously reproduced without being divided for each game (for each pachinko game machine, for each variable display). That is, the game execution period and the background image reproduction period are not synchronized. In addition, a moving image other than the background image may be used as long as the content of notification by the moving image is not completed by the reproduction display of the moving image. In this way, movie data that is repeatedly and continuously reproduced and displayed is generated by IP movie data and stored in the CGROM 640, and only IP movie data is used as movie data that is repeatedly and continuously reproduced and displayed. Therefore, it is possible to make it possible to compress a moving image that is repeatedly reproduced as data that can be easily decoded, and to reduce the control burden of moving image reproduction control as much as possible.

  In this example, IP movie data is used for the background image. However, some or all of the moving images based on the plurality of IP movie data are used to produce a predetermined effect using a series of moving images. The notification content of the moving image may be completed by reproducing and displaying a series of moving images such as a moving image or a moving image for advertising or advertising using a series of moving images.

  Each movie data shown in FIG. 5A may be reproduced and displayed independently without combining sprite images, or may be reproduced and displayed after combining sprite images. Each movie data shown in FIG. 5 (A) is synthesized and reproduced and displayed on the front side of the background movie data shown in FIG. 5 (B).

  In this example, the VDP 633 selects predetermined movie data to be used for movie image presentation from a plurality of types of movie data shown in FIG. 5 based on a drawing instruction from the display control CPU 631. The VDP 633 performs processing for reproducing and displaying a moving image based on the selected movie data, based on a drawing instruction from the display control CPU 631.

  Each movie data described above has, for example, a data structure in which a large number of I pictures are used in a portion where the moving speed of the display object is high compared to a portion where the moving speed of the display object is slow in a moving image based on each movie data. ing. Because of such a data structure, the data amount of the compressed moving image data can be reduced as much as possible while maintaining the image quality.

Next, display control data stored in the ROM 632 will be described.
The display control data is used to determine the contents of a drawing instruction for causing the VDP 633 to perform drawing control and output an image display signal. The VDP 633 executes drawing control and outputs an image display signal in order to display a moving image on the image display device 541 in accordance with the drawing instruction. It is assumed that the display control data is generated in advance and stored in the ROM 632 separately for each reproduced moving image, that is, in this example, for each of the moving images 1 to 9 and the backgrounds 1 to 5 (see FIG. 5).

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the display control data. FIG. 6 illustrates a part of the content of the display control data (moving picture 1 display control data) for the moving picture 1.

  The display control data includes information for reproducing a movie image on the image display device 541. The display control data includes information about which picture of which movie data (one frame image constituting the movie image based on the movie data) is to be decompressed / expanded, and information about which timing to display each picture. , Information on how to synthesize which picture and which sprite image are displayed at which timing. Data in which such information is divided and set for each frame period is process data. As shown in FIG. 6, the display control data has a structure in which a plurality of process data are arranged in the order of use.

  Specifically, the display control data stored in the ROM 632 includes information indicating movie data to be used, information indicating that a picture is to be decompressed, information indicating that a picture is to be displayed, and a movie to be used. Information indicating the image size of the moving image based on the data, information indicating the development mode, information indicating whether or not to combine the sprite image on the frame of the movie data, and information on the sprite image or movie image displayed on the image display device 541 The information includes information for specifying the size and position of the display area, the enlargement / reduction ratio of the sprite image or movie image, the transmittance of the sprite image or movie image, and the like.

  The “information for specifying the size of the display area” means information indicating the size of the area for displaying the sprite image and the movie image on the display screen of the image display device 541. Note that the size of the area for displaying the sprite image and the movie image may change (enlarge, reduce, and deform) during the reproduction of a series of movie images.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the process data (process data 1) selected first in the display control data for moving picture 1, the movie data to be used is the movie data A1 as the display control content, and the movie data to be used. A1 is IPB movie data, which includes using expansion mode 4, instructing to decompress one picture, instructing to decompress another picture, and instructing to display one picture. ing. The display instruction in the process data 1 is to display using the image data if there is image data that has been expanded by the expansion instruction based on the previously used display control data but is not used for display. Used to indicate. Therefore, the display instruction in the process data 1 is valid only when the drawing instruction for reproducing the moving image based on the movie data to be reproduced later when the moving image based on the movie data is continuously reproduced. When the image is not continuously reproduced or when a drawing instruction for reproducing a moving image based on the movie data reproduced first when the image is continuously reproduced is invalid.

  Further, the process data 2 includes expanding one picture and displaying one picture as display control contents. In the process data 3, as a display control content, display of sprite images A, B, and C is started, display modes such as display positions and display sizes of the sprite images A, B, and C, and one picture are expanded. That includes displaying one picture. Similarly, the display control content for reproducing the moving image 1 is set for each of the process data 4 and later. In this example, the display control CPU 631 issues a drawing instruction based on the display control data for the moving image 1, and the image display device 541 outputs an image display signal by the VDP 633 performing drawing control in response to the drawing instruction. Movie 1 is reproduced and displayed.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a frame buffer used in this example. In FIG. 7A, three frame buffers 0 to 2 used in the expansion mode 3 are shown. In FIG. 7B, four frame buffers 0 to 3 used in the expansion mode 4 are shown. Each frame buffer is provided in a VRAM area in the SDRAM 106. In this example, the expansion mode 4 is selected when the movie data used for moving image playback is an IPB movie, and the expansion mode 3 is selected when the movie data used for playback of a moving image is an IP movie. .

  Next, the operation of the slot machine will be described. In the following description, the term “game” means, in a narrow sense, from the operation of the start switch 525 until the symbol display reels 514a to 514c are stopped. Of course, when playing a game, the number of bets before the start switch 525 is operated, and medals are paid out and the game state is shifted after the symbol display reels 514a to 514c are stopped. Is also included in the “game” in a broad sense. Note that the transmission of commands from the main board 600 to the display control board 630 will be described only for those directly related to the present invention.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing for one game executed by the CPU 602 of the main board 600. This process is executed after power is turned on and a predetermined boot process is performed. When the process of one game is started, first, an initial setting process including a process of clearing a predetermined area of the RAM 603 is performed (step S1).

  Next, by operating the BET switch 521 or the MAXBET switch 522 or by inserting medals from the coin insertion slot 524, the number of bets is set, and the start switch 525 is operated to substantially start the game. An instructing BET process is performed (step S2). Here, when the gaming state is a regular bonus (including a case where the bonus is provided during a big bonus), if the bet number is set to 1 (a bet number larger than this is not set), the start switch 525 is operated effectively. It becomes. When the game state is other than that, after the bet number is set to 3, the operation of the start switch 525 becomes valid. Also, if the player has won a replay in the previous game, the same number of bets (for example, 3) as the previous game is automatically set by the replay flag (the replay flag is erased at this stage), and the start switch 525 is left as it is. The operation is enabled.

  When the number of bets is set by the BET process and the start switch 525 is operated, a random number for internal lottery is extracted, and winning in each combination determined according to the gaming state is allowed based on the extracted random number value An internal lottery process for determining whether or not to perform is performed (step S3). In this internal lottery process, a winning flag is set in the RAM 603 based on each lottery result.

  When the internal lottery process is completed, the reel rotation process is performed (step S4). In the reel rotation process, it is a condition that a predetermined time (wait time: for example, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed from the start of rotation of the symbol display reels 514a to 514c in the previous game. Then, the reel motor 651 is driven to start rotation of all the left, middle and right symbol display reels 514a to 514c. As a result, the symbols are variably displayed in the variable display area 502. Here, if the predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of rotation in the previous game, the process waits for rotation to start. Also, the timing of one game timer for the next game is started.

  Thereafter, a reel stop process is performed (step S5). In the reel stop process, stop switches 526a to 526c are established after a predetermined condition (the reference position is detected by the reel sensor 653 after the rotation speed reaches a certain speed) from the start of rotation of the symbol display reels 514a to 514c. The operation is made effective, and the reel motor 651 stops driving according to the setting status of the winning flag, and the symbol display reels 514a to 514c stop rotating.

  When the driving of the symbol display reels 514a to 514c is stopped, in the display mode at the time of the stop, the symbol (one of the above winning combinations is generated) on the active line according to the bet number set in the BET process in step S2. A winning determination process for determining whether or not the symbol to be displayed is derived and displayed is performed (step S6). If it is determined in this winning determination process that a winning combination has been won, various processes corresponding to the winnings generated on the main board 600 are performed.

  When the winning determination process ends, a payout process is performed (step S7). In the payout process, the credit is increased by the planned payout number set in the winning determination process. However, when the number of credits accumulated as data reaches 50, an excessive number of medals are provided on the left side of the speaker 531 by driving a not-shown medal payout motor (hopper motor). The medal payout exit (see FIG. 1) is paid out. Various processes not related to winning are also performed (including processes related to erasure of winning flags other than big bonus and regular bonus winning flags, and termination of big bonus and regular bonus). Then, the process for one game is completed, and the process for the next one game is started.

  Next, transmission of a display control command from the main board 600 to the display control board 630 will be described. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing signal lines of display control commands transmitted from the main board 600 to the display control board 630. As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the display control command is transmitted from the main board 600 to the display control board 630 through eight signal lines of display control signals D0 to D7. Further, a signal line for a display control INT signal for transmitting a strobe signal is also provided between the main board 600 and the display control board 630.

  In this embodiment, the display control command has a 2-byte configuration. As shown in FIG. 10, the first byte represents MODE (command classification), and the second byte represents EXT (command type). The first bit (bit 7) of the MODE data is always “1”, and the first bit (bit 7) of the EXT data is always “0”. Note that the command form shown in FIG. 10 is an example, and other command forms may be used. In this example, the control command is composed of two control signals. However, the number of control signals constituting the control command may be one or a plurality of three or more. .

  FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the relationship between an 8-bit control signal and an INT signal (strobe signal) that constitute a control command for the display control board 630. As shown in FIG. 11, when a predetermined period elapses after MODE or EXT data is output to the output port, the CPU 602 turns on an INT signal, which is a signal indicating data output. Further, when a predetermined period has elapsed from that point, the INT signal is turned off.

  Although the display control command has been described here, the control commands sent to other sub-boards (payout control board, lamp control board 660, sound control board 680) are also shown in FIGS. The form is the same.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a display control command sent from the main board 600 that controls the game to the display control board 630. Upon receiving the display control command, the display control board 630 displays predetermined information using the LCD 541 according to the content of the display control command. The command reception process will be described in detail later. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the command 81XX (H) is a display control command (reel rotation start operation command) that designates the internal winning status by “XX (H)” when the start switch 525 is operated. Command 9000 (H) is a display control command (reel rotation start command) for designating that the symbol display reels 514a to 514c have started rotating. Command 91XX (H) is a symbol display reel that is stopped in response to the operated reel stop switches 526a to 526c when the left reel stop switch 526a, the middle reel stop switch 526b, or the right reel stop switch 526c is operated. This is a display control command (reel stop command) that designates 514a to 514c and the stop location by “XX (H)”. Command 92XX (H) is a display control command (winning determination result command) that designates the winning combination and the number of medals to be paid out when there is a payout when all symbol display reels 514a to 514c are stopped (winning determination result command). It is.

  Although not shown in FIG. 12, a display control command (initialization command) for specifying execution of initialization processing, a display control command for specifying other display contents of the LCD 541, and display control for instructing a customer waiting demonstration In addition to commands used in pachinko gaming machines such as commands, other display control commands such as a bet number command for specifying the bet number and a credit number command for specifying the credit number are also prepared in advance and output according to the gaming state Is done.

  When the display control CPU 631 on the display control board 630 receives the display control command described above from the game control means of the main board 600, the LCD 541 executes a predetermined effect according to the contents shown in FIG.

  Next, an example of a display mode of the background image displayed on the image display device 541 will be described with reference to FIGS. The background image is an image of the ground displayed on the back of the special symbol, and is an image different from the decorative symbol (the symbol displayed corresponding to the special symbol) and the character. In this embodiment, a moving image reproduced for a certain period (24 seconds in the examples shown in FIGS. 13 and 14) is repeatedly displayed on the image display device 541 as a background image. Here, the display mode of the background image (background image 1) by the movie data B1 for the background 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The moving image data is stored in the CGROM 640 after being compressed. Therefore, the moving image data after the moving image expansion unit 111 performs the data expansion processing is expanded (stored) in the VRAM. For example, when moving image display is realized by updating the display image every 33.3 ms, the CGROM 640 stores image data for 720 frames (24 / 33.3 ms).

