JP2016135346A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain excellent sound without reducing the degree of freedom in designing a game machine.SOLUTION: A game machine 1 allows players to play a prescribed game and includes a plurality of sound output parts 27R, 27L, 27a, 27b outputting game related sound associated with the game, the game machine comprising: sound data storage means 174 for storing sound data of the game related sound; sound output control means 86 for performing a control to output the game related sound based on the stored sound data from the sound output parts; correction data storage means 174 for storing output sound pressure correction data which is for the purpose of correcting the sound pressure of each frequency band of the game related sound outputted from the respective sound output parts to become proper sound pressure; and sound pressure correction means 205 for correcting the sound pressure of each frequency band of the game related sound outputted from the respective sound output parts on the basis of the output sound pressure correction data individually for each sound output part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of playing a predetermined game and outputting a game-related sound related to the game.

  Conventionally, in gaming machines that output game-related sounds related to games, the sound effects of game-related sounds, for example, by changing the position (sound image position) that the player feels when sound is generated, etc. In order to increase the player's sense of realism, and when changing the sound image position, each speaker is connected to the player so that the sound image position determined by the sound actually heard by the player is an appropriate position. Are arranged concentrically so that the distance from the head position is substantially equal (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-178778 A

  In these Patent Documents 1, since the distance from the player's head position to each speaker can be made substantially equal, characteristics such as the sound pressure of the sound that the player actually listens to can be improved. The sound data of game-related sounds output from the speaker does not need to be changed greatly depending on the difference in distance from each speaker in the gaming machine or the difference in output characteristics, but the position and orientation of the speaker and the design of the speaker surface Etc. cannot be changed greatly, and there is a problem that the degree of freedom in designing the gaming machine is significantly reduced.

  Also, in the case where the gaming machine has different designs giving priority to the degree of freedom in designing the gaming machine, and trying to obtain good sound for each of the various gaming machines having these different designs, For each gaming machine, all the sound data of many game-related sounds used in the gaming machine must be corrected so that the sound can be satisfactorily heard by the player. There was a problem that a great deal of labor was required for the work of correcting the above.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and can obtain good sound without lowering the degree of freedom of design of the gaming machine and is required for correcting sound data of game-related sounds. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can reduce labor.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a gaming machine according to claim 1 of the present invention provides:
A gaming machine capable of performing a predetermined game,
A plurality of sound output units provided at predetermined positions of the housing and outputting game-related sounds related to the game;
Effect control means for controlling the effect based on control information output from the game control means for controlling the game;
Sound data storage means for storing a plurality of types of sound data for outputting the game-related sound;
Sound output control means for performing control to output game-related sounds based on the sound data stored in the sound data storage means from each sound output unit of the housing of the gaming machine;
Each frequency of the game-related sound output from each sound output unit so that the sound pressure of each frequency band at a specific position of the game-related sound output from each sound output unit of the housing of the gaming machine becomes an appropriate sound pressure Correction data storage means for storing output volume correction data for correcting the band volume;
Based on the output volume correction data stored in the correction data storage means, the sound for individually correcting the volume of each frequency band of the game-related sound output from each of the sound output units for each sound output unit Pressure correction means;
With
The correction data storage means includes a nonvolatile external memory provided outside the electronic device functioning as the sound pressure correction means, and a volatile internal memory provided inside the electronic device,
The sound pressure correcting means reads out the output sound volume correction data transferred and stored in the volatile internal memory from the nonvolatile external memory, and corrects the sound volume.
A gaming machine according to claim 2 of the present invention is
A gaming machine capable of performing a predetermined game,
A plurality of sound output units provided at predetermined positions of the housing and outputting game-related sounds related to the game;
Effect control means for controlling the effect based on control information output from the game control means for controlling the game;
Sound data storage means for storing a plurality of types of sound data for outputting the game-related sound;
Sound output control means for performing control to output game-related sounds based on the sound data stored in the sound data storage means from each sound output unit of the housing of the gaming machine;
Each frequency band of the game-related sound output from each sound output unit so that the phase of each frequency band at a specific position of the game-related sound output from each sound output unit of the casing of the gaming machine is an appropriate phase. Correction data storage means for storing output phase correction data for correcting the phase;
Based on the output phase correction data stored in the correction data storage means, the phase for individually correcting the phase of each frequency band of the game related sound output from each of the sound output units for each sound output unit Correction means;
With
The correction data storage means includes a nonvolatile external memory provided outside the electronic device functioning as the sound pressure correction means, and a volatile internal memory provided inside the electronic device,
The phase correction means reads out the output phase correction data transferred and stored in the volatile internal memory from the nonvolatile external memory and corrects the phase.
A gaming machine according to claim 3 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2,
A confirmation means for confirming data transferred and stored in the volatile internal memory from the nonvolatile external memory;
If there is an abnormality in the confirmation by the confirmation means, the data transferred and stored in the volatile internal memory determined to be abnormal is updated to correction invalidation data for outputting the uncorrected game-related sound. It is characterized by memorizing.
According to these features, good sound can be obtained without reducing the degree of freedom in designing the gaming machine, and labor required for correcting the sound data of the game-related sound can be reduced.

The gaming machine according to means 1 of the present invention is:
A gaming machine (pachinko machine 1) capable of performing a predetermined game (game using a pachinko ball),
A plurality of sound output units (speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, 27b) that are provided at predetermined positions of the casing of the gaming machine and output game-related sounds (various BCM and sound effects associated with effects in the game). )When,
Sound data storage means (external ROM 174) for storing a plurality of types of sound data for outputting the game-related sounds;
Sound output control means (production control CPU 86) for controlling the game output sound based on the sound data stored in the sound data storage means to be output from the sound output section;
Predetermined listening of game-related sounds output from the sound output unit when a plurality of sound output units are provided in a predetermined reference gaming machine casing (reference casing with optimized frequency characteristics) The sound pressure of each frequency band (channels CH1 to CH9) at the position (position of the measurement microphone shown in FIG. 13) (the sound pressure of the reference casing amplitude characteristic shown in FIG. 12A) is set as the appropriate sound pressure. Game-related output from each sound output unit so that the sound pressure of each frequency band at the listening position of the game-related sound output from the sound output unit of the housing of the gaming machine becomes the appropriate sound pressure Correction data storage means (external ROM 17, internal RAM 203) for storing output volume correction data (frequency characteristic correction data in FIG. 7) for correcting the volume of each frequency band of the sound;
Sound pressure correction for individually correcting the volume of each frequency band of game-related sounds output from the sound output unit based on the output volume correction data stored in the correction data storage means Means (audio processing IC 173, first DSP unit 205);
It is characterized by having.
According to this feature, even if the position and orientation of the sound output unit and the design of the surface of the sound output unit are different in the design, the output volume correction data for each sound output unit having a different design is stored in the correction data storage means. As a result, the sound pressure of each frequency band output from each sound output unit is corrected for each sound output unit based on the output volume correction data stored in the correction data storage means, so that each sound Since the sound pressure of each frequency band of the game related sound output from the output unit is an appropriate sound pressure, it is possible to obtain a good sound without reducing the degree of freedom of design of the gaming machine, Even if the sound data is not corrected, the sound pressure of each frequency band of the game-related sound output from each sound output unit based on the uncorrected sound data is set to an appropriate sound pressure based on the output volume correction data. Corrected Since, it is also possible to reduce labor required for correction of the sound data of the game-related sound.

Further, the gaming machine described in means 2 of the present invention is:
A gaming machine (pachinko machine 1) capable of performing a predetermined game (game using a pachinko ball),
A plurality of sound output units (speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, 27b) that are provided at predetermined positions of the casing of the gaming machine and output game-related sounds (various BCM and sound effects associated with effects in the game). )When,
Sound data storage means (external ROM 174) for storing a plurality of types of sound data for outputting the game-related sounds;
Sound output control means (production control CPU 86) for controlling the game output sound based on the sound data stored in the sound data storage means to be output from the sound output section;
Predetermined listening of game-related sounds output from the sound output unit when a plurality of sound output units are provided in a predetermined reference gaming machine casing (reference casing with optimized phase characteristics) Game-related output from each sound output unit of the casing of the gaming machine with the phase of each frequency band (channels CH1 to CH9) at the position (the phase of the phase characteristic of the reference casing shown in FIG. 11) as an appropriate phase Output phase correction data for correcting the phase of each frequency band of the game-related sound output from each sound output unit so that the phase of each frequency band at the listening position of the sound becomes the appropriate phase (FIG. 6). Correction data storage means (external ROM 17, internal RAM 203) for storing the phase characteristic correction data of
Based on the output phase correction data stored in the correction data storage means, the phase correction means for individually correcting the phase of each frequency band of the game-related sound output from the sound output section for each sound output section (Audio processing IC 173, first DSP unit 205);
It is characterized by having.
According to this feature, even if the position and orientation of the sound output unit and the design of the surface of the sound output unit are different in the design, the output phase correction data for each sound output unit having a different design is stored in the correction data storage means. By doing so, the phase of each frequency band of the game-related sound output from each sound output unit is corrected for each sound output unit based on the output phase correction data stored in the correction data storage means. Since the phase of each frequency band of the game-related sound output from each sound output unit is an appropriate phase at a predetermined listening position, good sound can be obtained without reducing the degree of freedom in designing the gaming machine. At the same time, even if the sound data of the game-related sound is not corrected, the phase of each frequency band of the game-related sound output from each sound output unit based on the uncorrected sound data is corrected to the appropriate phase. Since the, it is also possible to reduce labor required for correction of the sound data of the game-related sound.

A gaming machine according to means 3 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to means 1,
Three or more sound output units (four speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, 27b)
The correction data storage means (external ROM 17, internal RAM 203) includes output volume correction data (frequency characteristic correction data) corresponding to each sound output unit (speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, 27b), and the sound output unit Output volume correction data (correction gain) associated with the output volume (combination pattern of levels A to N) of game-related sounds from other sound output units other than
The sound pressure correction means stores the volume of each frequency band of game-related sounds output from each sound output unit in the correction data storage means in association with the output volume in a sound output unit other than the sound output unit. Correction is performed using the output volume correction data that has been set (step Sb4 of the amplitude correction process).
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, when the sound output unit is 3 or more, that is, when there are a plurality of sound output units other than the sound output unit to be corrected by the sound pressure correction unit, the plurality of other sound outputs The sound pressure heard by the player may not be properly corrected even if only the output volume from the sound output unit to be corrected is simply corrected due to the mutual interference of game-related sounds output from the unit. On the other hand, by correcting using output volume correction data associated with the output volume of game-related sounds from other sound output units, it is possible to perform corrections that take into account these mutual interference, Even if three or more sound output units are provided, appropriate sound pressure correction can be performed.

