JP2013121537A - Image display device for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display device for variably displaying dynamic symbol images capable of sustaining a player's interest for long time, and a game machine equipped with the same.SOLUTION: A center symbol image C1 to be displayed in a center display area on a screen is displayed on the front surface of an eddy image 42, and a center symbol image C2 is displayed on the back surface of the eddy image 42. The center symbol image C1 is moved to the right side on the front surface of the eddy image 42 and the center symbol image C2 is enlarged on the left side on the back surface of the eddy image 42. The size of the center symbol image C1 moved to the right side of the eddy image 42 is reduced on the back surface of the eddy image 42, and the center symbol image C2 is moved from the left side to the right side on the front surface of the eddy image 42. By repeating the variable display of the center symbol images, such image display that at least two symbol images rotate around the eddy image 42 at the center is possible, and as a result, a display mode with realistic sensation can be provided.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device for a gaming machine mounted on a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a slot machine, or a coin gaming machine, and more particularly to a technique for changing a symbol image displayed on the image display device for a gaming machine.

A pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example of this type of gaming machine.
Conventionally, in a pachinko machine, a player can obtain a large amount of game balls in a short time by allowing a player to win a game ball in a specific winning slot provided in the pachinko machine. Either a gaming state (big hit) or a normal gaming state (losing) that is a normal state that is not a specific gaming state is selected. Such a pachinko gaming machine is equipped with an image display device for gaming machines equipped with, for example, a CRT, a liquid crystal monitor, etc. in order to make the player know the gaming state. This gaming machine image display device varies a plurality of symbol images displayed on the screen in accordance with the selected gaming state. Thereafter, the plurality of symbol images are stopped so as to be a combination of the same or different symbol images. For example, if a plurality of symbol images are all stopped by a combination of symbol images of the same type, it indicates that a specific gaming state occurs. On the other hand, if another kind of symbol image is included in the combination of symbol images in the stopped state, it indicates that the normal gaming state is continued without the occurrence of a specific gaming state.

  Specifically, in the normal gaming state, the image display device for gaming machines moves a plurality of types of symbol images from the upper side to the lower side or from the lower side to the upper side of the screen, thereby The combination of symbol images is displayed sequentially (so-called normal fluctuation). When a specific gaming state is not generated, the player is identified to be “lost” by stopping the plurality of symbol images to be a combination of different symbol images. In addition, in order to continue the fun of the player, in a normal gaming state regardless of whether a specific gaming state has occurred, only a specific symbol image from a plurality of symbol images is different from other symbol images. In various ways (so-called special fluctuations). This special variation is called reach action (hereinafter simply referred to as “reach”). Some inventions relating to this reach are disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 6-304316 and 7-171251.

JP-A-6-304316 JP-A-7-171251

However, the above-described conventional gaming machine image display device has the following problems.
The display mode of the symbol image displayed at the time of conventional reach is that the symbol image is moved planarly in a certain direction, or the size of the symbol image is simply changed while maintaining a similar shape. However, there is a problem that there is no realism and it is not interesting for the player.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an image display device for a gaming machine that displays a change in a pattern image with liveliness that perpetuates the interest of the player, and a gaming machine including the same. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention has the following configuration.
That is, the invention described in claim 1
Image control means for generating screen composition information of special fluctuations for varying any specific symbol image in a plurality of symbol images in a special manner different from other symbol images, and a screen for storing the screen configuration information Configuration information storage means, image data storage means for storing at least image data of the plurality of design images, and image generation means for generating the special variation image based on the screen configuration information and the image data , An image display device for gaming machines comprising display means for displaying the image of the special fluctuation,
Translucent image setting means for setting a translucent image to be displayed on the front side of the plurality of design images;
And a pattern varying means for sequentially and repeatedly changing the pattern of the translucent image.

[Action]
The operation of the present invention is as follows.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the translucent image setting means sets a translucent image to be superimposed on a plurality of design images. The image control means generates special variation screen configuration information in which a specific symbol image of a plurality of symbol images is fluctuated in a special manner different from other symbol images. To do. The screen configuration information is stored in the screen configuration information storage means. The image generation unit generates a special variation image based on the image data stored in the image data storage unit and the screen configuration information. The display means displays the image, thereby displaying a special variation in which the specific symbol image varies in a special manner different from other symbol images on the side through the translucent image. In addition, since the translucent image is displayed so as to be translucent and change its pattern, it is possible to realize a special variation display mode with a more realistic sensation, and to make the player's fun permanent.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, since a translucent image is displayed overlaid on a plurality of design images, a realistic display mode is realized by expressing the depth on the screen of the display means. In this way, the player's fun can be made permanent. In addition, since the translucent image is displayed so as to be translucent and change its pattern, it is possible to realize a special variation display mode with a more realistic sensation, and to make the player's fun permanent.

It is a front view which shows schematic structure of the pachinko game machine which concerns on an Example. It is a block diagram of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by the control base | substrate of a pachinko gaming machine. It is the schematic which shows the screen of the image display apparatus for game machines. It is a figure which shows the background image displayed on a screen. It is a figure which shows the semi-transparent image displayed on a screen. It is a figure which shows the vortex image displayed on a screen. It is a figure which shows the design image displayed on a screen. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with the image display apparatus for game machines. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by each task. It is a memory map utilized with the image display apparatus for game machines. It is a figure which shows the mode of a task buffer area | region. It is a figure which shows the mode of a sprite chain area | region. It is a figure which shows the display mode of a background image. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of implement | achieving the display mode of a background image. It is reference explanatory drawing which shows an original image. It is reference explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the wavy change of an original image. It is reference explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the wavy change of an original image. It is reference explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the change of the rolling of an original image. It is a figure which shows the display mode of each symbol image. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of implement | achieving the display mode of each symbol image. It is a flowchart at the time of the fluctuation | variation of a middle symbol image. It is a figure which shows the mode of the fluctuation | variation of a middle symbol image. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of implement | achieving the display mode of a semi-transparent image. It is a figure which shows the mode of the change of the pattern in the whole translucent image. It is reference explanatory drawing at the time of changing the pattern of an image. It is detail drawing which shows the mode of the change of the pattern in a part of translucent image.

  1. The configuration of the present invention includes image control means for generating screen configuration information of special fluctuations that vary any specific symbol image of a plurality of symbol images in a special manner different from other symbol images, and the screen Based on the screen configuration information and the image data, the screen configuration information storage means for storing the configuration information, the image data storage means that stores at least the image data of the plurality of design images, and the image of the special variation In a gaming machine image display device comprising image generating means for generating and display means for displaying the image of the special variation, semi-transparent image setting for setting a semi-transparent image to be displayed on the front side of the plurality of symbol images And a pattern variable means for changing the pattern of the translucent image sequentially and repeatedly.

  2. In the gaming machine image display device according to Configuration 1, the translucent image setting unit is configured to perform the design based on color information of each pixel of the translucent image and color information of each pixel of the design image. Color information of each pixel in a region where the image overlaps the translucent image is calculated at a ratio according to the transparency of the translucent image. According to this configuration, the translucent image setting unit is configured to determine the pixel information in the region where the design image overlaps the translucent image based on the color information of each pixel of the translucent image and the color information of each pixel of the design image. Color information is calculated at a ratio according to transparency. Therefore, the symbol image is displayed with a hue corresponding to the transparency of the translucent image. As a result, the color information of the pixels of the semi-transparent image in the region where the design images overlap is calculated according to the transparency of the semi-transparent image, so that the color of the design image displayed via the semi-transparent image can be displayed appropriately. Can do.