  It should be noted that when the horizontally long moving image data is stored in the CGROM 640 without data compression and a part of the horizontally long moving image data is displayed on the image display device 541, the moving image data area to be extracted every 33.3 ms elapses. The moving image display can also be realized by shifting in the horizontal direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the background image 1 is composed of a moving image showing a landscape seen when the viewing direction is rotated 360 degrees at a predetermined viewpoint position. Specifically, the background image 1 is displayed as the landscape is scrolling in the horizontal direction as shown in FIGS. 13A to 13J, and subsequently, FIGS. 14K to 14T are displayed. ), The scene is further scrolled in the horizontal direction, and is a moving image that returns to the image of FIG. 13A when rotated 360 degrees. Such a 360-degree field of view is scrolled in advance to display a moving image that is sequentially displayed, for example, so that a background image is displayed without any apparent breaks. Each background image such as the background image 1 is performed asynchronously regardless of the rotation of the symbol display reels 514a to 514c, and the playback and display of the background image is sequentially executed even when the symbol display reels 514a to 514c are not rotating. The

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18, an example of a display mode of a notice effect that is executed when the background image 1 is displayed on the image display device 541 will be described. In this example, the display position and display mode of the character for the notice effect (notice character) are determined according to the display status of the background image 1 when the effect contents of the notice effect are determined. Here, it is assumed that the background image 1 of FIGS. 13 to 14 described above is repeatedly reproduced and displayed.

  15 to 16 show an example of a notice effect that is executed when the effect content is determined when FIG. 14 (S) in the background image 1 of FIGS. 13 to 14 is displayed, and the background image. It is explanatory drawing shown together with the example of the notice effect produced when the content of production is determined when FIG. 13 (J) in 1 is displayed.

  When the effect content is determined when FIG. 14 (S) in the background image 1 is displayed, the display screen (FIG. 14) shown in FIG. 14 (S) is displayed as shown in FIGS. 16 (S)), the sailing ship (character C1) that is not displayed in the normal time (during the non-warning effect) appears as a warning character (FIG. 16 (T)), and is further scrolled horizontally. The state of being out of the field of view is displayed (FIGS. 15A to 15E). As described above, in this example, the notice effect is executed by causing the character C1 to appear in the background image 1 as the notice character.

  Further, when the effect content is determined when FIG. 13 (J) in the background image 1 is displayed, the display screen shown in FIG. 13 (J) is displayed as shown in FIGS. (FIG. 15 (J)), when the vehicle is scrolled horizontally, three cars (character C2, character C3, character C4) that are not displayed in normal time (non-notice effect) appear in sequence as a notice character. (FIG. 16 (K) to FIG. 16 (M)), and the state where each of the notice characters C2 to C4 is sequentially deviated from the view range is displayed as it is further scrolled horizontally (FIG. 16 (N) to FIG. 16 (). O)). As described above, in this example, the notice effect is executed by causing a plurality of notice characters C2 to C4 to appear in the background image 1 as the notice characters.

  FIGS. 17 to 18 show other examples of the notice effect executed when the effect content is determined when FIG. 14 (S) in the background image 1 shown in FIGS. 13 to 14 is displayed. It is explanatory drawing shown together with the other example of the notice effect produced when the effect content is determined when FIG.13 (J) in the background image 1 is displayed.

  When the effect content is determined when FIG. 14S in the background image 1 is displayed, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 18, the display screen (FIG. 14S) shown in FIG. 18 (S)), the yacht (character C5) that is not displayed in the normal time (non-notice effect) appears as a notice character (FIG. 18 (T)) and is further scrolled horizontally. The state of being out of the field of view is displayed (FIGS. 17A to 17E). As described above, in this example, the notice effect is executed by causing the character C5 to appear in the background image 1 as the notice character.

  Further, when the effect content is determined when FIG. 13J in the background image 1 is displayed, the display screen shown in FIG. 13J is displayed as shown in FIGS. Three cars (character C3, character C2, character C4), which are notice characters that are not displayed in normal time (non-notice effect) when scrolled horizontally from FIG. 17 (J), are shown in FIG. 15 to 16 appear sequentially in a different order from the above example (FIGS. 18K to 18M), and are further scrolled horizontally so that the notice characters C3, C2 and C4 are within the field of view. A state of sequentially deviating from is displayed (FIG. 18N to FIG. 18O). As described above, in this example, the notice effect is executed by causing a plurality of notice characters C2 to C4 to appear in the background image 1 in the order of the notice characters C3, C2, and C4 as the notice characters.

  Next, command reception processing and the like in the electrical component control means will be described. Here, the command reception processing and the like in the display control means will be described, but the command reception processing and the like are similarly executed in other sub-boards.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the display control CPU 631. In the main process, first, an initial value setting process such as clearing the RAM area is performed (step S701). Thereafter, in this embodiment, the display control CPU 631 shifts to a loop process for checking the timer interrupt flag (step S702). In the loop, a process of updating a counter for generating a predetermined random number such as a random number counter used in the background moving image display control process is also performed (step S710). Then, as shown in FIG. 20, when a timer interrupt occurs, the display control CPU 631 sets a timer interrupt flag (step S711). If the timer interrupt flag is set in the main process, the display control CPU 631 clears the flag (step S703) and executes the following image display control process.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the timer interrupt takes every 2 ms. That is, the image display control process is started every 2 ms. In this embodiment, only the flag is set in the timer interrupt process, and the specific image display control process is executed in the main process. However, the image display control process may be executed in the timer interrupt process. .

  In the image display control process, the display control CPU 631 analyzes the display control command received from the game control means, and executes image display control in accordance with the command from the game control means (step S704). With the above control, in this embodiment, the image display control process is started every 2 ms. In this embodiment, only the flag is set in the timer interrupt process, and the image display control process is executed in the main process. However, the image display control process may be executed in the timer interrupt process. In the image display control process, image control such as displaying characters, figures, characters, and the like on the LCD 541 in a predetermined display mode is performed.

  Next, the display control CPU 631 executes a background moving image display control process (step S705). Thereafter, the process returns to step S710.

  Next, display control command reception processing from the main board 600 will be described. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a command reception buffer for storing a display control command received from the main board 600. In this example, a command reception buffer of a ring buffer format capable of storing six display control commands having a 2-byte configuration is used. Therefore, the command reception buffer is configured by a 12-byte area of reception command buffers 1 to 12. A command reception number counter indicating in which area the received command is stored is used. The command reception number counter takes a value from 0 to 11. It is not always necessary to use the ring buffer format. For example, three storage areas for predetermined display control commands (2 × 3 = 6 byte command reception buffer) and one storage area for other predetermined display control commands are used. A buffer configuration such as (2 × 1 = 2-byte command reception buffer) may be used. Similarly, the sound control means and the lamp control means may have a buffer format other than the ring buffer format. In this case, the display control means, sound control means, and lamp control means are controlled based on the latest command stored in the storage area. Thereby, it is possible to quickly respond to an instruction from the main board 600.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing display control command reception processing by interrupt processing. An INT signal for display control from the main board 600 is input to an interrupt terminal of the CPU 631 for display control. For example, when the INT signal from the main board 600 is turned on, the display control CPU 631 is interrupted. Then, the display control command reception process shown in FIG. 22 is started.

  In the display control command reception process, the display control CPU 631 first saves each register in the stack (step S670). When an interrupt occurs, the display control CPU 631 automatically sets the interrupt prohibited state. However, if a CPU that does not automatically enter the interrupt prohibited state is used, before executing the process of step S670. It is preferable to issue an interrupt prohibition instruction (DI instruction). Next, data is read from an input port assigned to input of display control command data (step S671). And it is confirmed whether it is the 1st byte of the display control command of 2 bytes composition (Step S672).

  Whether or not it is the first byte is confirmed by whether or not the first bit of the received command is “1”. The first bit of “1” is supposed to be MODE data (first byte) in the display control command having a 2-byte configuration (see FIG. 12). Therefore, if the first bit is “1”, the display control CPU 631 determines that the valid first byte has been received, and stores the received command in the reception command buffer indicated by the command reception number counter in the reception buffer area (step S1). S673).

  If it is not the first byte of the display control command, it is confirmed whether or not the first byte has already been received (step S674). Whether or not it has already been received is confirmed by whether or not valid data is set in the reception buffer (reception command buffer).

  If the first byte has already been received, it is confirmed whether or not the first bit of the received 1 byte is “0”. If the first bit is “0”, it is determined that a valid second byte has been received, and the received command is stored in the reception command buffer indicated by the command reception number counter + 1 in the reception buffer area (step S675). The first bit of “0” is supposed to be EXT data (second byte) in the display control command having a 2-byte configuration (see FIG. 12). If the confirmation result in step S674 indicates that the first byte has already been received, the process ends unless the first bit of the data received as the second byte is “0”.

  In step S675, when the command data of the second byte is stored, 2 is added to the command reception number counter (step S676). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the command reception counter is 12 or more (step S677), and if it is 12 or more, the command reception number counter is cleared (step S678). Thereafter, the saved register is restored (step S679), and interrupt permission is set (step S680).

  The display control command has a two-byte configuration, and the first byte (MODE) and the second byte (EXT) are configured to be immediately distinguishable on the receiving side. In other words, the reception side can immediately detect whether the data as MODE or the data as EXT has been received by the first bit. Therefore, as described above, it can be easily determined whether or not appropriate data has been received. This also applies to the payout control command, the lamp control command, and the sound control command.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the background moving image display control process in step S705. As described above, in this embodiment, a moving image reproduced for a certain period (for example, 24 seconds) is repeatedly or appropriately updated and displayed on the image display device 541 as a background image. The CPU 631 performs the control in the background moving image display control process.

  In the background moving image display control process, the display control CPU 631 first subtracts 1 from the reproduction time timer (step S811). The playback time timer is a timer for measuring the playback time of the background movie. For example, when playback is started from the background movie of background 1 when the power supply is started, the display control CPU 631 should play back the background movie of background 1 as the background image in the initialization processing in step S701. And a value corresponding to the playback period (for example, 24 seconds) of the background movie of background 1 is set in the playback time timer.

  Next, the display control CPU 631 checks whether or not a notice execution flag is set (step S812). If set, the notice execution flag is reset (step S813), the display position of the notice character is determined based on the timer value of the current playback time timer (step S814), and the notice mode is determined (step S814). S815). Then, the VDP 633 is instructed to display the notice character in the decided display position in the decided display mode (type of notice character, display direction of the notice character) (step S816).

  The notice execution flag determines whether or not to execute the notice effect when receiving the display control command (reel rotation start operation command shown in FIG. 12) indicating the internal winning status, and decides to execute the notice effect. Set when Note that whether or not to execute the notice effect may be determined according to the winning situation indicated by the received reel rotation start operation command, for example, when the reel rotation start operation command is received. For example, when a predetermined winning is won internally, it may be determined to execute the notice effect. Note that when a predetermined winning is won internally, a random number lottery may be further performed to determine whether or not to execute the notice effect according to the lottery result.

  When the reel rotation start operation command is received, it is determined whether or not the notice effect is to be executed, and the execution timing is also determined when it is determined to be executed. When the execution timing has arrived, the notice execution flag May be set. Note that the execution timing of the notice effect may be, for example, when a reel rotation start operation command is received, when a reel rotation start command is received, or when a reel stop command is received. For example, when it is determined that the notice effect is to be executed when the reel rotation start operation command is received, the notice execution flag referred to in step S812 is set according to the decision. For example, when it is determined to execute the notice effect when the reel rotation start command is received, the notice execution flag referred to in step S812 when the reel rotation start command is received thereafter is set.

  Next, when the playback time timer is 0 (step S817), that is, when the playback period of the background movie currently being played has elapsed, the display control CPU 631 changes the background movie by, for example, random lottery. If it is to be changed, the background movie to be reproduced and displayed next is determined. If not to be changed, it is determined to reproduce and display the same background image again (step S818).

  Then, the display control CPU 631 instructs the VDP 633 to use the movie selected in step S818 as a background image (step S819). Further, a value corresponding to the playback period of the instructed movie is set in the playback time timer (step S820).

  FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a notice effect content determination table. The notice effect content determination table is prepared in advance for each background image and is stored in the ROM 632. FIG. 24 shows a notice effect content determination table prepared corresponding to the background image 1.

  In the notice effect content determination table, in addition to the type of the corresponding background image, the notice character display coordinates indicating the coordinates in the background image for displaying the character for the notice effect corresponding to each frame constituting the background image And the display mode of the character for the notice effect. The notice character display coordinates are determined such that the notice character appears when the display state of the corresponding background image progresses (for example, when scrolling horizontally). For example, the notice character display coordinates are set so that the notice character appears before the background image scrolls by 10 [pixel] to 100 [pixel]. Note that 10 [pixel] to 100 [pixel] is an example, and may be other values or other ranges.

  Note that the notice character display coordinates set in the notice effect content determination table may be determined so that the notice character appears in the displayed background image. For example, a background image may be displayed by a moving image such as a movie instead of a moving image in which the landscape is scrolled in the horizontal direction. In such a case, the background image is displayed. The notice character display coordinates are determined so that the notice character appears at a desired position in the image (for example, an area where no person is displayed on the screen where the person is displayed).