A gaming machine according to means 4 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 3,
The frequency band (channels CH1 to CH9) is progressively wider as the frequency increases (channel CH1 is 31 to 62 Hz, channel CH2 is 63 to 125 Hz, channel CH3 is 126 to 250 Hz, and channel CH4 is 251 to 500 Hz. Channel CH5 is set to 501 to 1000 Hz, channel CH6 is set to 1001 to 2000 Hz, channel CH7 is set to 2001 to 4000 Hz, channel CH8 is set to 4001 to 8000 Hz, and channel CH9 is set to 8001 to 16000 Hz.
According to this feature, the frequency range is progressively widened as the frequency is increased, so that the total number of frequency bands to be corrected is compared with the case where the frequency range is uniform regardless of the frequency. Since it can be reduced, the data capacity of correction data for performing correction for each of these frequency bands can be reduced.

A gaming machine of means 5 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 4,
The correction data storage means (external ROM 17, internal RAM 203) is a non-volatile external memory (external ROM 174) provided outside the electronic device (speech processing IC 173) functioning as the sound pressure correction means and / or the phase correction means. And a volatile internal memory (internal RAM 203) provided inside the electronic device,
By reading data stored in the nonvolatile external memory and storing it in the volatile internal memory at power-on, the stored data can be used by the sound pressure correcting means and / or the phase correcting means (The part where the audio processing IC 173 performs Step Sk8 of the activation process in FIG. 14)
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, since the correction data is not stored as non-volatile data in the electronic device functioning as the sound pressure correction means and / or the phase correction means, these sound pressure corrections can be performed even for gaming machines having different correction data. The electronic device functioning as the means and / or the phase correcting means can be used in common.

The gaming machine of means 6 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to means 5,
A predetermined acoustic effect is added to the corrected sound corrected by the sound pressure correcting means and / or the phase correcting means or the corrected sound data (sound stream data corrected by the first DSP unit 205). An acoustic effect adding means (second DSP unit 206) is provided.
According to this feature, the sound effect adding means adds sound effects to the corrected sound or the corrected sound data corrected by the sound pressure correcting means and / or the phase correcting means. The reproducibility of the sound effect can be improved.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine which is the gaming machine of the example where this invention is applied. It is a rear view which shows a pachinko machine. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structural example of a pachinko machine. It is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example in the effect control board. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of audio | voice processing IC. It is a figure which shows the phase characteristic correction data used for the Example. It is a figure which shows the frequency characteristic correction data used for the Example. It is a figure which shows the processing content of the phase correction process implemented in audio | voice processing IC. It is a figure which shows the processing content of the amplitude correction process implemented in audio | voice processing IC. (A) is a figure which shows the phase state of the sound output from each speaker when not performing a phase correction process, (b) is a figure of the sound output from each speaker when a phase correction process is implemented. It is a figure which shows a phase state. It is a figure which shows the phase characteristic when not implementing when a phase correction process is implemented. (A) is a figure which shows the frequency characteristic of a housing | casing, (b) is a figure which shows the frequency characteristic of the sound output from a speaker when not performing amplitude correction, (c) is amplitude correction. It is a figure which shows the frequency characteristic of the sound output from a speaker when performing this. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the measuring method for producing phase characteristic correction data and frequency characteristic correction data. It is a figure which shows the processing content of the starting process implemented by audio | voice processing IC at the time of power activation. It is a figure which shows the example of a housing | casing of another shape.

  A mode for carrying out a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described below based on examples.

  First, the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine that is an example of the gaming machine of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as “pachinko machine 1”) as seen from the front, and FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the pachinko machine 1. In the following description, the front side (player side) in FIG. 1 will be described as the front side of the pachinko machine 1, and the back side will be described as the back side. In addition, the front surface of the pachinko machine 1 in the present embodiment is an opposing surface that faces the player when the pachinko machine 1 is viewed from the player side.

  The pachinko machine 1 is mainly configured by an outer frame 100 (see FIG. 2) formed in a vertically long rectangular shape, and a front frame 101 (see FIG. 2) attached to the outer frame 100 so as to be openable and closable. . A glass door frame 102 and a lower door frame 103 are provided on the front surface of the front frame 101 so as to be openable and closable around one side, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the upper front portion of the lower door frame 103 attached to the lower side of the glass door frame 102 is a game ball storage unit that can store pachinko balls (hitting balls) as game media (game balls). An upper plate portion 3 a having a hitting ball supply tray (also referred to as an upper plate) 3 formed on the upper surface thereof protrudes toward the front of the pachinko machine 1 (front direction of the pachinko machine 1). A lower plate 4a (protrusion) has an operation lever 600, which will be described later, pivotally supported below the upper plate portion 3a and a surplus sphere storage plate (also referred to as a lower plate) 4 formed on the upper surface. Part) is projected toward the front of the pachinko machine 1 (front direction of the pachinko machine 1). A hitting operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing a pachinko ball is provided on the right side.

  The operation lever 600 includes an operation rod that is held by the player, and a trigger switch is provided at a predetermined position of the operation rod (for example, a position where the index finger of the operator is applied when the player holds the operation rod). A trigger button is provided. The trigger button can be operated in a predetermined direction by performing a push / pull operation with a predetermined operation finger (for example, index finger) while the player holds the operation lever of the operation lever 600 with an operation hand (for example, the left hand). What is necessary is just to be comprised. Lever switches 510a to 510d arranged in four directions in order to detect a tilting operation with respect to the operating rod may be provided inside the main body of the lower plate 4a below the operation lever 600.

  In addition, the member that forms the upper plate 3 can be operated by a player to perform a predetermined instruction operation by, for example, pressing a predetermined position on the upper surface of the upper plate 3 main body (for example, above the operation lever 600). An operation button 516 is provided. The operation button 516 may be configured to be able to detect a predetermined instruction operation such as a pressing operation from a player mechanically, electrically, or electromagnetically. A button switch 516a (see FIG. 3) for detecting an operation action of the player performed on the operation button 516 may be provided inside the main body of the upper plate at the installation position of the operation button 516.

  A transparent game board 6 detachably attached to the front frame 101 is disposed on the back surface of the glass door frame 102. 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.

  In the vicinity of the center of the game area 7, a variable display device (decorative symbol display device) 9 including a plurality of variable display areas, each displaying a decorative symbol for presentation, can be seen through the transparent game board 6. Thus, it is provided on the back surface of the game board 6. In addition, a special symbol display device (special symbol display device) 8 (see FIG. 3) for variably displaying special symbols as a plurality of types of identification information that can identify each of them is provided at predetermined locations on the game board 6. . The fluctuation display device 9 has, for example, three fluctuation display areas (symbol display areas) of “left”, “middle”, and “right”. The variable display device 9 displays decorative symbols as decorative information as a plurality of types of identification information that can be identified during the variable symbol display period of the special symbols by the special symbol indicator 8. I do. The variable display device 9 is controlled by devices such as an effect control microcomputer 81 (see FIG. 3) mounted on an effect control board 80 described later.

  The special symbol display 8 is realized by a simple and small display (for example, 7-segment LED) capable of variably displaying numbers 0 to 9, for example. The special symbol display 8 includes a first special symbol display (first variable display means) 8a for variably displaying the first special symbol as the first identification information, and a second special symbol as the second identification information. A second special symbol display (second variable display means) 8b for displaying is provided.

  The variable display of the first special symbol is a variable display start condition (for example, after the first start condition, which is a variable display execution condition) is established (for example, a game ball has won a first start port 15a described later). When the number of reserved memories is not 0, the variable display of the first special symbol is not executed, and the state where the jackpot game is not executed) is established and variable. When the display time (variation time) elapses, the display result (stop symbol) is derived and displayed. The variable display of the second special symbol is a variable display start condition after a second start condition, which is a variable display execution condition, is satisfied (for example, a game ball has won a second start port 15b described later). (For example, when the number of reserved memories is not 0, the variable display of the second special symbol is not executed, and the big hit game is not executed) is started based on When the variable display time (fluctuation time) elapses, the display result (stop symbol) is derived and displayed. Note that winning means that a game ball has entered a predetermined area such as a winning opening. Deriving and displaying the display result is to finally stop and display a symbol (an example of identification information).

  The variable display device 9 is realized by an image display device including an image liquid crystal panel capable of displaying an image (video). The variation display device 9 performs a variation display of the decorative symbol during the variation display period of the special symbol by the special symbol indicator 8.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the fluctuation display device 9 uses an image liquid crystal panel will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image liquid crystal panel devices include CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), FED ( You may comprise by display apparatuses of other image display forms, such as field emission display (PDP), plasma display panel (PDP), dot matrix LED, and an organic or inorganic electroluminescent (EL) panel.

  Below the variation display device 9, a start winning device 15 having a first start port 15a and a second start port 15b as a winning area capable of receiving a pachinko ball is provided. In the start winning device 15, the first start port 15a is provided in the upper part, and the second start port 15b is provided in the lower part. A pair of movable pieces 13 and 13 are provided on the left and right sides of the second start port 15b in such a manner that an opening / closing operation can be performed. The first start port 15a is open upward and is always in a state where a pachinko ball can enter (accept). On the other hand, the second start port 15b is provided with a structure around the first start port 15a above and the movable pieces 13 and 13 are provided on the left and right, so that the movable pieces 13 and 13 are in a closed state. When the movable pieces 13 and 13 are in an open state, the pachinko ball can enter (accept). Thus, the first start port 15a does not change the easiness of winning, and the second start port 15b changes the easiness of winning according to the opening / closing operation of the movable pieces 13, 13.

  The starting prize-winning device 15 is able to win in the state where the movable pieces 13 and 13 are in the closed state, although it is difficult to win in the second starting port 15b (that is, the pachinko ball has won a prize). It may be configured to be difficult). In addition, the start winning device 15 may be provided with only the first start port 15a that does not change the easiness of winning as a start port, and it is easy to win by opening and closing the movable pieces 13, 13. Only the second start port 15b whose height changes may be provided.

  The movable pieces 13 and 13 of the start prize-winning device 15 are driven by the solenoid 16 when an opening condition described later is satisfied, so that the movable pieces 13 and 13 are opened from the closed state for a predetermined period and then closed. When the movable pieces 13 and 13 of the start winning device 15 are in the open state, the pachinko ball is easy to win the second start port 15b (easy to start start) and is advantageous to the player (first state). ) On the other hand, when the movable pieces 13 and 13 of the start winning device 15 are in the closed state, the pachinko ball does not win the second start opening 15b (it becomes difficult to start winning), which is a disadvantageous state for the player (second state). State). The winning ball that has entered the first start port 15a is guided to the back of the game board 6 and detected by the first start port switch 14a. The winning ball that has entered the second start port 15b is guided to the back of the game board 6 and detected by the second start port switch 14b.