  3. In the gaming machine image display device according to Configuration 1, the translucent image setting unit is configured to perform the design based on color information of each pixel of the translucent image and color information of each pixel of the design image. When calculating color information of each pixel in a region where the image overlaps the translucent image, the ratio of mixing the color information of each pixel of the translucent image and the color information of each pixel of the design image is changed. Thus, the transparency of only the region where the design images overlap is changed. According to this configuration, the translucent image setting unit changes the proportion of the color information of each pixel of the translucent image and the color information of each pixel of the design image, thereby changing the design image into a translucent image. Change the transparency in overlapping areas. As a result, the ratio of the color information of each pixel of the translucent image and the color information of each pixel of the design image is changed to change the transparency of the translucent image in the area overlapping the design image. Transparency can be expressed easily.

  4). In the gaming machine image display device according to Configuration 3, the translucent image setting unit changes the transparency of a region where the specific symbol image overlaps the translucent image in accordance with a change in the specific symbol image. It is. According to this configuration, the semi-transparent image setting unit partially changes the transparency of the region where the specific symbol image overlaps the semi-transparent image in accordance with the variation of the specific symbol image. As a result, the translucency of the translucent image is changed according to the variation of the specific symbol image, so that a display mode with a depth can be realized.

  5. The image display device for gaming machines according to any one of the first to fourth aspects further includes background image setting means for setting a background image to be displayed on the back side of the plurality of symbol images. According to this configuration, since the background image setting unit sets the background image on the back side of the plurality of design images, the background image is displayed on the back side of the design image. As a result, since the background image is displayed on the back side of the plurality of symbol images, a display mode with a greater depth can be realized.

  6). 6. The gaming machine image display device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein horizontal image information in the horizontal scanning direction of at least one of the translucent image and the background image is further individually acquired in the horizontal scanning direction. Horizontal raster scroll means for moving or copying is provided. According to this configuration, the horizontal raster scroll means individually moves or copies the horizontal image information for each horizontal scanning direction of the translucent image or the background image in the horizontal scanning direction. Thereby, the display means displays the whole or part of the translucent image or the background image so as to sway in the horizontal direction. As a result, the horizontal image information in the horizontal scanning direction of the translucent image or background image is moved or copied in the horizontal scanning direction, so that the translucent image or background image is displayed so as to shake in the horizontal direction in whole or in part. And a more realistic display mode can be realized.

  7). 6. The gaming machine image display device according to any one of the above configurations 1 to 5, further comprising: horizontally image information in the horizontal scanning direction of at least one of the translucent image and the background image individually in the vertical scanning direction. Vertical raster scroll means for moving or copying is provided. According to this configuration, the vertical raster scroll means individually moves or copies the image data for each horizontal scanning direction of the translucent image or the background image in the vertical scanning direction. As a result, the display means displays the translucent image or the whole or part of the background image so as to expand and contract in the vertical direction. As a result, the horizontal image information in the horizontal scanning direction of the translucent image or background image is moved or copied in the vertical scanning direction, so that the translucent image or background image is expanded or contracted in the vertical direction entirely or partially. Therefore, the image can be displayed as a wave, and a more realistic display mode can be realized.

  8). In the gaming machine image display device according to any one of the above configurations 1 to 7, the translucent image or the background image is based on a color palette in which a plurality of types of color information are set in specific locations. The image control means is set by arranging a plurality of pixels for designating a specific location of the color palette, and the image control means uses the first color palette in which a plurality of types of color information are set at the specific location as the first color palette. By changing to the second color palette in which the plurality of types of color information are set at different locations from the palette, pattern changing means for changing the pattern of the translucent image or the background image is provided. According to this configuration, the pattern changing unit changes the first color palette to the second color palette without changing the arrangement of the plurality of pixels indicating the specific location of the color palette. Thereby, the color of a predetermined pixel in the translucent image or the background image changes, and the pattern of the translucent image or the background image changes as a whole. As a result, by changing the color information of the color palette, the pattern of the semi-transparent image or background image can be changed, so when multiple semi-transparent images or background images with different patterns are prepared in advance Compared to the above, the capacity for storing images can be reduced. And the image display device for game machines can be manufactured at low cost.

  9. 9. The gaming machine image display device according to any one of the above configurations 1 to 8, further comprising: a specific symbol setting unit that sets at least two specific symbol images of the plurality of symbol images; and the two specific symbols Fixed image setting means for setting a fixed image between the design images, and moving one of the two specific design images from the back side to the front side while enlarging one specific design image, and specifying the other Specific symbol variation means for moving the fixed image from the front side to the back side while reducing the symbol image is provided. According to this configuration, the specific image setting unit sets at least two symbol images as specific symbol images. The fixed image setting means sets a fixed image between the two specific symbol images. The specific symbol image changing means moves one specific symbol image from the back side to the front side of the fixed image while enlarging one specific symbol image. Further, the other specific symbol image is moved from the front side to the back side of the fixed image while being reduced. That is, the display unit displays a special variation such that the two specific symbol images move around the fixed image. As a result, since it is possible to display the periphery of the fixed image so that the two specific symbol images are rotated, a more realistic display mode can be realized.

  10. In the gaming machine image display device according to Configuration 9, further, the specific symbol image that has moved to the back side of the fixed image immediately before the specific symbol image that has moved from the back side to the front side of the fixed image differs from the specific symbol image. The specific symbol replacement means for replacing the specific symbol image is provided. According to this configuration, the specific symbol replacement unit replaces the specific symbol image moved to the back side of the fixed image with another type of symbol image, and causes the specific symbol image to move from the back side to the front side of the fixed image. As a result, a plurality of types of symbol images are displayed one after another on the display means. As a result, since the specific symbol image is replaced with another type of specific symbol image on the back side of the fixed image, a plurality of types of specific symbol images can be displayed so as to sequentially rotate around the fixed image. A realistic display mode can be realized.

  11. A gaming machine comprising the gaming machine image display device according to any one of the above configurations 1 to 10. According to this configuration, the gaming machine displays the special variation by the gaming machine image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. As a result, a player who plays a gaming machine equipped with the image display device for gaming machines according to the present invention can see a realistic display mode, so that the player's interest can be made permanent.

  12 The gaming machine having the above-described configuration 11 is a pachinko machine. In particular, the basic structure of the pachinko machine is provided with an operation handle, and a game ball is launched into a predetermined game area in accordance with the operation of the handle. It is mentioned that the change of the graphic image in the display device for gaming machines starts on the condition that a winning is made at the operation port arranged at a predetermined position in the gaming area. In addition, during the occurrence of a specific gaming state, a winning opening arranged at a predetermined position in the gaming area is opened in a predetermined manner so that a gaming ball can be won, and a valuable value according to the winning number (if only a prize ball is used) (Including writing to a magnetic card, etc.). As a result, since the player can see a display mode with a feeling of dynamism, the player's fun can be made permanent.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In this embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example of a gaming machine provided with an image display device for gaming machines. Note that the image display device for gaming machines of the present invention is not limited to pachinko gaming machines, and can be applied to gaming machines such as slot machines or coin gaming machines, for example.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control board and an image display device for gaming machine, which will be described later, which are main parts of the pachinko gaming machine. It is.

  The pachinko gaming machine is provided on the lower side of the gaming board 2, a gaming board 2 provided with a control board 10 (see FIG. 2) for controlling the entire pachinko gaming machine, a frame 1 to which the gaming board 2 is attached, and An upper receiving tray 3, a rotary handle 4 connected to a launching device (not shown) for firing pachinko balls stored in the upper receiving tray 3 onto the surface of the game board 2, and a lower receiving tray 5 provided on the lower side of the upper receiving tray 3 And a gaming machine image display device 6 mounted so that a screen 66a for displaying a graphic image showing a gaming state is arranged at substantially the center of the board surface of the gaming board 2.

