JP2018174954A - Light emission mode setting device and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light emission mode setting device and so on which can easily create data for elaborate light emission control interlocked with a performance content or the like, for many optical elements in a game machine.SOLUTION: An image 470 of a movie is enlarged to a size corresponding to a front surface portion of a game machine, and an image 480 is formed. Then, colors of the image 480 corresponding to positions of light emission areas 461-466 extracted by an image data 203 are extracted, and the extracted color is set as a light emission color of the corresponding light emission area. Such a movie linking process for determining the light emission color is repeated for each frame.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 42

Description

  The present invention relates to a light emission mode setting device etc. which edits a light emission mode concerning an optical element of a game machine such as a pachislot machine or a pachinko machine, for example.

  BACKGROUND Conventionally, gaming machines called pachislot machines and pachinko machines are known. Generally in such gaming machines, when a predetermined condition is established in the game, the variable display control means controls the symbol display device to variably display identification information on the display area of the symbol display device, where the symbol display device is When the identification information finally derived and displayed on the display area becomes a predetermined combination (specific display mode), the gaming state shifts to a big hit gaming state (so-called "big hit") which is advantageous to the player.

  The gaming machine described above is controlled to perform rendering using various rendering devices including an optical element (for example, an LED) such as a lamp in accordance with the above-described gaming state (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 proposes a gaming machine that performs effects using LEDs. And in patent document 1, the various lighting patterns which defined the lighting aspect of several LED are memorize | stored, the lighting pattern selected from it among them is selected according to the presentation content, and several presentation based on the selected presentation content A technology for controlling the lighting of the LED has been proposed.

  In recent years, more complex and sophisticated expressions have been required for effects in gaming machines according to the gaming state, the effect story, and the like. In order to realize such effects, the number of optical elements (for example, LEDs) included in game machines has been dramatically increased, and furthermore, full color LEDs with a high degree of freedom in light emission color are adopted as the optical elements. Things to do are increasing.

  With regard to the light emission control of the LED as described above, it is necessary to individually designate the light emission color and the lighting (turning off) timing for each frame for each port of the LED in accordance with the presentation contents of the gaming machine. Because of this, the person in charge has made such designation work by trial and error based on experience and intuition, taking into consideration the positions where the respective LEDs are disposed in the gaming machine.

JP 2005-152152 A

  However, in order to set the person in charge to perform light emission control interlocked with the rendering content for each LED port by the increase in the number of LEDs as described above, full colorization, and complication of the rendering content The amount of work is dramatically increasing and approaching the limit.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned point, and light emission can be easily generated for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of effects for a large number of optical elements in a game machine It aims at providing a mode setting device and a game machine.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following light emission mode setting device and game machine.

The invention according to the first embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Each of the light emitting areas (for example, the area identified by the sprite name shown in FIG. 14) corresponding to the optical element (for example, LED 25) is disposed in a predetermined area of the gaming machine (for example, gaming machine 1 or 300) Position information managing means (for example, CPU 231) for managing position information representing a position;
Moving image file specifying means (for example, CPU 231) for specifying a moving image file;
An image position information acquisition unit (for example, CPU 231) for acquiring corresponding image position information in the image of the moving image file based on the position information of the light emitting area;
The color information of the image corresponding to the image position information is acquired at predetermined timings (for example, as shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, color information of the position of the movie corresponding to the position of the light emitting area is acquired) Color information acquisition means (for example, CPU 231);
And a light emission mode setting unit (for example, CPU 231) for determining a light emission color at each timing of the light emission area based on the color information at the corresponding timing (for example, development PC 200).

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, each light emitting area is associated with the position of the image in which the color changes for each frame such as a movie, and the color of the position is determined as the light emitting color of the light emitting area. According to the change, the light emission color in the light emission area of the game machine changes, and it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of the effect and the like.

The invention according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Effect determining means for determining an effect based on the establishment of a predetermined condition;
Control data storage means for storing control data for controlling the light emission mode of the optical element;
It is a game machine (for example, game machine 1, 300) which has an effect execution means which performs the said effect determined by the effect determination means by controlling the light emission mode of the optical element based on the control data. ,
The control data is
For each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements, managing position information indicating positions to be arranged in a predetermined area of the gaming machine,
Identify the video file,
The corresponding image position information in the image of the moving image file is acquired based on the position information of the light emitting area,
Acquiring color information of the image corresponding to the image position information at predetermined timings;
The light emission color at each timing of the light emission area is determined based on the color information of the corresponding timing, and the light emission area is generated by causing the light emission color to emit light.
A gaming machine incorporated in the gaming machine by fixedly storing the control data in the control data storage means.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, each light emitting area is associated with the position of the image in which the color changes for each frame such as a movie, and the color of the position is determined as the light emitting color of the light emitting area. According to the change, the light emission color in the light emission area of the game machine changes, and it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of the effect and the like.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily generate, for a large number of optical elements in a game machine, data for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of effects and the like.

It is a figure showing a functional flow of a game machine concerning an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an external structure of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing composition of a main control circuit concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing composition of a subcontrol circuit concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the sub control circuit which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and a LED board. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of LED data generation in PC for development which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing composition of PC for development concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing a part of external structure in other game machines concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows the external structure in the other game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the image data input into PC for development which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which extracted and showed only the luminescence field of the image data inputted into PC for development concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the sprite extraction process in port creation mode of PC for development which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows GUI in port creation mode of PC for development which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the data produced | generated in PC for development which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the sprite extraction process in PC for development which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing GUI in LED data creation mode of PC for development concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the timeline window displayed in LED data creation mode of PC for development which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the group window displayed in LED data creation mode of PC for development which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the light emission pattern regarding nine reel backlights. It is a figure which shows the group window displayed in LED data creation mode of PC for development which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the group window displayed in LED data creation mode of PC for development which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and a timeline window. It is a figure which shows typically the light emission area | region in a game machine. It is a figure which shows the group window displayed in LED data preparation mode regarding the light emission area | region typically shown. It is a figure which shows the group window displayed in LED data preparation mode regarding the light emission area | region typically shown. It is a figure which shows the light emission aspect regarding the light emission area | region typically shown. It is a figure which shows the light emission aspect regarding the light emission area | region typically shown. It is a figure which shows the light emission aspect regarding the light emission area | region typically shown. It is a figure which shows the light emission aspect regarding the light emission area | region typically shown. It is a figure which shows the light emission aspect regarding the light emission area | region typically shown. It is a figure which shows the timeline window displayed in LED data preparation mode regarding the light emission area | region typically shown. It is a figure which shows the group window displayed in LED data preparation mode regarding the light emission area | region typically shown. It is a figure which shows the light emission aspect regarding the light emission area | region typically shown. It is a figure which shows the group window displayed in LED data preparation mode regarding the light emission area | region typically shown. It is a figure which shows the light emission aspect regarding the light emission area | region typically shown. It is a figure which shows the sound window displayed in LED data preparation mode of PC for development which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sound window displayed in LED data preparation mode of PC for development which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sound window displayed in LED data preparation mode of PC for development which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sound window displayed in LED data preparation mode of PC for development which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sound window displayed in LED data preparation mode of PC for development which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the light emission area | region in a game machine. It is a figure which shows the concept which applies the light emission aspect corresponding to a movie with respect to the light emission area | region typically shown. It is a figure which shows the concept which applies the light emission aspect corresponding to a movie with respect to the light emission area | region typically shown. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for applying a light emission mode corresponding to a movie. It is a figure which shows the example in which the colored cover was attached regarding the light emission area | region typically shown. It is a figure which shows the light emission aspect regarding the light emission area | region typically shown, and the display of port preparation modes.

<Function flow of gaming machine>
A gaming machine (for example, a pachislot machine) according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 1, a functional flow according to the embodiment of the gaming machine will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a functional flow of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, medals are used as gaming media for playing a game. In addition to the medals, coins, gaming balls, point data or tokens for gaming may be applied as gaming media.

  As a predetermined start condition, when a player inserts a medal and the start lever is operated, one value (hereinafter, random number value) is extracted from random numbers in a predetermined numerical range (for example, 0 to 65535). Be done.

  The internal lottery means performs lottery based on the extracted random number value to determine an internal winning combination. The internal lottery means is carried by a main control circuit described later. By the determination of the internal winning combination, a combination of symbols permitting display along the later-described winning determination line is determined. In addition, as a classification of combination of the symbol, it is something which relates to the “prize” to which the player is given a privilege such as payout of medals, operation of replay, activation of bonus, etc. Is provided.

  In addition, when the start lever is operated, rotation of the plurality of reels is performed. Thereafter, when the player presses the stop button corresponding to the predetermined reel, the reel stop control means performs control to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel based on the internal winning combination and the timing when the stop button is pressed. Do.

  In the gaming machine, basically, control is performed to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel within a specified time (190 msec or 75 msec) after the stop button is pressed. In the present embodiment, the number of symbols moving with the rotation of the reel within this prescribed time is referred to as the “number of sliding symbols”. If the prescribed time is 190 msec, the maximum number of sliding symbols is determined to be four symbols, and if the prescribed time is 75 msec, the maximum number of sliding symbols is determined to one symbol.

  When an internal winning combination that permits combination display of symbols relating to winning is determined, the reel stop control means normally determines that a combination of symbols has a winning determination line within a prescribed time of 190 msec (for four symbols of symbols). Stop the rotation of the reel so that it is displayed as much as possible. In addition, the reel stop control means specifies, for example, for one or more reels, at the time of operation of a bonus bonus (CB) which is a second kind special character and a middle bonus (MB) for operating CB continuously. The rotation of the reel is stopped so that the combination of the symbols is displayed as much as possible along the winning determination line within a time of 75 msec (for one symbol). Furthermore, the reel stop control means uses various prescribed times corresponding to the game state to rotate the reel so that the combination of symbols whose display is not permitted by the internal winning combination is not displayed along the winning determination line. Stop it.

  Thus, when the rotations of the plurality of reels are all stopped, the prize determination means determines whether or not the combination of the symbols displayed along the prize determination line relates to a prize. The winning determination means is carried by a main control circuit described later. When it is determined by the winning determination means that the winning is determined, a bonus such as medal payout is given to the player. In the gaming machine, the above-described series of flows are performed as one game. Such internal lottery means, reel stop control means and prize determination means are responsible for a main control circuit as control means described later.

  Further, in the gaming machine, in the above-described series of flows, display of an image performed by an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device, output of light performed by various lamps, output of sound performed by a speaker, or a combination thereof is used. And various effects are performed.

  When the start lever is operated, a random number for presentation (hereinafter, random number for presentation) is extracted separately from the random number used to determine the internal winning combination described above. When the effect random number value is extracted, the effect content determination means determines by lottery the one to be executed this time out of a plurality of types of effect content associated with the internal winning combination.

  When the contents of the effect are determined, the effect executing means interlocks with respective triggers such as the start of the rotation of the reels, the stop of the rotations of the respective reels, the determination of the presence or absence of winning, etc. to execute the corresponding effects. As described above, in the gaming machine, the player has an opportunity or opportunity to know the determined internal winning combination (in other words, a combination of symbols to be aimed) by executing the presentation content corresponding to the internal winning combination. Thus, the player's interest can be improved. Such effect content determination means and effect execution means are carried by a sub control circuit as effect control means described later.

<Structure of gaming machine>
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, an appearance structure of the gaming machine in the present embodiment will be described.

[Appearance structure]
FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view showing the external structure of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine 1 includes an exterior body 2. The exterior body 2 has a cabinet 2a as a housing for accommodating a reel, a circuit board and the like, and a front door 2b attached to the cabinet 2a so as to be openable and closable. Handles 2c are provided on both side surfaces of the cabinet 2a (in FIG. 2, only the handle 2c on one side is shown). The handle 2 c is a recess for holding a hand when transporting the gaming machine 1.

  A plurality of (for example, 21 in the present embodiment) reels 3L, 3C, 3R in which a plurality of (for example, 21) symbols are displayed at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction are accommodated in the cabinet 2a. ing.

  Hereinafter, the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are referred to as a left reel 3L, a middle reel 3C, and a right reel 3R, respectively. Each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R has a cylindrical reel body and a translucent sheet material mounted on the peripheral surface of the reel body. The above-mentioned plural (for example, 21) designs are drawn on the surface of the above-mentioned sheet material.

  The front door 2 b includes a door body 9 and a liquid crystal display device 11 as an image display means for displaying an image. The door body 9 is attached to the cabinet 2a so as to be openable and closable using a hinge (not shown). The hinge is provided at the left end of the door body 9 when the door body 9 is viewed from the front of the gaming machine 1. At the top of the door main body 9, the speakers 23TL and 23TR are disposed on the back side of the speaker cover.

  The liquid crystal display device 11 is, for example, of the door main body 9 of the front door 2b so as to display an image relating to an effect on a game and information on a game on the front side (the front side of the gaming machine 1 and the surface facing the player). It is attached to the top. The liquid crystal display device 11 can display effects such as customization of a gaming machine and gaming machine information such as a gaming history, in addition to executing effects by displaying a video. In addition, a hall menu is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 11 according to the operation of the game arcade manager. In this case, the liquid crystal display device 11 can be configured by a touch panel, and a button or the like that can be operated by the administrator can be displayed on the hall menu.

  Moreover, the front door 2b has the display window 4 which can visually recognize a part of three reel 3L, 3C, 3R. The display window 4 is composed of three left display windows 4L, middle display windows 4C, and right display windows 4R corresponding to the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R.

  The display windows 4L, 4C, 4R are provided at positions overlapping the arrangement areas of the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R when viewed from the front (player side), and in front of the three reels (player side Provided to be located at Therefore, the player can visually recognize the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R provided behind the display window 4 through the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R.

  In the present embodiment, the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R are arranged in series among the plurality of types of symbols drawn on each reel when the rotation of the corresponding reel provided behind them is stopped. It is set to a size that can display one pattern. That is, in the frame of the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, upper, middle and lower areas are provided for each reel, and one symbol is displayed in each area. In the present embodiment, a line connecting the middle region of the left reel 3L, the middle region of the middle reel 3C, and the middle region of the right reel 3R is defined as a winning determination line for determining whether or not a winning is to be made.