  The predetermined number of the game board 6 displays four numbers indicating the number of valid winning balls that have entered the first starting port switch 14a or the second starting port switch 14b, that is, the number of reserved memories (also referred to as starting memory or starting winning memory). A special symbol storage memory display 18 (see FIG. 3) is provided. The special symbol reservation storage display 18 displays up to four reservation storage numbers in the order of winning. The special symbol hold memory display 18 increases the stored data in the hold memory by 1 and increases the number of LEDs in the lit state by 1 every time there is a start winning in the first start port 15a or the second start port 15b. Each time the special symbol display 8 starts the variable display, the special symbol storage memory display 18 decreases the storage data of the storage by 1 and decreases the number of LEDs in the lit state by 1 (that is, one LED Is turned off. Specifically, the special symbol hold storage display 18 shifts the lighting state every time the special symbol display 8 starts the variable display. In this example, an upper limit number (up to 4) is provided for the number of reserved memories by winning to the first start port 15a or the second start port 15b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper limit number of the reserved storage number may be a value of 4 or more, or may be a value less than 4.

  A special variable winning ball device 20 using an opening / closing plate that is opened and closed by a solenoid 21 is provided below the start winning device 15. The special variable winning ball apparatus 20 is provided with a big winning opening that is opened and closed by an opening / closing plate, and the opening / closing plate is controlled to an open state (first state) advantageous to the player in the big hit gaming state, and the big hit gaming state In other states, the open / close plate is controlled to a closed state (second state) which is disadvantageous to the player. As described above, the special variable winning ball apparatus 20 satisfies the release condition when it enters the big hit gaming state. Of the winning balls that are won in the special variable winning ball apparatus 20 and guided to the back of the game board 6, the winning ball that has entered one (V winning area: special area) and the pachinko ball that has entered the other area are counted as they are. 23. A solenoid 21a (see FIG. 3) for switching the route in the special winning opening is also provided on the back of the game board 6.

  When the pachinko ball passes through the gate 32 and is detected by the gate switch 32a, the variable display on the normal symbol display 10 which displays the normal symbols as a plurality of types of identification information in a variable manner is started. In this embodiment, left and right LEDs (not shown) are turned on alternately by turning on the LEDs alternately. For example, if the left LED is turned on at the end of the change display, it becomes a hit. . When the stop symbol on the normal symbol display 10 becomes a predetermined symbol (winning symbol), the opening condition of the movable pieces 13 and 13 of the start winning device 15 is established, and the movable pieces 13 and 13 in the start winning device 15 are 13 is opened for a predetermined number of times for a predetermined time. In the vicinity of the normal symbol display 10, the normal symbol holding memory display 41 (see FIG. 3) having a display unit with four LEDs for displaying the number of memorized effective passing spheres that have passed through the gate 32, that is, the starting passing memorized number. ) Is provided. Every time there is a pachinko ball passing through the gate 32, the stored data of the start passing memory is incremented by 1, and the normal symbol holding memory display 41 increments the LED to be lit by 1. Then, every time the variable display on the normal symbol display 10 is started, the stored data of the start passage memory is decreased by 1, and the LED to be lit is decreased by 1.

  The game board 6 is provided with a plurality of normal winning ports including a first normal winning port 29 and a second normal winning port 30 as a winning area of a winning device that accepts a pachinko ball and allows winning. The winning of the pachinko ball to the first normal winning opening 29 is detected by the first winning opening switch 29a. The winning of the pachinko ball in the second normal winning opening 30 is detected by the second winning opening switch 30a. The first starting port 15a, the second starting port 15b, and the big winning port also constitute a winning area of the winning device that accepts a pachinko ball and allows winning. In addition, decorative light emitting portions 25L and 25R in which decorative LEDs 25a blinking and displayed during the game are provided around the left and right of the game area 7, and an out port 26 for collecting pachinko balls that have not won a prize is provided at the bottom. There is.

  Two speakers 27L and 27R that emit sound effects are provided at the left and right upper portions outside the game area 7, and two speakers 27a and 27b that emit sound effects are provided at the left and right lower portions. In the following description, the speakers 27L, 27R, 27a, and 27b may be collectively referred to as speakers 27.

  On the outer periphery of the game area 7, a top lamp module 530 in which various LEDs such as a rotating body LED are incorporated, a left light emitting unit 28L in which a left frame LED 28b (see FIG. 3) is incorporated, and a right frame LED 28c (see FIG. 3). ) Is built in. Further, a decoration LED is installed around each structure (such as a big prize opening) in the game area 7. The LED for the rotating body, the left frame LED 28b, the right frame LED 28c, and the decoration LED are examples of the decoration light emitter provided in the pachinko machine 1.

  In this example, a prize ball LED 51 that is lit during award ball payout is provided at a predetermined position of the left light emitting unit 28L, and a ball break LED 52 that is lit when a supply ball is cut is provided at a predetermined position of the right frame LED 28c. Is provided.

  Various light emitting means such as prize ball LED 51, ball-out LED 52, decoration LED 25 a, left frame LED 28 b, right frame LED 28 c, and each LED in the top lamp module 530 are based on the effect control command output from the main board 31. Lighting control (LED control) is performed based on the serial signal output from the computer 81. In addition, sound generation control (sound control) from the speakers 27L, 27R, 27a, and 27b is also performed by the effect control microcomputer 81.

  A pachinko ball launched from a hitting ball launching device (not shown) by operating the hitting operation handle 5 of the player enters a game area 7 through a hitting guide rail (not shown), and then a game standing on the game area 7. While coming into contact with the nail and changing the course, the game area 7 is lowered. When a pachinko ball enters the first start port 15a and is detected by the first start port switch 14a, or enters the second start port 15b and is detected by the second start port switch 14b, a special symbol variation display is displayed. If it can be started, the special symbol on the special symbol display 8 starts to be displayed in a variable manner. If the special symbol variable display is not ready to start, the number of reserved memories is increased by one.

  The variation display of the special symbol on the special symbol display 8 stops when the variation display time set every time the variation display is performed. If the special symbol (stop symbol) at the time of stoppage is a jackpot symbol (also referred to as a jackpot display result) as a specific display result, it will be a jackpot and the game will shift to a jackpot gaming state. In the big hit gaming state, the special variable winning ball apparatus 20 is released until a predetermined time elapses or a predetermined number (for example, ten) of pachinko balls wins. Then, if the pachinko ball wins the V winning area while the special variable winning ball apparatus 20 is opened and is detected by the count switch 23, a continuation right is generated and the special variable winning ball apparatus 20 is opened again. The generation of the continuation right is permitted with a predetermined number of times such as 15 rounds as an upper limit value. Such control is called repeated continuation control. In the repeated continuation control, a state in which the special variable winning ball apparatus 20 is opened is called a round.

  If the special symbol on the special symbol display 8 at the time of stoppage is a predetermined special big-hit symbol (probable variation big-hit symbol) among the big-hit symbols (probability big-hit symbol) ) Becomes a more advantageous state for the player, a probability variation state (hereinafter referred to as a probability variation state) that becomes higher than the normal gaming state, which is a normal state different from the big hit gaming state. Hereinafter, the probability variation state is also referred to as a high probability state (sometimes abbreviated as a high probability state). Further, the non-probable change state is also referred to as a low probability state (sometimes abbreviated as a low probability state).

  In addition, when the display result of the special symbol when the variable display on the special symbol display 8 is stopped is the probability variation big hit symbol, the variable time is reduced after the big hit gaming state, and the control is performed for a predetermined period of time. The Compared to the normal gaming state, the time-short state is a variation display time of each of the special symbol display 8, the variation display device 9, and the normal symbol display 10 (the time from the start of variation to the time when the display result is derived and displayed). ) Is a control state in which display results are derived and displayed at an early stage. Further, during the time-short state, the probability that the stop symbol in the normal symbol display 10 becomes a winning symbol is increased, and the opening time of the movable pieces 13 and 13 of the start winning device 15 is lengthened and the number of times of opening is increased. . During the time-short state, since the display time of the symbol variation is shortened, the number of reserved memories to be described later is digested early, and the start winning that occurs exceeding the upper limit (for example, “4”) of the number of reserved memories becomes invalid. Since it is easy to derive and display the jackpot display result early in the short term, it is easy to derive and display the jackpot display result early, so the display result of the variable display is likely to become the display result of the jackpot symbol from a time efficient viewpoint It becomes a gaming state advantageous to the player. As described above, in the case of the probability variation big hit A, the high probability state and the short time state are controlled in a predetermined period after the end of the big hit gaming state. The short time state over a predetermined period after the end of the jackpot gaming state is the earlier, until the next jackpot gaming state occurs or until the special symbols and decorative symbols are displayed a predetermined number of times (100 times). Continue until either condition is met.

  Also, when considering the payout of pachinko balls according to the winning, the time-short state is shorter than the non-time-short state and the normal symbol variation display time is shortened, and the stop symbol in the normal symbol display 10 becomes a winning symbol. The probability is increased, the opening time of the movable pieces 13 and 13 of the start winning device 15 at the time of winning is lengthened, and the number of times of opening the movable pieces 13 and 13 of the starting winning device 15 at the time of hitting is increased. Based on this, the movable pieces 13 and 13 of the start winning device 15 are likely to be in an open state as compared with the normal gaming state. Accordingly, in the short-time state, it is easy to generate a prize (including both a case where the start prize is valid and a case where the prize is invalid) in the second start port 15b, so the number of pachinko balls ( The ratio of the number of pachinko balls (the number of balls to be paid out) to be paid out as winning balls according to the winning is greater than the number of hitting balls) compared to the normal gaming state. In general, the ratio of the number of paid-out balls for winning a prize to the number of shot balls is called “base”. For example, when there are 40 payout balls with respect to 100 shot balls, the base is 40 (%). In the case of this embodiment, for example, a time-short state having a higher base than a non-time-short state such as a normal gaming state is called a high base state, and conversely, a base game state having a lower base compared to such a high base state. Such a non-short-time state is called a low base state.