  The game board 2 includes a rail 21 for guiding a pachinko ball launched by the rotary handle 4 to the board surface, a plurality of non-illustrated nails that guide the pachinko ball to an unspecified location, and pachinko balls that have been induced by the nail. A plurality of winning holes 22 for winning, a starting hole 23 for winning a pachinko ball guided near the center of the game board 2, and a relatively large number of pachinko balls can be awarded simultaneously in a specific gaming state. A large winning opening 24 is provided. A winning detection sensor 101 (see FIG. 2) for detecting the entrance of a pachinko ball is provided in each winning opening 22, start opening 23 and large winning opening 24. When the winning detection sensor 101 detects the entrance of the pachinko ball, a predetermined number of pachinko balls are supplied to the upper tray 3 by the control board 10 provided in the game board 2. In addition, a start start sensor 102 (see FIG. 2) is provided in the start port 23. Further, an open / close solenoid 103 (see FIG. 2) is provided in the special winning opening 24, and the special winning opening 24 can be opened and closed by the operation of the open / close solenoid 103. In addition to the above, for example, a holding lamp for storing the number of pachinko balls that have entered the start port 23 is provided, but description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.

  The upper tray 3 has a tray shape, and stores the pachinko balls supplied from the ball supply port 31 to which the pachinko balls are supplied. Further, on the opposite side of the upper tray 3 where the ball supply port 31 is disposed, a ball feed port (not shown) that communicates with a launching device that launches a pachinko ball toward the rail 21 is provided. Furthermore, a ball removal button 32 for transferring the stored pachinko balls to the lower tray 5 is provided at the upper part of the upper tray 3, and the pachinko balls stored in the upper tray 3 are pressed by pressing this ball removal button 32. Can be transferred to the lower tray 5. The lower receiving tray 5 has a receiving tray shape and receives a pachinko ball transferred from the upper receiving tray 3. The lower tray 5 is provided with a ball removal lever (not shown) for removing the pachinko balls stored therein.

  The rotary handle 4 is connected to a launching device that launches a pachinko ball toward the rail 21. By rotating the rotary handle 4, the launching device launches pachinko balls at predetermined intervals with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation.

  The control board 10 provided in the game board 2 supplies various pachinko balls based on the detection of the ball detection sensors at the winning opening 22 and the start opening 23 described above, and operates various lamps and speakers (not shown). The event is executed. The control board 10 is connected to the gaming machine image display device 6 so that information can be distributed, and commands and the like for displaying a symbol image indicating a gaming state on a screen 66 a provided in the gaming machine image display device 6. Are transmitted to the image display device 6 for gaming machines.

  The image display device 6 for gaming machines includes a liquid crystal monitor 66 having a screen 66a, a CPU 60 that displays a design image corresponding to the command on the liquid crystal monitor 66, and the like.

  In the following, a block diagram of the control board 10 shown in FIG. 2 and an outline of processing performed in the control board 10 in the pachinko game will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

In addition, the phrase used for the following description is demonstrated.
The specific game state (so-called jackpot) refers to a game state advantageous to the player, in which the player can acquire a large number of pachinko balls. A normal gaming state (so-called “losing”) refers to a gaming state other than a specific gaming state. Further, in the normal gaming state, in order to continue the interest of the player, at least two types of modes of normal variation and special variation are displayed on the screen 66a. Fluctuation means moving the symbol image in the present embodiment, changing the shape or pattern of the symbol image, or changing the shape or pattern while moving the symbol image. The normal variation refers to monotonously varying a plurality of symbol images displayed on the screen 66a in a normal gaming state. The special variation (hereinafter, simply referred to as “reach”) refers to changing a specific symbol image in a plurality of symbol images in a special manner different from other symbol images. In addition, when a plurality of symbol images that have been changed are stopped, a “big hit” is determined in the case of a combination of the same type of symbol images, while “losing” is determined when a symbol image of another type is included. Is fixed and normal fluctuations continue.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control board 10 includes a main control unit 100 that is a microcomputer including a RAM, a ROM, and a CPU, a counter 104 that outputs a specific value according to an instruction from the main control unit 100, and a start A start start sensor 102 for detecting the entrance of a pachinko ball at the mouth 23 (see FIG. 1), a winning detection sensor 101 for detecting the entrance of the pachinko ball at the winning opening 22 and the like (see FIG. 1), and a grand prize opening 24 An open / close solenoid 103 that opens and closes (see FIG. 1) and an interface 105 that is connected to an interface 67 of the image display device 6 for gaming machines so as to allow information to flow are configured.

Hereinafter, processing performed in each block of the control board 10 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
Step S1 (detects the incoming ball)
A player drives a pachinko ball into the game board 2 with the rotary handle 4 and starts a pachinko game. A part of the pachinko balls that have been driven into the game board 2 are guided to the vicinity of the center of the board surface and enter the starting port 23. When the pachinko ball enters the start port 23, the start sensor 102 that detects the ball that has entered the start port 23 sends a start signal to the main control unit 100, and a prize provided in the start port 23. The detection sensor 101 sends a winning signal to the main control unit 100. In this embodiment, the start sensor 102 and the winning detection sensor 101 are used together by the same sensor. Even when a pachinko ball enters the winning opening 22, the winning detection sensor 101 of each winning opening 22 sends a winning signal to the main control unit 100.

Step S2 (supplying pachinko balls)
When the main control unit 100 detects a winning signal from the winning detection sensor 101, the main control unit 100 operates a pachinko ball supply mechanism (not shown) to supply a predetermined number of pachinko balls to the upper tray 3 through the ball supply port 31.

Step S3 (big hit judgment)
The main control unit 100 reads the output value of the counter 104 simultaneously with detecting the start start signal from the start start sensor 102. If the output value of the counter 104 is a predetermined value for achieving a specific gaming state (big hit), the process proceeds to step S4. If the output value is other than the predetermined value (losing), the process proceeds to step S5. In the case of a big hit, after instructing the gaming machine image display device 6 to be a big hit in step S4, which will be described later, an open signal is transmitted to the open / close solenoid 103, and the special winning opening 24 is opened and specified. Transition to the gaming state. Further, in the case of a loss, the normal gaming state is maintained as it is after instructing the image display device 6 for gaming machines to be a loss in step S5.

Step S4 (generate a jackpot pattern)
The main control unit 100 determines a jackpot symbol image to be displayed on the screen 66a according to the output value of the counter 104. This jackpot symbol image is composed of three symbol images. For example, all three symbol images are of the same type. Further, a jackpot pattern from normal fluctuation to reach and reach to display the jackpot symbol image is determined, and a command for causing the gaming machine image display device 6 to display the jackpot pattern is generated.

Step S5 (generate a loss pattern)
The main control unit 100 determines a lost symbol image to be displayed on the screen 66 a according to the output value of the counter 104. This lost symbol image is composed of three symbol images, and at least one symbol image among the three symbol images is composed of a symbol image having a different type from the other symbol images. Further, a losing pattern image from the normal variation to the display of the losing pattern image, or from the normal variation to reach and from the reach to displaying the losing symbol image is determined, and a command for displaying the losing pattern is generated.

Step S6 (send command)
The main control unit 100 sends a command for displaying the jackpot pattern or the loss pattern set in step S4 or S5 to the interface 67 of the gaming machine image display device 6 through the interface 105. Here, the command includes a command for instructing the type of the first symbol image when starting the variation of each symbol image, a command for instructing a speed for moving each symbol image, and a command for determining the type of reach. . These commands are appropriately sent from the main control unit 100.

Step S7 (new entry detection?)
The main control unit 100 detects the presence or absence of a new start signal from the start sensor 102 (new entry). If there is a new start signal, steps S2 to S6 are repeated. If there is no new start signal, this process is terminated and the process waits until a new start signal is detected. When the start start signal is not detected, the main control unit 100 transmits a command to display a demo screen to the gaming machine image display device 6.