  In addition, a protective glass 6 is disposed on the front side of the above-described reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the liquid crystal display device 11. Thus, the player can not directly touch the liquid crystal display device 11.

  A pedestal 12 is formed at the center of the door body 9. The pedestal 12 includes various devices to be operated by the player (the medal insertion slot 13, the MAX bet button 14, the 1 bet button 15, the start lever 16, the stop buttons 17L, 17C, 17R, the selection button, the determination button, etc. ) Is provided.

  The medal insertion slot 13 is provided to receive medals dropped from the outside into the gaming machine 1 by the player. That is, the medal insertion slot 13 is for the player to insert a medal. The medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 13 is used for one game with the preset number (for example, 3) as the upper limit, and the portion exceeding the preset number is deposited inside the gaming machine 1 Can (so-called credit function).

  The MAX bet button 14 and the 1 bet button 15 are provided to determine the number of medals to be used for one game from the medals deposited inside the gaming machine 1. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the pedestal 12 is provided with a settlement button. The settlement button is provided to draw (discharge) the medals deposited inside the gaming machine 1 to the outside.

  The start lever 16 is for starting rotation of all the reels (3L, 3C, 3R) according to the operation of the player, and constitutes start operation means.

  The stop buttons 17L, 17C, and 17R are provided in association with the left reel 3L, the middle reel 3C, and the right reel 3R, respectively, and are for stopping the rotation of the corresponding reels according to the player's operation. . The stop buttons 17L, 17C, 17R constitute stop operation means.

  Further, these stop buttons 17L, 17C, 17R are used when performing an operation related to information displayed on the liquid crystal display device 11. For example, when performing a selection operation on the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 11. Used for Hereinafter, the stop buttons 17L, 17C, and 17R are referred to as a left stop button 17L, a middle stop button 17C, and a right stop button 17R, respectively.

  The selection button and the determination button are used when performing various operations on the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 11.

  The pedestal 12 is also provided with a 7-segment display 28 formed of a 7-segment LED (Light Emitting Diode). The 7-segment display 28 includes information such as the number of medals to be paid out to the player as a bonus (hereinafter, the number of payouts) and the number of medals deposited inside the gaming machine 1 (hereinafter, the number of credits). Display digitally.

  At the lower part of the door main body 9, a medal payout opening 21, a medal receiving tray 22, speakers 23UL, 23UR and the like are provided. The medal payout opening 21 guides a medal discharged by the driving of a hopper device 43 described later to the outside. The medal receiver 22 stores the medals discharged from the medal payout opening 21.

  The speakers 23UL and 23UR output sounds such as sound effects and music corresponding to the contents of the effects.

  In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of light emitting areas (sprites) for emitting light by optical elements such as LEDs are arranged. The light emitting region corresponds to a region of a member that emits light with substantially uniform color and brightness, for example, by irregularly reflecting light received from the optical element on the back side. Of course, it is not necessary to emit light with uniform color and brightness in one light emitting area, and depending on the structure and design of the member disposed in front of the optical element, the color and brightness may be changed depending on the position of the member It can be done.

  For example, in the gaming machine 1, sprites 31R, 31L, 32R, 32L, 32L, 33R, 33L, 34R, 34R, 35R, 35L, 36R, 36L, 37R, 37L, which are shown as hatched hatched regions, are arranged. Further, in the present embodiment, an optical element such as an LED is disposed on the back side of the MAX bet button 14 and the stop buttons 17L, 17C, 17R described above, and light is emitted from the back side to complete the entire button. It is configured to emit light.

<Electric configuration of gaming machine>
Next, the electrical configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the gaming machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the gaming machine 1 has a main control board 41 disposed in the cabinet 2a and a sub control board 42 disposed in the front door 2b. The main relay board 41 is electrically connected to the reel relay terminal board 51, the setting key type switch 52, the cabinet side relay board 53, the door relay terminal board 54, and the power supply board 44b of the power supply device 44. ing.

  The reel relay terminal plate 51 is disposed inside the reel bodies of the respective reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The reel relay terminal board 51 is electrically connected to stepping motors (not shown) of the respective reels 3L, 3C, 3R, and relays a signal output from the main control board 41 to the stepping motor. The setting key type switch 52 is used when changing the setting of the gaming machine 1 or when confirming the setting of the gaming machine 1.

  An external concentrated terminal plate 56, a hopper device 43, and a medal auxiliary storage switch 57 are electrically connected to the cabinet side relay board 53. The cabinet side relay board 53 relays a signal output from the main control board 41 to the external concentrated terminal plate 56, the hopper device 43 and the medal auxiliary storage switch 57. That is, the external concentrated terminal board 56, the hopper device 43, and the medal auxiliary storage switch 57 are connected to the main control board 41 via the cabinet side relay board 53.

  The external concentrated terminal plate 56 is attached to the cabinet 2a, and is provided to output signals such as a medal insertion signal, a medal payout signal and a security signal to the outside of the gaming machine 1.

  The medal auxiliary storage switch 57 penetrates a medal auxiliary storage (not shown). The medal auxiliary storage switch 57 detects whether the medal auxiliary storage is full of medals.

  A power switch 44 a is connected to the power supply substrate 44 b of the power supply device 44. The power switch 44a is turned on when the necessary power is supplied to the gaming machine 1.

  In the door relay terminal board 54, the medal sensor 46, the door open / close monitoring switch 61, the BET switch 62, the settlement switch 63, the start switch 64, the stop switch board 65, the game operation display board 66, the selection switch 67, the determination switch 68 and the sub The relay board 69 is connected. That is, the medal sensor 46, the door open / close monitoring switch 61, the BET switch 62, the settlement switch 63, the start switch 64, the stop switch board 65, the game operation display board 66, the selection switch 67, the determination switch 68, and the sub relay board 69 It is connected to the main control board 41 via the door relay terminal plate 54.

  The medal sensor 46 detects that the medal has passed through a selector (not shown), and outputs the detection result to the main control board 41. The door open / close monitoring switch 61 outputs a security signal for notifying the open / close of the front door 2 b to the outside of the gaming machine 1. The BET switch 62 detects that the MAX bet button 14 and the 1 bet button 15 (see FIG. 2) are pressed by the player, and outputs the detection result to the main control board 41.

  The settlement switch 63 detects that the settlement button (not shown) has been pressed by the player, and outputs the detection result to the main control board 41. The start switch 64 detects that the player has operated the start lever 16 (start operation), and outputs the detection result to the main control board 41.

  The stop switch board 65 is a board that constitutes a circuit for stopping a rotating reel and a circuit for displaying a stoppable reel by an LED or the like. The stop switch substrate 65 is provided with a stop switch. The stop switch detects that each stop button 17L, 17C, 17R has been pressed by the player (stop operation).

  The game operation display board 66 displays the number of inserted medals on the 7-segment indicator 28 when the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R are able to rotate and when the player plays a game again when accepting the insertion of medals. It is a substrate for A 7-segment display 28 and an LED 70 are connected to the game operation display board 66. The LED 70 lights, for example, a mark for displaying the start of the game and a mark for performing the re-game.

  The selection switch 67 detects that the player has pressed the selection button, and outputs the detection result to the main control board 41 and the sub relay board 69. The determination switch 68 detects that the determination button has been pressed by the player, and outputs the detection result to the main control board 41 and the sub relay board 69.

  The sub relay board 69 relays a wire connecting the sub control board 42 and the main control board 41. Further, the sub relay board 69 relays a wire connecting the sub control board 42 and a plurality of boards disposed around the sub control board 42. That is, the sub control board 42, the sound I / O board 71, the LED board 72, the 24 h door opening / closing monitoring unit 74, and the development PC interface 78 are electrically connected to the sub relay board 69. .

  The LED substrate 72 is connected to the LED 25 and controls lighting / extinguishing of the LED 25, emission color and the like, and causes the sprites 32R and 32L as shown in FIG. 2 to emit light with predetermined timing and color.

  Further, the development PC interface 78 is connected to the development PC 200 which is the light emission mode setting device of the present invention, and plays LED data (so-called lamp pattern data) for controlling the lighting / extinguishing of the LED 25 and the light emission color. Provided to Machine 1.

  The sub control board 42 is connected to the main control board 41 via the door relay terminal plate 54 and the sub relay board 69. Further, the sub control board 42 is electrically connected to the sound I / O board 71, the LED board 72, the 24 h door opening / closing monitoring unit 74, and the development PC interface 78 through the sub relay board 69. There is.

  The sound I / O board 71 outputs audio to the speakers 23TL, 23TR, 23UL, 23UR. The LED board 72 causes the LED 25 showing one specific example of the light source to emit light in accordance with the effect executed by the control of the sub control circuit 101, and displays the blinking pattern.

  The 24h door opening and closing monitoring unit 74 stores the history of opening and closing the front door 2b. When the front door 2b is opened, the 24h door open / close monitoring unit 74 outputs a signal for displaying an error on the liquid crystal display device 11 to the sub control board 42 (sub control circuit 101).

  A ROM cartridge substrate 76 and a liquid crystal relay substrate 77 are connected to the sub control substrate 42. The ROM cartridge substrate 76 is a substrate for managing data for effect image (video), sound, light (LED 25) and communication. For example, LED data generated by the development PC 200 is fixedly stored in the ROM cartridge substrate 76, and light emission control of the LED 25 is performed based on the stored LED data. The liquid crystal relay substrate 77 is a substrate for relaying a wire connecting the sub control substrate 42 and the liquid crystal display device 11.

<Main control circuit>
Next, the main control circuit 91 configured by the main control board 41 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the main control circuit 91 of the gaming machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the main control circuit 91 as a control means uses the microcomputer 92 installed on the main control board 41 as a main component to control the progress of the game. The microcomputer 92 includes a main CPU 93, a main ROM 94 and a main RAM 95.

  The main ROM 94 stores a control program executed by the main CPU 93, a data table, data for transmitting various control commands (command signals) to a sub control circuit 101 described later, and the like. The main RAM 95 is provided with a storage area for storing various data such as an internal winning combination determined by the execution of the control program.

  To the main CPU 93, a clock pulse generation circuit 96, a frequency divider 97, a random number generator 98 and a sampling circuit 99 are connected. Clock pulse generation circuit 96 and frequency divider 97 generate clock pulses. The main CPU 93 executes the control program based on the generated clock pulse. The random number generator 98 generates a predetermined range of random numbers (e.g., 0 to 65535). The sampling circuit 99 extracts one value from the generated random numbers.

  The main CPU 93 counts the number of times of pulse output to the stepping motor of each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R after detecting the reel index. Thus, the main CPU 93 manages the rotation angles of the respective reels 3L, 3C, 3R (mainly, how many reels have been rotated).

  The reel index is information indicating that the reel has made one rotation. The reel index is provided, for example, at a predetermined position of each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R and an optical sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and rotation of each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R Detection is performed by a reel position detection unit (not shown) provided with a detection piece interposed therebetween.

  Here, management of the rotation angles of the respective reels 3L, 3C, 3R will be specifically described. The number of pulses output to the stepping motor is counted by a pulse counter provided in the main RAM 95. Then, each time the pulse counter counts the output of a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times) necessary for the rotation of one symbol, the symbol counter provided in the main RAM 95 is incremented by one. The symbol counter is provided according to each reel 3L, 3C, 3R. The value of the symbol counter is cleared when a reel index is detected by a reel position detection unit (not shown).

  That is, in this embodiment, by managing the symbol counter, it is managed to manage how many symbols have been rotated since the reel index was detected. Therefore, the position of each symbol of each reel 3L, 3C, 3R is detected with reference to the position where the reel index is detected.

  In the present embodiment, basically, the maximum number of sliding symbols is set to four symbols. Therefore, when the left stop button 17L is pressed, the symbols on the left reel 3L in the middle of the display window 4 and the respective symbols within the range up to the symbol four symbols ahead can be stopped at the middle of the display window 4 It becomes a good pattern.

<Sub control circuit>
Next, the sub control circuit 101 configured by the sub control substrate 42 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the sub control circuit 101 of the gaming machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the sub control circuit 101 as a sub control unit is electrically connected to the main control circuit 91, and determines and executes the contents of the effect based on the command signal transmitted from the main control circuit 91. And the like, and controls peripheral devices such as the liquid crystal display 11, the LED 25, the speakers 23TL, 23TR, 23UL, 23UR, etc. shown in FIG. The sub control circuit 101 basically includes a sub CPU 102, a sub RAM 103, a rendering processor 104, a drawing RAM 105, and a driver 106. The sub control circuit 101 further includes an LED control circuit 121, but the configuration will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The sub CPU 102 controls the output of sound and light, and the display of the liquid crystal display device 11 according to the control program stored in the ROM cartridge substrate 76 in response to the command signal transmitted from the main control circuit 91 (see FIG. 4). I do. The ROM cartridge substrate 76 basically comprises a program storage area and a data storage area.

  The program storage area stores a control program to be executed by the sub CPU 102. For example, the control program extracts a main board communication task for controlling communication with the main control circuit 91 (see FIG. 4) and a random value for effect, and determines and registers effect contents (effect data) It includes an effect registration task for In addition, a drawing control task that controls the display of an image by the liquid crystal display device 11 based on the determined effect contents, a lamp control task that controls the light output by a light source such as the LED 25 (see FIG. 3), speakers 23TL, 23TR, 23UL , 23 UR, and the like, including a voice control task for controlling the output of sound.

  The data storage area includes a storage area for storing various data tables, a storage area for storing effect data constituting each effect content, and a storage area for storing animation data relating to creation of a video. Also, a storage area for storing sound data relating to BGM and sound effects, a storage area for storing lamp data (LED data) relating to a light on / off pattern, and the like are included.

  The sub RAM 103 is provided with a storage area for registering the determined effect contents and effect data, and a storage area for storing various data such as an internal winning combination transmitted from the main control circuit 91.

  The sub CPU 102, the rendering processor 104, the drawing RAM (including the frame buffer) 105, and the driver 106 create an image according to the animation data specified by the effect content, and cause the liquid crystal display device 11 to display the created image.