  The notice effect content determination table is used when determining the display position of the notice character in step S814 and determining the notice mode in step S815. That is, in step S814, the display state of the background image (the currently displayed frame) is specified based on the timer value of the playback time timer, and the coordinates set corresponding to the frame are displayed on the notice character. Determine as position. In step S815, the display mode set corresponding to the currently displayed frame specified based on the timer value of the playback time timer is determined as the effect mode of the notice effect to be executed.

Next, operations of the display control CPU 631 and the VDP 633 of this example will be described.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the V blank interrupt process executed by the display control CPU 631. In this example, the V blank interrupt process is executed in response to the V blank interrupt from the VDP 633. The V blank interrupt is an interrupt generated by the VDP 633 in the same cycle as that of the vertical synchronization signal supplied to the image display device 541. For example, when the screen change frequency (frame frequency) of the image display device 541 is 30 Hz, the generation period of the V blank interrupt is 33.3 ms, and when the frame frequency is 60 Hz, the occurrence of the V blank interrupt is generated. The period is 16.7 ms. The occurrence interval of the V blank interrupt is a frame period. For example, when the generation period of the V blank interrupt is 33.3 ms, the frame period is also 33.3 ms.

  In the V blank interruption process, first, the display control CPU 631 determines whether or not to start reproduction (step S901). When the reproduction of a new moving image is not started, it is determined whether or not the moving image is currently being reproduced (step S902). Whether or not a moving image is being reproduced is determined, for example, based on the state of a moving image reproducing flag stored in the RAM 103.

  In step S901, it is determined to start moving image playback when a predetermined moving image playback start condition is satisfied. The moving image reproduction start condition is, for example, a predetermined moving image reproduction time when a predetermined command (for example, a command specifying that the start switch 525 is operated and the change of the identification information is started) is received from the main board 600. May be established when a predetermined video playback timing arrives, or when the previous video playback ends.

  In this example, as shown in steps S901 and S902, it is determined whether to newly start moving image reproduction regardless of whether the moving image is being reproduced. That is, even when a moving image is being played back, a new moving image can be started to be played back. In other words, even if the drawing instruction based on the display control data is not completed, the display control data is switched (including the case of switching to the same display control data), and the drawing instruction based on the switched display control data can be started. It has a possible configuration.

  If it is determined to start moving image reproduction, the display control CPU 631 sets the moving image reproducing flag, and then selects the type of moving image to be reproduced in accordance with a predetermined moving image selection condition (step S903). In this example, one moving image to be reproduced is selected from the moving images 1 to 9 shown in FIG. The moving image selection condition may be determined, for example, according to a predetermined reproduction order or determined randomly by random number lottery.

  When a moving image to be reproduced is selected, the display control CPU 631 reads display control data corresponding to the selected moving image from the ROM 632 to the RAM 103 (step S904). Next, the display control CPU 631 refers to the process data 1 in the read display control data, designates a moving image to be reproduced, etc., confirms the presence / absence and number of decompression instructions, and the presence / absence of a display instruction (step S905). . Specifically, the display control CPU 631 displays data indicating a moving image (for example, moving image A1) to be reproduced as part of a drawing instruction (control information for reproducing a moving image), and whether the moving image is IPB movie data or an IP movie. When data indicating whether it is data, data indicating the moving image size of the moving image, and data indicating the expansion mode of the moving image are written in the drawing control register 115 and whether or not an expansion instruction is to be issued Confirms the number of decompression instructions and whether or not to give a display instruction. Then, control goes to a step S907.

  If it is determined in step S902 that the moving image is being reproduced, the display control CPU 631 refers to the process data next to the currently used process data, and changes the reproduction mode of the moving image being reproduced (for example, an image). (Change of size) is specified, and the presence / absence of the decompression instruction, the number of times, the presence / absence of the display instruction, and the like are confirmed (step S906). If the referenced process data includes data indicating the end of moving image reproduction, the moving image reproduction flag is reset. Then, control goes to a step S907.

  Next, if the referred process data (the process data referred to in step S905 or step S906) includes a display instruction, the display control CPU 631 issues a display instruction according to the setting content of the process data. (Step S907). Specifically, the display control CPU 631 writes the display instruction in the drawing control register 115 as part of the drawing instruction (control information for playing back a moving image). In step S907, if the decompression completion signal indicating that the decompression process based on the decompression instruction performed in the previous frame period is completed is not received from the VDP 633, the previous frame period is determined based on the setting contents of the process data. The display instruction with the same content as the decompression instruction performed in step 1 is performed. In other words, after the display control CPU 631 issues a decompression instruction in a predetermined frame period and the frame period ends before the decompression process executed by the VDP 633 according to the decompression instruction ends, In this frame period, the same display instruction as in the previous frame period is issued, and an image based on the same image data is displayed on the image display device 541.

  Further, if the referred process data (process data referred to in step S905 or step S906) includes an instruction for decompression, the display control CPU 631 issues an decompression instruction of 1 according to the setting content of the process data. This is performed once or twice (step S908). Specifically, the display control CPU 631 writes one or two decompression instructions in the drawing control register 115 as part of a drawing instruction (control information for reproducing a moving image).

  Next, the display control CPU 631 refers to the process data used this time (the process data referenced in step S905 or step S906), and determines whether to start or update the display of the sprite image (step S909).

  When starting or updating the display of the sprite image, the display control CPU 631 refers to the process data used this time, and instructs the sprite image such as the type, display position, and display size of the sprite image to be displayed (sprite). Image display instruction) is performed (step S910). Specifically, the display control CPU 631 writes a sprite image display instruction in the drawing control register 115 as part of a drawing instruction (control information for reproducing a moving image).

  As described above, the display control CPU 631 issues a drawing instruction (control information for reproducing a moving image) including, for example, a display instruction and an expansion instruction to the VDP 633.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the expansion process executed by the VDP 633. In the expansion process, the VDP 633 determines whether the display control CPU 631 has designated a moving image to be reproduced and displayed (step S931). If a moving image to be reproduced and displayed is designated, the VDP 633 sets movie data indicating the designated moving image as movie data used for moving image reproduction (step S932). If the image size of the moving image to be played back is specified, the VDP 633 sets the frame buffer size according to the image size (step S933). If the expansion mode is specified for the moving image to be reproduced and displayed, the VDP 633 sets the expansion mode (step S934). If it is specified whether the movie data to be used for moving image playback is IPB movie data or IP movie data, the VDP 633 sets IPB movie data or IP movie data according to the specified content (step). S935). Note that the VDP 633 may determine whether the moving image to be reproduced and displayed is an image size, a development mode, IPB movie data, or IP movie data.

  The movie data includes information indicating the expansion order of each picture, information indicating the display order of each picture, and the like. The movie data includes information indicating the image size of a moving image reproduced and displayed with the movie data, information indicating whether the movie data is IPB movie data or IP movie data, and the like. Also good.

  Next, when there is a decompression instruction from the display control CPU 631 (step S936), the VDP 633 extracts and decompresses the frame data (picture data) of the current decompression order in the movie data used for reproducing the moving image, The data is expanded in a predetermined frame buffer in the VRAM provided in the SDRAM (step S937). When the expansion process in step S37 is completed, the VDP 633 transmits an expansion process completion signal indicating that to the display control CPU 631. The display control CPU 631 can determine that the instructed decompression process has been completed by receiving the decompression process completion signal.

  When there is a sprite image display instruction from the display control CPU 631 (step S938), the VDP 633 generates sprite image data for displaying the sprite image instructed from the display control CPU 631 in accordance with the sprite image display instruction. (Step S939), the sprite image data read out as necessary is subjected to processing for enlargement / reduction, rotation, and transmission of the sprite image, rearranged, and developed in the work memory (step S940). .

  Further, the VDP 633 clips the arranged sprite image data in a range designated by the sprite image display instruction from the display control CPU 631 and develops it in the VRAM (step S941). At this time, if the frame data to be displayed next in the movie data is expanded in the frame buffer, the sprite image data is expanded on the frame data, and the movie image and the sprite image are synthesized.

  The VDP 633 sequentially generates the images of the respective screens displayed on the image display device 541 by executing the above-described processing in accordance with the drawing instruction from the display control CPU 631.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of image display processing executed by the VDP 633 every 33 ms in response to a display instruction from the display control CPU 631. When a display instruction is issued from the display control CPU 631 every 33 ms, the image display process is executed every 33 ms.

  In the image display process, when there is a display instruction from the display control CPU 631 (step S951), the VDP 633 is an image of the current display order among the image data (for example, RGB luminance data) developed on the VRAM. Data is read out and supplied to the display signal control unit 110 (step S952). When the display process in step S952 is completed, the VDP 633 transmits a display process completion signal indicating that to the display control CPU 631. The display control CPU 631 can determine that the instructed screen display is completed by receiving the display processing completion signal.

  Note that the VDP 633 is used when there is no image data in the current display order (for example, display order 1) in the image data developed on the VRAM when there is a display instruction from the display control CPU 631 in step S51. If image data that is not used for display is expanded on the VRAM, the image data is read out and supplied to the display signal control unit 110 in step S952. That is, when there is a display instruction based on the first process data in the display control data, if image data that is not used for display is expanded on the VRAM, the image data is read and displayed to the display signal control unit 110. Supply. When there is a display instruction based on the first process data in the display control data, if image data that is not used for display is not expanded on the VRAM, the image data is supplied to the display signal control unit 110. Not performed. When the image data is not supplied to the display signal control unit 110 in step S52, the VDP 633 transmits a display target image no signal indicating that to the display control CPU 631. The display control CPU 631 can determine that there is no display target image by receiving the display target image non-signal.

  The display signal control unit 110 generates a control signal (video signal, image display signal) such as an LCD drive signal according to the supplied image data, and supplies the control signal to the image display device 541. Then, a frame image (picture) or background image in the movie image is displayed on the display screen of the image display device 541.

  By repeatedly executing each of the above processes (the processes shown in FIGS. 25 to 27), a playback image of the movie image is displayed on the image display device 541.

  Next, the development timing and display timing of each image (picture) constituting the movie image when the movie image based on the IP movie data is reproduced will be described.

  FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the expansion timing and display timing of each picture when a movie image based on IP movie data is reproduced and displayed. FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the storage state of the frame buffer when IP movie data is processed at the timing shown in FIG. Here, for the sake of simplicity, description will be made using IP movie data in which a moving image is reproduced and displayed by processing for 13 frame periods as shown in FIG.

  When a movie image based on the IP movie data is played back and displayed, the pictures are displayed in the decompressed order without the order of expansion and display of the pictures being different. Therefore, the decompression order and the display order in each picture match.

  When the display control CPU 631 reproduces and displays a movie image based on the IP movie data, the display control CPU 631 indicates to the VDP 633 the type of movie data used for the reproduction display based on the display control data in the first frame period (F1). After designating or the like (see step S905), an extension instruction is given (see step S908).

  The VDP 633 reads the designated movie data from the CGROM 105 (see step S932), and sets the development mode 3 because the movie data designated as the movie data used for reproduction display is IP movie data (see step S934).

  In response to the decompression instruction, the VDP 633 decompresses the picture I1 whose decompression order is the first in the first frame period (F1) and expands it in the frame buffer 0 as shown in FIG. 29 ( Step S937). Of the frame buffers 0 to 2, the frame buffer that expands image data is not used in the future, for example, for a frame buffer in which no image data is stored, or for display or expansion of other pictures. It is arbitrarily determined from a frame buffer in which image data is stored.

  Next, in the second frame period (F2), the display control CPU 631 issues a display instruction to the VDP 633 based on the display control data (see step S907) and an extension instruction (see step S908). ).

  In response to the display instruction, the VDP 633 sends a video signal for displaying the picture I1 developed in the frame buffer 0 in the previous frame period (F1) to the image display device 541 in the second frame period (F2). (See step S952). Further, in response to the decompression instruction, the VDP 633 decompresses the picture P1 whose decompression order is the second in the second frame period (F2) and develops it in the frame buffer 1 as shown in FIG. (Refer to step S937).

  Thereafter, the display control CPU 631 repeatedly outputs a display instruction and an expansion instruction for each frame period (F3 to F12). The VDP 633 is a video for displaying pictures developed in the previous frame period in accordance with a predetermined display order in accordance with display instructions from the display control CPU 631 in each frame period (F3 to F12). The signal is output to the image display device 541 (see step S952). Also, the VDP 633 expands the picture displayed in the next frame period in accordance with a decompression order determined in advance according to the decompression instruction from the display control CPU 631 in each frame period (F3 to F12). The frame buffer is expanded (see step S937).

  Then, the display control CPU 631 issues a display instruction to the VDP 633 based on the display control data in the last frame period (F13) (see step S907). In the last frame period (F13), the display control CPU 631 does not give an extension instruction. In response to a display instruction from the display control CPU 631 in the frame period (F13), the VDP 633 sends a video signal for displaying the last picture P9 developed in the previous frame period (F12) to the image display device 541. Output (see step S952).

  Next, the development timing and display timing of each image (picture) constituting the movie image when the movie image based on the IPB movie data is reproduced will be described.