The gaming machine image display device 6 will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine image display device 6 is based on an interface 67 that sequentially receives commands relating to reach sent from the control board 10, a control program stored in a program ROM 61, and various data. The CPU 60 that generates screen configuration information at the time of reach, the work RAM 68 that temporarily stores the processing results in the CPU 60, the video RAM 63 that stores the screen configuration information generated by the CPU 60, and the screen configuration information of the video RAM 63 The VDP 64 (video data processor) that extracts image data from the image data ROM 62 and generates an image of the entire screen of normal fluctuation and reach, and a liquid crystal monitor 66 that displays the image generated by the VDP 64 are provided. . The CPU 60 is the image control means in the present invention, the video RAM 63 is the screen configuration information storage means in the present invention, the VDP 64 is the image generation means in the present invention, the image data ROM 62 is the image data storage means in the present invention, and the liquid crystal monitor. Reference numeral 66 corresponds to the display means in the present invention.

  The interface 67 sequentially receives commands related to normal fluctuations and reach sent from the control board 10. These commands are sequentially stored by the CPU 60 in a command buffer area 68a provided in the work RAM 68.

  The CPU 60 operates according to a control program stored in the program ROM 61. Specifically, normal fluctuation and reach commands are monitored, a task corresponding to the received command is generated, and stored in the work RAM 68. By sequentially executing these tasks, normal variation and reach screen configuration information is generated in the work RAM 68, and this screen configuration information is written into the video RAM 63. The screen configuration information is generated for each vertical scanning signal (VSYNC) of the liquid crystal monitor 66. The screen configuration information, which will be described in detail later, includes each screen configuration information based on, for example, a design image, a background image, a translucent image, a fixed image, and the like.

  In the work RAM 68, a command buffer area 68a for sequentially storing commands from the control board 10, a task buffer area 68b for storing generated tasks, a design image instruction at the time of normal fluctuation or reach, and its arrangement A sprite chain area 68c is set in which data is stored in order to write the position, display priority sequence, and the like collectively to the video RAM 63.

  The VDP 64 is an image data processor that performs image processing including a so-called sprite circuit, a screen circuit, a palette circuit, and the like. Based on the screen configuration information stored in the video RAM 63, the image data stored in the image data ROM 62 is called to generate an image to be displayed on the screen 66a. This generated image is output to the liquid crystal monitor 66.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the image data ROM 62 has a background image 40 designed for the background of the sacrifice and the background where the sacrifice is placed, and a half of the water observed from the front of the aquarium-shaped sacrifice. Various images such as a transparent image 80, a vortex image 42 designed for a vortex in an aquarium, and a plurality of types of symbol images 52a to 52l designed for a sushi material for allowing a player to recognize “big hit” or “losing” are stored. Has been. In addition, the symbol image in this invention is not limited to the kind of symbol image illustrated in this Example, Arbitrary types of symbol images can be used suitably.

  The liquid crystal monitor 66 includes a screen 66a on which a variation of a symbol image or the like corresponding to the gaming state of the gaming machine is displayed, and is attached so that the screen 66a is exposed on the board surface of the gaming board 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the screen 66a of the liquid crystal monitor 66 is provided with a left display area 31, a central display area 32, and a right display area 33 on which a combination of symbol images indicating the gaming state of the gaming machine is displayed. ing. The player recognizes that the pachinko gaming machine is in the “big hit” or “losing” state by observing the symbol images stopped in the display areas 31 to 33. The symbol image displayed in the left display area 31 is called a left symbol image, the symbol image displayed in the central display area 32 is called a middle symbol image, and the symbol image displayed in the right display area 33 is a right symbol image. Call it.

  Hereinafter, processing and display modes performed in the image display device 6 for gaming machines will be described. In order to facilitate the following description, first, task processing performed by the CPU 60 will be described, and then a series of display modes of the background image, translucent image, and each symbol image and processing thereof will be described.

  First, task processing performed by the CPU 60 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 11, in the memory map used in this embodiment, for example, the area of the program ROM 61 is an address of 0000H to 0FFFH, the area of the work RAM 68 is an address of A000H to BFFFH, and the area of the video RAM 63 is Assigned to addresses C000H to FFFFH, respectively.

Step U1 (task generation)
When receiving the reach command from the control board 10, the CPU 60 sets the task buffer area 68b and the sprite chain area 68c in the work RAM 68 according to the control program in the program ROM 61. Further, the CPU 60 generates a parent task corresponding to the reach in the task buffer area 68b, and executes a plurality of child tasks for executing various individual processing programs in the program ROM 61 by executing this parent task. Generate. The task buffer area 68b and the sprite chain area 68c can be set in advance.

  The task buffer area 68b is an area in which a child task for controlling the variation of each symbol image displayed on the screen 66a and the background image is generated. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the task buffer area 68b is set to an address after A400H, and a parent task for controlling the entire reach is generated in A400H to A4FFH. When the parent task is executed, the background task that specifies and places the background symbol image, the left symbol task that fluctuates the left symbol image, the middle symbol task that fluctuates the middle symbol image, and the right that fluctuates the right symbol image A plurality of child tasks such as a symbol task and a semi-transparent image task for designating and arranging a semi-transparent image are generated after A500H. These child tasks are connected by a task chain, and are executed in the order connected by the task chain. The middle symbol image corresponds to the specific symbol image in the present invention. The address where the task buffer area 68b is set is not limited to the address of the present embodiment, and can be set to an arbitrary address in the work RAM 58. Although not shown in FIG. 12, a vortex image task or the like for displaying the vortex image 42 is also generated in the task buffer 68b.

  Specifically, the parent task writes the start address of the program stored in the program ROM 61 into the child task. Furthermore, each child task is connected in a task chain in the order of execution. The task chain refers to associating a plurality of child tasks in a chain by writing the address of the child task to be executed next at the end of the executed task. As a result, a plurality of programs stored in the program ROM 61 can be executed in the required order.

Hereinafter, in order to facilitate understanding of the execution of child tasks (background task, each symbol task, etc.), description will be given with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, the CPU 60 reads the address in the program ROM 61 written in, for example, the first child task to be executed first in the task buffer 68b, and executes, for example, the program A stored in the address (step S1). V1). The execution result (screen configuration information) by the execution of the program A is written in the first child task of the task buffer area 68b (step V2). Further, when the same first child task is executed next, in order to execute a different program B, for example, the start address of program A in the first child task is rewritten to the start address of program B (step V3). Thereby, when the first task is executed next, the program B is executed, and the screen configuration information is written in the first task. Furthermore, when the child task is a symbol task that changes a symbol image that is a so-called sprite image, the start address and the final address of the symbol task are written in the sprite chain region 68c (step V4). In the case of a so-called screen image such as a background task, the screen configuration information in the child task based on the screen image is sent to the video RAM 63 without executing step V4.

  The sprite chain area 68c is for determining the priority order of the symbol images displayed on the screen 66a. For example, when the image displayed on the screen 66a is composed of three layers A, B, and C, the sprite chain area 68c is displayed on the screen 66a as shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. The highest priority, layer A, layer B, and layer C are divided in descending order of priority. Further, the sprite chain area 68c is composed of 36 task address areas 71 by dividing into 0 to 8 levels in order from the highest priority in each layer. For example, the symbol image changed by the symbol task based on the task address area 71 of (Layer A, 1) has priority over the symbol image of the symbol task based on the task address area 71 of (Layer B, 1), that is, the screen. It is displayed on the front side of 66a. In the case of the same layer, the symbol image of the symbol task based on the task address area 71 of (Layer A, 1) is more than the symbol image of the symbol task based on the task address area 71 of (Layer A, 2). Displayed in front. In each task address area 71, a head address and an end address of a symbol task for controlling a symbol image to be displayed in the priority order are written. As will be described later, the sprite chain area 68c is executed in order from the task address area 71 having a lower priority in sprite transfer. That is, the data (screen configuration information) in the child task written in the task address area 71 having a low priority is sent to the video RAM 63 in order.

  These steps V1 to V3 and V4 are executed for each child task, and those data are sent to the video RAM 63 in a lump so that screen configuration information for one screen to be displayed on the screen 66a is stored in the video RAM 63. Is generated. Note that the processing of steps V1 to V4 of each child task is performed for each vertical scanning signal in the liquid crystal monitor 66. The task is executed every clock or every predetermined number of clocks.