  Further, the sub CPU 102 causes the speakers 23TL, 23TR, 23UL, 23UR to output sounds such as BGM according to the sound data specified by the contents of the effect. Further, the sub CPU 102 controls lighting / extinguishing of the LED 25, light emission color and the like in accordance with (LED data) designated by the effect contents.

  Next, the configurations of the sub control circuit 101 and the LED substrate 72 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 in connection with control of lighting / extinguishing of the LED 25 and emission color. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the sub control circuit 101 and the LED board 72 of the gaming machine 1.

  The LED control circuit 121 in the sub control circuit 101 includes a lamp control module 111, and the lamp control module 111 is connected to the LED 25 via the LED board 72. The LED board 72 includes an LED driver 122, and a lamp control module 111 provides the LED driver 122 with a lamp signal and the like (LED data 207 and the like to be described later).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the lamp control module 111 includes an access control unit 111a, a sequencer unit 111b, a lamp control unit 111c, and an interface unit 111d.

  The access control unit 111 a is a circuit unit that collectively processes command signals transmitted from the sub CPU 102. The sequencer unit 111 b has various sequencers for controlling the on / off of the LED 25 and the like. Then, each sequencer controls various operations according to a timer or step condition (for example, a condition set for each step processing during sequence reproduction such as LED animation).

  The lamp control unit 111c calculates the luminance value to be set in all channels in which the LED data 207 can be set, and transmits the calculation result to the outside (the LED driver 122). Also, the interface unit 111d performs physical transmission control when transmitting the data of the calculation result output from the lamp control unit 111c to the LED driver 122.

  When the LED 25 is driven (turned on / off), the sub CPU 102 first outputs a lamp request (LED control request) to the LED control circuit 121. In the present embodiment, since the effect control process of the sub CPU 102 is performed in a predetermined FPS cycle, the transmission process of the lamp request to the LED control circuit 121 is also performed in the predetermined FPS cycle.

  Next, when a lamp request is input to the LED control circuit 121, the sequencer unit 111b, the lamp control unit 111c, and the interface unit 111d of the LED control circuit 121, based on the lamp request, turn on the lighting pattern of the LED (LED animation). Are transmitted to the LED driver 122. At this time, transmission processing of the LED data 207 from the LED control circuit 121 to the LED driver 122 is performed, for example, in a cycle of about 4 msec.

  Then, based on the received LED data 207, the LED driver 122 turns on / off the connected LEDs 25 in a predetermined pattern. Thereby, the rendering operation by the LED animation is executed.

  The light emission mode based on the LED data 207 is controlled by a signal (control signal) which is transmitted from the LED driver 122 to the LED 25 and is generated based on the LED data 207 capable of controlling the light emission mode. Specifically, according to electrical waveform parameters (voltage value, current value, duty ratio of pulse width, etc.) of the signal transmitted from the LED driver 122 to the LED 25, light emission modes such as lighting, extinguishing, blinking, brightness etc. of the LED 25 Is controlled.

<Overview of LED data generation>
Next, an outline of generating LED data will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of LED data generation using a development PC which is a light emission mode setting device of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, the image data 203 is read into the development PC 200. The image data 203 is, for example, a captured image of the front portion of the gaming machine, and includes a plurality of light emitting areas as shown in FIG.

  The user reads the image data 203 using the “port creation mode” of the development PC 200, and automatically generates the casing data 204 from the image data 203. The housing data 204 includes data for managing each light emitting area as a sprite and managing information on LEDs corresponding to the sprite. For example, the central coordinates and size of the sprite, and the corresponding LED type of the LED are automatically acquired from the above image data 203 and stored in the housing data 204.

  Next, the user designates a light emission mode for each of the LEDs managed by the housing data 204 using the “LED data creation mode” of the development PC 200, and generates the preview LED data 205. The preview LED data 205 includes, in addition to the data included in the housing data 204, light emission mode definition information that defines a light emission mode for each LED. Here, the light emission mode definition information includes, for example, the light emission color of the LED, and information that defines the on / off timing. Further, the light emission mode definition information can be configured to include a plurality of light emission modes (light emission patterns) for one LED.

  After the user designates the light emission mode for each LED and generates the preview LED data 205, the user gives a predetermined instruction to the development PC 200, and generates the LED data 206. The LED data 206 is generated by converting (converting) the preview LED data 205, and the port number of the gaming machine 1 corresponding to each LED included in the preview LED data 205 and the light emission mode definition information These data are converted into the format of the available LED data of the gaming machine 1.

  Thereafter, the LED data 206 is fixedly stored in the ROM cartridge substrate 76 shown in FIG. In this manner, the gaming machine 1 reads the LED data 207 from the ROM cartridge substrate 76, and according to the light emission mode of each LED defined according to the contents of presentation, the light emission color of the LED, the timing of lighting / extinguishing, etc. Control. Here, although the LED data stored in the ROM cartridge substrate 76 is shown as the LED data 207, it is different from the LED data 206 only in the data format.

  Although FIG. 7 also shows the development PC 200 a, the development PC 200 a generates the preview LED data 205 by the operation of the user, similarly to the development PC 200 described above. Here, the development PC 200 a converts the preview LED data 205 to generate the LED data 206 a in a format readable by the gaming machine 1. The LED data 206a is the same as the above-described LED data 206 in data format and content, but is stored in the storage device of the development PC 200a and is used in the gaming machine 1 in that the LED data 206 is used. It is different from

  The gaming machine 1 reads out the LED data 206a from the development PC 200a connected by the network, and according to the light emission mode definition data (the light emission mode of each LED defined according to the effect contents) stored in the LED data 206a. And controls the light emission color of the LED, the timing of turning on and off, and the like.

  In this example, the gaming machine 1 is normally controlled to read out the LED data 206a from the development PC 200a instead of reading out the LED data 207 from the ROM cartridge substrate 76 by a predetermined setting operation. Thus, since the gaming machine 1 can read out the LED data 206a from the development PC 200a, the user confirms the operation of the LED with the contents of the preview LED data 205 by the preview function in the development PC 200a. After that, the operation of the LED can be confirmed by the contents of the LED data 206a by the gaming machine 1 which is a real machine, and as a result, the mounting of the LED data 206a on the useless ROM cartridge substrate 76 can be effectively avoided. can do.

  Alternatively, a confirmation gaming machine configured to read out and operate the LED data 206a from the development PC 200a may be separately prepared.

<Configuration of development PC>
Next, the configuration of the development PC 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the development PC 200. As shown in FIG. However, the configuration shown in FIG. 8 merely exemplifies a typical configuration of the development PC 200. The same function as that of the development PC 200 can be realized by computers of various other configurations.

  The development PC 200 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 231, a graphics processing unit (GPU) 232, a ROM 233, a RAM 234, a display controller 235, a display 236, an input device interface 237, a keyboard 238, a mouse 239, an external storage device 240, and external recording. It includes a medium drive 241, a gaming machine interface 242, and a bus 243 connecting these components to one another.

  The CPU 231 controls the operation of each component of the development PC 200, performs port creation mode processing and LED data creation mode processing according to the user's operation under control of the OS, and generates preview LED data 205 Based on the preview LED data 205, a preview of the LED control to be executed by the gaming machine 1 is performed.

  The GPU 232 performs calculation processing for displaying a preview image or the like. In order to temporarily hold information required by the GPU 232, a VRAM (Video RAM) may be provided.

  The ROM (Read Only Memory) 233 stores programs and the like that are executed when the development PC 200 starts up. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 234 temporarily stores programs executed by the CPU 231, data used by the programs during execution, and the like.

  The display controller 235 is a dedicated controller for actually processing a drawing command issued by the CPU 231. The drawing data processed by the display controller 235 is once written to the graphic memory and then output to the display 236. The display 236 is a display device configured of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT).

  The input device interface 237 receives signals input from the keyboard 238 and the mouse 239, and transmits a predetermined command to the CPU 231 in accordance with the signal pattern. The keyboard 238 and the mouse 239 are used, for example, when supplementing the housing data 204 or adding the light emission mode definition information of the LED in relation to the generation of the preview LED data 205.

  The external storage device 240 is, for example, a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and the above-mentioned program and data are recorded in this device, and the program etc. Loaded.

  The external recording medium drive device 241 accesses the recording surface of a portable external recording medium 250 such as a CD (Compact Disc), an MO (Magneto-Optical Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), etc. Is a device that reads out The external recording medium 250 can store a program for performing processing of the port creation mode and processing of the LED data creation mode, and a program for performing preview related to light emission control of the LED. The data recorded in the external recording medium 250 is stored in the external storage device 240 via the external recording medium drive device 241, and if it is a program, it is loaded into the RAM 234 at the time of execution.

  Moreover, as another distribution form of the program according to the present invention, a route is also stored in the external storage device 240 from a predetermined server on the network via the network of the development PC 200 and a network interface (not shown). Conceivable. The program thus stored is loaded into the RAM 234 and executed at the same time as described above.

  The gaming machine interface 242 is electrically connected to the development PC interface 78 of the gaming machine 1 and provides the gaming machine 1 with LED data 206a stored in the RAM 234 etc. In the gaming machine 1, the LED 25 based on the LED data 206a is provided. Control of lighting / extinguishing, emission color, etc. is enabled. When the development PC 200 does not require the function, the gaming machine interface 242 need not be provided.

<Description of port creation mode>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 16, the function of the port creation mode realized by the development PC 200 in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 9 shows a part (front door 302 b) of the external configuration of the gaming machine 300 which is referred to in order to explain the port creation mode of the development PC 200. Such a gaming machine 300 has a design different from that of the above-described front door 2b of the gaming machine 1 as shown in FIG. 9, but has the same function as the gaming machine 1 and provides various effects according to the gaming result. As a result, the effect image is displayed on the liquid crystal display device according to the effect, and the lighting and extinguishing of the LED, the sound output by the speaker, and the like are performed.

  A liquid crystal display device 311 is disposed on the front surface of the front door 302 b of FIG. 9, and a decorative portion 331 including a plurality of light emitting regions is disposed around the liquid crystal display device 311. LEDs are disposed on the back of these light emitting areas, and are configured to emit light in response to the lighting of the LEDs.

  In addition, similarly to the gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 2, the MAX bet button 314, the start lever 316, the stop buttons 317L, 317C, 317R, the medal payout opening 321, the medal receiving plate 322, the speakers 323UL, 323UR and the like are provided. .

  FIG. 10 is a front view of the gaming machine 300. As shown in FIG. A liquid crystal display device 311 is disposed above the gaming machine 300, and a decorative portion 331 including a plurality of light emitting regions is disposed around the liquid crystal display device 311. Although the front area 332 of the gaming machine including the liquid crystal display device 311 and the decoration portion 331 is an area targeted for the port creation mode including the light emitting area, it becomes the capture target for the captured image (image data 203). The details will be described later.

  A MAX bet button 314, a start lever 316, and stop buttons 317L, 317C, 317R are disposed in the middle of the gaming machine 300, and a medal payout opening 321, a medal tray 322, speakers 323UL, 323UR, etc. are provided in the lower part. There is.

  FIG. 11 shows an image 350 represented by the image data 203 input to the development PC 200. The image data 203 is data obtained by capturing the front area 332 shown in FIG. 10, and corresponds to the front area 332 of the gaming machine 300 described above. Such image data 203 is, for example, a BMP file created by a tool such as CAD when a gaming machine is newly developed.

  Here, the light emitting area is represented by hatching with horizontal lines and hatching with oblique lines, and indicates that corresponding LEDs are arranged on the back side.

  FIG. 12 is a view showing a light emitting area portion 352 obtained by extracting only the light emitting area from the image 350. As shown in FIG. In the present specification, the hatched area by the horizontal line is the area emitted by the full color LED, and in the image 350, it is colored yellow. On the other hand, an area indicated by hatching by oblique lines is an area emitted by the white LED, and in the image 350, it is colored in light blue.

  Besides, in the image 350, coloring of colors according to the type of LED is performed to indicate which type of LED each light emitting area is to be emitted by. For example, it is colored in pink if the LED is black and white, red if the LED is red, green if the LED is green and blue if the LED is blue.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating how a light emitting area is extracted as a sprite by the sprite extracting process in the selection area 351 shown by the image 350 shown in FIG.

  The light emitting area arranged at the upper left side of the selection area 351 is a rectangular area (that is, an area actually colored yellow) hatched by a horizontal line, and here, the rectangular image 351a is extracted At the same time, the sprite name is set to 001, the central coordinates are determined to be X = 269, Y = 438, the size is 60, the height is 16, and the LED type is full color (F).

  The light emitting area disposed in the middle of the right end of the selection area 351 is an area having a shape represented by hatching with a horizontal line (that is, an area colored in yellow in fact). The image 351b including the area is generated, the sprite name is set to 002, the central coordinates are X = 413, Y = 453, the size is width = 55, the height = 61, and the LED type is determined to be full color (F) Be done. Here, the image 351b including the extracted shape is rectangular, and the extracted shape is represented by a white foreground, and the other portion is a black background (regardless of the other portions represented in the image 350). Is represented by In the image 351a described above, since the extracted shape is a rectangle, there is no portion represented by a black background.

  The light emitting area disposed in the middle of the right side of the selection area 351 is an area having a shape represented by hatching with a horizontal line (ie, an area colored in yellow in fact), and here, the extracted area of the shape And the sprite name is set to 003, the center coordinates are X = 343, Y = 446, the size is width = 114, the height is 51, and the LED type is determined to be full color (F). Ru. Here, the image 351c including the extracted shape is rectangular, and the extracted shape is represented by a white foreground, and the other portion is a black background (regardless of other portions represented in the image 350). Is represented by

  Here, the coordinates used to represent the center coordinates are coordinates with the upper left of the image 350 as the origin (X = 0, Y = 0), and the unit of coordinates and size is, for example, the pixel of the image 350 Is a unit.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the main window 400 in the port creation mode displayed on the display 236 of the development PC 200. As shown in FIG. By performing a predetermined operation on the development PC 200, the user can start processing of the port creation mode and can display the main window 400.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the main window 400 displays the image data display unit 401 at the top. In the image data display unit 401, a display based on the housing data extracted based on the read image data 203 (by an operation of the user) is shown in the area indicated by the tab of the “canvas”. This is a display of the light emission area (sprite) extracted by the sprite extraction process shown in FIG.