  In this way, the ratio of the number of award balls paid out by winning a prize to the number of balls launched is generally called “base”, but the maximum number of pachinko balls fired per unit time such as 1 minute is limited to a certain number. ing. For this reason, the “base” can also be indicated by a total value of the number of winning balls paid out by winning a plurality of winning openings provided in the game area in a unit time. For example, assuming that the maximum number of pachinko balls fired per unit time is 100, the total number of award balls paid out by winning in a unit time matches the general “base” value. Based on such relevance, in the present embodiment, each of the first start port 15a, the second start port 15b, the first normal winning port 29, and the second normal winning port 30 is an abnormality monitoring target winning port, A total value of the number of paid-out balls of the winning ball due to the winning of the abnormality monitoring target winning opening is called a base, and is used as an object of abnormality monitoring regarding winning.

  Whether the probability variation state (high probability state) or the non-probability variation state (low probability state) is determined based on whether or not the probability variation flag, which is a flag set in the probability variation state, is set. . Also, whether the time-short state (high base state) or the non-time-short state (low base state) is determined based on whether or not the time-short flag, which is a flag set in the time-short state, is set. Is done.

  In addition, in the state that is not controlled to the above-mentioned time-short state, every time the number of special symbols on-hold storage exceeds a predetermined number, the memory that controls the memory variation shortened state that shortens the variation display time of the special symbol and the decorative symbol Variation shortening control is performed. The memory fluctuation shortening control ends when the number of reserved symbols for special symbols is less than a predetermined number. Therefore, even in a state where the time-short state is not controlled, there is a case where the variation display time of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is shortened.

  The decorative symbols that are variably displayed in the variable display device 9 are variably displayed in a predetermined relationship with the special symbol variation display in order to enhance the decoration effect of the special symbol variation display in the special symbol display 8. It is a symbol with a special meaning. The predetermined relationship for such symbols includes, for example, the relationship in which the decorative symbol variation display starts when the special symbol variation display is started, and the special symbol display result at the end of the special symbol variation display. This includes a relationship in which the decorative symbol display result is derived and displayed and the decorative symbol variation display is terminated. When the special symbol display 8 derives and displays a predetermined jackpot symbol as a display result, the variable display device 9 derives and displays a combination of the jackpot symbol with left, middle and right symbols as a display result. The Such a display result of the jackpot symbol by the special symbol and the display result of the combination of the jackpot symbol by the decoration symbol are referred to as a jackpot display result.

  Since the special symbol display 8 and the fluctuation display device 9 have the correspondence relationship as described above, the fluctuation display results may be collectively referred to as a fluctuation display unit in the following description.

  Next, the reach display mode (reach) will be described. The reach display mode (reach) in the present embodiment means that the symbols that have not been stopped when the stopped symbols constitute a part of the jackpot symbol, and that all or This is a state where some symbols are synchronously displayed while constituting all or part of the jackpot symbol.

  For example, in the variable display device 9, an effective line (one effective line in the case of this embodiment) that becomes a big hit when the symbol stops is determined in advance, and a part of the display area on the effective line is preliminarily set. A state in which the variable display is performed in the display area on the active line that has not been stopped when the predetermined symbol is stopped (for example, among the left, middle, and right variable display areas in the variable display device 9) The left and right display areas are stopped and the same display is still displayed, and the middle display area is still in the variable display mode), and all or part of the display area on the active line A state in which all or a part of the jackpot symbol is configured and displayed in a synchronized manner (for example, all the left, middle, and right display areas in the variation display device 9 are displayed in a varying manner and are always the same. The state) variable display in a state where the handle is aligned is made that reach the display mode or reach.

  Also, during the reach, an unusual effect may be performed with LEDs or sounds. This production is called reach production. Further, in the case of reach, a character (an effect display imitating a person or the like, which is different from a design (decoration design or the like)) or a display mode (for example, a color or the like) of the background image of the variable display device 9 is displayed. ) May change. This change in character display and background display mode is called reach effect display. In addition, some reach is set so that when it appears, a big hit is likely to occur compared to a normal reach. Such special (specific) reach is called super reach.

  Further, for the variable display device 9, there may be a jackpot notice effect such as a pseudo-ream that notifies that there is a possibility of a big hit in the variable display that triggers the occurrence of the big hit.

  In this embodiment, as a big hit, a plurality of types of big hits such as a normal big hit C and a probable big hit A are provided as will be described later. In the following description, when “big hit” is simply indicated without specifying the types of big hits, it is a case where these multiple types of big hits are representatively shown.

  Normally, the big hit C is a big hit (non-probable big hit) that becomes a low probability state and a low base state because it does not become a probable change state after the end of the big hit gaming state and does not become a short-time state. Such a state with a low probability state and a low base state is called a low probability low base state. The probability variation jackpot A is a jackpot that becomes a probability variation state after the end of the jackpot gaming state and is in a high probability state in which the time is short for a predetermined period and in a high base state. Such a state with a high probability state and a high base state is referred to as a highly accurate high base state. After the probability variation big hit, when the predetermined period elapses, the time reduction state ends, and the state becomes a high probability state and a low base state. Such a state having a high probability state and a low base state is referred to as a high probability low base state.

  Next, the structure of the back surface (back surface) of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the pachinko machine.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, a variable display control unit 49 including an effect control board 80 on which an effect control microcomputer for controlling the variable display device 9 is mounted, a game control microcomputer, and the like are mounted. Various boards such as a game control board (main board) 31, an audio output board 70, an LED driver board (not shown), and a payout control board 37 on which a payout control microcomputer for performing ball payout control is mounted. is set up.

  Further, on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, there are provided a power supply board 960 and a launch control board 91A on which power supply circuits for generating various power supply voltages such as DC30V, DC21V, DC12V, and DC5V are mounted. The power supply board 960 is attached to the back side of the launch control board 91A, and the payout control board 37 is overlapped on the back side, but the exposed part exposed so as to be visible from the outside without overlapping the payout control board 37 includes: Main board 31 in pachinko machine 1 and each electrical component control board (production control board 80 and payout control board 37) and each electrical component provided in pachinko machine 1 (parts that operate when power is supplied) A power switch is provided as power supply permission means for executing or cutting off power supply. Furthermore, a replaceable fuse is provided inside the power switch in the exposed portion (inside the substrate).

  The electrical component control board is mounted with electrical component control means including an electrical component control microcomputer. The electrical component control means is an electrical component (game device: ball payout device 97, variable display device 9, LED, etc.) provided in the pachinko machine 1 in accordance with a command signal (control signal) as a command from the game control means or the like. Light emitters, speakers 27L, 27R, 27a, 27b, etc.). Hereinafter, description may be made by including the main board 31 in the electric component control board. In that case, the electrical component control means mounted on the electrical component control board includes a game control means and a means for controlling the electrical components provided in the pachinko machine 1 in accordance with a command signal from the game control means or the like. Point to each. A substrate on which a microcomputer other than the main substrate 31 is mounted may be referred to as a sub-substrate.

  On the back surface of the pachinko machine 1, a terminal board (not shown) provided with terminals for outputting various information to the outside of the pachinko machine 1 is installed above. On the terminal board, at least a ball break terminal for introducing the output of the ball break detection switch 167 and outputting it externally, a terminal for a prize ball for outputting prize ball information (prize ball number signal) and a ball lending A ball lending terminal for externally outputting information (ball lending number signal) is provided. Near the center, an information terminal board (information output board) 36 provided with terminals for outputting various information from the main board 31 to the outside of the pachinko machine 1 is installed.

  Pachinko balls stored in a ball tank 38 capable of storing balls supplied from an unillustrated gaming machine installation island, pass through the tank rail, and reach a ball dispensing device 97 covered with a case cover through a curve rod. The ball path 761 above the ball payout device 97 is provided with a ball break detection switch 167 as a game medium break detection means for detecting that there is no ball in the passage. When the ball break detection switch 167 detects a ball break, the payout operation of the ball payout device 97 is stopped. The ball break detection switch 167 is a switch for detecting the presence or absence of a pachinko ball in the pachinko ball passage. When the ball break detection switch 167 detects a shortage of pachinko balls, the pachinko balls 1 are replenished from the replenishment mechanism provided on the gaming machine installation island.

  When a large number of pachinko balls as prizes based on winning prizes or pachinko balls based on ball lending requests are paid out and the upper plate 3 is full, the pachinko balls are guided to the lower plate 4 through an overflow ball passage described later. When the pachinko ball is further paid out, the switch piece (not shown) presses the full tank switch 19 (see FIG. 3) as the storage state detection means, and the full tank switch 19 as the storage state detection means is turned on. In this state, the rotation of the payout motor in the ball payout device is stopped, the operation of the ball payout device is stopped, and the driving of the ball hitting device is also stopped.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration in the main board 31. 3 also shows a payout control board 37, a relay board 77, and an effect control board 80 mounted on the pachinko machine 1. The main board (game control board) 31 includes a game control microcomputer 156 serving as a basic circuit (corresponding to game control means) for controlling the pachinko machine 1 according to a program, a gate switch 32a, a first start port switch 14a, Input that gives various signals such as a power-off signal and a clear signal to the game control microcomputer 156 in addition to signals from the second start port switch 14b, the count switch 23, the first winning port switch 29a, and the second winning port switch 30a. A circuit 58, a solenoid 16 for opening and closing the movable pieces 13 and 13 of the start winning device 15, a solenoid 21 for opening and closing the special variable winning ball device 20, and a solenoid 21a for switching a path in the special winning opening are micro game control. An output circuit 59 driven in accordance with a command from the computer 156; It has been mounting.

  The game control microcomputer 156 includes a ROM 54 for storing a game control (game progress control) program and the like, a RAM 55 as storage means (variation data storage means for storing fluctuation data) used as a work memory, and a program. Therefore, it includes a CPU 56 that is a processor that performs a control operation, and an I / O port 57. The game control microcomputer 156 is a one-chip microcomputer.

  In the game control microcomputer 156, the CPU 56 executes control according to a program stored in the ROM 54. Therefore, the execution (or processing) of the game control microcomputer 156 as described below specifically means that the CPU 56 executes control according to a program. The same applies to microcomputers mounted on substrates other than the main substrate 31. The game control means is realized by a game control microcomputer 156 including a CPU 56.

  The game control microcomputer 156 includes a clock circuit that generates a clock signal, a reset controller that functions as a system reset means, a random number circuit, and a CTC that sends an interrupt request signal to the CPU 56.

  The random number circuit is a hardware circuit that is used to generate a random number for determination to determine whether or not to win a jackpot based on the display result of the variation display of the special symbol and the decorative symbol. The random number circuit updates numerical data in accordance with a set update rule within a numerical range in which an initial value (for example, 0) and an upper limit value (for example, 65535) are set, and at random timing. Based on the fact that the start winning time generated is the time of reading (extracting) the numerical data, it has a random number generation function in which the numerical data to be read becomes a random value.