Step U2 (execution of background task)
By executing the background task (execution of the child task described above), the program in the program ROM 61 is executed, and the address in the image data 62 in which the background image is stored in the background task is written. Further, data of the arrangement position of the background image with respect to the screen 66a is written. The data written in these background tasks is sent to the video RAM 63 without being written in the sprite chain area 68c.

Step U3 (execution of translucent image task)
By executing the semi-transparent image task, the program in the program ROM 61 is executed. In the semi-transparent image task, together with the address in the image data 62 in which the semi-transparent image is stored, the arrangement position and transparency of the background image with respect to the screen 66a. The screen configuration information, such as the color information of the pixel corresponding to is written. The screen configuration information written in the translucent image task is sent to the video RAM 63.

Step U4 (execution of each symbol task)
The left symbol task includes the address of the image data 62 in which the symbol image to be displayed in the left display area 31 is stored and the enlargement / reduction ratio of the symbol image, and the arrangement position of the symbol image on the screen 66a. Write to. Further, the start address and end address of the left symbol task are written in the task address area 71 of the sprite chain area 14 according to the priority order. Specifically, for example, an address “2000H” is written in the left symbol task, and the CPU 60 executes the program A1 stored in this address, so that it is displayed in the left display area 33 of the screen 66a. The address of the image data ROM 62 storing the left symbol image and the data of the enlargement / reduction ratio are written in the left symbol task. Subsequently, for example, by executing the program A2 stored in “20A0H”, the data of the arrangement position on the screen 66a of the left symbol image is written in the left symbol task. At this time, the program A2 for determining the arrangement position of the symbol image updates the arrangement position and the like every interruption processing (for example, 1/60 second) for each vertical scanning signal with reference to a table prepared in advance. . Further, by executing the next program A3, the start address and the final address of the left symbol task are written in the task address region 71 of the sprite chain region 68c corresponding to the priority order of the left symbol image. Furthermore, by executing the program A4, the address of the program A1 in the left symbol task is rewritten to the head address of the program B1, for example.

  Similarly for the middle symbol task and right symbol task, the address of the symbol image based on each symbol task, the data of the enlargement / reduction ratio, the data of the arrangement position are written in each symbol task, and the task address area according to the priority order. The first address and the last address are written in 71.

Step U5 (Sprite transfer)
When the writing of the addresses of all the symbol tasks is completed, the CPU 60 stores the data written from the first address to the last address written in each task address area 71 in order of decreasing priority in the sprite chain area 68c. Sequentially sent to the video RAM 63. The video RAM 63 generates screen configuration information in the order of the transmitted data. For example, when a plurality of images are generated on the same area plane, an image sent later is overwritten on an image sent earlier.

Step U6 (display)
The VDP 64 calls the corresponding image data from the image data ROM 62 based on the screen configuration information for one screen stored in the video RAM 63, and generates an image to be displayed on the screen 66a. This image is sent to the liquid crystal monitor 66. The liquid crystal monitor 66 displays the image on the screen 66a.

Step U7 (end?)
Steps U1 to U6 described above are executed by interruption processing for each vertical scanning signal of the liquid crystal monitor 66, and are continuously executed until an instruction to end image display on the screen 66a is given. For example, when the vertical scanning signal is 1/60 second, the generated image is updated every 1/60 second, so that the reach that is a special variation such as a design image is displayed.

  Therefore, as described above, by using the sprite chain region 68c as described above, it is possible to determine the display priority of the design image without executing it sequentially from the program based on the design image having a high display priority. Various individual programs can be executed independently. Furthermore, since data is transferred in a batch based on the sprite chain area 68c, the processing speed can be increased. Note that the background task and the translucent image task can also use the sprite chain area 68c in the same manner as the above-described symbol task.

  Next, the background image, the translucent image displayed by reach, the variation of each symbol image, and the processing thereof will be described. As described above, steps U1 to U7 are executed for each vertical scanning signal, so that the screen configuration information for one screen is sent to the video RAM 63, and the screen configuration information is updated for each vertical scanning signal. Although special variation (reach) is displayed, in order to facilitate the following description, the display mode and processing of each of the background image, the translucent image, and the variation of each design image will be described individually.

<Background Image Display Mode and Processing>
During the reach of the present embodiment, the background image 40 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed by executing the background task. Furthermore, in order to make this background image 40 display with a sense of presence, as shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, the water tank 40a designed in the background image 40 is displayed so as to wave. 14A to 14C exaggerately show the undulation in the water tank 40a in order to make the display mode easy to understand. Processing for realizing the display mode of the water tank 40a of the background image 40 will be described with reference to the background image 40 shown in FIG. 14, the flowchart shown in FIG. 15, and the reference explanatory diagrams shown in FIGS. . For convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 14, the inside of the water tank portion 40a of the background image 40 is, for example, a water surface portion 40b, an underwater portion 40c, a first water bottom portion 40d, a second water bottom portion 40e, and a third water bottom portion 40f. Separately described.

Step U101 (set background image)
By executing the background task, the CPU 60 refers to the command stored in the command buffer 68a to set the type of background image corresponding to the command. Specifically, the CPU 60 writes the address of the background image 40 in the image data ROM 62 in which a plurality of types of background images are stored in the background task. Thereby, the background image 40 is displayed as a background image at the time of reach.

Step U102 (copy / move image data of water surface portion and first water bottom portion)
The CPU 60 first copies the image data on the horizontal scanning line onto another horizontal scanning line in the vertical scanning direction in the water surface part 40b in order to display the background image 40 in the water tank 40a so as to wave. In the first water bottom portion 40d, screen configuration information is generated by copying the image data on the horizontal scanning line onto another horizontal scanning line in the vertical scanning direction. With this screen configuration information, as shown in FIG. 14A, a background image 40 in which the water surface portion 40b and the first water bottom portion 40d extend in the vertical scanning direction is displayed.

Step U103 (copy / move image data of underwater and second bottom)
Next, the image data on the horizontal scanning line is copied on the other horizontal scanning line in the vertical scanning direction in the underwater portion 40c, and the image data on the horizontal scanning line is copied in the other horizontal scanning direction in the second water bottom portion 40e. Screen configuration information copied on the scanning line is generated. With this screen configuration information, as shown in FIG. 14B, a background image 40 in which the underwater portion 40c and the second bottom portion 40e extend in the vertical direction is displayed.

Step U104 (copy / move image data of water surface and third water bottom)
Further, the image data on the horizontal scanning line is copied on the other horizontal scanning line in the vertical scanning direction in the water surface portion 40b, and the image data on the horizontal scanning line is copied in the other horizontal scanning direction in the third water bottom portion 40f. Generate screen configuration information copied on the line. With this screen configuration information, as shown in FIG. 14C, a background image 40 in which the water surface portion 40b and the third water bottom portion 40f extend in the vertical direction is displayed.

  By displaying the image according to the screen configuration information generated in steps U102 to U104 described above, FIGS. 14A to 14C are repeatedly displayed, and the light of the background image 40 due to the flow of water in the aquarium Due to the refraction of the water tank 40a, the inside of the water tank 40a is displayed to wave. Steps U102 to U104 correspond to the function of the vertical raster scroll means in the present invention.

  The processing performed by the CPU 60 will be specifically described with reference to the reference explanatory diagrams shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 in order to facilitate understanding of the above-described steps U102 to U104.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 60 has a screen configuration in which, for example, 40 horizontal scanning lines H1 to H40 are set with image data h1 to h40 in the horizontal scanning direction (hereinafter simply referred to as “horizontal image data h1 to h40”). Generate information. With this screen configuration information, a substantially triangular original image B is displayed. The original image B is represented by horizontal image data h11 to h35 set on the horizontal scanning lines H11 to H35. The VDP 64 calls the horizontal image data h1 to h40 from the image data ROM 62 based on the screen configuration information, and generates the original image B in which the horizontal image data h1 to h40 are arranged on the horizontal scanning lines H1 to H40. The original image B is displayed on the screen 66a of the liquid crystal monitor 66.