  Further, the main window 400 displays the case data display unit 402 at the lower part. In the case data display unit 402, light emitting areas (sprites) extracted by the sprite extraction process shown in FIG. 13 are listed and displayed as case data in an area indicated by a tab of “case data”. That is, a list is displayed of thumbnail names appropriately scaled on the sprite name, LED type, center coordinates (X, Y), size (width, height), and images (for example, images 351a to 351c shown in FIG. 13). Ru.

  In the case data display unit 402, a background (a sprite name = “000 background”) corresponding to the image 350 is added separately from the sprite extracted by the sprite extraction process shown in FIG. Is for displaying a background image in the preview display of the LED data creation mode described later, and is managed as a sprite here for convenience.

  Further, at the left end of the case data display unit 402, a check button for selecting whether or not each sprite is to be displayed on the image data display unit 401 is provided. By removing this check, the corresponding sprite is not displayed on the image data display unit 401, and it becomes easy to grasp at which position the sprite is.

  Further, in the case data display unit 402, it is possible to automatically change the sprite name which has been set as 001 and 002 in the sprite extraction process shown in FIG. Furthermore, in the sprite extraction process shown in FIG. 13, the LED type determined automatically according to the color given to the light emission area can be changed by the pull-down menu.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram summarizing the various data generated in the development PC 200.

  As described above, the development PC 200 can read the image data 203, automatically acquire information on each sprite from the contents, and thereafter, can change some of the information by the user. These data are stored in the external storage device 240 or the like of the development PC 200 as casing data 204 including sprite name, LED type, center coordinates (X, Y), size (width, height), and image data. . Although an image file name is shown as image data in FIG. 15, image data (bmp file in this example) corresponding to this image file name is also stored in the external storage device 240 or the like, and The data 204 contains these image data.

  In the LED data creation mode, the development PC 200 defines a light emission mode including the light emission color, the on / off timing, and the like for each LED based on the housing data 204 according to an instruction from the user. Then, such a light emission mode is stored as light emission mode definition data in association with the corresponding LED. Also, a port number is added to indicate which port LED corresponds to each LED in the actual gaming machine 300. Data obtained by adding the light emission mode definition data and the port number to the case data 204 is stored as the preview LED data 205 in the external storage device 240 or the like of the development PC 200.

  Here, the port number can be set by various methods. For example, the user may input in the main window 400 shown in FIG. 14 so as to correspond to the LED, or describe in the light emission area in the image data 203 and read it by the OCR function. Can automatically correspond to the LED.

  Further, in the example of FIG. 15, the port number is configured by the printed circuit board on which the LED is mounted and the sequence number in the printed circuit board. One LED is basically associated with one port number, but multiple LEDs may be managed to be associated with one port number. Also, although one sprite (light emitting area) is associated with one LED here, it can be associated with a plurality of LEDs, and in this case, the plurality of LEDs (for example, one print) It may be managed by one port number (associated with the substrate).

  The development PC 200 simulates the light emission control of the LED in the gaming machine 300 with reference to the preview LED data 205, and provides the user with a preview screen. The port number is not used when previewing the light emission control of the LED, but for convenience here, it is included in the preview LED data 205.

  Although the file name is shown as the light emission mode definition data in FIG. 15, the actual data corresponding to the file name is also stored in the external storage device 240 or the like, and the preview LED data 205 Data of the

  When data defining the light emission mode of the LED is used in the actual gaming machine 300, data for preview is not necessary. Therefore, in this example, only the port number and the light emission mode definition data are required. Therefore, the port number and the light emission mode definition data are taken out from the preview LED data 205 (these data are referred to as “pre-conversion LED data”), and the gaming machine 300 may read and execute the pre-conversion LED data. The data is converted (compressed and converted) into binary data of a possible format to generate LED data 206.

  As described above, the LED data 206 generated in this manner is fixedly stored on the rom cartridge substrate of the gaming machine 300 together with the image data and voice data for effect and the gaming machine 300 controls the light emission mode of the LED. It is used when. Here, for convenience, it is shown that the pre-conversion LED data is converted and the LED data 206 is generated, but in general, the pre-conversion LED data is another data (for example, image data and sound for presentation) It is converted with data etc.) and stored in the ROM cartridge substrate.

  In addition, since the light emission mode definition data defines the light emission color in frame units for each LED, the amount of data becomes large. For example, the value of posterization is specified in the range of a predetermined time window (number of frames) The amount of data can be reduced by setting the number of gradations in a color to be small.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the sprite extraction process in the port creation mode of the development PC 200. The sprite extraction process is started by the user starting the process of the port creation mode in the development PC 200 and further performing a predetermined instruction in that mode.

  First, in step S10, the pixels of the image data 203 are sequentially read one by one. The image data 203 is, for example, data representing an image 350 shown in FIG.

  Next, the color of the pixel read in step S11 is determined, and if it is not the predetermined color (NO in step S12), the sprite extraction process is not performed for that pixel, so the process proceeds to step S19. If the color is a predetermined color (YES in step S12), the flow advances to step S13 to perform sprite extraction processing for that pixel.

  In the image data 203, since the light emitting area to be associated with the LED is colored in a predetermined color set in advance, the sprite extraction processing is performed when a pixel of the predetermined color is detected. The predetermined colors are, for example, a plurality of colors such as yellow, light blue, pink, red, green and blue.

  In step S13, when there is a pixel of the same color in adjacent pixels, those pixels are put together. By this process, light emitting areas colored in the same color are extracted.

  Next, in step S14, sprite numbers are assigned. Sprite NO numbers, for example, 002 and 003 in order from 001. Thereafter, in step S15, an image (including a background) is generated by the pixels summarized in step S13. This image is, for example, an image 351a, 351b, 351c as shown in FIG. 13, and is used in a thumbnail image in the case data display unit 402 shown in FIG. 14 or preview display in the preview window described later. .

  Next, in step S16, the central coordinates and the size of the image are obtained. Here, the central coordinates are coordinates with the upper left of the read image data 203 as the origin (X = 0, Y = 0), and the unit of the coordinates and size is in units of pixels of the read image data 203. is there.

  Thereafter, in step S17, the LED type is determined according to the color of the pixel. In step S12, it is determined whether the color of the pixel is a predetermined color, but here, the LED type is determined according to the LED type previously associated with the predetermined color. For example, yellow is a full color LED, light blue is a white LED, pink is a black and white LED, red is a red LED, green is a green LED, and blue is a blue LED.

  Next, in step S18, a sprite name, an image, and the like are stored as the housing data 204 in the external storage device 240 or the like of the development PC 200.

  Next, in step S19, it is determined whether there is an unprocessed pixel or not. If there is no unprocessed pixel (NO in step S19), the processing is ended. If there is an unprocessed pixel (step S19) YES), the process returns to step S10, and a new pixel of the image data 203 is read.

<Description of LED data creation mode>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 17 to 46, the function of the LED data creation mode implemented by the development PC 200 in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a main window 410 of the LED data creation mode displayed on the display 236 of the development PC 200. As shown in FIG. The user can start the processing of the LED data creation mode and display the main window 410 by performing a predetermined operation on the development PC 200.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the main window 410 displays a preview window 411 on the upper left side. In the preview window 411, when the light emission mode is set to each sprite by a mechanism described later by the user, the display of each sprite is changed according to the fermentation mode. In the preview image, for example, the images of the sprites listed and displayed in the casing data display unit 402 shown in FIG. 14 are arranged in the preview image based on the center coordinates and the size (the images are appropriately scaled) Based on the light emission mode definition data (see FIG. 15) corresponding to the sprite, simulation (reproduction display) is performed so that the light emission color and the mode of lighting / extinguishing in the light emitting area of the arranged image are changed.

  The main window 410 further displays a control window 412 on the upper right side. The user can control the reproduction of the preview window 411 by operating the buttons such as “Cue”, “Play”, and “Stop” in the control window 412. Further, in the control window 412, a time bar is displayed which indicates, in frame units, when the current reproduction is performed, and a current time display marker 412a is displayed in the time bar. In this example, since the control of the light emission mode of the LED is performed at the timing of the effect control process of the sub CPU 102 of the sub control circuit (that is, performed on a frame basis in the predetermined FPS cycle described above) The switching control of the aspect is also managed in frame units, and the display of the LED in the preview window 411 is also performed at the timing of this frame unit.

  The main window 410 further displays a timeline window 413 at the bottom of the control window 412. In the timeline window 413, it is displayed for each sprite what light emission mode is set according to the passage of a frame. In the timeline window 413, a sprite display section 413a displaying sprites together with LED types is disposed on the left side, timelines corresponding to the respective sprites are displayed on the right side, and all the timelines are intersected, A playback time point display marker 413b indicating the playback time point is displayed.

  The main window 410 further displays a group window 414 at the bottom. The group window 414 displays a list of such groups on the left group display unit 414a when the user selects a plurality of sprites and performs group registration, and the group window 414 displays the group selected in the group display unit 414a. The list of belonging sprites is displayed on the sprite display unit 414b on the right.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display example of the timeline window in detail. In the timeline window 420 shown in FIG. 18, the sprite display unit 421 (corresponding to the sprite display unit 413 a in FIG. 17) for displaying a list of sprites is displayed on the upper left side. The sprite and the corresponding LED type of LED are shown. On the upper right side, a timeline display unit 422 is displayed, and the display mode of the LEDs corresponding to the sprites displayed on the sprite display unit 421 is shown.

  In the timeline display unit 422, a frame display unit 422a is displayed at the top, and a plurality of timelines 422b respectively corresponding to sprites are displayed. Also, a reproduction time point display marker 422c (corresponding to the reproduction time point display marker 413b in FIG. 17) indicating the reproduction time point is displayed.

  At the lower part of the timeline window 420, a light emission color setting palette 423 displaying the light emission color of the LED is displayed. In the light emission color setting palette 423, a plurality of color designation buttons 423a for designating preset colors are displayed on the left side, and a gradation pattern designation button 423b for designating preset gradation patterns on the right side. Is displayed.

  Here, a color designation button 423a capable of designating a color set in advance is disposed, but the user can set the color by designating RGB or the like. Similarly, the gradation pattern can also be set by the user for the change in color.

  The gradation pattern is set based on the color data of the start point (start color) and the color data of the end point (end color), and the color data of one or more intermediate keys is set between the start color and the end color. You can also. Each color data is selected from, for example, colors registered in the color palette.

  When the gradation pattern is set by the color data of the start point and the color data of the end point and the start color RGB = (0, 0, 100) and the end color RGB (0, 100, 0), RGB Are (0, 0, 100), (0, 10, 90), (0, 20, 80), ... (0, 80, 20), (0, 90, 10), (0, 100, 0) Make a transition in such a manner.

  For example, if a simple gradation pattern with start and end colors is applied to the timeline of the timeline window 420, the emission color in each frame is, for example, start color + ((end color-start color) for RGB respectively / Total number of frames to be applied) × current frame.

  At the bottom of the timeline window 420, a group registration button 424 is arranged. Here, when a plurality of sprites are selected on the sprite display unit 421 and the group registration button 424 is selected (clicked or the like), the selected sprites are registered as one group.

  In addition, the user simultaneously selects two sprites (sprite name = "003 reel back light (3)" and "004 reel back light (4)") displayed on the sprite display portion 421, and the light emission color setting palette At 423, one of the gradation pattern designation buttons 423b is dragged, and further, a desired frame (for example, the fifty-fifth one of the timelines corresponding to the two selected sprites) displayed in the timeline display section 422 is displayed. When the gradation pattern designation button 423b is dropped from the frame to the 500th frame (see arrow 422d), as shown in FIG. 18, the gradation pattern designation button 423b is displayed on the timeline corresponding to the two selected sprites. Corresponding graduation Pattern is displayed as a symbol that represents the light emission mode.

  Thus, the two selected sprites are defined to emit light in the designated gradation pattern in the 50th to 500th frames. That is, the light emission mode (light emission color, on / off timing) of the LED corresponding to the two selected sprites is defined.

  Here, when the user performs a save operation in the development PC 200, the definition content described above is stored in the LED data for preview 205 as light emission mode definition data regarding the LED. Further, after that, when the user instructs conversion on the development PC 200, LED data 206 including the light emission mode definition data and the port number is generated (see FIGS. 7 and 15).

[Group flash control]
Next, referring to FIG. 19 to FIG. 22, a plurality of sprites extracted in the port creation mode are group registered, the group is further grouped into subgroups, and the light emission of the LED is controlled in a predetermined pattern. The method will be described.

  In the method of group registration of a plurality of sprites, as described with reference to FIG. 18, a plurality of sprites are selected on the sprite display unit 421, and a group registration button 424 is selected. The sprites registered as a group are displayed in a group window as shown in FIG.

  In the group window 430 shown in FIG. 19, a group display unit 431 (corresponding to the group display unit 414a in FIG. 17) and a sprite display unit 432 (corresponding to the sprite display unit 414b in FIG. 17) are shown. It is shown that sprites are registered as a group with the group name "reel".

  It is assumed that nine sprites form an array of light emission areas as shown in FIG. The nine sprites correspond to, for example, the backlight of the reel display unit configured in 3 rows × 3 columns. Here, the state in which only the middle three sprites as shown in FIG. 20B emit light (the middle stage emission) as shown in FIG. 20A from the state where only the upper three sprites emit light (upper stage emission) as shown in FIG. 20A. After that, it is assumed that it is intended to define a light emission mode in which only the lower three sprites shown in FIG. 20C emit light (lower light emission).

  Referring again to FIG. 19, in the lower part of the group window 430 of FIG. 19, an order set button 434 displayed as "set in order", and the number of sprites of a subgroup (herein referred to as "team") are input. The sprite number input unit 435 and the update button 436 are arranged.