  The game control microcomputer 156 reads the numerical data from the random number circuit as the random number value R1 when a start winning to the first starting port switch 14a or the second starting port switch 14b occurs, and specifies a specific value based on the numerical data. It is determined whether or not to make a jackpot display result as a display result, that is, whether or not to make a jackpot. When it is determined that the game is a big hit, the gaming state is shifted to a big hit gaming state as a specific gaming state advantageous to the player. The determination as to whether or not to win is actually executed based on the random number value extracted at the time of starting winning at the start of the variation display of the special symbol and the decorative symbol. Whether the random number generated by the random number circuit is a big hit, such as a random number for probability variation determination for determining whether or not to make a probability variation, and a random number for variation pattern determination for determining a variation pattern of a special symbol. It may be used as a random number for determination other than determination.

  The clock circuit outputs a system clock signal to the CPU 56, and outputs a reference clock signal CLK having a predetermined period generated by dividing the system clock signal to each random number circuit. When a low level signal is input for a certain period, the reset controller outputs a predetermined initialization signal to the CPU 56 and each random number circuit to reset the game control microcomputer 156 as a system.

  The RAM 55 is a backup RAM as a volatile storage means that is partially or wholly backed up by a backup power source created on the power supply board 960. That is, even when the power supply to the pachinko machine 1 is stopped, even when the power supply is cut off, a predetermined period (until the capacitor as the backup power supply is discharged and the backup power supply cannot be supplied) or a part of the RAM 55 All contents are saved. In particular, at least data corresponding to the control state of the game (special symbol process flag or the like) and data indicating the number of unpaid prize balls are stored in the RAM 55 as backup data. The data corresponding to the control state is data necessary for restoring the control state before the occurrence of a power failure or the like based on the data when the power is restored after a power failure or the like.

  Further, a power-off signal indicating that the power supply voltage from the power supply board 960 has dropped below a predetermined value is input to the input circuit 58. The power-off signal is input to the input port of the game control microcomputer 156 via the input circuit 58. A clear signal indicating that the clear switch for instructing clearing of the contents of the RAM is operated is input to the input circuit 58 at the input port of the game control microcomputer 156. The clear signal is input to the input port of the game control microcomputer 156 via the input circuit 58.

  Each of the plurality of switches is connected to the input port of the game control microcomputer 156 via the input circuit 58. Thereby, the game control microcomputer 156 receives an input detection signal indicating the input state of each switch from each of the plurality of switches.

  Further, the output circuit 78 mounted on the game control microcomputer 156 transmits the effect control command output from the CPU 56 to the effect control board 80 via the relay board 77. Further, the output circuit 78 outputs a control signal output from the CPU 56 to the special symbol display 8, the special symbol hold storage display 18, the normal symbol display 10, and the normal symbol hold storage display 41 via the relay board 77. Then, it is supplied to the special symbol display 8, the special symbol hold storage display 18, the normal symbol display 10, and the normal symbol hold storage display 41 through the relay board 77. The special symbol display 8, the special symbol storage memory display 18, the normal symbol display 10, and the normal symbol storage memory display 41 may be directly connected to the main board 31 without the relay board 77. .

  The game control microcomputer 156 transmits an effect control command (effect control signal) as a control signal for instructing effect control including display control, sound control, and LED control to the effect control board 80.

  The effect control commands transmitted to the effect control board 80 by the game control microcomputer 156 include a customer waiting demonstration designation command and a variable display command.

  The customer waiting demonstration designation command is an effect control command (customer waiting demonstration designation command) for designating the display during the customer waiting demonstration by the game control microcomputer 156, and a predetermined time has elapsed after the change of the special symbol is finished. When the customer waiting demo designation command is sent to the effect control board 80, a predetermined customer waiting demo screen is displayed on the variable display device 9. In other words, normally, when a player changes, there is a period in which the player is absent, so it is assumed that these waiting-for-demo demonstration designation commands are due to the player changing. When it is output.

  The variable display command is an effect control command that is transmitted at the start of variation in order to specify a variation pattern of a decorative symbol that is variably displayed on the variation display device 9 in response to variable display of a special symbol. Is a command to specify.

  The effect control board 80 receives an effect control command from the game control microcomputer 156 via the relay board 77, and controls the display of the effect display on the variable display device 9 and the effect that becomes the game related sound in the present invention. Electric component control means such as an effect control microcomputer 81 for controlling the output of the sound effect (effect sound) related to is mounted.

  In this embodiment, the effect control microcomputer 81 mounted on the effect control board 80 receives the effect control command from the game control microcomputer 156 via the relay board 77 and variably displays the decorative symbols. Display control of the display device 9 and sound output control from the speakers 27L, 27R, 27a, and 27b are performed.

  In addition, the effect control microcomputer 81 mounted on the effect control board 80 detects the detection signals from the lever switches 510a to 510d and the button switch 516a, thereby operating the operation lever 600 and the player of the operation button 516. Detects operations by.

  In addition, the production control microcomputer 81 performs display control of the stage LED 25b provided on the game board 6, and the prize ball LED 51, the ball cut LED 52, the left frame LED 28b, the right frame LED 28c provided on the frame side, Moreover, lighting control of each LED in the top lamp module 530 is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the effect control board 80 includes an effect control microcomputer 81 including an effect control CPU 86 and a RAM 85. In the effect control board 80, the effect control CPU 86 operates in accordance with a program stored in a built-in ROM (not shown), and receives an effect control command via the input circuit 260.

  Further, the effect control CPU 86 performs display control processing for causing the VDP (video display processor) 262 to perform display control of the variable display device 9 such as image generation displayed on the variable display device 9 based on the effect control command. To do.

  The VDP 262 has an address space independent from the effect control microcomputer 81, and maps the VRAM therein. VRAM is a buffer memory for developing image data. The VDP 262 outputs the image data in the VRAM to the variable display device 9 via the frame memory.

  The effect control CPU 86 outputs to the VDP 262 a command for reading out necessary data from a CGROM (not shown) in accordance with the received effect control command. The CGROM stores in advance character image data and moving image data displayed on the variable display device 9, specifically, a person, characters, figures, symbols, etc. (including decorative designs), and background image data. ROM. The VDP 262 reads image data from the CGROM in response to the instruction from the effect control CPU 86. The VDP 262 performs display control based on the read image data.

  In this embodiment, the sound processing IC 173 and the D / A converter that generate sound output from the speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b in cooperation with the effect control microcomputer 81 (effect control CPU 86). A digital amplifier 175 that amplifies the sound signal (generated sound) converted into an analog signal by the IC 177 and the D / A converter IC 177 is mounted on the effect control board 80, and the effect control CPU 86 receives the signal from the main board 31. The sound number (ID) data is output to the sound processing IC 173 based on the effect control command, and the sound processing IC 173 generates a sound corresponding to the sound number (ID) data.

  When the sound number data is input from the production control microcomputer 81, the sound processing IC 173 individually outputs the sound and sound effect corresponding to the input sound number data for each speaker 27R, 27L, 27a, 27b. And output to the digital amplifier 175. The digital amplifier 175 amplifies the output level of the D / A converter IC 177 to a volume corresponding to the volume level set by the effect control microcomputer 81 (effect control CPU 86), and each speaker 27R, 27L, 27a, To 27b.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an external ROM 174 is locally connected to the audio processing IC 173. In the external ROM 174, the speakers 27R, 27L, and 27a for outputting sounds corresponding to various effects performed by the effect commands corresponding to the sound number (ID) data in association with the sound number (ID) data. , 27b is stored for each sound control data. In other words, these sound control data are output from the speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b during the production period (for example, the decorative symbol variation period) (volume level, position where the sound image is localized, echo) This is a collection of data in which the presence or absence of an effect, etc.) is described along with the sound source data in time series.

  The external ROM 174 of this embodiment stores (stores) frequency characteristic correction data and phase characteristic correction data as shown in FIG. 5 together with the sound control data including the above-described sound source data.

  Here, the configuration of the audio processing IC 173 used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. Specifically, the audio processing IC 173 in this embodiment is a digital that can form various digital filters and the like by a program. A signal processor (DSP) is used.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a system bus is provided inside the audio processing IC 173, and is connected to the effect control CPU 86 of the effect control microcomputer 81 via the CPU interface 201.

  In addition to the CPU interface 201, the system processor includes a control processor 200 for controlling processing in the audio processing IC 173, a memory interface (I / F) 202 to which an external ROM 174 is connected, and an internal RAM 203 including a volatile memory capable of high-speed operation. The decoder 204 that decodes the sound source data stored in the external ROM 174 to generate sound stream data corresponding to the waveform of the generated sound, and the phase that corrects the phase of the sound (sound stream data) generated by the decoder 204 The first DSP unit 205 that performs the correction process (FIG. 8) and the amplitude correction process (FIG. 9) for correcting the amplitude, and the second DSP unit that adds various effects to the sound (sound stream data) corrected by the first DSP unit 205 206 is connected.

  Therefore, the control processor 200 outputs various instructions (commands) to the decoder 204, the first DSP unit 205, and the second DSP unit 206 through the system bus, thereby generating sound (sound stream data) in the decoder 204, Various filter processes in the first DSP unit 205 and the second DSP unit 206 can be controlled.

  Note that a sound data output interface (I / F) 207 for outputting the sound (sound stream data) processed by the second DSP unit 206 to the D / A converter IC 177 is locally connected to the second DSP unit 206. Yes.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the internal RAM 203 has a command register in which instruction commands inputted from the effect control microcomputer 81 (effect control CPU 86) via the CPU interface 201 are sequentially stored, and sound control data. Is provided with a system register for storing various control flags for performing control based on the control data included in the control data, and frequency characteristic correction data and phase characteristics read from the external ROM 174 in the startup process as will be described later. Correction data is stored, and the first DSP unit 205 can access the frequency characteristic correction data and the phase characteristic correction data via the system bus to read out the frequency characteristic correction data and the phase characteristic correction data. It has become.

  The decoder 204 generates stream data such as PCM data corresponding to a sound waveform from sound source data compressed by a predetermined data compression method, and can decode data of a data compression method to be used. Should be used.

  The first DSP unit 205 has a built-in DSP core that performs signal processing at high speed in accordance with a program. As shown in FIG. 5, a pre-written band division (equalizer) filter program, finite impulse response (FIR) By executing the filter program, the amplitude correction filter program, and the band integration (mixer) filter program, various filter functions can be provided by digital signal processing.