  In order to display the original image B so as to wave, first, the CPU 60 copies the horizontal image data h14 in the original image B onto the horizontal scanning lines H12 to H14 as shown in FIG. 17A. Generate screen configuration information. Thus, when the VDP 64 generates images on the horizontal scanning lines H12 to H14, the VDP 64 reads the horizontal image data h14 of the original image B from the image data ROM 62, and images on the horizontal scanning lines other than the horizontal scanning lines H12 to H14. When generating, the image B1 is generated by reading out the horizontal image data on the corresponding horizontal scanning line of the original image B as it is. As a result, an image B1 in which the original image B partially extends in the vertical scanning direction is displayed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 17B, the CPU 60 generates screen configuration information of an image B2 obtained by copying the horizontal image data h21 in the original image B onto the horizontal scanning lines H18 to H21. Thereby, the image B2 is generated by the VDP 64, and the image B2 in which the extended portion of the image B1 is moved to the front side is displayed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18A, the CPU 60 generates screen configuration information of an image B3 obtained by copying the horizontal image data h27 in the original image B onto the horizontal scanning lines H23 to H27. Thereby, the image B3 is generated by the VDP 64, and the image B3 in which the extended portion of the image B2 is further moved to the front side is displayed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18B, the CPU 60 generates screen configuration information of an image B4 obtained by copying the horizontal image data h34 in the original image B onto the horizontal scanning lines H29 to H34. As a result, the image B4 is generated by the VDP 64, and the image B4 in which the extended portion of the image B3 is moved to the front side is displayed.

  Therefore, by repeatedly generating the screen configuration information of the images B1 to B4, the original image B can be displayed so as to wave. In the above-described embodiment, the image undulating in the vertical scanning direction is displayed by copying the horizontal image data. For example, the image undulating in the vertical scanning direction is displayed by partially moving the horizontal image data. It can also be done.

Step U105 (copy / move image data of water surface portion in horizontal scanning direction)
The CPU 60 generates screen configuration information of a background image obtained by moving or copying the image data on the horizontal scanning line in the water surface portion 40b in the horizontal scanning direction for each horizontal scanning line. At this time, every time step U105 is executed, screen configuration information is generated by changing the amount of movement of the horizontal image data in the horizontal scanning direction. With such screen configuration information, the water surface pattern of the water surface portion 40b is displayed so as to sway from side to side. Step U105 corresponds to the function of the horizontal raster scroll means in the present invention.

  In order to facilitate understanding of the above-described step U105, the process performed by the CPU 60 will be specifically described with reference to a reference diagram shown in FIG.

  In order to display only the portion of the image displayed on the horizontal scanning lines H12 to H25 of the original image B so as to be swayed from side to side, the CPU 60 first displays the original image B as shown in FIG. The screen configuration information of the image B5 is generated by moving the horizontal image data h12 to H25 by a predetermined amount in the horizontal scanning direction for each horizontal scanning line. Specifically, the horizontal image data h12 to h16 and h12 to h25 are respectively moved (or copied) in the left direction by a predetermined movement amount, and the horizontal image data h17 to h21 are respectively moved to the right direction (or The screen configuration information of the image B5 to be copied is generated. As a result, when generating images on the horizontal scanning lines H12 to H25, the VDP 64 delays or accelerates the read timing of the horizontal image data h12 to h25 of the original image B from the image data ROM 62, thereby generating the horizontal scanning line H12. When generating an image on a horizontal scanning line other than ~ H14, the horizontal image data on the horizontal scanning line corresponding to the original image B is read at the same timing, so that the original image B is partially shifted left and right. B5 is generated. As a result, an image B5 in which the original image B is partially shifted left and right is displayed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 19B, the CPU 60 moves (or copies) the horizontal image data h12, h13, h16 to h22 in the original image B in the left direction, and the horizontal image data h14, h15. , H23 to h25 are respectively moved in the right direction (or copied), the screen configuration information of the image B6 is generated. Thereby, the image B6 is generated by the VDP 64, and the image B6 in which the original image B is partially shifted to the left and right is displayed.

  Therefore, by repeatedly generating the screen configuration information of the images B5 and B6, it is possible to display the upper half of the original image B so as to sway from side to side. That is, by moving or copying the horizontal image data in the water surface portion 40b of the background image 40 to the left and right (horizontal scanning direction), the water surface can be displayed as if it fluctuates. In addition, in FIG. 14, the shaking of the image of the water light part 40b is not illustrated.

  By sequentially executing Steps U101 to U105 described above, as shown in FIGS. 14A to 14B, the refractive index changes due to the flow of water in the water tank 40a designed in the background image 40. The water tank portion 40a can be displayed so as to wave. As a result, it is possible to realize a display mode of the background image 40 with a sense of reality. Steps U101 to U105 correspond to background image setting means in the present invention.

<Display mode and processing of pattern image>
During the reach of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 20 (a) to 20 (c), the variation of the symbol image is displayed by executing each symbol task. Hereinafter, the process for realizing the display mode when the symbol image changes will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Step U201 (sets a vortex image)
The CPU 60 writes the address in the image data ROM 62 of the vortex image 42 in the task for controlling the vortex image 42 and generates screen configuration information for setting the vortex image 42 on the front side of the background image 40. With this screen configuration information, a vortex image 42 is displayed on the front side of the background image 40 as shown in FIG. The vortex image 42 corresponds to a fixed image in the present embodiment, and step SU201 corresponds to the function of the fixed image setting means in the present embodiment.

Step U202 (setting of middle symbol image)
The CPU 60 refers to the command stored in the command buffer 68a and determines the type of medium symbol image to be displayed in the central display area 32. Specifically, the CPU 60 has an address in the image data ROM 62 of the first medium symbol image displayed on the front side of the vortex image 42 in the central display area 32 of the screen 66a (the display priority is higher than the vortex image 42). In addition, the arrangement position of the middle symbol image is written in the middle symbol task, and in the image data ROM 62 of the second middle symbol image displayed on the back side of the vortex image 42 (the display priority is lower than that of the vortex image 42). Is written in the middle symbol task, and the screen configuration information of the middle symbol image is generated. With this screen configuration information, as shown in FIG. 20A, two middle symbol images 52c and 52b are displayed with the vortex image 42 interposed therebetween. The middle symbol image corresponds to the specific symbol image in the present invention, and step U202 corresponds to the function of the specific symbol image setting means in the present invention.

Step U203 (Left / Right design image setting)
The CPU 60 determines the type of the left symbol image to be displayed in the left display area 31 by executing the left symbol task. Further, the type of the right symbol image to be displayed in the right display area 33 is determined by executing the right symbol task. Specifically, the CPU 60 writes the address in the image data ROM 62 of the left symbol image displayed in the left display area 31 of the screen 66a and the arrangement position thereof in the left symbol task, and generates screen configuration information of the left symbol image. Further, the address in the image data ROM 62 of the right symbol image displayed in the right display area 33 and the arrangement position thereof are written in the right symbol task to generate screen configuration information of the right symbol image. With these screen configuration information, as shown in FIG. 20A, the left symbol image 52a is displayed on the left side of the screen 66a, and the right symbol image 52a is displayed on the right side of the screen 66a. Since the left / middle symbol image 52a is in a substantially stopped state, the variation of the left / middle symbol image 52a is omitted in the following description.