  Here, when the user selects the title display of “Y” in the sprite display section 432 (see arrow 433), the sprites are arranged in the order of the values of the center coordinates (Y) (ie, in the order of lower sprite placement positions). To be sorted. Next, the user inputs “3” to the sprite number input unit 435 to select the number of sprites belonging to one team as “3”, selects the order set button 434, and then selects the update button 436 ( The arrow 437) and the group window 430 transition to the state shown in FIG. 21A.

  In the sprite display unit 432 of the group window 430 in FIG. 21B, the sprites are sorted in ascending order of center coordinates (Y), and “order” is 3 according to “3” set as the number of sprites belonging to one team. The same order is assigned to two sprites.

  By such user operation, the nine sprites shown in FIG. 20 are, as shown in FIG. 21B, a reel backlight (1), a reel backlight (4), and a reel backlight which are sprites in the upper row. (7) is associated with team 1 of order "1", and the reel backlight (2), the reel backlight (5) and the reel backlight (8), which are sprites consisting of middle rows, are of order "2" The reel backlight (3), the reel backlight (6), and the reel backlight (9), which are sprites in the lower row, are associated with the team 3 of the order "3" in association with the team 2 .

  After this, the user enters, for example, “50” and “50” in the offset value input unit 438a, the frame number input unit 438b, and the repeat designation unit 438c arranged at the bottom of the group window 430 shown in FIG. 22A. "," "1" is input, and the selection button 438d is clicked.

  Then, in response to the operation, the display of the timeline window 420 is automatically updated to the timeline window 420 as shown in FIG. 22B. A rectangle (for example, rectangle 439a) arranged on the timeline in the timeline window 420 of FIG. 22B is that the LED (white LED) of the corresponding sprite emits light during the frame period (timing) indicated by the rectangle Is shown.

  In the timeline window 420, in the first 50 frames (the first frame to the 50th frame), the reel back light (1), the reel back light (4), and the reel back light (7), which are sprites in upper rows. Are designated to emit light, and in the next 50 frames (the 51st frame to the 100th frame), a reel backlight (2), a reel backlight (5), and a reel backlight (8) which are sprites consisting of middle rows. Are designated to emit light, and in the next 50 frames (the 101st frame to the 150th frame), the reel backlight (3), the reel backlight (6), the reel backlight (9) which is a sprite consisting of the lower row Is specified to emit light, and then (for repeat specification = "1" To stop emitting.

  Thus, by registering a plurality of sprites as one group, it is possible to define the light emission aspect for the group (that is, define the light emission aspect for the LED corresponding to the sprite registered in the group) it can). Further, group emission control is performed to set the light emission mode for each team sprite in the group as shown in FIG. 20 by setting a plurality of teams in the group and setting an offset value, the number of frames, etc. Can be set.

  Here, when the user performs a save operation in the development PC 200, the definition content described above is stored in the LED data for preview 205 as light emission mode definition data regarding the LED. Further, after that, when the user instructs conversion on the development PC 200, LED data 206 including the light emission mode definition data and the port number is generated (see FIGS. 7 and 15).

  In the example shown in FIGS. 19 to 22, although the light emission mode is defined in which nine sprites change from the upper light emission state to the lower light emission state via the middle light emission state, different effects are produced for these nine sprites. It is also possible to define different light emission aspects at or in different frame periods.

  For example, in the first 50 frames (the first frame to the 50th frame), it is specified that the reel back light (1), the reel back light (2), and the reel back light (3), which are sprites in the left column, emit light And in the next 50 frames (the 51st frame to the 100th frame), it is specified that the reel back light (4), the reel back light (5) and the reel back light (6), which are sprites in the center row, emit light. Specified that the reel backlight (7), the reel backlight (8) and the reel backlight (9), which are sprites in the right column, emit light in the next 50 frames (the 101st frame to the 150th frame) can do.

  In this case, in the group window 430 shown in FIG. 19, the title display of “X” is selected in the sprite display portion 432, and the sprite is in the order of the values of the center coordinates (X) (ie, the arrangement position of the sprite is on the left In order to set “3” to the number of sprites belonging to one team, “3” is input to the sprite number input unit 435 and the order set button 434 is selected, and then the update button 436 is selected. Once selected, the nine sprites are grouped into three new subgroups (teams): left column, middle column, right column, as described above.

  In this manner, with respect to a plurality of sprites belonging to the same group, a plurality of different team divisions (grouping) can be performed, and different light emission modes can be defined on the premise of each team division.

[Light emission control by animation pattern]
Next, with reference to FIG. 23 to FIG. 35, a method will be described in which a plurality of sprites extracted in the port creation mode are group registered, and light emission control is performed by the animation pattern (animation pattern) in the group.

  FIG. 23 shows an image 360 schematically showing the image 350 represented by the image data 203 as shown in FIG. 11 for explanation. The left side lamp a, the left side lamp b, the right side lamp c, the right side lamp d, the upper lamp e, the upper lamp f, the lower lamp g, and the lower lamp h are extracted as light emitting areas (sprites). Further, nine sprites from the reel back light (1) to the reel back light (9) are extracted in the reel display portion.

  In the image 360, up to 18 divisions are arranged in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction) from the upper left origin (0, 0), and up to 18 divisions are arranged in the Y-axis direction (vertical direction) The coordinates determine the center coordinates and size of the sprite. Generally, such coordinates are grasped in units of pixels, and thus have larger values, but here, for convenience of explanation, they are in the range of 18 × 18.

  Next, referring to FIG. 24, the display of the group tab of the group window 430 of the above-mentioned form is shown, and the above-mentioned 17 sprites are registered as group name = “circle expansion animation”. Further, as described above, the central coordinates (X, Y) and the size (width, height) of each sprite are grasped according to the scale shown in FIG.

  FIG. 25 shows a selection tab of the group window 430, in which an animation type designation unit 441 and a detail setting unit 442 are arranged. Here, while selecting "circle" as animation type in the animation type designation unit 441 (see arrow 443), the name is made "single circle pattern", and in the detail setting unit 442, the light emission mode of the LED is dynamically changed Set the information to make it

  The detail setting unit 442 specifies, for example, how to change the center coordinates (X, Y) and the diameter (min, max) of the circle according to the transition of the frame. The unit of such central coordinates and diameter is the same as the unit of the central coordinates of the sprite and the size.

  In the setting of the detail setting unit 442 shown in FIG. 25, the circle changes from the diameter 0 to the diameter 18 at the same center coordinates from the first frame to the 500th frame. Here, from the first frame to the 500th frame, the center coordinates and the diameter of the circle are set in steps each time the number of frames increases by 100, but the circle is expanded each time the frame increases by one. To be done gradually (proportionally). For example, in such a setting, in the 50th frame, the diameter of the circle is 2.

  By performing such setting, the circle is expanded as the number of frames increases, and accordingly, the sprite whose center coordinates are to be included in the circle is automatically controlled to light up.

  The image 370 shown in FIG. 26 is a schematic image similar to the image 360 shown in FIG. 23, but is displayed in the preview window 411 shown in FIG. 17 and is a sprite with hatched hatching. Is a light emitting sprite. In this example, the circle 371a is also shown in order to explain the conditions of the light emission control in an easy-to-understand manner, but this is a virtual one, and normally the circle is not displayed in the preview window 411 The same applies to the circles shown in 27 to 30). Also, as a matter of course, the information on the circle is not stored in the light emission mode definition data finally generated to define these light emission modes.

  The image 370 in FIG. 26 shows the state at the time when the 25th frame has passed, and the diameter of the circle 371a is 1, and only the center coordinates of the sprite of the reel backlight (5) are inside this circle 371a. Since it is positioned, only the sprite of the reel backlight (5) lights up.

  An image 370 shown in FIG. 27 represents a state at the time when the 100th frame has passed, and the diameter of the circle 371b is 4, and the reel back light (2), the reel back light (4), the reel back light (5 Since the central coordinates of the sprites of the reel backlight (6) and the reel backlight (8) are located inside the circle 371b, the sprites of the corresponding five reel backlights light up.

  Next, an image 370 shown in FIG. 28 shows a state at the time when the 200th frame has passed, and the diameter of the circle 371c is 5.7, and the reel backlight (1) to the reel backlight (9) Since the central coordinates of each sprite are located inside this circle 371c, the sprites of the corresponding nine reel backlights light up.

  Next, an image 370 shown in FIG. 29 shows a state at the time when the 300th frame has passed, and the diameter of the circle 371d is 10, and the reel back light (1) to the reel back light (9), left side The center coordinates of each sprite of lamp b, right side lamp c, upper lamp f, and lower lamp g are located inside this circle 371d, so the corresponding 9 reel backlights, 2 side lamps, One upper lamp and one lower lamp sprite light up.

  Next, an image 370 shown in FIG. 30 shows a state at the time when the 400th frame has passed, and the diameter of the circle 371e is 16, and the reel back light (1) to the reel back light (9), left side The center coordinates of each sprite of lamps a and b, right side lamps c and d, upper lamps e and f, and lower lamps g and h are located inside this circle 371e, so the corresponding nine reels Backlights, two side lamps, two upper lamps, and two lower lamp sprites (ie, all sprites) light up.

  Thus, in the preview window 411, as shown in FIGS. 26 to 30, the image 370 is controlled so that each sprite is gradually lit from the center position of the image 370 and spreads in a circular shape.

  As a result of the setting as described above, the display of the timeline window 420 is automatically updated to the timeline window 420 as shown in FIG. A rectangle (for example, rectangle 439b) arranged on the timeline in the timeline window 420 indicates that the LED of the corresponding sprite emits light in the period (timing) of the frame indicated by the rectangle, as described above It arrange | positions according to the timing to light in the aspect which spreads in a round shape.

  In addition, on the timeline corresponding to the left side lamp a, the left side lamp b, the right side lamp c, the right side lamp d, the upper lamp e, the upper lamp f, the lower lamp g, and the lower lamp h which are sprites of full color LED. The arranged rectangles (rectangles indicated by reference numeral 439c) are initially arranged in a predetermined color such as white, but (for example, the color specification button 423a or the gradation pattern specification button 423b of the light emission color setting palette 423 By setting the emission color by dragging and dropping in a target rectangle, it is possible to specify to turn on the light emission timing with various emission colors as it is.

  In the example of FIG. 31, the left side lamp a, the left side lamp b, the right side lamp c, the right side lamp d, the upper lamp e, and the lower lamp h are specified to be lit with a single emission color, respectively. The f and lower lamps g are specified to light up in a gradation pattern.

  As described above, in the LED data creation mode of the development PC 200 according to the present embodiment, the user automatically determines the related sprite based on the specified animation pattern and sets the light emission color and the light emission timing. It is possible to avoid the complicated work of setting the light emission color and the light emission timing individually for the sprite of. Moreover, even if it is necessary to change the luminescent color, it can be easily performed by the operation of a mouse or the like from the state where the setting is automatically made.

  Here, when the user performs a save operation in the development PC 200, the definition content described above is stored in the LED data for preview 205 as light emission mode definition data regarding the LED. Further, after that, when the user instructs conversion on the development PC 200, LED data 206 including the light emission mode definition data and the port number is generated (see FIGS. 7 and 15).

  In the example shown in FIG. 23 to FIG. 31, the circle set as the single circle pattern is enlarged with the increase of the frame, and the sprite whose center coordinates are to be included in the circle is lit accordingly. Control is performed automatically, but it is not based on such central coordinates, but when a part of the sprite is included in the circle, the sprite is turned on, or the entire sprite is The conditions for lighting the sprite can be variously set in relation to the enlarged circle, such as lighting the sprite when it is included in the circle.

  Also, in this example, when setting the circle expansion pattern, the center coordinates and diameter of the circle are set stepwise each time the number of frames increases by 100, and in the frames between them, the diameter is gradually enlarged by proportional calculation. However, the diameter of the circle may be changed stepwise as specified.

  32 and 33 show other examples of animation patterns.

  FIG. 32 shows the selection tab of the group window 430 similar to that shown in FIG. 25. Here, in the animation type designation unit 441, while selecting “Circle” as the animation type (see arrow 444) The name is “donut pattern”, and the detail setting unit 442 sets information for dynamically changing the light emission mode of the LED.

  In the setting of the detail setting unit 442 shown in FIG. 32, the circle expands from diameter 0 to diameter 18 at the same central coordinates from the first frame to the 500th frame (designation of the diameter (max)) and the center of the circle The cavity of X has expanded from diameter 0 to diameter 14 (designation of diameter (min)), and just changes the circle of donut shape to expand.

  By performing such setting, the doughnut-shaped circle is expanded with the increase of the frame, and accordingly, the control is automatically controlled so that the sprite whose center coordinates are to be included in the circle is lighted. Be done. Also, the central part of the expanding circle is hollow, and sprites whose central coordinates are included in the hollow are automatically controlled to be turned off.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram schematically showing the state of such control as a state displayed in the preview window 411 shown in FIG. In FIG. 33, a schematic image 380 similar to the image 360 shown in FIG. 23 is shown, and the arrangement of light emitting areas (sprites) is also similar to the image 360. In addition, sprites in the light emission state are indicated by hatching, and an outer circle and an inner circle are virtually shown for a donut-shaped circle that is a determination element of lighting.

  An image 380 shown in FIG. 33A represents a state at the time when the 100th frame has passed, the diameter of the inner circle 381a is 2, the diameter of the outer circle 381b is 4, and the reel back light (1) Since the center coordinates of the reel back light (4) and the reel back light (6) to the reel back light (9) are located outside the inner circle 381a and inside the outer circle 381b, The corresponding eight reel backlights light up.

  An image 380 shown in FIG. 33B represents a state at the time when the 300th frame has passed, the diameter of the inner circle 381c is 5, the diameter of the outer circle 381d is 10, and the reel back light (1) , Reel backlight (3), Reel backlight (7), Reel backlight (9), left side lamp b, right side lamp c, upper lamp f, and lower lamp g center coordinates of inner circle 381c Being positioned outside and inside the outer circle 381 d, the sprites of the corresponding four reel backlights, two side lamps, one upper lamp, and one lower lamp are lit.