  FIG. 30A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the expansion timing and display timing of each picture when a movie image based on IPB movie data is reproduced and displayed. FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the storage state of the frame buffer when IPB movie data is processed at the timing shown in FIG. Here, for the sake of simplicity, description will be made using IPB movie data in which a moving image is reproduced and displayed by processing for 13 frame periods as shown in FIG.

  When a movie image based on IPB movie data is reproduced and displayed, there are portions where the expansion order and display order of each picture are different. For this reason, there is a portion where the expansion order and the display order in each picture do not match.

  When the display control CPU 631 reproduces and displays a movie image based on the IPB movie data, the display control CPU 631 designates the movie data used for the reproduction display on the VDP 633 based on the display control data in the first frame period (F1). (See step S905), two decompression instructions are given (see step S908).

  The VDP 633 reads out movie data designated as movie data used for reproduction display from the CGROM 105 (see step S932), and sets the development mode 4 because the designated movie data is IPB movie data (see step S934).

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 31, the VDP 633 expands the picture I1 whose expansion order is the first in response to the first expansion instruction and expands it to the frame buffer 0 in the first frame period (F1). At the same time (see step S937), in response to the second decompression instruction, the picture P1 having the second decompression order is decompressed and expanded in the frame buffer 1 (see step S937). That is, the VDP 633 executes the above-described decompression / decompression process of step S37 twice in the first frame period (F1). Of the frame buffers 0 to 3, the frame buffer for expanding the image data is, for example, a frame buffer in which no image data is stored, or image data that will not be used for display or expansion of other pictures in the future. Is arbitrarily determined from the stored frame buffers.

  Next, in the second frame period (F2), the display control CPU 631 issues a display instruction to the VDP 633 based on the display control data (see step S907) and an extension instruction (see step S908). ).

  In response to the display instruction, the VDP 633 sends a video signal for displaying the picture I1 developed in the frame buffer 0 in the previous frame period (F1) to the image display device 541 in the second frame period (F2). (See step S952). Also, in response to the decompression instruction, the VDP 633 decompresses the picture P2 whose decompression order is third in the second frame period (F2) and expands it in the frame buffer 2 as shown in FIG. (Refer to step S937).

  Thereafter, the display control CPU 631 repeatedly outputs a display instruction and an expansion instruction for each frame period (F3 to F11). The VDP 633 displays pictures developed up to the previous frame period in accordance with a predetermined display order in accordance with display instructions from the display control CPU 631 in each frame period (F3 to F11). Are output to the image display device 541 (see step S952). Also, the VDP 633 develops other pictures in the frame period after the next frame period in accordance with a predetermined expansion order in accordance with the expansion instruction from the display control CPU 631 in each frame period (F3 to F11). The used or displayed picture is expanded and developed in a desired frame buffer (see step S937).

  Then, the display control CPU 631 issues a display instruction to the VDP 633 based on the display control data in the second frame period (F12) from the end (see step S907). In the second frame period (F12) from the end, no decompression instruction is issued by the display control CPU 631. The VDP 633 is a video for displaying the picture B5 in the second display order from the last developed until the previous frame period (F11) in response to a display instruction from the display control CPU 631 in the frame period (F12). The signal is output to the image display device 541 (see step S952).

  Further, the display control CPU 631 issues a display instruction to the VDP 633 based on the display control data in the last frame period (F13) (see step S907). In the last frame period (F13), the display control CPU 631 does not give an extension instruction. In response to a display instruction from the display control CPU 631 in the frame period (F13), the VDP 633 displays a video signal for displaying the picture P5 in the last display order developed until the previous frame period (F12). The data is output to the display device 541 (see step S952).

  Conventionally, when a movie image based on IPB movie data is reproduced and displayed, as shown in FIG. 30B, the first picture I1 in the expansion order is expanded and expanded in the first frame period (F1). In the frame period (F2), the picture P1 having the second expansion order is expanded and expanded. Next, in the third frame period (F3), the third picture P2 in the expansion order is expanded and expanded, and the picture I1 in the first display order is displayed.

  In the subsequent frame periods (F3 to F12), in the same manner as in the frame period (F3), the pictures in the decompression order are decompressed and expanded in a desired frame buffer, and are in the display order. A process of displaying a picture is executed.

  Then, in the second frame period from the last (F13), the picture B5 developed up to the previous frame period is displayed according to a predetermined display order, and in the last frame period (F14), In accordance with a predetermined display order, a process of displaying the last picture P5 that has been expanded up to the previous frame period is executed.

  As described above, the notice effect is performed by displaying the character for the notice effect on the background video created by the CG. When the notice effect is performed, the display control CPU 631 displays the character for the notice effect. Since the display position is determined and the character for the notice effect is displayed at the decided display position, the display load of the background image can be reduced and the appropriate notice display according to the display state of the background image can be achieved. It can be performed.

  Further, as described above, the notice effect is performed by displaying the character for the notice effect on the background video created by the CG. When the notice effect is performed, the display control CPU 631 performs the effect form of the notice effect. And the notice effect is executed in the decided effect mode, so that the display load of the background image can be reduced and the appropriate notice display according to the display state of the background image can be performed. .

  Further, as described above, the display control CPU 631 instructs the compressed moving image data to be used for reproduction display of the moving image and the decompression instruction by the drawing instruction in the first frame period when starting the reproduction display of the moving image. The display instruction is started by the next drawing instruction in the frame period next to the frame period in which the first drawing instruction is started, and the IPB movie data is instructed by the first drawing instruction. In some cases, since the extension instruction is performed twice in the first frame period, it is possible to easily manage the execution timing of the extension process in the moving image reproduction control.

  That is, the picture expansion process can be started one frame period before the start of the display process of each picture, regardless of whether the IP movie data is reproduced or the IPB movie data is reproduced. Even when IP movie data and IPB movie data are mixed, the timing of starting the picture expansion process is shared, so that the expansion process in the moving image reproduction control for moving image reproduction Management of execution timing becomes easy.

  As described above, the expansion process is performed at a common execution timing regardless of the type of movie data, and the management of the execution timing of the expansion process in the moving image playback control is facilitated. It becomes easy to design the control content (for example, control flow, control program) of moving image reproduction control mixed with IPB movie data. Specifically, the designer who designs the control content of the video playback control is conscious of whether it is IP movie data or IPB movie data when assigning the appearance location of each movie data in the video playback control. Thus, it is possible to assign each movie data without performing the control, and to easily design the control content of the moving image reproduction control. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the work load for developing a control program for controlling the reproduction of moving images.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 30B, for IPB movie data, since the picture expansion processing has been started two frames before the start of the display processing of each picture, the IP movie data reproduction processing is performed. The timing for starting the picture decompression process was different from that when performing it. For this reason, the designer who designs the control content of the moving image reproduction control has a different period from the start of reproduction control to the start of moving image display depending on whether the movie data is IP movie data or IPB movie data (1). In consideration of the fact that the frame period shifts, it is necessary to assign the appearance location of each movie data in the moving image reproduction control. On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, each movie data can be assigned without being conscious of whether it is IP movie data or IPB movie data, and the control contents of the moving image reproduction control can be easily designed. Can do it.

  In the above-described embodiment, when a moving image is reproduced and displayed based on IPB movie data, the extension instruction is performed twice in the first frame period. However, this is executed within one frame period. When the VDP 633 has a processing capability capable of completing each processing, the decompression instruction may be issued three times or more. In this case, it is only necessary to increase the frame period during which the decompression instruction is not performed in the second and subsequent frame periods.

  In the above-described embodiment, when a moving image is reproduced and displayed based on the IPB movie data, the extension instruction is given twice in the first frame period. It does not have to be performed in the frame period, and may be performed in any frame period before the frame period in which the decompression instruction for instructing the decompression of the B picture is first made.

  FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the development timing and display timing of each picture when a movie image based on IPB movie data is reproduced and displayed. FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the storage state of the frame buffer when IPB movie data is processed at the timing shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the decompression instruction is given twice in the third frame period (F3) in which the decompression instruction for instructing the decompression of the B picture is first made. Here, for the sake of simplicity, description will be made using IPB movie data in which a moving image is reproduced and displayed by processing for 13 frame periods as shown in FIG.

  When the display control CPU 631 reproduces and displays a movie image based on the IPB movie data, the display control CPU 631 designates the movie data used for the reproduction display on the VDP 633 based on the display control data in the first frame period (F1). Is performed (see step S905), and here, one decompression instruction is performed (see step S908).

  The VDP 633 reads the movie data designated from the display control CPU 631 as movie data used for reproduction display from the CGROM 105, and determines the development mode 4 because the designated movie data is IPB movie data.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 31, the VDP 633 expands the picture I1 whose expansion order is the first in response to the first expansion instruction and expands it to the frame buffer 0 in the first frame period (F1). (Refer to step S937).

  Next, in the second frame period (F2), the display control CPU 631 issues a display instruction to the VDP 633 based on the display control data (see step S907) (step S907). (See step S908).

  In response to the display instruction, the VDP 633 sends a video signal for displaying the picture I1 developed in the frame buffer 0 in the previous frame period (F1) to the image display device 541 in the second frame period (F2). (See step S952). Further, in response to the decompression instruction, the VDP 633 decompresses the picture P1 whose decompression order is second in the second frame period (F2) and develops it in the frame buffer 1 as shown in FIG. (Refer to step S937).

  Next, in the third frame period (F3), the display control CPU 631 issues a display instruction to the VDP 633 based on the display control data (see step S907), and here, two expansion instructions are given here. Perform (see step S908).

  In response to the display instruction, the VDP 633 sends a video signal for displaying the picture P1 developed in the frame buffer 0 in the previous frame period (F2) to the image display device 541 in the third frame period (F3). (See step S952).

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 33, the VDP 633 decompresses the picture P2 whose decompression order is third in accordance with the first decompression instruction in the third frame period (F3), and stores it in the frame buffer 2. In addition to expansion (see step S937), in response to the second expansion instruction, the picture B1 whose expansion order is fourth is expanded and expanded in the frame buffer 3 (see step S937). That is, the VDP 633 executes the above-described decompression / decompression process in step S937 twice in a frame period (F3 in this case) in which the B picture is first decompressed / decompressed.

  Thereafter, the display control CPU 631 repeatedly outputs a display instruction and an expansion instruction for each frame period (F4 to F11). The VDP 633 displays pictures developed up to the previous frame period in accordance with a predetermined display order in response to display instructions from the display control CPU 631 in each frame period (F4 to F11). Are output to the image display device 541 (see step S952). Further, the VDP 633 expands other pictures in the frame period after the next frame period in accordance with a predetermined expansion order in response to the expansion instruction from the display control CPU 631 in each frame period (F4 to F11). The used or displayed picture is expanded and developed in a desired frame buffer (see step S937).

  Then, the display control CPU 631 issues a display instruction to the VDP 633 based on the display control data in the second frame period (F12) from the end (see step S907). In the second frame period (F12) from the end, no decompression instruction is issued by the display control CPU 631. The VDP 633 is a video for displaying the picture B5 in the second display order from the last developed until the previous frame period (F11) in response to a display instruction from the display control CPU 631 in the frame period (F12). The signal is output to the image display device 541 (see step S952).

  Further, the display control CPU 631 issues a display instruction to the VDP 633 based on the display control data in the last frame period (F13) (see step S907). In the last frame period (F13), the display control CPU 631 does not give an extension instruction. In response to a display instruction from the display control CPU 631 in the frame period (F13), the VDP 633 displays a video signal for displaying the picture P5 in the last display order developed until the previous frame period (F12). The data is output to the display device 541 (see step S952).

  As described above, the display control CPU 631 instructs the compressed moving image data used for the moving image reproduction display and starts the decompression instruction in the drawing instruction in the first frame period when starting the moving image reproduction display. When the display instruction is started in the next drawing instruction in the frame period next to the frame period in which the first drawing instruction is started and the IPB movie data is instructed in the first drawing instruction, Even in the case of a configuration in which a decompression instruction is performed a plurality of times in a drawing instruction in a frame period before a frame period in which a decompression instruction for instructing decompression of a B picture is first performed, Similarly, the management of the execution timing of the decompression process in the moving image reproduction control can be facilitated.

  In each of the embodiments described above, when the VDP 633 is IPB movie data including a B picture, the number of frame buffers used in the decompression process is smaller than when the VDP 633 is IP movie data not including a B picture. Since it is configured to determine a large number (in the above example, it is determined to be four more than three), depending on whether or not the compressed moving image data used for moving image reproduction display includes a B picture The capacity of the storage area used for moving image reproduction control can be determined appropriately.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the VDP 633 determines the image size in the moving image based on the compressed moving image data used for reproducing and displaying the moving image instructed by the drawing instruction from the display control CPU 631 in the decompression process. Since the storage area having a size corresponding to the determination result is set as a frame buffer, the moving image reproduction control is performed according to the image size of the moving image based on the compressed moving image data used for moving image reproduction display. The capacity of the storage area to be used can be determined appropriately.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, after the display control CPU 631 issues a decompression instruction in a predetermined frame period, the frame before the decompression process executed by the VDP 633 according to the decompression instruction ends. When the period ends, the same display instruction is given in the next frame period as in the previous frame period, and an image based on the same image data is displayed on the image display device 541. In this case, the VDP 633 receives a drawing instruction (for example, a display instruction) from the display control CPU 631 in the next frame period before the expansion process executed in response to the expansion instruction from the display control CPU 631 in a certain frame period ends. ) Is abandoned (erased) in the middle of the decompressed and expanded image data by the decompression process, and a video signal corresponding to the received display instruction may be output. Therefore, in such a case, the same image as that displayed in the previous frame period is displayed again. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent screen flickering.