  The band division (equalizer) filter formed by executing the band division (equalizer) filter program is a method of converting sound waves identified based on the sound stream data generated by the decoder 204 to CH1 to CH9 shown in FIG. The filter has a function of dividing the waveform component stream data for nine channels in each frequency band, and the band division is performed for each sound of the speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b.

  The FIR filter formed by executing the finite impulse response (FIR) filter program is a filter for performing signal delay similarly to the known infinite impulse response (IIR) filter, and each frequency from CH1 to CH9. This is a filter for causing the sound of each channel to reach the player at an appropriate phase (see FIG. 11) in the reference housing by delaying the band sound signal based on the phase characteristic correction data.

  In this embodiment, these delay filters are formed by digital filters based on digital signal processing, so that the circuit can be reduced in size and can be stably processed.

  In other words, in order to change the cut-off frequency, delay characteristics, etc. in the conventional analog filter, it is necessary to change the capacitance, resistance value, etc. of components such as capacitors, resistors, operational amplifiers, etc. constituting the analog filter. As a result, the circuit scale becomes large, and the cutoff frequency and delay characteristics change due to variations in the components themselves and changes over time, making it impossible to perform appropriate filter processing. By using the filter, the circuit can be downsized and stable processing can be performed.

  In this embodiment, the FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filter is used as the digital filter so that the phase of each channel can be corrected with high accuracy. In other words, IIR (Infinite / Impulse / Response) filters are almost the same in operation as conventional analog filters, and have constant attenuation characteristics (for example, -12 dB / oct). Since the delay time at each frequency component is different, it is necessary to use a filter in consideration of these differences. On the other hand, a filter of FIR type (Finite, Impulse, Response) is a conventional one. A linear phase (constant delay) characteristic that can be realized only approximately in an analog filter, where the phase characteristic is a straight line for any frequency, can be realized. In other words, all frequency components are delayed by the same time. It is possible to reproduce a faithful waveform without disturbing the waveform due to the difference.

  Therefore, when delay processing is performed on CH1 to CH9 in different frequency bands as in this embodiment, it is possible to simply perform delay processing without considering the frequency of the channel to be processed. It is preferable to use these FIR type (Finite • Impulse • Response) filters, but the present invention is not limited to this, and depending on the range of the frequency band of the sound used, the IIR type ( Infinite / Impulse / Response (infinite impulse response) filters may be used.

  The amplitude correction filter formed by executing the amplitude correction filter program is a filter having the same function as a known analog filter that increases or decreases the amplitude of sound, and is based on frequency characteristic correction data to be described later. By correcting the amplitude (volume) of the frequency component, the frequency characteristics of the speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b by the casing and the like are corrected to the frequency characteristics of the reference casing optimized for the output of various performance sounds. It is a filter for.

  The band integration (mixer) filter formed by executing the band integration (mixer) filter program combines waveforms based on the stream data of each frequency component of CH1 to CH9 subjected to the correction processing and integrates them into one stream data. It is a filter to do.

  Similarly to the first DSP unit 205, the second DSP unit 206 has a built-in DSP core that performs signal processing at a high speed according to a program. As shown in FIG. Various filter functions can be provided by digital signal processing by executing a program, specifically a sound image displacement filter program for changing the localization position of a sound image or an echo filter program for imparting an echo effect. It is said that.

  In this embodiment, the processing by these various effect filters is performed on the sound stream data whose phase and amplitude have been corrected by the first DSP unit 205. Compared to correcting the sound stream data to which the effect of sound image displacement or echo effect is applied by the effect filter, these corrections can prevent the effect of the applied sound image displacement and echo effect from being reduced. However, the present invention is not limited to this, because it is possible to obtain good effects with good reproducibility. The processing by these various effect filter programs is performed by the first DSP unit 205, and the phase and amplitude are The correction process may be performed by the second DSP unit 206.

  In FIG. 5, only one FIR filter or amplitude correction filter is schematically shown, but in actuality, it is output from each speaker 27R, 27L, 27a, 27b by performing high-speed processing. Since the frequency components of CH1 to CH9 of the sound to be processed are processed in real time, substantially FIR filters and amplitude correction filters of the number of speakers (4) × the number of channels (9) = 36 are provided. Is equivalent to

  In this embodiment, the frequencies of CH1 to CH9 are set so as to gradually become a wider frequency range as the frequency becomes higher, as shown in FIG.

  Specifically, the channel CH1 has a frequency range of 31 to 62 Hz, the channel CH2 has a frequency range of 63 to 125 Hz, the channel CH3 has a frequency range of 126 to 250 Hz, and the channel CH4 has a frequency range of 251 to 500 Hz. Channel CH5 has a frequency range of 501 to 1000 Hz, channel CH6 has a frequency range of 1001 to 2000 Hz, channel CH7 has a frequency range of 2001 to 4000 Hz, and channel CH8 has a frequency range of 4001 to 8000 Hz. Channel CH9 has a frequency range of 8001 to 16000 Hz.

  In this embodiment, in the same way that the frequency is doubled in one octave cycle, by setting the upper limit value of the frequency of each channel to a frequency that is almost twice the lower limit value, the higher the frequency, the progressively wider frequency range. In this way, if there is a uniform frequency range regardless of the frequency, for example, if the frequency range is uniformly 100 Hz wide, about 160 channels are present in the frequency range up to 16000 Hz. Compared with what is necessary, the total number of frequency bands to be corrected can be significantly reduced to 9, so that the data capacity of correction data for performing correction for each frequency band can be reduced. Will be able to.

  Here, the phase characteristic correction data in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the phase characteristic correction data of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, correction values (microseconds; μs) corresponding to the delay times corresponding to the channels CH1 to CH9 are the speaker 27L (which corresponds to Sp1), the speaker 27R ( Stored (stored) for each speaker 27a (corresponding to Sp3), speaker 27b (corresponding to Sp4), for example, correcting the phase of the channel CH1 of the sound output from the speaker 27L (Sp1) In this case, correction may be performed using correction values (μs) corresponding to “CH1” and “Sp1”. When correcting the phase of the sound channel CH9 output from the speaker 27b (Sp4), , Correction may be performed using correction values (μs) corresponding to “CH9” and “Sp4”.

  These correction values are values created from the difference between the measured phase of each frequency and the phase of each frequency (appropriate phase) from the reference housing with optimized acoustic performance. As shown in FIG. 13, the data includes an actual pachinko machine 1 and a mannequin having a Japanese standard physique (male) in a silent room, the position of the player in the actual gaming state, specifically, a variable display device. 9 and the center line of the mannequin coincide with each other, the height position of the mannequin eye coincides with the vertical center position of the variable display device 9, and the mannequin from the front of the pachinko machine 1 to the ear of the mannequin The horizontal distance is set to be 40 centimeters, which is the average distance between the player and the front surface of the pachinko machine 1, and the measurement microphone is provided at the ear of the mannequin. Note that the appropriate phase of each frequency for the reference casing is also data measured by arranging the reference casing and the mannequin as shown in FIG.

  In the measurement of these phases, for example, in the case of the speaker 27L (Sp1), sounds in the frequency bands of the channels CH1 to CH9 are actually output sequentially from the speaker 27L (Sp1) at a predetermined volume. The change in amplitude on the time axis is measured by a microphone provided on the left ear of the mannequin (player) close to (Sp1), and the sound arrival time and phase data at the time of arrival are collected. In order to ensure that the sound of the same channel from each speaker 27R, 27L, 27a, 27b arrives at the proper phase of the channel in the reference housing in a uniform manner based on the measured data and the data of the appropriate phase in the reference housing. For each of the channels CH1 to CH9, and the delay time of each of the specified channels CH1 to CH9 is specified for each channel CH1 to C9. 9 of the correction value and the correction data is generated and stored in the external ROM 174.

  Similar to the phase characteristic correction data, the frequency characteristic correction data in the present embodiment is also created by the measurement of FIG.

  Note that the frequency characteristics are such that the casing in which the speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b are installed is easier to absorb than the reference casing that targets vibration at a specific frequency, and thus the speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, The amplitude (volume) output from 27b is smaller than the amplitude in the case of the target reference casing (volume is small), or conversely, it easily resonates with vibrations of a specific frequency, so that the output amplitude ( This is a characteristic that indicates that the sound quality is lower than that of the optimized reference housing when the sound volume is larger than the amplitude in the case of the target reference housing (the sound volume is large). The characteristic is that when there are up to two speakers, only one sound is output from the other speakers, so only the sound of some frequencies has a relatively small amplitude due to interference, Only sound of the frequency While the amplitude is relatively small or relatively small, when there are three or more speakers, there are multiple sounds output from other speakers. As a result of interference, only the sound of some frequencies has a relatively small amplitude (volume), or only some of the frequencies have a relatively large amplitude (volume), and the apparent frequency characteristics are The situation that it falls may occur.

  Therefore, for example, only the sound of each channel is simply output from the speaker 27L (Sp1) while changing the amplitude (volume), and the difference between the amplitude and the same amplitude (volume) in the reference housing is measured. Even if these differences are used as correction values (correction gains), depending on the output status (volume) of the sound output from the other speakers 27R, 27a, and 27b, the frequency characteristics apparently appear even though they are corrected. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a correction that matches the sound output state (volume) of the speaker 27L (Sp1) to be corrected and the other 27R, 27a, and 27b that are not the target. .

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the output (volume) levels from the speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b are divided into 13 levels from the lowest AdB to the maximum NdB, and all combinations of these output levels A to N are obtained. A correction value (correction gain) is created by measurement.

  That is, the output level (application level) of the speaker 27L (Sp1) is set to AdB (level A), the output levels (application level) of the other speakers 27R (Sp2) and the speaker 27a (Sp3) are set to AdB (level A), and the like. When the output level (application level) of the speaker 27b (Sp4) is 0 dB (level 0), the sound pressure level of the sound reaching the mannequin (measuring microphone) is measured, and the reached sound pressure is When the sound pressure level is lower than the target sound pressure level, which is the measured sound pressure under the same condition of the body, the sound pressure level that needs to be output extra to make the lower sound pressure level the target sound pressure level When (volume) is used as a correction gain, but higher than the target sound pressure level, the sound pressure level that needs to be reduced to make the increased sound pressure level the target sound pressure level. (Volume) is used as a correction gain, and the correction gain is generated as correction values corresponding to the output level “A” of the speaker 27L (Sp1) and the output pattern “AA.0” of the other speakers, Stored in the external ROM 174 as frequency characteristic correction data.