  An image 380 shown in FIG. 33C shows a state at the time when the 400th frame has passed, and the diameter of the inner circle 381e is 12, the diameter of the outer circle 381f is 16, and the left side lamp a, right The center coordinates of the side lamp d, the upper lamp e, and the lower lamp h are located outside the inner circle 381 e and inside the outer circle 381 f, so the corresponding two side lamps, one upper The lamp and one lower lamp sprite light up.

  By performing light emission control according to such an animation pattern in which the doughnut-shaped circle is expanded, the sprite to be lit spreads from the center of the circle to the outside, and the sprite that is subsequently lit becomes a circle The light emission mode of each sprite is automatically controlled so as to be turned off from the center to the outside.

  Although a timeline corresponding to such a light emission mode is displayed in the same manner as the example of the timeline window 420 shown in FIG. 31, the display is omitted here. Here, the user can specify the light emission color and the gradation pattern as needed.

  34 and 35 show still another example of the animation pattern.

  FIG. 34 shows the selection tab of the group window 430 similar to that shown in FIG. 25. Here, “rectangle” is selected as the animation type in the animation type designation unit 441 (see the arrow 446). The name is “rectangular pattern”, and the detail setting unit 445 sets information for dynamically changing the light emission mode of the LED.

  In the setting of the detail setting unit 445 shown in FIG. 34, after the rectangular transitions from the first frame to the 520th frame while changing the central coordinates with a constant size, the size is enlarged at the same central coordinates, and finally It changes so that it becomes size 0 in center coordinates.

  By performing such setting, in response to a transition of a central coordinate and a rectangle whose size changes, a sprite whose central coordinate is to be included in the rectangle is automatically controlled to light up. .

  FIG. 35 is a diagram schematically representing such control as shown in the preview window 411 shown in FIG. In FIG. 35, a schematic image 390 similar to the image 360 shown in FIG. 23 is shown, and the arrangement of light emitting areas (sprites) is also similar to the image 360. In addition, the sprite in the light emission state is indicated by hatching, and a rectangle serving as a determination element of lighting is virtually indicated.

  An image 390 shown in FIG. 35A represents a state at the time when the first frame has passed, and the central coordinates of the rectangle 391a are (0, 0), the size is 5 width and 5 height, and the central coordinates are Since there are no sprites located inside this rectangle, no sprites will light.

  An image 390 shown in FIG. 35B represents a state at the time when the 100th frame has passed, and the center coordinates of the rectangle 391b are (7, 7), and the size is width 5 and height 5, and the reel back light ( Since the center coordinates of 1) are located inside the rectangle 391b, the corresponding one reel backlight lights up.

  An image 390 shown in FIG. 35C shows a state at the time when the 500th frame has elapsed, and the center coordinates of the rectangle 391c are (9, 9), the size is 17 in width and 11 in height, and the reel back light 1) ~ The center coordinates of each sprite of the reel backlight (9), left side lamps a and b, right side lamps c and d, upper lamp f and lower lamp g will be located inside the rectangle 391c Because the corresponding nine reel backlights, four side lamps, one upper lamp, and one lower lamp sprite are lit.

  By performing light emission control according to such an animation pattern in which the rectangle moves and changes the size, light emission of each sprite is performed so that the sprite to be lit gradually expands toward the center and then turns off simultaneously. Aspects are controlled automatically.

  Although a timeline corresponding to such a light emission mode is displayed in the same manner as the example of the timeline window 420 shown in FIG. 31, the display is omitted here. The user can specify the light emission color and the gradation pattern as needed.

  Although the light emission control by the animation pattern has been described above with reference to FIGS. 23 to 35, the light emission control of each sprite can be performed according to various other animation patterns.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 25, FIG. 32, and FIG. 34, in the present embodiment, a figure virtually set in the front area of the gaming machine, such as a circle or a rectangle, is a frame (lapse of time). At the same time, the position and size are changed, and the light emission mode of each sprite is determined based on this virtual figure, but a figure of a shape other than a circle or a rectangle may be used, or the figure itself is You may set so that it may change with progress of time. Moreover, although the aspect of such a virtual figure change is set by the user in this example, it may be prepared in advance.

[Link to sound]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 36 to 40, a method of performing light emission control on sprites extracted in the port creation mode according to predetermined music (music) will be described.

  The sound window 450 of FIG. 36 can be displayed by the user performing a predetermined operation after the main window 410 shown in FIG. 17 is displayed. In the sound window 450, a sound waveform graph display unit 451 is arranged at the upper right, a sprite display unit 452 is arranged at the lower left, and a timeline display unit 453 is arranged at the lower right.

  The sound waveform graph display unit 451 of the sound window 450 displays a waveform graph for an audio file of music designated by the user. The audio file is, for example, stereo audio data in the 16 bit, 44.1 kHz wav format, and the sound waveform graph display unit 451 displays a waveform graph of sound based on the audio file (the magnitude of the volume arranged along the time axis) The bar graph group of the length according to is displayed.

  In the sound waveform graph display unit 451, the volume of the volume of the left channel is shown above the center line 451a, and the volume of the right channel is shown below the center line 451a. The actual waveform graph represents, for example, 1 second = 83 frames (frame rate matched to the switching speed of the LED), and the volume of each frame is represented, but in the example of FIG. , 1 second = 10 frames are expressed. In the sound waveform graph display unit 451, "00:00" represents the number of seconds at which the audio file is started, and "00:01" represents one second later, for example, from 00:01 seconds It can be seen that the volume of 10 frames is shown in the period up to 00:02 seconds.

  Sound that is air vibration is composed of three elements: "size", "height" and "tone". The "magnitude" of the sound is the amplitude of the vibration, and indicates that the longer the bar graph in the sound waveform graph display unit 451, the louder the sound. The “height” of the sound is indicated by the frequency (the number of vibrations per second), and the higher the number of vibrations, the higher the sound. Generally, if it vibrates 20 to 100 times in a second (20 to 100 Hz), it becomes a low-pitched range, if it vibrates 100 to 1000 times (100 to 1 kHz), it becomes a middle-pitched band, and it vibrates 1000 to 20,000 times If it is (1 k to 20 kHz), it becomes a high range. "Tone" is an atmosphere of sound composed of sounds of many frequencies.

  The sprite display unit 452 displays the sprite selected by the user together with the corresponding LED type. The timeline display unit 453 displays timelines respectively corresponding to the sprites displayed in the sprite display unit 452, and further, this timeline is displayed on the same time axis as that of the sound window 450. There is. The timeline of the sprite display unit 452 and the time axis of the sound window 450 are linked, and when the time of the timeline is shifted by operating the slider bar arranged at the lower part of the sprite display unit 452, it is linked The time axis of the sound window 450 fluctuates.

  The audio file of the music is specified by the user, and after the waveform graph is displayed on the sound waveform graph display unit 451 according to that, when a predetermined conversion button (not shown) is clicked, etc., the read audio file data is FFT Convert (Fast Fourier Transform) and perform frequency analysis of the audio file.

  Thereafter, as shown in the sound window 450 of FIG. 37, when the user selects a specific time on the sound waveform graph display unit 451 (see arrow 451 b), the time value selection bar 451 c is displayed, and the amplitude at that time value The loudness of the sound is displayed as a bar graph on the frequency display unit 454 based on the result of the above-described frequency analysis.

  In the bar graph displayed on the frequency display unit 454, the lower the frequency to the left (bass) and the higher the frequency to the right (higher treble), the width of each bar corresponds to a predetermined frequency range . Also, the height (length) of the bar is a relative numerical value representing the amplitude of the frequency. In the example of FIG. 37, for convenience of explanation, 1 to 15 frequency bands are indicated by respective bars, for example, a sound range of 32 Hz to 16744 Hz is divided into 55, and a bar graph can be formed by 55 bars. Also, when selecting a frequency, it is also possible to select one frequency instead of a frequency band consisting of a range of frequencies.

  Here, as shown in the sound window 450 of FIG. 38, when the user selects a bar indicated by “8” in the frequency display unit 454 (see arrow 454a), the bar changes to, for example, red. In the bar graph displayed in the frequency display unit 454, the bar indicated by “8” corresponds to, for example, a 392-440 Hz frequency band. Thereafter, when the user performs a predetermined operation, the sound graph display unit 455 displayed instead of the sound waveform graph display unit 451 at the upper right of the sound window 450 corresponds to the frequency band corresponding to the selected bar (this example , A graph 455a of the amplitude at 392-440 Hz) is displayed.

  In the bar graph displayed on the frequency display unit 454, when a bar indicated by "8" is selected, information on the bar may be displayed. For example, the selection frequency minimum value: 392 Hz, the selection frequency maximum value: 440 Hz, the selection frequency amplitude value: 0.2296, and the like. Here, the selected frequency amplitude value is, for example, an average value of absolute values sampled in sampling of a corresponding frequency band in FFT conversion.

  Next, the user defines the light emission aspect of the sprite based on the graph 455a of the amplitude in the selected frequency band displayed on the sound graph display unit 455. This method will be described with reference to the sound window 450 of FIG.

  The user selects a sprite for which the light emission mode is to be defined in the sprite display portion 452 displayed in the sound window 450 of FIG. Here, it is assumed that the sprite with the sprite name = “upper lamp e” is selected.

  Next, the user selects one gradation pattern from among gradation pattern designations displayed in the color designation unit 456. Here, it is assumed that the gradation pattern 456b is selected. The gradation pattern 456b is a pattern defined to determine the emission color of the LED according to the amplitude value (so-called power spectrum) as shown in the lower part of FIG. 39, and for example, red when the amplitude value is 0. Amplitude value greater than 0 and less than 0.10 orange color, amplitude value greater than 0.10 and less than 0.20 yellow, amplitude value greater than 0.20 and less than 0.30 yellow The color is set to be green and green when the amplitude value is 0.30 or more (note that in FIG. 39, each color is indicated by a different hatching pattern).

  In this example, the gradation pattern is set so that five colors correspond to each other according to the range of five amplitude values, but the range of the amplitude values may be reduced to be associated with more colors. it can. Further, the correspondence between the amplitude value and the luminescent color in the gradation pattern may be set in advance, or may be set individually by the user.

  Here, when the user selects the gradation pattern 456b and instructs sound interlocking processing (filling processing for graph) by a predetermined operation, the selected sprite (sprite name = “upper lamp e”) is converted to the amplitude value of the graph. The corresponding luminescent color is set. Although one sprite is selected in the example shown in FIG. 39, a plurality of sprites are simultaneously selected, and the setting of the light emission color by the gradation pattern is similarly performed on the plurality of sprites. It can also be done.

  As a result of the sound interlocking process, as shown in the timeline display unit 453, the light emission color of each timing is automatically defined. In the example of FIG. 39, the amplitude value is 0 in the 0th to 5th frames, and red is set as the light emission color. In the fifth to tenth frames, since the amplitude value is greater than 0 and less than 0.10, an orange color is set as a light emission color. In the 10th to 15th frames, since the amplitude value is 0.10 or more and less than 0.20, yellow is set as a light emission color. In the 15th to 21st frames, since the amplitude value is 0.20 or more and less than 0.30, yellowish green is set as a luminescent color. In the 22nd frame, since the amplitude value is 0.10 or more and less than 0.20, yellow is set as a luminescent color. In the 23rd to 25th frames, since the amplitude value is greater than 0 and less than 0.10, an orange color is set as a light emission color.

  Here, when the user performs a save operation in the development PC 200, the definition content described above is stored in the LED data for preview 205 as light emission mode definition data regarding the LED. Further, after that, when the user instructs conversion on the development PC 200, LED data 206 including the light emission mode definition data and the port number is generated (see FIGS. 7 and 15).

  In this example, since the amplitude value does not have to be 0.30 or more, green is not set as the luminescent color. In addition, although the 0th to 5th frames and the 25th and subsequent frames are silent, red is set as the light emission color in the gradation pattern 456b, but if it is desired to emit light only during the sounding period, the setting of the corresponding portion is deleted It can also be made not to emit light. Furthermore, as described above, after the luminescent color is automatically set according to the graph of the amplitude value, it is possible to change some light emission modes (for example, change the period set to yellow as the luminescent color to blue) It can also be done.

  By such sound interlocking processing, it is possible to automate the time-consuming work of finely setting and setting the light emission color for each sprite according to the change of the sound, and the work efficiency at the time of developing the gaming machine is greatly improved. can do.

  Also, in the sound interlocking process, for example, 440 to 493 Hz (in the bar graph displayed on the frequency display unit 454, the range of the frequency corresponding to the bar indicated by “9”) represents the midrange and is mainly used as the main melody of music. It is a range to be used, and assuming that the melody line of the main melody is this range, select the light emission mode of the LED corresponding to each sprite, select the “9” bar in the bar graph, and graph the amplitude value By setting based on this, it is possible to automatically set the light emission mode according to the change of the main melody.

  In addition, if a bar corresponding to heavy bass (for example, 32 to 65 Hz) is selected in the above bar graph, the light emission mode of the LED may be automatically set in accordance with the rhythm of the heavy bass (the timing when the amplitude increases). it can.

  Furthermore, in the LED data creation mode, a bar corresponding to the main melody or a bar corresponding to the deep bass is selected by the bar graph displayed on the frequency display unit 454 and a graph of the corresponding amplitude value is displayed on the sound graph display unit 455. It is also possible to display an emission color of each timing in the timeline display section 453 manually by the user while viewing the graph of the amplitude value (for example, the color is selected from among the color designations of the color designation section 456). select).

  FIG. 40 shows a sound window 450 similar to the sound window 450 shown in FIG. 39, but in the sound window 450 of FIG. 39, one frequency band (ie, one bar) is selected in the bar graph of the frequency display portion 454. In the frequency display unit 454 of FIG. 40, a plurality of frequency bands (i.e., a plurality of bars) are selected in the bar graph of the frequency display unit 454 (see the arrow 454b).