Step U204 (variation of middle symbol image)
As shown in FIGS. 20A to 20C, the CPU 60 sequentially generates screen configuration information obtained by moving each of the middle symbol images so that the two middle symbol images rotate around the vortex image 42. By sequentially displaying the images based on the screen configuration information, one of the two types of middle symbol images sandwiching the vortex image 42 is reduced, and the other middle symbol image is moved while being enlarged. Then, the middle symbol image on the front side of the vortex image 42 is moved in the horizontal direction to display a variation such that the two types of middle symbol images rotate around the vortex image 42. Further, the middle symbol image moved to the back side of the vortex image 42 is replaced with another type of middle symbol image, and a plurality of types of symbol images are continuously displayed. The processing performed in step U204 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 22 and the operation explanatory diagram of the middle symbol image shown in FIG. Step U204 corresponds to the function of the specific symbol changing means in the present invention.

Step V101 (moves the first middle symbol image horizontally)
As shown in FIG. 23A, in step U202, the first middle symbol image C1 is swirled in the front side of the vortex image 42, and the second middle symbol image C2 is vortexed in a state where the size is reduced to 50%. Each is set on the back side of the image 42. The CPU 60 generates the screen configuration information set at the position where the first middle symbol image C1 is moved rightward and at the position where the second middle symbol image C2 is moved leftward. Accordingly, on the screen 66a, as shown in FIGS. 23A to 23B, the first middle symbol image C1 moves to the right and the second middle symbol image C2 moves to the left. A part of the vortex image 42 is displayed as if it appeared from the left rear side.

Step V102 (moves the first medium symbol image further in the horizontal direction)
The CPU 60 sets the first middle symbol image C1 to the position where the first middle symbol image C1 is moved further rightward on the front side of the vortex image 42 in a state where the size of the second middle symbol image C2 is enlarged from 50% to 70%. Generate screen configuration information. Thereby, on the screen 66a, as shown in FIGS. 23B to 23C, the first middle symbol image C1 further moves to the right on the front side of the vortex image 42, and the second middle symbol image C2 is displayed. C2 is displayed such that more than half of the vortex image 42 appears from the left back side. As a result, the second medium symbol image C2 is displayed as if it moved from the back to the front in the water tank.

Step V103 (moves the first middle symbol image to the back side of the vortex image)
The CPU 60 moves the first middle symbol image C1 reduced in size to 70% from the right front side to the right rear side of the vortex image 42, and moves the second middle symbol to 100%. The set screen configuration information is generated at the position where the image C2 is moved from the left back side to the left front side of the vortex image 42. Thereby, on the screen 66a, as shown in FIGS. 23C to 23D, the first medium symbol image C1 moves from the front side to the back side of the vortex image 42, and a part of the image is displayed on the vortex image 42. The second middle symbol image C2 is displayed so as to move from the back side to the front side of the vortex image 42 and appear as a whole. As a result, the second middle symbol image C2 is displayed as if it has moved further forward in the aquarium, and the first middle symbol image C1 is displayed as if it has moved farther from the front in the aquarium. The movement of the vortex image 42 from the back side to the front side or the movement from the front side to the back side is performed by changing the writing location of the task address area 71 of the sprite chain area 68c described above.

Step V104 (moves the second middle symbol image horizontally)
The CPU 60 sets the first medium symbol image C1 whose size has been reduced to 50% to a position where the first medium symbol image C1 has been moved to the left and a position where the second medium symbol image C2 has been moved to the right. Generate configuration information. As a result, on the screen 66a, as shown in FIGS. 23D to 23E, the first middle symbol image C1 moves further back in the water tank on the back side of the vortex image 42, and the second middle symbol image C1 moves. The symbol image C2 is displayed as if it moved rightward on the front side of the vortex image.

Step V105 (moves the second middle symbol image further in the horizontal direction)
The CPU 60 generates the screen configuration information set for the second medium symbol image C2 at a position in front of the vortex image 42 and the first medium symbol image C1 at a position completely hidden behind the vortex image 42, respectively. . Accordingly, on the screen 66a, as shown in FIGS. 23 (e) to 23 (f), the second middle symbol image C2 moves from the right side to the front of the vortex image 42, and the first middle symbol image C1 is swirled. The image 42 is displayed as if it was completely hidden.

Step V106 (Replace the first medium symbol image with another medium symbol image)
The CPU 60 generates screen configuration information in which the first middle symbol image C1 completely hidden in the vortex image 42 is replaced with a different middle symbol image C3 from the middle symbol images C1 and C2. Step V106 corresponds to the function of the specific symbol replacement means in the present invention.

Step V107 (continuation?)
By repeating Steps V101 to V106, two types of medium symbol images arranged with the vortex image 42 interposed therebetween are displayed so as to rotate around the vortex image 42. Further, one of the two types of middle symbol images is replaced with another type of middle symbol image on the back of the vortex image 42, whereby a plurality of types of middle symbol images are sequentially displayed.

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 20A to 20B, the left symbol image 52a and the right symbol image 52a are displayed in a substantially stopped state, while the first middle symbol image 52c and the second middle symbol image 52a are displayed. The image 52b is displayed so as to rotate around the vortex image 42. Further, the middle symbol image 52b that wraps around the back side of the vortex image 42 is displayed so as to be replaced with another type of middle symbol image 52d. As a result, a plurality of types of symbol images can be continuously changed and displayed, and a lively display mode can be realized, and the player's fun can be made permanent. In the above-described embodiment, the case where two types of middle symbol images are displayed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, three or more types of middle symbol images are displayed around the vortex image 42. It can also be displayed to turn around. Also, the left symbol image or the right symbol image can be configured to vary in the same manner as the middle symbol image of the present embodiment.

<Display Mode and Processing of Translucent Image>
Variations of each symbol image are displayed on the background image 40 described above. In order to realize a more realistic display mode, such a variation of the symbol image is performed underwater, a semi-transparent image is superimposed on the symbol image. Specifically, for example, a translucent image in which a light blue pattern is configured is displayed so as to overlap only on the water tank portion 40 a of the background image 40. Further, the translucent image is displayed so that its pattern changes sequentially. The process for realizing the pattern change of the translucent image and the display mode of the transparency will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Step U301 (setting a translucent image)
The CPU 60 writes the address in the image data ROM 62 where the translucent image is stored in the translucent image task. Thereby, the translucent image 80 shown in FIG. 25 is displayed on the front side of each symbol image on the water tank part 40a of the background image 40.

  The description of the background image and each design image described above is omitted, but the image data stored in the image data ROM 62 is stored in a color palette in which a plurality of types of color information are set at specific locations. This is so-called character data composed of a plurality of pixels designating the specific location. The screen configuration information generated by the CPU 60 includes an address where the character data is stored and information on the color palette used in the character data. The VDP 64 converts the character data into the character data based on the color palette. A predetermined image is generated by arranging the color information. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 26A, when there is character data K composed of 3 × 3 pixels, each pixel constituting the character data K is, for example, in eight places in the color palette C. Are specified (indicated by numerical values in each pixel in FIG. 26). For example, the pixel G1 of the character data K designates a location “1” of the color palette C, and the pixel G2 designates a location “2” of the color palette C, for example. Similarly, each pixel of the character data K designates a specific part of the color palette C, respectively. Based on the color information set at each location of the color palette C, the color of each pixel of the character data K is determined, and an image having a predetermined pattern is generated. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 26 (b), in the case of being based on the color palette C1 in which the same color information is set at the locations “2” and “4”, “2” in the color palette C1. And the pixel of the character data K designating the location “4” is colored with the same color, for example, a pattern K1 filled with the same color in a cross shape is generated, and the pattern K1 is displayed.

Step U302 (Set color palette)
For example, the CPU 60 sequentially generates screen configuration information set by sequentially changing an arbitrary color palette from a plurality of types for each predetermined number of vertical scanning signals while the character data of the translucent image 80 remains the same. With this sequentially generated screen configuration information, the translucent images 80 of the patterns 80a to 80c shown in FIGS. 25A to 25C are sequentially displayed. Step U302 corresponds to the function of the pattern changing means in the present invention.