  Although not specifically mentioned in each of the above-described embodiments, the VDP 633 is expanded by an expansion process every two frame periods every time a sprite image synthesized on the image data is updated every frame period. The processed image data may be stored in the frame buffer. In this case, for example, the processes in steps S909 and S910 may be performed every frame period, and the processes in steps S907 and S908 may be performed every two frames. Specifically, for example, the display control CPU 631 may issue a drawing instruction based on display control data as shown in FIG. That is, for example, based on the display control data shown in FIG. 34, the display control CPU 631 issues a decompression instruction and a display instruction as necessary and a sprite image display instruction in the frame period when the process data number is an odd number. In the frame period when the process data number is an even number, a sprite image display instruction may be issued as necessary without performing an expansion instruction or a display instruction. When the VDP 633 receives a sprite image display instruction without receiving an expansion instruction or a display instruction in a certain frame period, the video signal indicating the same image data as that used in the previous frame period is transmitted. You can do it. If comprised in this way, it can prevent that the control burden regarding image composition becomes heavy, implement | achieving a precise display.

  In the above-described embodiment, when IPB movie data is reproduced and displayed, only the display is performed without decompressing / decompressing the picture during the last two frame periods (FIG. 30). As shown in the IP movie data, when the IPB movie data is played back and displayed, the picture in the last display order is not displayed and the picture is not expanded or expanded only for the last one frame period. It is preferred that only be done. In this case, the set display control data is switched to the IP movie data display control data indicating the moving image to be reproduced and displayed in the frame period in which the picture in the last display order in the IPB movie data is displayed. You can do it.

  FIG. 35A shows an expansion timing and a display timing when the last display order picture is not displayed when IPB movie data in which the last expansion order picture is a B picture is played back. FIG. Here, for the sake of simplicity, if a picture in the last display order as shown in FIG. 35A is displayed, a moving image is reproduced and displayed by processing for 13 frame periods. Description will be made using IPB movie data in which a moving image is reproduced and displayed by processing for 12 frame periods because it is not displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 35A, a moving image based on the IP movie data is reproduced and displayed after the IPB movie data. FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display control data used for reproducing the IPB movie data shown in FIG. FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display control data used for reproducing the IP movie data shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that IP movie data B1 is not movie data for background but movie data for effect display.

  The IPB movie data shown in FIG. 35A is at least visually troublesome even if the last display order picture (final display scheduled image: picture P5 here) is not displayed in the reproduced moving image. It is assumed that no dummy picture has been generated. As the “dummy picture”, for example, an image of one color as a whole or a picture that is the last display order in the display (in the example shown in FIG. 35A, it is set to be displayed one frame period before the picture P5. The same image as the picture B5) being considered can be considered. If the dummy picture is the same as the last picture in the display order, the same picture is already displayed even if the dummy picture is not displayed, so there is no visual problem. Even if it is displayed, it is possible to prevent an uncomfortable appearance. The dummy picture is not displayed as a dummy when the playback display based on the movie data is not continuously performed (when the moving image is not continuously played back and displayed).

  The display control CPU 631 issues a drawing instruction such as a display instruction or an expansion instruction to the VDP 633 based on the display control data in each frame period (F1 to F11) (see steps S907 and S908).

  In response to a drawing instruction from the display control CPU 631, the VDP 633 displays a video signal for displaying pictures developed in the frame buffer up to the previous frame period in each frame period (F1 to F11). A process of outputting to 541 (see step S952), a process of expanding each picture in accordance with the expansion order and expanding it into a frame buffer (see step S937), and the like are performed.

  Then, when the 12th frame period (F12) is started (see step S901), the display control CPU 631 decides to start a new moving image reproduction (see Y in step S901). The data B1 is selected (see step S903), switched to the IP movie data display control data shown in FIG. 37 (see step S904), and the IP movie data display control data (process data) newly set for the VDP 633 is selected. In addition to specifying IP movie data B1 (see step S905), a display instruction (see step S907) and an expansion instruction (see step S908) are performed based on the number 1 process data). That is, the twelfth frame period in the IPB movie data display control data is switched to the first frame period in the newly set IP movie data display control data. As described above, the display control CPU 631 displays the display instruction for the picture in the second display order from the last (picture B5 in this example) in the twelfth frame period (F12) and the last in the thirteenth frame period (F13). The drawing instruction based on the display control data of the IPB movie data is terminated without performing the display instruction of the pictures in the display order (picture P5 in this example), and the drawing based on the display control data of the newly set IP movie data is finished. Start the instruction.

  In the first frame period (F1) based on the display control data newly set by the display control CPU 631, the VDP 633 sets the IP movie data B1 according to the designation of the movie data from the display control CPU 631. (See steps S932 to S935).

  In addition, the VDP 633 generates a frame before the previous frame period in response to a display instruction from the display control CPU 631 in the first frame period (F1) based on the display control data newly set by the display control CPU 631. A video signal for displaying the picture B5 of the IPB movie data A2 expanded in the buffer is output to the image display device 541 (see step S952). That is, when receiving a display instruction from the display control CPU 631, the VDP 633 has not been expanded in the frame buffer, but has already been expanded since the image data corresponding to the display order 1 is not yet expanded. Of the pictures not used for display, a video signal for displaying the picture B5 having the earliest display order is output to the image display device 541.

  Further, the VDP 633 determines the decompression order in the IP movie data B1 in accordance with the decompression instruction from the display control CPU 631 in the first frame period (F1) based on the display control data newly set by the display control CPU 631. Expands the first picture I1 and expands it in the frame buffer (see step S937).

  Thereafter, the display control CPU 631 issues a drawing instruction such as a display instruction or an expansion instruction to the VDP 633 based on the display control data in each frame period (F2 to F6) for the IP movie data B1 (step S907). , See step S908).

  In response to a drawing instruction from the display control CPU 631, the VDP 633 displays a video signal for displaying a picture developed in the frame buffer in the previous frame period in each frame period (F2 to F6). A process of outputting to 541 (see step S952), a process of expanding each picture in accordance with the expansion order and expanding it into a frame buffer (see step S937), and the like are performed.

  In this way, after the reproduction / display of the moving image by the IPB movie data is completed, the reproduction / display of the moving image by the IP movie data is started. Note that when the playback and display of a moving image using IPB movie data is subsequently started, as long as the display process is started in the frame period subsequent to the frame period in which the decompression process is started, the same as in the above-described example. It is possible to perform processing.

  As described above, the display control CPU 631 instructs the compressed moving image data used for the moving image reproduction display and starts the decompression instruction in the drawing instruction in the first frame period when starting the moving image reproduction display. When the display instruction is started in the next drawing instruction in the frame period next to the frame period in which the first drawing instruction is started and the IPB movie data is instructed in the first drawing instruction, A configuration in which a decompression instruction is given a plurality of times in a drawing instruction in a frame period before a frame period in which a decompression instruction for instructing the decompression of a B picture is first performed, and a picture in the last display order of IPB movie data The next IP movie data playback and display is started following the display of the second picture from the last display order. Therefore, even when the IP movie data is reproduced and displayed after the IPB movie data is reproduced and displayed, the timing for starting the moving image reproduction control for the IP movie data to be reproduced and displayed can be made common. As a result, the management of the execution timing of the moving image playback control can be facilitated.

  That is, whether the IP movie data is subsequently played back after the IP movie data or the IP movie data is played back after the IPB movie data, the last movie data that is played back and displayed last. It becomes possible to start moving image playback control of IP movie data from the frame period next to the frame period for which the decompression instruction has been issued, and even if IP movie data and IPB movie data are mixed, The timing for starting the picture expansion process in the IP movie data to be continuously played back when the IP movie data is continuously played after the movie data and when the IP movie data is continuously played after the IPB movie data is made common. Therefore, the execution timing of decompression processing in video playback control Grayed management becomes easy.

  As described above, the expansion processing of the IP movie data to be reproduced and displayed later is started at a common execution timing regardless of the type of movie data to be reproduced and displayed first, and the IP movie data to be reproduced subsequently is started. Since it is easy to manage the execution timing of decompression processing in video playback control, it is easy to design control content (for example, control flow and control program) of video playback control in which IP movie data and IPB movie data are mixed. It becomes. Specifically, when the designer who designs the control content of the video playback control assigns the appearance location of each movie data in the video playback control, the type of the movie data to be played back and displayed first is IP movie data. Regardless of whether it is IPB movie data or not, it is possible to assign each IP movie data to be continuously reproduced and displayed, and it is possible to easily design the control content of the moving image reproduction control. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the work load for developing a control program for controlling the reproduction of moving images.

  In particular, in the above example, the IPB movie data to be reproduced first is image data indicating the final display scheduled image that is not actually displayed. Other pictures (picture B4 and picture B5 in the example shown in FIG. 35A) Therefore, all the pictures in the IPB movie data can be used as necessary pictures for moving image reproduction control, and the data capacity of the movie data is not wasted. In addition, it is possible to prevent the VDP 633 from executing unnecessary decompression / expansion processing and increasing the load due to unnecessary processing. In other words, the expansion / decompression process of the final display scheduled image in the VDP 633 can be an effective process.

  FIG. 35B shows an example of decompression timing and display timing when the picture in the last display order is not displayed when IPB movie data in which the picture in the last decompression order is not a B picture is played back. FIG. Here, for the sake of simplicity, if a picture in the last display order as shown in FIG. 35B is displayed, a moving image is reproduced and displayed by processing for 13 frame periods. Description will be made using IPB movie data in which a moving image is reproduced and displayed by processing for 12 frame periods because it is not displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 35 (B), a moving image based on IP movie data is reproduced and displayed after IPB movie data. FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display control data used for reproducing the IPB movie data shown in FIG. The display control data used for reproducing the IP movie data shown in FIG. 35B is the same as the example shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that IP movie data B1 is not movie data for background but movie data for effect display.

  The IPB movie data shown in FIG. 35 (B) has at least a visual trouble even if the last display order picture (final display scheduled image: picture P6 here) is not displayed in the reproduced video. It is assumed that no dummy picture has been generated.

  The display control CPU 631 issues a drawing instruction such as a display instruction or an expansion instruction to the VDP 633 based on the display control data in each frame period (F1 to F11) (see steps S907 and S908).

  In response to a drawing instruction from the display control CPU 631, the VDP 633 displays a video signal for displaying pictures developed in the frame buffer up to the previous frame period in each frame period (F1 to F11). A process of outputting to 541 (see step S952), a process of expanding each picture in accordance with the expansion order and expanding it into a frame buffer (see step S937), and the like are performed.

  Then, when the 12th frame period (F12) is started (see step S901), the display control CPU 631 decides to start a new moving image reproduction (see Y in step S901). The data B1 is selected (see step S903), switched to the IP movie data display control data shown in FIG. 37 (see step S904), and the IP movie data display control data (process data) newly set for the VDP 633 is selected. In addition to specifying IP movie data B1 (see step S905), a display instruction (see step S907) and an expansion instruction (see step S908) are performed based on the number 1 process data). That is, the twelfth frame period in the IPB movie data display control data is switched to the first frame period in the newly set IP movie data display control data. As described above, the display control CPU 631 displays the display instruction for the picture in the second display order (picture P5 in this example) from the last in the twelfth frame period (F12) and the last in the thirteenth frame period (F13). The drawing instruction based on the display control data of the IPB movie data is terminated without performing the display instruction of the pictures in the display order (picture P6 in this example), and the drawing based on the newly set display control data of the IP movie data is performed. Start the instruction.

  In the first frame period (F1) based on the display control data newly set by the display control CPU 631, the VDP 633 sets the IP movie data B1 according to the designation of the movie data from the display control CPU 631. (See steps S932 to S935).

  In addition, the VDP 633 generates a frame before the previous frame period in response to a display instruction from the display control CPU 631 in the first frame period (F1) based on the display control data newly set by the display control CPU 631. A video signal for displaying the picture P5 of the IPB movie data A3 expanded in the buffer is output to the image display device 541 (see step S952). That is, when receiving a display instruction from the display control CPU 631, the VDP 633 has not been expanded in the frame buffer, but has already been expanded since the image data corresponding to the display order 1 is not yet expanded. A video signal for displaying the picture P5 having the earliest display order among the pictures not used for display is output to the image display device 541.