  As described above, in the LED data creation mode in the development PC 200 of the present embodiment, a plurality of frequency bands are selected, and a graph of the amplitude of the selected plurality of frequency bands (the sound graph display unit 455 in FIG. The light emission mode of the sprite is automatically set according to the displayed graph 455b of the amplitude. The selection of the gradation pattern by the user and the instruction of the sound interlocking process are the same as those described with reference to FIG. In the example of FIG. 40, as in the example of FIG. 39, the gradation pattern 456b is applied to the sprite with the sprite name = “upper lamp e”.

  The bars of the bar graph selected by the frequency display unit 454 shown in FIG. 40 are “8” to “11”, and for example, a frequency band of 392 to 587 Hz is selected. Here, the average frequency amplitude maximum is 0.5466, which reflects the value of the frequency band of "11" having the largest amplitude. The average frequency amplitude minimum is 0.1903, which reflects the value of the frequency band of "9" having the smallest amplitude.

  By selecting such a plurality of frequency bands, the light emission mode is not based on data generated from sounds in a narrow range, but from data in a wide range, for example, from an entire middle range or from an entire high range. It can also be set. Further, in this example, a plurality of continuous frequency bands are selected, but a plurality of non-continuous frequency bands can be selected. Control can also be performed to inhibit selection of non-consecutive frequency bands.

  Although the sound graph display unit 455 is displayed in place of the sound waveform graph display unit 451 in the sound window 450 of FIGS. 38 to 40, these graphs may be displayed simultaneously.

  Conventionally, while listening to songs and sound effects, sense the excitement of tunes and so on, and set the light emission mode for each LED to create LED data, and synchronize timing with songs and sounds with a real machine (actual game machine) It was necessary to make it light and to check if the sound and light were correct. And, since the LED data as the light emission mode of the impression matched to the tune was made by repeating such trial and error, it takes a very long time, and it is an operation that a so-called craftsmanship is required.

  However, the sound interlocking process in the port creation mode provided in the development PC 200 according to the present embodiment analyzes the sound frequency and automatically generates LED data according to the analysis data. It is possible to create small, high-precision, pleasantly synchronized LED data synchronized with the sound.

  In the present embodiment, the frequency and the frequency band are selected according to the user's instruction, but a fixed frequency band held by the development PC 200 can be used, and is provided along with the image data 203 and the like. It may be configured. Further, in this example, the audio file of the music is also specified by the user's instruction, but the audio file held by the development PC 200 may be used, or may be configured to be provided together with the image data 203 etc. Alternatively, the setting may be automatically made in accordance with a predetermined condition, including the light emission mode and the like set for the selected sprite and other sprites.

[Linked movie]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 41 to 44, processing for automatically setting the light emission mode of the LED according to a predetermined movie (moving image) will be described for the sprite extracted in the port creation mode.

  FIG. 41 shows an image 460 schematically showing the image 350 represented by the image data 203 as shown in FIG. 11 for explanation. The upper right side lamp 461, the upper left side lamp 462, the lower right side lamp 463, the lower left side lamp 464, the lower right lamp 465, and the lower left lamp 466 are extracted as light emitting areas (sprites).

  FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a process (movie interlocking process) of automatically setting the light emission mode of the LED according to a predetermined movie. An image 470 shown on the upper left side of FIG. 42 is an image of a movie that changes in units of frames. Here, it is assumed that a single color is arranged over the entire area of the image 470.

  This image 470 is scaled up (or down) to the size of the image 480 shown at the top right (with different aspect ratios). Thereby, the image 470 of the movie is enlarged (or reduced) to the size of the image 480, and if the aspect ratio such as enlargement is different, the image of the original movie is made horizontally long (or vertically long) Become.

  The image 480 is an image associated with the image 460 displayed below it. As described above, the image 460 is an image represented by the image data 203 read by the development PC 200, and is an image obtained by capturing the front portion of the gaming machine.

  Here, it is determined to which position of the image 480 the center coordinates of each sprite in the image 460 correspond. For example, the center coordinate of the upper right side lamp 461 corresponds to the point 481 of the image 480, the center coordinate of the upper left side lamp 462 corresponds to the point 482 of the image 480, and the center coordinate of the lower right side lamp 463 is the image 480 Of the lower left side lamp 464 corresponds to the point 484 of the image 480, and the center coordinate of the lower right lamp 465 corresponds to the point 485 of the image 480, and the center coordinate of the left lower lamp 466 , Corresponds to the point 486 of the image 480.

  Thereafter, the light emission color of each sprite is set to the color of the point of the image 480 corresponding to the center coordinates. That is, the emission color of the upper right side lamp 461 is set to the color of the point 481 of the image 480, the emission color of the upper left side lamp 462 is set to the color of the point 482 of the image 480, and the emission color of the lower right side lamp 463 Is set to the color of point 483 of image 480, the emission color of lower left side lamp 464 is set to the color of point 484 of image 480, and the emission color of lower right lamp 465 is to the color of point 485 of image 480 The emission color of the lower left lamp 466 is set to the color of the point 486 of the image 480.

  In the example of FIG. 42, since the color of the image 470 is single, the above six sprites are set to emit light of the same color as a result, but since the image 470 is a movie image, The color changes in units of frames with the passage of time, and in response to such a change in color, the six sprites are also set to emit light of various colors in each frame.

  FIG. 43 is also a diagram showing a process of controlling the light emission of the LED according to a predetermined movie (movie interlocking process). An image 490 shown on the upper left side of FIG. 43 is an image of a movie that changes in units of frames. Here, it is assumed that the upper half of the image 490 is the first color, the lower right is the second color, and the lower left is the third color.

  This image 490 is scaled up (or down) to the size of the image 500 shown at the top right (individually changing the aspect ratio). By this, the image 490 of the movie is enlarged (or reduced) according to the size of the image 500, and if the aspect ratio such as enlargement is different, the image of the original movie is made horizontally long (or vertically long) Become.

  The image 500 is an image associated with the image 460 displayed below it. As described above, the image 460 is an image represented by the image data 203 read by the development PC 200, and is an image obtained by capturing the front portion of the gaming machine.

  Here, it is determined to which position of the image 500 the center coordinates of each sprite in the image 460 correspond. For example, the center coordinates of the upper right side lamp 461 correspond to the point 501 of the image 500, the center coordinates of the upper left side lamp 462 correspond to the point 502 of the image 500, and the center coordinates of the lower right side lamp 463 is the image 500. Of the lower left side lamp 464 corresponds to the point 504 of the image 500, and the center coordinate of the lower right lamp 465 corresponds to the point 505 of the image 500, and the center coordinate of the lower left lamp 466. Corresponds to the point 506 of the image 500.

  Thereafter, the light emission color of each sprite is set to the color of the point of the image 500 corresponding to the center coordinates. That is, the emission color of the upper right side lamp 461 is set to the color (first color) of the point 501 of the image 500, and the emission color of the upper left side lamp 462 is the color of the point 502 of the image 500 (first color) The emission color of the lower right side lamp 463 is set to the color (second color) of the point 503 of the image 500, and the emission color of the lower left side lamp 464 is the color of the point 504 of the image 500 (third color). The color of the lower right lamp 465 is set to the color (second color) of the point 505 of the image 500, and the color of the lower left lamp 466 is the color of the point 506 of the image 500 (color Is set to the third color).

  In the example of FIG. 43, since the image 490 is composed of three colors, as a result, the above six sprites are set to emit light in any of the three colors, but the image 490 is a movie of Since the image is an image, the color changes in units of frames with the passage of time, and in response to such a change in color, the six sprites described above can be set to emit light in three or more colors in each frame. .

  FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the movie interlocking process. This movie interlocking process designates a target movie in the LED data creation mode of the development PC 200 of this embodiment (for example, in a state where the main window 410 of the LED data creation mode shown in FIG. 17 is displayed). After that, the process is started when the movie interlocking process, that is, the process of automatically setting the light emission mode of the LED according to the movie is instructed.

  First, in step S30, data of a movie designated by the user is read, and a first frame is selected. Next, in step S31, an image of the selected frame is generated. An image of such a frame is, for example, a BMP file.

  Next, in step S32, the image of the generated frame is enlarged (or reduced) to match the size of the captured image of the front portion of the gaming machine (ie, the image represented by the image data 203), Generate an adjusted image.

  Here, the first sprite (light emitting area) is selected (step S33), the pixel of the image after size adjustment corresponding to the center coordinate of the selected sprite is specified, and the color information of the pixel is acquired (step S34). ). The color information of the pixel is, for example, color information defined by respective values of RGB.

  Next, the color information acquired in step S34 is stored as LED data defining the light emission mode of the LED corresponding to the sprite (step S35). Then, when this process is completed, the next sprite is selected in step S36.

  Here, if the process is not completed for all the sprites (NO in step S37), the process returns to step S34, and repeats the processes in steps S34 to S36 for the selected new sprite.

  If the process is completed for all sprites (YES in step S37), the process proceeds to step S38, where the next frame is selected for the movie.

  Here, if the process is not completed for all the frames (NO in step S39), the process returns to step S31, and repeats the processes in steps S31 to S38 for the selected new frame.

  If the process is completed for all the frames (YES in step S39), the movie interlocking process is ended.

  In the example of FIG. 44, the light emission color corresponding to the color of the movie is set for all the sprites extracted from the image represented by the image data 203. For example, the user designates the target sprite You may do it.

  Also, in this example, in order to set the light emission mode for all the frames of the movie, the LED corresponding to each sprite has the light emission color set for each frame, but depending on the predetermined conditions, The processing for the frame may be omitted. Frames can be selected at predetermined intervals, or frames can be omitted according to the contents of the movie (e.g., in the case of a scene with a rapid color change or in the case of a scene with a low color change).

  Also, in this example, the pixel of the resized image corresponding to the central coordinates of the sprite is specified, and the color of the pixel is the emission color of the LED corresponding to the sprite. However, according to various other criteria, the movie The emission color can be determined according to For example, the pixel group of the size-adjusted image corresponding to the entire area of the sprite or a plurality of positions in the sprite is specified, and the average color in the pixel group or the color with high appearance frequency is set as the light emission color be able to.

  In the present embodiment, a moving image file of a movie (moving image) is selected according to a user's instruction, but a fixed moving image file held by the development PC 200 can also be used. May be configured to In addition, it may be set automatically in accordance with a predetermined condition including the selected sprite and the light emission mode and the like set to other sprites.

Transparent Layer
Next, with reference to FIG. 45 and FIG. 46, the function of setting the transparent layer and taking into consideration the colored cover and setting the light emission mode of the LED will be described with respect to the sprite extracted in the port creation mode.

  FIG. 45 shows an image 510 schematically showing the image 350 represented by the image data 203 as shown in FIG. 11 for the purpose of explanation. An upper right side lamp 511, an upper left side lamp 512, a lower right side lamp 513, a lower left side lamp 514, a lower right lamp 515, and a lower left lamp 516 are extracted as light emitting areas (sprites). Furthermore, the upper right side lamp 511 and the upper left side lamp 512 show that colored covers are arranged. Here, the color of the colored cover of the upper right side lamp 511 and the color of the colored cover of the upper left side lamp 512 are different.

  In FIG. 46A, the light emission mode is defined for each sprite arranged in the image 510, and the light emission state of the image 510 is previewed in the preview window 411 of the main window 410 of the LED data creation mode as shown in FIG. Is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 46A, six sprites of the image 510 emit light of the same color by the corresponding LEDs, but colored covers are disposed on the upper right side lamp 511 and the upper left side lamp 512. Therefore, it can be seen that the color is different from that of other sprites.

  In the LED data creation mode of the development PC 200 according to the present embodiment, such a change in color due to the colored cover can be grasped by the preview window 411. Therefore, the sprite and the information of the colored cover can be associated and registered.

  FIG. 46B shows the case data display unit 402 of the main window 400 displayed in the port creation mode of the development PC 200 according to this embodiment, and the example shown in FIG. 14 is a transparent layer for each sprite. It differs in that the setting of is possible.

  If the user has a transparent member such as a colored cover or the like in which the light emission color of the LED corresponding to the sprite is not expressed as it is as shown in FIG. 45, the information on the transparent member is displayed for each corresponding sprite. , Can be registered as information of the transparent layer. In the example of FIG. 46B, the color (RGB) such as a colored cover and the degree of transparency are registered in association with the corresponding sprite, but other information may be used to reproduce the final display color for the sprite. .

  In the LED data creation mode of the development PC 200 according to the present embodiment based on the information of such a transparent layer, when displaying the preview window 411, the casing data including the information of the transparent layer and the light emission mode definition data are used. , The state of the front part of the gaming machine is displayed for each frame. Here, for a sprite having information of a transparent layer, based on the color (RGB) of the LED defined by the light emission mode definition data of the LED corresponding to the sprite, the color (RGB) of the transparent layer, and the degree of transparency The final display color is determined and displayed in the preview window 411.

  In recent years, since a colored cover is often applied in the light emission area of a game machine, it is extremely useful to be able to register information of such a transparent layer and confirm the final display color. In addition, when setting the light emission color of the sprite in the timeline window etc., the light emission color of the LED is set so that the color to be finally expressed becomes the set light emission color, considering the information of the transparent layer of the sprite in advance. Can be automatically adjusted to a color different from the set luminescent color.

  The functions of the port creation mode and the LED data creation mode in the development PC 200 according to the present embodiment have been described above with reference to the drawings, but these are merely examples, and the present invention is limited to the above-described embodiments. It is not something to be done.

  Further, in the development PC 200 of the present embodiment, a captured image of the front portion of the gaming machine is captured as the image data 203, a sprite is extracted based on the image, and a defined light emission mode is previewed. However, the image data 203 can be configured to include not only the front part of the gaming machine but also the side part. By configuring in this way, it is also possible to define and preview the light emission mode of the sprite arranged in the side part of the gaming machine, and when the light emission state transitions from the front part to the side part by the animation pattern, The situation can be easily confirmed.

  Furthermore, the development PC 200 of the present embodiment stores shape data defining the shape of the game character and the variation mode data defining the variation mode, and based on the shape data and the variation mode data, the bonus item It is possible to control to display in the preview window 411 a state of changing with time. In addition, when an LED is arranged in a character, the light emission area (sprite) by the LED is managed, and when the user sets the light emission mode for the sprite, the character is displayed in the preview window 411 according to the setting content etc. Object fluctuation and LED light emission can be reproduced.