  As shown in FIG. 7, these output patterns include combinations of “AA.0” to “NN.N” with respect to the output level “A” of the speaker 27L (Sp1). Measurement is performed for all combinations to create correction data.

  The same measurement is performed for the other channels CH2 to CH9 and the correction data is created, whereby the frequency characteristic correction data of this embodiment shown in FIG. 7 can be obtained.

  7 shows the frequency characteristic correction data of only the speaker 27L (Sp1) for convenience, but the frequency characteristic correction data of the external ROM 174 includes the speaker 27R (Sp2), the speaker 27a (Sp3), and the speaker 27b. (Sp4) frequency characteristic correction data is also stored.

  Next, phase correction processing and amplitude correction processing performed in the FIR filter and amplitude correction filter of the first DSP unit 205 based on the frequency characteristic correction data and phase characteristic correction data will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, phase correction processing performed by the FIR filter will be described. In the phase correction processing, as shown in FIG. 8, the sound stream data to be subjected to phase correction is applied to a band division (equalizer) filter. The channel to be corrected (any one of CH1 to CH9) and the speaker to be output (any one of Sp1 to Sp4), that is, the channel and speaker of the sound stream data to be corrected are specified. (Step Sp1).

  Then, the correction values (delay time) corresponding to the specified output target speakers (Sp1 to Sp4) and the channels (CH1 to CH9) are read from the phase specific correction data stored in the internal memory (step Sp2), and read. A delay process is performed to move the phase time axis by the delay time that is the correction value, and the sound based on the sound stream data of the channel to be corrected becomes the sound of the same channel of other speakers. Along with the sound based on the stream data, correction is made so as to reach the player in a proper phase (step Sp3).

  Then, the sound stream data of the channel whose phase is corrected is output to the amplitude correction filter.

  This phase correction process is performed in parallel for all the channels CH1 to CH9 for the four speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b.

  As an example of the waveform of one channel when these phase correction processes are performed, as shown in FIG. 10, when the phase correction process is not performed, as shown in FIG. Due to the difference in distance from the predetermined listening position based on the difference in the arrangement positions of 27L, 27a, and 27b, even if sounds of the same phase are simultaneously output from the speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b, the predetermined listening position is reached. Since a small time difference occurs at the timing of the movement and the phases at the arrival points are not uniform, the sound quality becomes unnatural.

  On the other hand, when the phase correction process is performed, as shown in FIG. 10B, the sound output from the speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b has a phase almost simultaneously at a predetermined listening position. Since it arrives in a state aligned with a predetermined appropriate phase, it becomes the same as the case of actually listening to the sound generated from the point sound source, so that it is possible to obtain a natural sound quality.

  FIG. 11 is a graph showing the phase characteristics of one speaker when the phase correction processing is performed for CH1 to CH9 and when it is not performed.

  In FIG. 11, a one-dot chain line indicates a phase characteristic in the reference casing, and a two-dot chain line indicates a phase characteristic by the casing of the pachinko machine 1 when the phase correction process is not performed. When the phase correction process is not performed, it can be seen that the phase characteristics of the pachinko machine 1 are significantly different from the phase characteristics of the target reference housing (particularly, the low sound range and the high sound range).

  On the other hand, the phase characteristic when the phase correction processing is performed is a phase characteristic substantially in line with the phase characteristic in the reference casing, as shown by the broken line, and the phase characteristic in the reference casing is the appropriate phase. As shown by the solid line in the graph, the phase difference becomes 0 in almost the entire frequency band, and it is understood that the phase of each frequency component is corrected to an appropriate phase by performing the phase correction process.

  These FIG. 11 shows the phase characteristics of one speaker and does not show the phase characteristics of the other speakers, but the phase characteristics of each frequency component before correction differ greatly among individual speakers. By performing the processing, even if the phase characteristics of these frequency components are greatly different, the phase characteristics of the speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b are corrected to appropriate phases as shown in FIG.

  Next, the phase correction process performed by the amplitude correction filter on the sound stream data subjected to the phase correction process will be described. In the phase correction process, as shown in FIG. 9, the amplitude is corrected. The channel and the speaker of the target sound stream data are specified (step Sb1).

  Furthermore, the output volume (for example, X dB) of the channel to be corrected, for example, CH1 and the output volume of CH1, which is the same channel of other speakers, are specified (step Sb2).

  Then, a correction value (correction gain) corresponding to the specified combination of output volumes is read from the frequency characteristic correction data stored in the internal RAM 203 (step Sb3).

  Specifically, if the correction target speaker is Sp1 (speaker 27L) and the output volume of the correction target channel CH1 is X1 dB, the level closest to X1 dB among levels A to N, for example, level D To characterize. Similarly, if the output volume in channel CH1 of Sp2 (speaker 27R) which is another speaker is X2dB, the level closest to X2dB among levels A to N, for example, level A, is characterized, and other speakers are used. If the output volume of the channel CH1 of a certain Sp3 (speaker 27a) is X3dB, the level closest to the X3dB, for example, level B among the levels A to N, for example, the level B, is characterized, and Sp3 (speaker 27b) which is another speaker. If the output volume on the channel CH1 is X4 dB, the level closest to the X4 dB among levels A to N, for example, level C, is characterized, Sp1 which is a combination of the specified volume levels is D, and the output pattern is “A. B.C ”is read out from the frequency characteristic correction data.

  Then, based on the read correction value (correction gain), the amplitude of the sound stream data of the correction target channel CH1 output from the FIR filter is increased or decreased by the correction value (correction gain). For example, a value obtained by adding 1 to the amplitude value data of the sound stream data obtained by dividing the correction value (correction gain) by the maximum gain corresponding to the maximum value of the amplitude value data (if the correction value is a positive value) The correction value is a value greater than 1 by the proportion of the maximum amplitude gain, and if the correction value is a negative value, the correction value is a value less than 1 by the proportion of the maximum amplitude gain). Correction is performed (step Sb4).

  Then, the sound stream data of the channel whose amplitude has been corrected is output to the band integration (mixer) filter (step Sb5). As a result, the sound stream data of each CH1 to CH9 after the amplitude correction processing is mixed, integrated into sound stream data including all frequency components of CH1 to CH9, and output to the second DSP unit 206.

  FIG. 12 is a graph showing changes in the frequency characteristics of the speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b by performing the amplitude correction process for the frequency bands of the channels CH1 to CH9.

  FIG. 12 shows the measurement result of the frequency characteristic composed of the amplitude characteristic at each frequency for the case of the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, and the frequency characteristic (amplitude characteristic) in the reference case optimized for the amplitude characteristic at each frequency. In the case of the present embodiment, the low-frequency sound absorption is larger than that of the reference case (low gain), and the middle sound range is also slightly high absorption (low gain). It can be seen that there is a region, and there is a region where the sound pressure (gain) is slightly higher than that of the reference casing due to resonance or the like in the middle to high sound range.

  FIG. 12B shows the result of measuring the frequency characteristics of the speaker 27L, which is one speaker, in a state where the speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b are set in the housing and in an actual use state. As can be seen in comparison with (a), compared to the frequency characteristics of the reference housing, the sound pressure drop at the bass sound level, the sound pressure drop at the middle sound position, and the mid-high sound sound due to the effects of absorption by the housing, etc. There is an increase in sound pressure over the area.

  On the other hand, when the amplitude correction process is performed, as shown in FIG. 12C, the output volume is increased by the correction gain created by the measurement in the region where the gain is reduced due to absorption or the like. As a result, the difference from the sound pressure (proper sound pressure) of the frequency characteristics of the reference casing is 0 dB, that is, the region where the gain approaches the appropriate sound pressure and gain increases due to resonance or the like. Since the output sound volume is reduced by the correction gain created by the measurement and the sound pressure level reached is reduced, the difference between the frequency characteristic of the reference housing and the corresponding sound pressure (appropriate sound pressure) is 0 dB, that is, the appropriate sound By approaching the pressure, frequency characteristics close to the target appropriate sound pressure can be obtained for each frequency component from bass to treble, and the same frequency characteristics as the optimized reference housing are obtained. I understand.

  Next, FIG. 14 is used for a startup process performed by the audio processing IC 173 in which phase characteristic correction data and frequency characteristic correction data used for the phase correction process and the amplitude correction process are stored in the internal RAM 203 from the external ROM 174. I will explain.

  The voice processing IC 173 performs the startup process of FIG. 14 in response to power-on. In this activation process, the voice processing IC 173 (control processor 200) first performs a system check (step Sk1).

  This system check confirms whether each unit connected to the system bus can operate normally.

  Then, it is determined whether or not there is a system abnormality in the system check (step Sk2). If there is a system abnormality, the process proceeds to step Sk20 and an error notification is sent to the production control microcomputer 81 (production control CPU 86). Perform the error notification process to be output.

  On the other hand, if there is no system abnormality, the process proceeds to step Sk3 and access to the internal RAM 203 is prohibited, and then a memory check of the internal RAM 203 is performed (step Sk4).

  Then, it is determined whether or not there is a memory abnormality in the memory check. If there is a memory abnormality, the process proceeds to step Sk20 to perform error notification processing. If there is no memory abnormality, the process proceeds to step Sk6. Access to the external ROM 174 is performed.

  Then, it is determined whether or not access to the external ROM 174 is possible (step Sk7). If access to the external ROM 174 is possible, the process proceeds to step Sk8 and the phase characteristics stored in the external ROM 174 are determined. After the correction data and frequency characteristic correction data are read out and stored in the internal RAM 203, the stored phase characteristic correction data and frequency characteristic correction data are checked (step Sk9).

  Specifically, in this check process, regarding the phase characteristic correction data, all correction values of 4 speakers × 9 channels = 36 exist, and the correction value (delay time) is normal within an appropriate range. It is determined whether it is a value. In addition, regarding frequency characteristic correction data, there is data including a predetermined number of correction values as data corresponding to all the speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b, and the correction value (correction gain) is set to a predetermined appropriate value. It is determined whether it is a normal value within the range.

  Then, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the phase characteristic correction data and the frequency characteristic correction data in the check process. If there is no abnormality, the process proceeds to step Sk11 and access to the internal RAM 203 performed in step Sk6 is prohibited. If there is an abnormality, the process proceeds to step Sk30, and correction performed by the FIR filter or amplitude correction filter is invalidated as phase characteristic correction data or frequency characteristic correction data. Correction invalidation data (for example, data with a correction value of 0, etc.) for outputting unstreamed sound stream data from each FIR filter and amplitude correction filter, abnormal phase characteristic correction data, and frequency characteristic correction The data is updated and the process ends.