  Further, the VDP 633 determines the decompression order in the IP movie data B1 in accordance with the decompression instruction from the display control CPU 631 in the first frame period (F1) based on the display control data newly set by the display control CPU 631. Expands the first picture I1 and expands it in the frame buffer (see step S937).

  Thereafter, the display control CPU 631 issues a drawing instruction such as a display instruction or an expansion instruction to the VDP 633 based on the display control data in each frame period (F2 to F6) for the IP movie data B1 (step S907). , See step S908).

  In response to a drawing instruction from the display control CPU 631, the VDP 633 displays a video signal for displaying a picture developed in the frame buffer in the previous frame period in each frame period (F2 to F6). A process of outputting to 541 (see step S952), a process of expanding each picture in accordance with the expansion order and expanding it into a frame buffer (see step S937), and the like are performed.

  In this way, after the reproduction / display of the moving image by the IPB movie data is completed, the reproduction / display of the moving image by the IP movie data is started. Note that when the playback and display of a moving image using IPB movie data is subsequently started, as long as the display process is started in the frame period subsequent to the frame period in which the decompression process is started, the same as in the above-described example. It is possible to perform processing.

  As described above, the display control CPU 631 instructs the compressed moving image data used for the moving image reproduction display and starts the decompression instruction in the drawing instruction in the first frame period when starting the moving image reproduction display. When the display instruction is started in the next drawing instruction in the frame period next to the frame period in which the first drawing instruction is started and the IPB movie data is instructed in the first drawing instruction, In the drawing instruction in the frame period before the frame period in which the decompression instruction for instructing the expansion of the B picture is first performed, the decompression instruction is performed a plurality of times. A picture in the last display order of IPB movie data that is not a B picture (final display scheduled image: picture P6 here) is not displayed. Since the reproduction and display of the next IP movie data is started following the display of the second picture from the last in the display order, the reproduction of the IPB movie data in which the last picture in the expansion order is not a B picture. Even when the IP movie data is reproduced and displayed after the display, the timing for starting the moving image reproduction control for the IP movie data to be continuously reproduced and displayed can be made common, and the execution timing of the moving image reproduction control Can be easily managed. Note that in the IPB movie data in which the last picture in the decompression order is not a B picture as described above, the picture in the last decompression order is the final display scheduled image. The frame period to be performed is the final frame period of control based on the display control data of the IPB movie data to be reproduced and displayed first, and the IPB movie data to be reproduced and displayed first and the IP movie data to be reproduced and displayed later. The switching timing can be easily grasped, and the management of the execution timing of the moving image reproduction control can be facilitated.

  That is, whether the IP movie data is subsequently played back after the IP movie data or the IP movie data is played back after the IPB movie data, the last movie data that is played back and displayed last. It becomes possible to start moving image playback control of IP movie data from the frame period next to the frame period for which the decompression instruction has been issued, and even if IP movie data and IPB movie data are mixed, The timing for starting the picture expansion process in the IP movie data to be continuously played back when the IP movie data is continuously played after the movie data and when the IP movie data is continuously played after the IPB movie data is made common. Therefore, the execution timing of decompression processing in video playback control Grayed management becomes easy.

  As described above, the expansion processing of the IP movie data to be reproduced and displayed later is started at a common execution timing regardless of the type of movie data to be reproduced and displayed first, and the IP movie data to be reproduced subsequently is started. Since it is easy to manage the execution timing of decompression processing in video playback control, it is easy to design control content (for example, control flow and control program) of video playback control in which IP movie data and IPB movie data are mixed. It becomes. Specifically, when the designer who designs the control content of the video playback control assigns the appearance location of each movie data in the video playback control, the type of the movie data to be played back and displayed first is IP movie data. Regardless of whether it is IPB movie data or not, it is possible to assign each IP movie data to be continuously reproduced and displayed, and it is possible to easily design the control content of the moving image reproduction control. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the work load for developing a control program for controlling the reproduction of moving images.

  In particular, in the above example, the IPB movie data to be reproduced first is subjected to image data decompression / decompression processing indicating a final display scheduled image (picture P6 in the example shown in FIG. 35B) that is not actually displayed. Since the frame period to be performed is the frame period immediately before switching to the display control data for the IP movie data, the display control data is switched in the frame period next to the frame period in which the final display scheduled image expansion / decompression process is executed. By doing so, it is possible to set the start timing of decompression processing of IP movie data to be reproduced later. Therefore, by using movie data whose final decompressed picture is not a B picture as IPB movie data to be played back first, it is possible to easily determine the switching timing of movie data to be controlled when movie data is played back continuously. Thus, it is possible to easily manage the execution timing of the decompression process in the moving image reproduction control when the movie data is continuously reproduced.

  In the above embodiment, the moving image playback control for the next IP movie data is started from the next frame period without blanking after the moving image playback control for the IPB movie data is completed. After the above moving image reproduction control is completed, the moving image reproduction control of the next movie data may be started with a blank for one or more frame periods. Even with this configuration, it is possible to share the timing for starting the moving image reproduction control for the movie data to be reproduced and displayed continuously, thereby facilitating management of the execution timing of the moving image reproduction control. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the display position and display mode of the notice character is determined according to the display state of the background image, and the notice character is displayed on the background image. However, the notice character is included in the background image. It is also possible to create a movie image for the notice effect that has been created in advance and switch the background image to the notice effect image when the notice effect is executed. Here, for example, the above-described background movie image showing the background image 1 shown in FIGS. 13 to 14 and the background preview movie image used for the announcement effect of the display content different from the background image 1 shown in FIGS. 15 to 16. It is assumed that a background notice movie image B used for a notice effect having a different display content from A and the background image 1 and the background notice movie image A is prepared in advance. The background preview movie image A and the background preview movie image B are each displayed for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) each time. Also, a notice effect content determination table in which the display coordinates of the notice character and the display mode of the notice character are set in advance corresponding to each of the background notice movie image A and the background notice movie image B is prepared. To do.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 39, the display control CPU 631 determines whether or not to perform the moving image preview using the background preview movie image (step S813A). The background preview movie image to be replaced from the background movie image is selected from either the background preview movie image A or the background preview movie image B (step S816A). This selection is performed by random lottery, for example.

  In step S813A, for example, there is a predetermined time (for example, 2.2 seconds) or more from the start of rotation of the symbol display reels 514a to 514c in the previous game until the time (for example, 4.1 seconds) counted by one game timer elapses. By determining whether or not to perform the moving image preview using the background preview movie image, it is determined. In this case, for example, the display control CPU 631 starts measuring the same time as the time (for example, 4.1 seconds) counted by one game timer when the reel rotation start command is received, and the time measured in step S813A. Check it.

  Next, the display control CPU 631 determines the notice character display position in accordance with the notice effect content determination table prepared corresponding to the selected background notice movie image (step S814), and decides the display form of the notice character. (Step S815).

  In step S814, when the background movie image of the background image 1 is replaced with the background preview movie image according to the table for determining the preview effect content, the position (for example, the preview character) that matches the display content of the replaced background preview movie image is replaced. If the vehicle is a car, the display position of the notice character is determined on the road in the image indicated by the background notice movie image.

  In step S815, when the background movie image of the background image 1 is replaced with the background preview movie image according to the table for determining the preview effect content, the display mode (for example, the preview) conforms to the display content of the replaced background preview movie image. If the type of the car that is the character is a predetermined car, and the road in the image indicated by the background preview movie image is a slope, the car is displayed diagonally according to the slope of the slope). As determined.

  Then, the display control CPU 631 instructs the background notice movie image to be replaced to the VDP 633 (step S816B), and at the display position decided in step S814, the display mode (type of notice character, notice in advance). The VDP 633 is instructed to display the notice character in the character display direction (step S816). Then, a playback time timer is set to set the playback period of the background preview movie image to be replaced (step S820).

  Thereafter, when the playback period of the replaced background preview movie image elapses (Y in step S817), for example, the display returns to the playback display of the background preview movie image A (step S818 to step S820).

  By replacing the moving image as described above, it is possible to reduce the display load of the notice display by replacing the normal background moving image with the background moving image for the notice effect.

  In addition, as described above, by displaying the notice character at the display position specified based on the table for determining the notice effect contents of the image by the background animation for the replaced notice effect, the background animation for the replaced notice effect is displayed. Since the background image in which the notice character is displayed at an appropriate position is displayed, it is possible to reduce the uncomfortable feeling of appearance.

  Further, in step S813A, for example, a predetermined time (for example, 2.2 seconds) from the start of rotation of the symbol display reels 514a to 514c in the previous game until a time (for example, 4.1 seconds) counted by one game timer elapses. Only when there is the above time, the video preview is performed by the background preview movie image for a predetermined period (for example, 2 seconds) shorter than the remaining time (for example, 2.2 seconds or more), so that a new start condition is established. The video trailer can be terminated before it is allowed, and the video trailer can be completed before the next game starts, making it easy for the game subject to notice (variable display in the case of pachinko machines) Can be recognized.

  In each of the embodiments described above, various effects are displayed by the image display device 541 installed above the symbol display reels 514a, 514b, and 514c in the slot machine 500. However, the image display device 541 is installed. The position may be anywhere. For example, an image display device (here, a liquid crystal display device that displays on transparent or translucent glass) 541 is provided on the front side of the symbol display reels 514a, 514b, and 514c so that the symbol display reels 514a, 514b, and 514c are visible. May be. Further, the installation position of the symbol display reels 514a, 514b, and 514c in FIG. 1 and the installation position of the image display device 541 may be reversed.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the slot machine 500 has been described as an example. However, a pachinko gaming machine, a patty lot machine (using a game ball) may be used as long as the gaming machine has an image display device that displays a background image or the like. It can be applied to other gaming machines such as a parrot machine and a slit slot machine).

  Here, the overall configuration of a first type pachinko gaming machine that is another example of the gaming machine will be described. FIG. 40 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine as viewed from the front.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame (not shown) formed in a vertically long rectangular shape, and a game frame attached to the inside of the outer frame so as to be opened and closed. Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape that is provided in the game frame so as to be opened and closed. The game frame includes a front frame (not shown) installed to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame, a mechanism plate to which mechanism parts and the like are attached, and various parts attached to them (excluding a game board described later). Is a structure including

  As shown in FIG. 40, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. On the lower surface of the glass door frame 2 is a hitting ball supply tray (upper plate) 3. Under the hitting ball supply tray 3, an extra ball receiving tray 4 for storing game balls that cannot be accommodated in the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a hitting operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing the hitting ball are provided. A game board 6 is detachably attached to the back surface of the glass door frame 2. The game board 6 is a structure including a plate-like body constituting the game board 6 and various components attached to the plate-like body. A game area 7 is formed on the front surface of the game board 6.

  Near the center of the game area 7, a variable display device (special variable display section) 9 including a plurality of variable display sections each variably displaying a symbol as identification information is provided. This variable display device 9 corresponds to the image display device 541 in the above-described embodiment. The variable display device 9 has, for example, three variable display portions (symbol display areas) of “left”, “middle”, and “right”. In this example, the variable display device 9 has the function of the image display device 541 described above. The variable display device 9 is provided with four special symbol start memory display areas (start memory display areas) 18 for displaying the number of effective winning balls that have entered the start winning opening 14, that is, the start winning memory number. Every time there is an effective start prize (start prize when the start prize memory number is less than 4), the start memory display area 18 for changing the display color (for example, changing from blue display to yellow display) is increased by one. Each time the variable display of the variable display device 9 is started, the start memory display area 18 in which the display color is changed is reduced by 1 (that is, the display color is returned to the original).

  Below the variable display device 9, a variable winning ball device 15 including a start winning opening 14 is provided. The winning ball that has entered the start winning opening 14 is guided to the back of the game board 6 and detected by a start opening switch (not shown). The variable winning ball apparatus 15 includes left and right opening / closing pieces that perform opening / closing operations. The opening / closing piece is opened by a solenoid (not shown).

  An opening / closing plate 20 that is opened by a solenoid (not shown) in a specific gaming state (big hit state) is provided below the variable winning ball device 15. The opening / closing plate 20 is a means for opening and closing the special winning opening. Of the winning balls guided from the opening / closing plate 20 to the back of the game board 6, the winning ball entering one (V winning area) is detected by a V winning switch (not shown), and the winning balls from the opening / closing plate 20 are counted. It is detected by a switch (not shown). A solenoid (not shown) for switching the route in the special winning opening is also provided on the back of the game board 6.

  When a game ball wins the gate 32 and is detected by a gate switch (not shown), a predetermined random number value is extracted if the normal symbol start winning memory has not reached the upper limit. And if it is a state which can start the variable display in which a display state changes in the normal symbol display 10, the variable display of the display of the normal symbol display 10 will be started. If the normal symbol display 10 is not in a state where variable display in which the display state changes can be started, the value of the normal symbol start winning memory is incremented by one. In the vicinity of the normal symbol display 10, there is provided a normal symbol start memory display 41 having a display unit with four LEDs for displaying the number of normal symbol start winning memorized numbers. Each time there is a prize at the gate 32, the normal symbol start memory display 41 increases the number of LEDs to be turned on by one. Each time variable display on the normal symbol display 10 is started, the number of LEDs to be lit is reduced by one. The special symbol and the normal symbol can be variably displayed on one variable display device. In that case, the special variable display unit and the normal variable display unit are realized by one variable display device.