  As described above, a case where the pattern of the image is changed by changing only the color palette while keeping the character data the same will be described below. As shown in FIGS. 26A to 26D, the character data K remains the same, and the color palette C can be sequentially changed to the patterns K1 to K3 by sequentially changing the color palette C to the color palettes C1 to C3. Specifically, when each pixel of the character data K is colored based on the color palette C1 in which the locations “2” and “4” are the same color information, a cross shape is formed as shown in FIG. A pattern K1 painted in the same color is displayed. On the other hand, if each pixel of the character data K is colored based on the color palette C2 in which the locations “1” and “4” are the same color information, the same color is formed in a diagonal line as shown in FIG. The pattern K2 filled with is displayed. Further, when each pixel of the character data K is colored based on the color palette C3 in which the locations of “1”, “2”, and “3” are the same color information, as shown in FIG. A pattern K3 painted in the same color in a frame shape is displayed. Therefore, the patterns K1 to K3 can be sequentially displayed by sequentially changing to the color palettes C1 to C3 while keeping the character data K the same. In this way, since the pattern of the image can be changed by simply changing the color palette, the storage capacity for storing the image data can be increased compared to the case where character data is prepared for each image having a different pattern as in the prior art. Can be reduced. In addition, since the rewriting time of character data for one page can be saved, it is possible to prevent the processing from being lost (the display does not move rapidly like a frame advance due to the processing not being completed within the vertical scanning period). can do. As a result, the cheaper image data ROM 62 can be used, and more images can be displayed with the image data ROM 62 having the same capacity.

  The patterns 81a to 81c, which are a part of the patterns 80a to 80c of the background image 80 shown in FIGS. 25A to 25C, will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. Each pattern 81a to 81c is generated by character data 81 composed of 16 × 16 pixels and each color palette Ca to Cc. As shown in FIG. 27 (a), the pattern 81a has character data 81 that designates each location of "3, 5, 7, 8, 12" based on the color palette Ca in which each location is the same color information. Each pixel is filled with the same color and displayed. Next, as shown in FIG. 27 (b), with the character data 81 as it is, the parts of “4, 5, 6, 7” have the same color by the screen configuration information changed from the color palette Ca to the color palette Cb. Based on the color palette Cb that is information, each pixel of the character data 81 indicating each part is filled with the same color, and a pattern 81b is displayed. Further, as shown in FIG. 27C, the character data 81 remains the same color as shown in FIG. 27C due to the screen configuration information changed from the color palette Cb to the color palette Cc. Based on the color palette Cc that is information, each pixel of the character data 81 indicating each part is filled with the same color, and a pattern 81c is displayed. Therefore, the pattern of the semi-transparent image 80 can be sequentially changed to the patterns 80a to 80c by changing only the color palette in the same manner for the entire translucent image 80.

Step U303 (calculates color information of each pixel of the translucent image)
The VDP 64 sets each symbol image and the vortex image 42 on the background image 40, and further generates an image in which the translucent image 80 is set on these images. Here, since the translucent image 80 is colored by the color information of a predetermined color palette, the color information of each pixel of the translucent image 80 is obtained when the translucent image 80 is superimposed on each design image. Are overwritten on each symbol image, etc., and each symbol image is hidden behind the semi-transparent image 80 and cannot be seen. Therefore, based on the color information of each pixel of the translucent image 80 and the color information of each pixel such as each design image and the background image 40, the color information of the pixel of the translucent image 80 in the region where the design images overlap And an image in which each pixel in the region where the semi-transparent images 80 overlap is colored with the color information is generated. In this embodiment, since all the pixels of the translucent image 80 overlap the pixels of the background image 40 or the design image, color information is calculated for all the pixels of the translucent image 80. Specifically, the color information of each pixel in the region where the translucent image 80 overlaps the design image or the like is calculated by the following equations (1) to (3).

R = α × RA + (100−α) × RB (1)
G = α × GA + (100−α) × GB (2)
B = α × BA + (100−α) × BB (3)
RA: Color information of red component of pixel before adjustment of translucent image 80 GA: Color information of green component of pixel before adjustment of semitransparent image 80 BA: Color of blue component of pixel before adjustment of translucent image 80 Information RB: Color information of red component of pixel of design image or background image GB: Color information of green component of pixel of design image or background image BB: Color information of blue component of pixel of design image or background image R: Translucent Color information of red component of pixel after adjustment of image 80 G: Color information of green component of pixel after adjustment of semitransparent image 80 B: Color information of blue component of pixel after adjustment of semitransparent image 80 α: Transparency (%)

  Based on the color information calculated by the equations (1) to (3), the color information of the pixels in the region where the design images overlap the semitransparent image 80 is generated and displayed on the back side of the semitransparent image 80. For example, when the translucent image 80 is blue, each of the symbol images to be displayed is displayed in a bluish hue at a ratio according to the transparency. In this embodiment, the color information is calculated according to the predetermined transparency. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the color information of the pixels of the translucent image and the pattern at an arbitrary ratio. You may make it mix with the color information of the pixel of an image.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 20, for example, before and after the middle symbol image 52b moves from the front side to the rear side of the vortex image 42, the color information of the pixels in the region where the middle symbol image 52b overlaps the translucent image 80 is obtained. By changing it, you can feel more realistic. Specifically, when displayed on the front side of the vortex image 42, the pixel color information is calculated with a transparency of 80%, and when displayed on the back side of the vortex image 42, the transparency is 40%. By calculating the color information of the pixel, it is possible to produce a change in the transparency of water between the front side and the back side in the water tank more realistically. That is, by calculating the color information of the pixel in the region where the symbol image and the semi-transparent image 80 overlap, the transparency of the region can be changed according to the variation of the symbol image. In addition, even if the transparency is not changed according to the above-described fluctuation of the design image, for example, if the design image is left as it is and the transparency of only the region where the design image overlaps the translucent image is changed, the design image Can be displayed as if it moved to the back of the aquarium.

Step U304 (Repeat)
During the reach, the steps U301 to U303 are repeated to display the translucent image 80 and its pattern change. Therefore, the background image 40 and each design image are displayed so as to be seen through the translucent image 80, and are displayed so that the pattern of the translucent image 80 changes as shown in FIG. . Steps U301 to U303 correspond to the function of the translucent image setting means in the present invention.

  As described above, in this embodiment, at least two kinds of medium symbol images are displayed so as to rotate around the vortex image 42, and light generated by the flow of water in the aquarium accompanying the vortex of the vortex image 42 is displayed. Since the water tank portion 40a of the background image 40 is waved by refraction, and the translucent image 80 is translucent and displayed so that its pattern changes, it is possible to realize a special variation display mode with a more realistic feeling. And the player's fun can be perpetuated.

  As described above, the present invention is suitable for gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko machine 2 ... Game board 6 ... Image display apparatus for game machines 10 ... Control board 31 ... Left display area 32 ... Center display area 33 ... Right display area 40 ... Background image 42 ... Vortex image 52a-52l ... Graphic image 60 ... CPU
61… Program ROM
62 ... Image data ROM
63 ... Video RAM
64 ... VDP
66 ... LCD monitor 66a ... Screen 68 ... Work RAM
68b ... Task buffer area 68c ... Sprite chain area 80 ... Translucent image

Claims (1)

Image control means for generating screen composition information of special fluctuations for varying any specific symbol image in a plurality of symbol images in a special manner different from other symbol images, and a screen for storing the screen configuration information Configuration information storage means, image data storage means for storing at least image data of the plurality of design images, and image generation means for generating the special variation image based on the screen configuration information and the image data , An image display device for gaming machines comprising display means for displaying the image of the special fluctuation,
Translucent image setting means for setting a translucent image to be displayed on the front side of the plurality of design images;
An image display device for a gaming machine, comprising: pattern changing means for sequentially and repeatedly changing the pattern of the translucent image.