  In addition, if the determination at Step Sk7 is “No” because the external ROM 174 is not accessible due to data damage or hardware failure, the process proceeds to Step Sk30 to store the correction invalidation data. The process ends.

  As described above, when access to the external ROM 174 is impossible and phase characteristic correction data and frequency characteristic correction data cannot be stored in the internal RAM 203, or when the stored phase characteristic correction data and frequency characteristic correction data are not normal, The correction invalidation data for invalidating the correction performed by the FIR filter and the amplitude correction filter and outputting the uncorrected sound stream data from the first DSP unit 205 is stored in the internal RAM 203. In the case where the access is impossible or the stored phase characteristic correction data and frequency characteristic correction data are not normal, the FIR filter and amplitude correction filter processing in the first DSP unit 205 is not performed, so that the speakers 27R and 27L 27a, 27b, no sound is output So that the it can be prevented ringing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the positions and orientations of the speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b that are sound output units, or the design of the surface of the sound output unit, for example, the pachinko machine 1 ′ of another housing shown in FIG. Even if these sound output units are different in design, such as speakers 27R ', 27L', 27a ', 27b', such as a protective or decorative cover or mesh metal on the front side of the speaker, By storing frequency characteristic correction data (output volume correction data) and phase characteristic correction data (output phase correction data) for each sound output unit having a different design in the external ROM 174 serving as correction data storage means, each speaker 27R, The volume and phase of each channel CH1 to CH9 output from 27L, 27a, and 27b are copied and stored from the external ROM 174. By correcting each speaker 27R, 27L, 27a, 27b based on frequency characteristic correction data (output volume correction data) and phase characteristic correction data (output phase correction data) stored in the AM 203, each sound output The sound pressure of the channels CH1 to CH9 in each frequency band is corrected to the appropriate sound pressure and the appropriate phase for various sound effects such as BCM and sound effects that are game-related sounds output from the section. Therefore, good sound can be obtained without reducing the degree of freedom of design of the pachinko machine 1, and even if the sound data of various BGM and sound effects that are game-related sounds are not corrected, The sound pressure and phase of each frequency band of game-related sounds output from the speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, 27b based on the uncorrected sound data are frequency. Since the sound is corrected to the appropriate sound pressure and the appropriate phase based on the characteristic correction data (output volume correction data) and the phase characteristic correction data (output phase correction data), the labor required to correct the sound data of the game related sound is reduced. Can do.

  That is, in the past, for each of various BCMs and sound effects, various BGMs and sound effects are actually individually output from the speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b of the pachinko machine 1, and based on how they are heard at that time. In many cases, the sound data itself is corrected so that the sound can be heard satisfactorily. The number of types of BGM and sound effects that are used is increasing, and correcting the sound data itself for each of these many BGMs and sound effects requires a great deal of labor and time. In a game, a plurality of effects, for example, a BGM in a character effect and a speech of a character based on an operation of the operation lever 600 by a player are simultaneously performed. In the case of output, it may be difficult to hear the speech sound due to simultaneous output with BGM, and it is necessary to make corrections regarding these simultaneous outputs, but the output timing is due to operations by the player, etc. In some cases, since the timing of simultaneous output is indefinite, it becomes difficult to perform correction. On the other hand, according to the present invention, it is possible to output at the same time. However, since the sound that is output at the same time is corrected to the appropriate sound pressure and the appropriate phase, it is possible to obtain a good sound without performing corrections or the like accompanying the simultaneous output on the sound data. Thus, it is possible to significantly reduce the labor required for correcting these sound data.

  In the above-described embodiment, both the amplitude correction process and the phase correction process are performed, and this is achieved by executing the phase correction process from each speaker 27R, 27L, 27a, 27b. Since the phases of the sound of each channel that reaches the listening position are aligned in the same channel, these phases are different, for example, by 180 degrees, the mutual sound amplitude is canceled out, and the sound pressure of the sound of the channel However, the present invention is preferable because it can avoid the occurrence of a phenomenon such as a significant decrease in the amplitude and the synergistic effect that the amplitude correction can be prevented from becoming complicated. It is not limited, and only one of the amplitude correction process and the phase correction process may be performed.

  When only these amplitude correction processes are performed, frequency characteristic correction data (output volume correction data) corresponding to the output state of sound from other speakers is used as in this embodiment. Thus, as described above, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of problems due to the difference in the phase of the sound of each channel that reaches the listening position. That is, as in this embodiment, when there are three or more speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b serving as sound output units, that is, two or more speakers other than the speakers to be corrected in the amplitude correction filter. If there are other speakers, even if only the amplitude (output volume) from the target speaker is corrected by mutual interference of game-related sounds output from these other speakers, While the sound pressure heard by the player is not properly corrected and the frequency characteristics may not be improved, the frequency characteristic correction data (output volume correction data) associated with the amplitude (output volume) from another speaker ), It is possible to perform corrections that take these mutual interferences into account, so that it is appropriate to have three or more speakers 27R, 27L, 27a, and 27b. Correction can be carried out in such amplitude (sound pressure).

  In the above embodiment, as described above, when the channels CH1 to CH9 are progressively widened in frequency ranges as the frequency becomes higher, the frequency ranges become uniform regardless of the frequency. In comparison, since the total number of channels (frequency bands) to be corrected can be reduced, frequency characteristic correction data (output volume correction data) and phase characteristic correction for performing correction for each frequency band. The data capacity of data (output phase correction data) can be reduced.

  In the embodiment, the frequency characteristic correction data (output volume correction data) and the phase characteristic correction data (output phase correction data) are stored in the external ROM 174 together with the sound data, and the frequency characteristics stored in the external ROM 174 are stored. By reading correction data (output volume correction data) and phase characteristic correction data (output phase correction data) into the internal RAM 203 at the time of startup, these frequency characteristic correction data (output volume correction data), Since the phase characteristic correction data (output phase correction data) is not stored as non-volatile data, it is not necessary to make these audio processing ICs 173 specific to the model of the pachinko machine 1, and these frequency characteristic correction data (output volume correction data), Clicking on models with different phase characteristic correction data (output phase correction data) For even machine 1, since it is possible to use in common of these audio processing IC173, it is possible to reduce the cost.

  In the embodiment, the second DSP unit 206 is provided in the audio processing IC 173, and various effects are added to the sound stream data whose phase and amplitude are corrected by the first DSP unit 205 in the second DSP unit 206. Compared to the case where the processing for adding these various effects is performed before the phase or amplitude correction, the sound image provided by these corrections is performed. It can be avoided that the displacement effect and the echo effect are lowered, and a good effect can be obtained with good reproducibility.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and modifications and additions within the scope of the present invention are included in the present invention. It is.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the form shown in FIG. 13 is exemplified as the predetermined listening position, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the predetermined listening position includes the presence or absence of the variable display device 9. It may be determined so as to be a position corresponding to the actual game position of the player based on the specifications of the gaming machine such as the size and arrangement position.

  In the above embodiment, the number of speakers is four. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of speakers may be at least two or more. Or six.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although the pachinko machine 1 from which the pachinko ball which is game media is paid out is illustrated as a game machine, this invention is not limited to this, A medal is used as these game media. The slot machine and these game media are enclosed in the game machine, and the number of pachinko balls and medals lent out and the number of pachinko balls and medals awarded according to winnings are added, and used for games. Enclosed game machines in which the number of pachinko balls and medals are subtracted and stored, and without using pachinko balls and medals It may be a gaming machine that stores all values such as points and points given as credits and can play a game using only the values stored as credits. In this case, these points, points, and the like correspond to game media, and credits become game value.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 6 Game board 8 Special symbol display 9 Fluctuation display device 10 Normal symbol display 13 Movable piece 31 Main board 80 Production control board 81 Production control microcomputer 86 Production control CPU
156 Game Control Microcomputer 173 Sound Processing IC
174 External ROM
175 Digital amplifier 200 Control processor 201 CPU interface 202 Memory interface (I / F)
203 Internal RAM
204 Decoder 205 First DSP Unit 206 Second DSP Unit

Claims (3)

A gaming machine capable of performing a predetermined game,
A plurality of sound output units provided at predetermined positions of the housing and outputting game-related sounds related to the game;
Effect control means for controlling the effect based on control information output from the game control means for controlling the game;
Sound data storage means for storing a plurality of types of sound data for outputting the game-related sound;
Sound output control means for performing control to output game-related sounds based on the sound data stored in the sound data storage means from each sound output unit of the housing of the gaming machine;
Each frequency of the game-related sound output from each sound output unit so that the sound pressure of each frequency band at a specific position of the game-related sound output from each sound output unit of the housing of the gaming machine becomes an appropriate sound pressure Correction data storage means for storing output volume correction data for correcting the band volume;
Based on the output volume correction data stored in the correction data storage means, the sound for individually correcting the volume of each frequency band of the game-related sound output from each of the sound output units for each sound output unit Pressure correction means;
With
The correction data storage means includes a nonvolatile external memory provided outside the electronic device functioning as the sound pressure correction means, and a volatile internal memory provided inside the electronic device,
The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the sound pressure correction means reads the output volume correction data transferred and stored in the volatile internal memory from the nonvolatile external memory to correct the volume. A gaming machine capable of performing a predetermined game,
A plurality of sound output units provided at predetermined positions of the housing and outputting game-related sounds related to the game;
Effect control means for controlling the effect based on control information output from the game control means for controlling the game;
Sound data storage means for storing a plurality of types of sound data for outputting the game-related sound;
Sound output control means for performing control to output game-related sounds based on the sound data stored in the sound data storage means from each sound output unit of the housing of the gaming machine;
Each frequency band of the game-related sound output from each sound output unit so that the phase of each frequency band at a specific position of the game-related sound output from each sound output unit of the casing of the gaming machine is an appropriate phase. Correction data storage means for storing output phase correction data for correcting the phase;
Based on the output phase correction data stored in the correction data storage means, the phase for individually correcting the phase of each frequency band of the game related sound output from each of the sound output units for each sound output unit Correction means;
With
The correction data storage means includes a nonvolatile external memory provided outside the electronic device functioning as the phase correction means, and a volatile internal memory provided inside the electronic device,
The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the phase correction means reads the output phase correction data transferred and stored in the volatile internal memory from the nonvolatile external memory to correct the phase. A confirmation means for confirming data transferred and stored in the volatile internal memory from the nonvolatile external memory;
If there is an abnormality in the confirmation by the confirmation means, the data transferred and stored in the volatile internal memory determined to be abnormal is updated to correction invalidation data for outputting the uncorrected game-related sound. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is stored.

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