  In this example, the left and right lamps (the symbols can be visually recognized when lit) are alternately lit, so that the normal symbols are variably displayed, and the variable display continues for a predetermined time (for example, 29.2 seconds). If the left lamp is turned on at the end of the variable display, it is a win. Whether or not to win is determined by whether or not the value of the random number extracted when the game ball wins the gate 32 matches a predetermined hit determination value. When the display result of the variable display on the normal symbol display 10 is a win, the variable winning ball apparatus 15 is opened for a predetermined number of times for a predetermined time so that the game ball is likely to win. That is, the state of the variable winning ball device 15 changes from a disadvantageous state to a player's advantageous state when the normal symbol is a winning symbol.

  Furthermore, in the probability variation state as the special game state, the probability that the stop symbol in the normal symbol display 10 becomes a winning symbol is increased, and one or both of the opening time and the number of times of opening of the variable winning ball device 15 are increased. And more advantageous for the player. Further, in a predetermined state such as a probability change state, the variable display period (fluctuation time) in the normal symbol display 10 may be shortened, which may be more advantageous for the player.

  The game board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning holes 29, 30, 33, 39, and winning of game balls to the winning holes 29, 30, 33, 39 is detected by a winning hole switch. Around the left and right sides of the game area 7, there are provided decorative lamps 25 that are blinked and displayed during the game, and at the bottom there is an out mouth 26 that absorbs the hit ball that has not won. In addition, two speakers 27 that emit sound effects and sounds are provided on the left and right upper portions outside the game area 7. On the outer periphery of the game area 7, a top frame lamp 28a, a left frame lamp 28b, and a right frame lamp 28c are provided.

  In this example, a prize ball lamp 51 that is turned on when there is a remaining number of prize balls is provided in the vicinity of the left frame lamp 28b, and a ball that is turned on when the supply ball is cut out in the vicinity of the right frame lamp 28c. A cut lamp 52 is provided.

  The game balls launched from the hit ball launching device enter the game area 7 through the hit ball rail, and then descend the game area 7. When the hit ball enters the start winning opening 14 and is detected by the start opening switch, if the variable display of the symbol can be started, the variable display device 9 starts the variable display (variation) of the special symbol. If it is not in a state where the variable display of symbols can be started, the start winning memory number is increased by one.

  The variable display of the special symbol on the variable display device 9 stops when a certain time has elapsed. If the combination of the special symbols at the time of the stop is a jackpot symbol (specific display mode), the game shifts to a jackpot gaming state. That is, the opening / closing plate 20 is opened until a predetermined time elapses or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls wins. When the hit ball enters the V winning area while the opening / closing plate 20 is opened and is detected by the V winning switch, the right to continue is generated and the opening / closing plate 20 is opened again. The generation of the continuation right is allowed a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds).

  When the combination of special symbols in the variable display device 9 at the time of stopping is a combination of jackpot symbols (probability variation symbols) with probability fluctuations, the probability of the next jackpot increases. That is, it becomes a more advantageous state (special game state) for the player, which is a probability change state.

  In the gaming machine as shown in FIG. 40, the movie image displayed on the image display device 541 in the above-described embodiment may be displayed on the variable display device 9. In the gaming machine shown in FIG. 40, the display control of the variable display device 9 is performed, for example, by an effect control means mounted on an effect control board provided in the gaming machine. Therefore, what is necessary is just to add the function of CPU631 for display control mentioned above to the function of this presentation control means. In this case, it is conceivable to perform background image display, reach effect, jackpot effect, notice effect, and the like using a movie image.

  In the gaming machine as shown in FIG. 40, in addition to the effect of causing the notice character to appear in the background image as implemented in the above-described embodiment, for example, the display of the background image when controlled to the certain change state. An effect of changing the color may be performed.

  FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the background moving image display control process in step S705. The process of FIG. 41 is executed in a gaming machine that can be controlled to a probability change state as shown in FIG.

  In the background moving image display control process, the display control CPU 631 provided in the gaming machine shown in FIG. 40 first checks whether or not the probability changing flag is set (step S810A). If it is set, it is confirmed whether or not the VDP 633 is instructed to decrease the values of the background R, G, and B (that is, whether or not the process of step S810C has been executed) (step S810B) and has already been executed. If so, the VDP 633 is instructed to increase the background R value (step S810D). Although the R value is increased here, the G value or the B value may be increased. At the same time, an increase value may be designated. If the VDP 633 has not yet been instructed to increase the background R value, the VDP 633 is instructed to decrease the background R, G, B values (step S810C). Here, a decrease value may be designated. The probability changing flag is set when a condition for shifting to the probability changing state is satisfied when the big hit game is completed. The probability changing flag is reset when a big hit occurs, but the display control CPU 631 outputs an instruction for returning the background display color to the VDP 633 when the probability changing flag is reset. . Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S811.

  FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the image development process. In the image development process, when it is determined as N in step S931 described above or after executing step S935, the VDP 633 receives an instruction from the display control CPU 631 to decrease the R, G, and B values of the background. In this case, the R, G, and B values of the image data in the designated area (the area in which the background image data used for display in the area in which the background image is stored) in the VRAM are decreased. (Steps S942, S943). For example, the decrease value is designated by the display control CPU 631. When an instruction to increase the value of the specific color (R in this embodiment) among the R, G, and B values of the background is received, the specific color of the image data in the specified area in the VRAM The value is increased (steps S944, S945). For example, the increase value is designated by the display control CPU 631. Then, control goes to a step S936.

  As described above, since the effect of changing the display color of the background image is performed when the special gaming state is controlled, the notification of the special gaming state in which the specific color is emphasized can be realized.

  Further, in the above example, in order to emphasize the background in a specific case (for example, the probability variation state), the values of R, G, and B of moving image data (which may be data-compressed) used as a background image are respectively set. After the decrease, the value of the specific color (not necessarily one color) is increased, so that highlighting with high display quality can be performed. Further, when highlighting only a part of the background image region, an increase in processing load on the VDP 633 can be suppressed. As described above, when the R, G, and B signals are each represented by 8 bits, each of the R, G, and B has 256 gradations and can perform multicolor display of about 16.7 million colors. However, by decreasing the values of R, G, and B, the display color becomes darker (closer to black), and by increasing the value of the specific color, the brightness of only the specific color increases. A display with emphasized colors can be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the specific color of the background image is displayed brightly in the probability variation state as the special gaming state, but the specific color of the background image is displayed brightly in the short time state as the special gaming state. May be. Furthermore, the specific color to be displayed brightly may be changed between the probability changing state and the short time state. In this case, the amount of decrease in the values of R, G, and B may be the same.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the processing of FIGS. 41 and 42 has been described as being executed in a gaming machine that can be controlled to a certain change state as shown in FIG. 40. However, for example, a big bonus, a regular bonus, a challenge Bonus (CB: sliding range when the symbol display reels 514a, 514b, 514c are stopped (from the position of the symbol display reels 514a, 514b, 514c when the reel stop switches 526a-526c are operated, the symbol display reels 514a, 514b) , 514c to the position where it stops), instead of becoming a state where all the small roles have been established, it is possible to increase the number of medals gained by pushing operation), replay time (RT: Increases the probability of winning a replay prize and allows you to play without consuming medals If making the gaming state of the technique state) such as a special game state, it may be applied to the slot machine 500 shown FIG. 41, the processing of FIG. 42 in FIG. 1. That is, for example, in step S810A, it is confirmed whether or not a big bonus game is in progress (for example, it is confirmed by a flag that is set during execution of the big bonus game), and if in the big bonus game, the process proceeds to step S810B. You can do it.

Moreover, in each embodiment mentioned above, the following characteristic structures are disclosed (1)-(12).
(1) Compressed moving image data storage means (for example, CGROM 640) for storing a plurality of compressed moving image data, and control information (drawing instruction) for reproducing and displaying a moving image based on the compressed moving image data for each predetermined frame period Control information setting means for setting (for example, a portion of the CPU 631 that executes steps S901 to S910) and the compression included in the compressed moving image data in accordance with the decompression instruction included in the control information set by the control information setting means In the display instruction included in the control information set by the expansion processing means (for example, the part that executes step S937 in the VDP 633) that performs the expansion processing to expand the image data in a predetermined expansion order, and the control information setting means. Accordingly, an image based on the image data expanded by the expansion processing means Reproduction display processing means for performing reproduction display processing for reproducing and displaying a moving image based on the compressed moving image data by sequentially displaying on the image display means for each frame period in accordance with a predetermined display order (for example, executing step S952 in the VDP 633) The control information setting means designates the compressed moving image data to be used for the reproduction display of the moving image by the first control information set when starting the reproduction display of the moving image (for example, step S905). ), The decompression instruction is started from the frame period in which the first control information specifying the compressed moving image data is set (for example, step S908), and the display instruction is issued from the frame period next to the frame period in which the control information for which the decompression instruction is started is set. (For example, steps S906 and S907) and compression specified by the first control information When the image data is compressed moving image data (for example, IPB movie data) including bidirectional compressed image data (for example, B picture data) compressed by bidirectional predictive encoding, the decompression of the bidirectional compressed image data is instructed. In the control information set in the frame period before the frame period for which the decompression instruction for the first time is given (for example, before the frame period of F3 in the case of the movie data shown in FIG. 30A), a plurality of times (for example, twice) (1) (eg, step S908). With this configuration, it is possible to easily manage the execution timing of the decompression process in the moving image playback control.

  (2) The decompression processing means performs a frame buffer storage process for storing the image data obtained by decompressing the compressed image data in any of the plurality of frame buffers in the decompression process (for example, step S937), and is set by the control information setting means Frame buffer number determining means for determining the number of frame buffers used in the decompression process in accordance with whether or not the compressed moving image data used for reproducing and displaying the moving image designated by the control information includes bi-directional compressed image data ( For example, when the VDP 633 includes a part that executes step S934), and the frame buffer number determination unit is compressed moving image data including bidirectional compressed image data, the frame buffer number determining unit is compressed moving image data not including the bidirectional compressed image data. (For example, in the case of IP movie data in step S934) Determined in three, it is determined to four when the IPB movie data) game machine, characterized in that. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately determine the capacity of the storage area used for moving image reproduction control according to whether or not the compressed moving image data used for moving image reproduction display includes bidirectional compressed image data. .

  (3) The decompression processing means performs a frame buffer storage process for storing the image data obtained by decompressing the compressed image data in any of a plurality of frame buffers in the decompression process (for example, step S937), and is set by the control information setting means Frame buffer setting means for determining the image size of the moving image based on the compressed moving image data used for reproducing and displaying the moving image specified by the control information, and setting a storage area of the size according to the determination result as a frame buffer (For example, the part which performs step S933 in VDP633) The game machine characterized by the above-mentioned. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately determine the capacity of the storage area used for moving image reproduction control according to the image size of the moving image based on the compressed moving image data used for moving image reproduction display.

  (4) After the control information setting means gives the decompression instruction with the control information set in the predetermined frame period, the frame before the decompression processing executed by the decompression processing means in response to the decompression instruction ends. When the period ends, a gaming machine is characterized in that a display instruction for displaying an image based on the same image data as a predetermined frame period is given in the control information set in the next frame period (for example, step S907). Since it is configured in this way, flickering of the screen can be prevented.

  (5) The compressed moving image data is an intra-frame compressed image that is compressed by intra-frame coding in a moving image based on the compressed moving image data in a portion where the moving speed of the display object is fast compared to a portion where the moving speed of the display object is slow. A gaming machine including a portion having a data structure using a large amount of data (for example, I picture data). With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the data amount of the compressed moving image data as much as possible while maintaining the image quality.

  (6) In order to display a sprite image, the decompression processing means performs a frame buffer storage process for storing the image data obtained by decompressing the compressed image data in any of a plurality of frame buffers in the decompression process (for example, step S937). A sprite image data storage means (for example, CGROM 640) for storing the sprite image data and a moving image based on the compressed moving image data by the reproduction display processing means in response to an image composition instruction included in the control information set by the control information setting means When the playback and display process is executed, the sprite image data is read from the sprite image data storage means to generate a sprite image, and the composite image generation is performed to sequentially synthesize the sprite image on each image in the moving image based on the compressed moving image data. Means (eg steps in VDP 633 939, a portion that executes S941), and the control information setting means sets control information including an image compositing instruction for each frame period, and sets control information including an extension instruction for every two frame periods ( For example, the game machine is characterized by performing a drawing instruction according to display control data shown in FIG. Since it is configured in this way, it is possible to prevent a heavy control burden related to image composition while realizing precise display.

  (7) First compressed moving image data (for example, IPB movie data) including bidirectional compressed image data (for example, B picture) compressed by bidirectional predictive encoding, and a second compressed moving image not including bidirectional compressed image data Compressed moving image data storage means (for example, CGROM 640) for storing a plurality of compressed moving image data including data (for example, IP movie data), and a moving image based on the compressed moving image data is reproduced and displayed for each predetermined frame period. Control information setting means for setting control information (rendering instruction) (for example, a portion for executing steps S901 to S910 in the CPU 631), and the compressed moving image data sequentially based on the control information set by the control information setting means A moving image reproducing means for expanding and reproducing a moving image based on the compressed moving image data (example: For example, the step of repeating steps S931 to S941, S951, and S952 in the VDP 633), and the moving image reproducing means performs the compressed moving image according to the decompression instruction included in the control information set by the control information setting means Decompression processing means for performing decompression processing for decompressing the compressed image data included in the data in a predetermined decompression order (for example, a portion for executing step S937 in the VDP 633), and control set by the control information setting means In accordance with a display instruction included in the information, an image based on the image data expanded by the expansion processing unit is sequentially displayed on the image display unit for each frame period in accordance with a predetermined display order, thereby being based on the compressed moving image data. Reproduction display processing means for performing reproduction display processing for reproducing and displaying moving images (for example, A part that executes step S952 in the VDP 633), and the control information setting unit reproduces the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data by the moving image reproducing unit and then at least the moving image based on the second compressed moving image data When an image is reproduced (for example, see FIG. 35), a frame period (for example, FIG. 35) in which a final display scheduled image (for example, a dummy picture) with the last display order in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data is to be displayed. Display in a moving image based on the second compressed moving image data in the frame period (for example, F12 of IPB movie data, F1 of IP movie data in FIG. 35A) before the frame period F13 of IPB movie data in 35 (A) The earliest display image in the first order (for example, the picture of the IP movie data in FIG. The control information including the decompression instruction of the channel I1) is set, and the final display scheduled image is displayed in the frame period (eg, IPB movie data F13 and IP movie data F2 in FIG. 35A). Without setting the control information including the display instruction of the final display scheduled image, the display instruction of the earliest display image in the moving image based on the second compressed moving image data (for example, the picture I1 of the IP movie data in FIG. 35A) The control information including the display instruction is set (for example, step S907), and the moving image reproducing unit determines the display order in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data based on the control information set by the control information setting unit. An image (for example, picture B5 of IPB movie data in FIG. 35A) that is one before the final display scheduled image is selected. The final image of the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data is displayed (for example, step S952), and the frame period (for example, F12 of IPB movie data and F1 of IP movie data in FIG. 35A) is displayed. The earliest display image is displayed (for example, step S952) in the frame period (for example, F2 of IP movie data in FIG. 35A) in which the final display scheduled image that is the next frame period is to be displayed. Gaming machine. With this configuration, it is possible to easily manage the execution timing of the decompression process in the moving image playback control.

  (8) The decompression processing unit reproduces a moving image based on at least the second compressed moving image data after the moving image reproducing unit reproduces the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data (for example, FIG. )), Image data indicating the final display scheduled image (for example, dummy picture P6 in FIG. 35B) in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data, for example, in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data. A frame period (not used for decompression processing of compressed image data indicating another image) and in which the control information setting means sets control information including an instruction to decompress the final display scheduled image in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data ( For example, the next frame period (for example, I in FIG. 35B) is the IPB movie data F11 in FIG. B movie data F12 and IP movie data F1) include an instruction to decompress the earliest display image (eg, picture I1 of IP movie data in FIG. 35B) based on the second compressed moving image data. A gaming machine characterized by setting control information. Since it is configured in this way, it becomes possible to easily determine the switching timing of compressed moving image data to be controlled when continuously playing moving images based on compressed moving image data, and decompression in moving image reproduction control Management of processing execution timing can be facilitated.

  (9) The decompression processing unit reproduces a moving image based on at least the second compressed moving image data after the moving image reproducing unit reproduces the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data (for example, FIG. )), Image data indicating the final display scheduled image (for example, picture P5 in FIG. 35A) in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data, for example, other in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data. A game machine characterized in that it is used for decompression processing of compressed image data showing images (for example, picture B4 and picture B5 in FIG. 35A). Since it is configured in this way, all image data in the first compressed moving image data can be used as necessary image data used for moving image reproduction control, and the data capacity of the first compressed moving image data is wasted. It is possible to prevent this from occurring, and it is possible to prevent the decompression processing means from executing unnecessary decompression processing and increase the load due to unnecessary processing.

  (10) The final display scheduled image (for example, the dummy picture P5 in FIG. 35A. Also, for example, the dummy picture P6 in FIG. 35B) has the display order one before the final display planned image. A gaming machine that is the same image as an image (for example, picture B5 in FIG. 35A, or dummy picture P5 in FIG. 35B). Since it is configured in this way, even if the final display scheduled image is displayed erroneously, it is possible to prevent an uncomfortable appearance.

  (11) Compressed moving image data storage means (for example, CGROM 640) for storing a plurality of compressed moving image data, and control information (drawing instruction) for reproducing and displaying a moving image based on the compressed moving image data for each predetermined frame period Control information setting means for setting (for example, a portion of the CPU 631 that executes steps S901 to S910) and the compression included in the compressed moving image data in accordance with the decompression instruction included in the control information set by the control information setting means In the display instruction included in the control information set by the expansion processing means (for example, the part that executes step S937 in the VDP 633) that performs the expansion processing to expand the image data in a predetermined expansion order, and the control information setting means. In response, the image based on the image data expanded by the expansion processing means Are sequentially displayed on the image display means for each frame period in accordance with a predetermined display order, so that reproduction display processing means for performing reproduction display processing for reproducing and displaying a moving image based on the compressed moving image data (for example, step S952 in the VDP 633 is performed). The control information setting means designates the compressed moving image data used for the reproduction display of the moving image in the first control information set when starting the reproduction display of the moving image (for example, step). S905), the decompression instruction is started from the frame period in which the first control information designating the compressed moving image data is set (for example, step S908), and the control information in which the decompression instruction is started is displayed from the frame period next to the set frame period. The instruction is started (for example, steps S906 and S907), and the pressure specified by the first control information When the moving image data is compressed moving image data (for example, IPB movie data) including bi-directional compressed image data (for example, B picture data) compressed by bidirectional predictive encoding, a frame period (for example, a decompression instruction is started) A game machine characterized in that a decompression instruction is given a plurality of times (for example, twice) (for example, step S908) in the F1 frame period in the movie data shown in FIG. With this configuration, it is possible to easily manage the execution timing of the decompression process in the moving image playback control.

  (12) First compressed moving image data (for example, IPB movie data) including bidirectional compressed image data (for example, B picture) compressed by bidirectional predictive encoding, and a second compressed moving image not including bidirectional compressed image data Compressed moving image data storage means (for example, CGROM 640) for storing a plurality of compressed moving image data including data (for example, IP movie data), and a moving image based on the compressed moving image data is reproduced and displayed for each predetermined frame period. Control information setting means for setting control information (drawing instruction) for the purpose (for example, a part for executing steps S901 to S910 in the CPU 631), and compression according to the decompression instruction included in the control information set by the control information setting means The compressed image data included in the video data is decompressed in a predetermined expansion order. Image data decompressed by the decompression processing means in accordance with the decompression processing means for performing decompression processing (for example, the part of step V937 in the VDP 633 that executes step S937) and the display instruction included in the control information set by the control information setting means Reproduction display processing means (for example, in the VDP 633) that performs reproduction display processing for reproducing and displaying a moving image based on the compressed moving image data by sequentially displaying the image based on the image display means for each frame period in accordance with a predetermined display order. Step S952) and continuous playback display means for repeatedly playing back and displaying a moving image based on the compressed moving image data (for example, the processing of Step S937 and Step S952 in the VDP 633 is continuously executed for a plurality of movie data. Part) The display means repeatedly reproduces and displays a moving image based only on the second compressed moving image data (for example, repeatedly reproduces and displays IP movie data to continuously display the background moving image), and the control information setting means In addition, the compressed video data to be used for the playback and display of the moving image is specified by the first control information set when starting the playback and display of the moving image (for example, step S905), and the first control information specifying the compressed moving image data The decompression instruction is started from the frame period in which the decompression instruction is set (for example, step S908), the display instruction is started from the frame period next to the frame period in which the control information for which the decompression instruction has been started is set (for example, steps S906 and S907), When the compressed moving image data specified by the control information is the first compressed moving image data (for example, IPB movie data), Control set to a frame period before a frame period in which an expansion instruction for instructing expansion of bi-directional compressed image data is first made (for example, before the frame period of F3 in the case of movie data shown in FIG. 30A). A gaming machine characterized by instructing extension (for example, twice) a plurality of times (for example, step S908) using information. Since it is configured in this way, it is possible to easily manage the execution timing of the decompression process in the moving image reproduction control, and to reduce the control load of the moving image reproduction control as much as possible.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful in a gaming machine that displays a background image, so that the display load of the background image can be reduced and an appropriate notice display according to the display state of the background image is performed.

103 RAM
106 SDRAM (VRAM)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 107 Pallet buffer 108 CG data buffer 109 Drawing control part 110 Display signal control part 111 Movie expansion part 500 Slot machine 541 Image display apparatus 600 Display control board 631 CPU for display control
632 ROM (control ROM)
633 VDP (GCL)
640 CGROM (image ROM)

Claims (2)

A variable display means capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information each identifiable, starts variable display of identification information based on the establishment of a predetermined start condition, and the display result of the variable display is a specific display result A gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player when
Pre-determining means for determining whether or not the display result of variable display of identification information is the specific display result when the start condition is satisfied;
Display control means for variably displaying identification information in the variable display means, and for deriving and displaying a display result based on the determination result of the prior determination means,
In the variable display means, the background image of the reproduction period that is not synchronized with the variable display period of the identification information is displayed by continuously reproducing the moving image as the background image of the variable display of the identification information without being divided for each variable display of the identification information. Background image reproducing means for causing;
Replay time measuring means for measuring the time from the start of reproduction of the moving image reproduced by the background image reproduction means from the initial value of the reproduction time timer,
The background image reproduction means continues the reproduction of the moving image until the reproduction time timer measures a value indicating that the reproduction period of the moving image has elapsed, and counts a value indicating that the reproduction period has elapsed, Initialize the playback time timer, play the video from the beginning,
The reproduction time measuring means does not initialize the reproduction time timer even if the display control means derives and displays a display result,
When the pre-determining means decides that the display result of variable display of identification information is the specific display result, a notice for notifying the possibility that the display result of variable display of identification information becomes the specific display result Notice display determining means for determining whether or not to display an image;
Display position specifying means for specifying the display position of the notice image in the background image according to the time measured by the playback time timer based on the notice display determining means determining to display the notice image When,
During the period in which the display control means variably displays the identification information on the variable display means, the advance notice is superimposed on the video to be reproduced by the background image reproduction means at the display position specified by the display position specifying means. A gaming machine, further comprising: a notice image display means for displaying an image for use. The start condition is established by the player's start operation and the game is started, and the stop condition is established by the player's derivation operation on the variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information that can be identified, and the display result is displayed. A gaming machine in which one game is ended by being derived and a winning can be generated according to the display result derived to the variable display means,
A pre-determining means for determining whether or not to allow a plurality of types of winning display results including a specific display result with a transition to a gaming state advantageous to the player when the start condition is satisfied;
Derivation control means for stopping the variable display of identification information according to the determination result of the prior determination means and deriving and displaying the display result of the variable display means when the stop condition is satisfied,
Display control means for effect display according to the content determined by the prior determination means, in effect display means provided separately from the variable display means;
In the effect display means, a background image of a reproduction period that is not synchronized with a game execution period by a player's start operation and stop operation is displayed by continuously reproducing a moving image as a background image of the effect display for each game. Background image reproducing means for causing;
Replay time measuring means for measuring the time from the start of reproduction of the moving image reproduced by the background image reproduction means from the initial value of the reproduction time timer,
The background image reproduction means continues the reproduction of the moving image until the reproduction time timer measures a value indicating that the reproduction period of the moving image has elapsed, and counts a value indicating that the reproduction period has elapsed, Initialize the playback time timer, play the video from the beginning,
The reproduction time measuring means does not initialize the reproduction time timer even if the derivation control means derives and displays a display result,
In accordance with the determination content of the pre-determining means, the notice display determination for determining whether or not to display a pre-notification image for notifying which winning display result is allowed to be derived by the pre-deciding means. Means,
A display position specifying means for specifying a display position in a background image of the notice image according to a time measured by the reproduction time timer when the notice display determining means decides to display the notice image;
A gaming machine, further comprising: a notice image display means for displaying the notice image superimposed on the moving image to be reproduced by the background image reproduction means at the display position specified by the display position specifying means.

Images