  As mentioned above, although the game machine was made object, the said invention is applicable also when setting the presentation pattern which consists of several light emitting elements also about apparatuses other than a game machine. For example, a slot machine for a casino, an amusement machine for a casino, a game machine for a game center, etc. may be mentioned. In addition, in the data equipment provided to the gaming machine in the game arcade, the light emitting element of the data equipment produces effects when a hit or the like occurs in the gaming machine or when the player performs a predetermined operation for data browsing. Can be applied to such equipment.

  In addition, the light emission mode setting device, the light emission mode setting method, the program, the manufacturing method of a game machine, and the game machine according to the embodiment of the present invention basically disclose the following features and effects. .

[Supplementary Note A]
[Background technology]

  BACKGROUND Conventionally, gaming machines called pachislot machines and pachinko machines are known. Generally in such gaming machines, when a predetermined condition is established in the game, the variable display control means controls the symbol display device to variably display identification information on the display area of the symbol display device, where the symbol display device is When the identification information finally derived and displayed on the display area becomes a predetermined combination (specific display mode), the gaming state shifts to a big hit gaming state (so-called "big hit") which is advantageous to the player.

  The gaming machine described above is controlled to perform rendering using various rendering devices including an optical element (for example, an LED) such as a lamp in accordance with the above-described gaming state (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 proposes a gaming machine that performs effects using LEDs. And in patent document 1, the various lighting patterns which defined the lighting aspect of several LED are memorize | stored, the lighting pattern selected from it among them is selected according to the presentation content, and several presentation based on the selected presentation content A technology for controlling the lighting of the LED has been proposed.

  In recent years, more complex and sophisticated expressions have been required for effects in gaming machines according to the gaming state, the effect story, and the like. In order to realize such effects, the number of optical elements (for example, LEDs) included in game machines has been dramatically increased, and furthermore, full color LEDs with a high degree of freedom in light emission color are adopted as the optical elements. Things to do are increasing.

With regard to the light emission control of the LED as described above, it is necessary to individually designate the light emission color and the lighting (turning off) timing for each frame for each port of the LED in accordance with the presentation contents of the gaming machine. Because of this, the person in charge has made such designation work by trial and error based on experience and intuition, taking into consideration the positions where the respective LEDs are disposed in the gaming machine.
[Prior art document]
[Patent Document]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-152152

[Summary of the Invention]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]

  However, in order to set the person in charge to perform light emission control interlocked with the rendering content for each LED port by the increase in the number of LEDs as described above, full colorization, and complication of the rendering content The amount of work is dramatically increasing and approaching the limit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned point, and light emission can be easily generated for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of effects for a large number of optical elements in a game machine An object of the present invention is to provide an aspect setting device, a light emission aspect setting method, a program, a method of manufacturing a gaming machine, and a gaming machine.
[Means for Solving the Problems]

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a light emission mode setting device, a light emission mode setting method, a program, a method of manufacturing a game machine, and a game machine as described below.

The invention according to the first embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Each light emitting area (for example, an area identified by a sprite name shown in FIG. 14) corresponding to an optical element (for example, LED 25) represents a position to be arranged on a gaming machine (for example, gaming machine 1 or 300). Position information managing means (eg, CPU 231) for managing position information (eg, center coordinates and size);
Grouping means (for example, the CPU 231) for grouping at least a part of the light emitting area according to a user's instruction (for example, grouping performed in a group window 414 shown in FIG. 14);
The light emission mode (for example, the light emission color of the optical element and the on / off timing of the optical element) corresponding to the grouped light emission area is set according to the position information of the light emission area (that is, specified by the position information Setting a gradation pattern as shown in the timeline of the timeline window 420 of FIG. 18), and control data (eg, LED data 206) for controlling the optical element in the set light emission mode. And a light emission mode setting unit (for example, CPU 231) for generating the light emission mode (for example, the development PC 200).

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, since the light emission mode of the grouped optical elements of the light emission area is set according to the position of the light emission area in the gaming machine, it is necessary to set the light emission mode for each of the optical elements Instead, it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine-grained light emission control linked to the contents of effects and the like.

The invention according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration in the first embodiment.
The position information is obtained by extracting the light emitting area from image data (for example, image data 203) including the front portion of the gaming machine (for example, sprite extraction processing shown in FIG. 16).
The light emitting area is configured such that the image data has a color different from that of the other areas (for example, the light emitting area of a full color LED is yellow and the light emitting area of a white LED is light blue) Be done.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, image data obtained by capturing the front portion of the gaming machine is prepared, and further, in the image data, the light emitting area is colored in a color distinguishable from other areas, The position of the light emission area in the front part is automatically grasped in the light emission mode setting device, and there is no need to input the position information of each light emission area, and as a result, it is for detailed light emission control interlocked with the contents of effects. It is possible to easily generate data.

The invention according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
A light emission mode setting method executed in a light emission mode setting device, comprising:
A position information management step of managing position information representing a position to be arranged in the gaming machine for each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements;
A grouping step of grouping at least a portion of the light emitting region in accordance with a user instruction;
A light emission mode of setting a light emission mode of an optical element corresponding to the grouped light emission area according to position information of the light emission area, and generating control data for controlling the optical element in the set light emission mode And a setting step.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, since the light emission mode of the grouped optical elements of the light emission area is set according to the position of the light emission area in the gaming machine, it is necessary to set the light emission mode for each of the optical elements Instead, it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine-grained light emission control linked to the contents of effects and the like.

The invention according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
On the computer
Position information managing means for managing position information representing a position to be arranged in a game machine for each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements;
Grouping means for grouping at least a part of the light emitting area according to a user's instruction;
A light emission mode of setting a light emission mode of an optical element corresponding to the grouped light emission area according to position information of the light emission area, and generating control data for controlling the optical element in the set light emission mode Program to function as setting means.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, since the light emission mode of the grouped optical elements of the light emission area is set according to the position of the light emission area in the gaming machine, it is necessary to set the light emission mode for each of the optical elements Instead, it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine-grained light emission control linked to the contents of effects and the like.

The invention according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Closing operation detection means (for example, main control circuit 91) for detecting the closing operation of the game medium;
Start operation detection means (for example, main control circuit 91) for detecting the start operation by the player based on the detection of the insertion operation by the insertion operation detection means;
Internal winning combination determining means (for example, main control circuit 91) which determines an internal winning combination with a predetermined probability based on detection of the starting operation by the starting operation detecting means;
Effect determination means (for example, sub control circuit 101) for determining an effect when the start operation detection means detects the start operation;
Control data storage means (for example, a ROM cartridge substrate 76) for storing control data for controlling the light emission mode of the optical element;
A game machine (e.g., an effect executing means (e.g., sub control circuit 101) for executing the effect determined by the effect determining means by controlling the light emission mode of the optical element based on the control data; A method of manufacturing the gaming machine 1, 300),
A position information management step of managing position information representing a position to be disposed on the gaming machine for each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements;
A grouping step of grouping at least a portion of the light emitting region in accordance with a user instruction;
A light emission mode setting step of setting a light emission mode of an optical element corresponding to the grouped light emission area according to position information of the light emission area, and generating the control data in the set light emission mode;
And D. storing the control data in the control data storage means in a fixed manner, and incorporating the control data into the gaming machine.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, since the light emission mode of the grouped optical elements of the light emission area is set according to the position of the light emission area in the gaming machine, it is necessary to set the light emission mode for each of the optical elements Instead, it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine-grained light emission control linked to the contents of effects and the like.

The invention according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Input operation detection means for detecting an operation for inserting a game medium;
Start operation detection means for detecting a start operation by the player based on the detection of the insertion operation by the insertion operation detection means;
Internal winning combination determining means for determining an internal winning combination with a predetermined probability based on detection of the starting operation by the starting operation detecting means;
An effect determining means for determining an effect when the start operation is detected by the start operation detecting means;
Control data storage means for storing control data for controlling the light emission mode of the optical element;
It is a game machine (for example, game machine 1, 300) which has an effect execution means which performs the said effect determined by the effect determination means by controlling the light emission mode of the optical element based on the control data. ,
The control data is
For each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical element, managing position information representing a position to be arranged on the gaming machine,
Group at least a part of the light emitting area according to a user's instruction;
The light emission mode of the optical element corresponding to the grouped light emission area is generated by setting according to the positional information of the light emission area,
A gaming machine incorporated in the gaming machine by fixedly storing the control data in the control data storage means.

According to such a configuration of the present invention, since the light emission mode of the grouped optical elements of the light emission area is set according to the position of the light emission area in the gaming machine, it is necessary to set the light emission mode for each of the optical elements Instead, it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine-grained light emission control linked to the contents of effects and the like.
[Effect of the invention]

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily generate, for a large number of optical elements in a game machine, data for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of effects and the like.

[Supplementary Note B]
[Background technology]

  BACKGROUND Conventionally, gaming machines called pachislot machines and pachinko machines are known. Generally in such gaming machines, when a predetermined condition is established in the game, the variable display control means controls the symbol display device to variably display identification information on the display area of the symbol display device, where the symbol display device is When the identification information finally derived and displayed on the display area becomes a predetermined combination (specific display mode), the gaming state shifts to a big hit gaming state (so-called "big hit") which is advantageous to the player.

  The gaming machine described above is controlled to perform rendering using various rendering devices including an optical element (for example, an LED) such as a lamp in accordance with the above-described gaming state (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 proposes a gaming machine that performs effects using LEDs. And in patent document 1, the various lighting patterns which defined the lighting aspect of several LED are memorize | stored, the lighting pattern selected from it among them is selected according to the presentation content, and several presentation based on the selected presentation content A technology for controlling the lighting of the LED has been proposed.

  In recent years, more complex and sophisticated expressions have been required for effects in gaming machines according to the gaming state, the effect story, and the like. In order to realize such effects, the number of optical elements (for example, LEDs) included in game machines has been dramatically increased, and furthermore, full color LEDs with a high degree of freedom in light emission color are adopted as the optical elements. Things to do are increasing.

With regard to the light emission control of the LED as described above, it is necessary to individually designate the light emission color and the lighting (turning off) timing for each frame for each port of the LED in accordance with the presentation contents of the gaming machine. Because of this, the person in charge has made such designation work by trial and error based on experience and intuition, taking into consideration the positions where the respective LEDs are disposed in the gaming machine.
[Prior art document]
[Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2005-152152 [Summary of the Invention]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]

  However, in order to set the person in charge to perform light emission control interlocked with the rendering content for each LED port by the increase in the number of LEDs as described above, full colorization, and complication of the rendering content The amount of work is dramatically increasing and approaching the limit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned point, and light emission can be easily generated for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of effects for a large number of optical elements in a game machine An object of the present invention is to provide an aspect setting device, a light emission aspect setting method, a program, a method of manufacturing a gaming machine, and a gaming machine.
[Means for Solving the Problems]

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a light emission mode setting device, a light emission mode setting method, a program, a method of manufacturing a game machine, and a game machine as described below.

The invention according to the first embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Each of the light emitting areas (for example, the area identified by the sprite name shown in FIG. 14) corresponding to the optical element (for example, LED 25) is disposed in a predetermined area of the gaming machine (for example, gaming machine 1 or 300) Position information management means (for example, CPU 231) for managing position information (for example, center coordinates and size) representing a position;
Grouping means (for example, CPU 231) for grouping at least a part of the light emitting area according to the user's operation (for example, grouping performed in a group window 414 shown in FIG. 14);
In each of the light emitting areas and the figure virtually changed in the predetermined area with time (based on the circular shape shown in FIGS. 26 to 30, for example, as shown in FIG. 33) based on the positional information of the light emitting areas grouped. Positional relationship determining means (for example, CPU 231) for determining the positional relationship with the donut shape shown in FIG. 35 and the rectangle shown in FIG.
According to the positional relationship, the light emission mode (for example, the light emission color of the optical element and the on / off timing of the optical element) of the optical element corresponding to the grouped light emission area is set, and the optical element is set with the set light emission mode. And a light emission mode setting device (for example, the development PC 200) including a light emission mode setting unit (for example, the CPU 231) for generating control data (for example, LED data 206) for control.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, the light emission aspect of the optical elements in the grouped light emission area is set based on the positional relationship with the figure that virtually changes with the passage of time, so a plurality of optical elements It is possible to easily generate data for causing the animation pattern to emit light.

The invention according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration in the first embodiment.
The graphic is controlled so that at least one of the position, size, and shape of the graphic changes in the predetermined area (for example, the graphic can be defined with contents as shown in a group window 430 shown in FIG. 25).
The control data is configured to include data for controlling the light emission mode of the optical element to change with the passage of time (for example, every time as shown in a timeline window 420 shown in FIG. 31). Control data is generated based on a symbol representing the light emission aspect of

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, it is possible to easily generate data for causing a plurality of optical elements to emit light by animation patterns of various variation modes.

The invention according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
A light emission mode setting method executed in a light emission mode setting device, comprising:
A position information management step of managing position information representing a position to be disposed in a predetermined area of the gaming machine for each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements;
A grouping step of grouping at least a portion of the light emitting region in response to a user operation;
A positional relationship determining step of determining a positional relationship between each of the light emitting regions and a figure that virtually changes in the predetermined region with time, based on position information of the grouped light emitting regions;
And a light emission mode setting step of setting a light emission mode of the optical element corresponding to the grouped light emission region according to the positional relationship, and generating control data for controlling the optical element in the set light emission mode. A light emission mode setting method comprising:

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, the light emission aspect of the optical elements in the grouped light emission area is set based on the positional relationship with the figure that virtually changes with the passage of time, so a plurality of optical elements It is possible to easily generate data for causing the animation pattern to emit light.

The invention according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
On the computer
Position information managing means for managing position information representing a position to be disposed in a predetermined area of the gaming machine for each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements;
Grouping means for grouping at least a part of the light emitting area according to user's operation;
Positional relationship determining means for determining a positional relationship between each of the light emitting regions and a figure that virtually changes in the predetermined region with time, based on position information of the grouped light emitting regions;
As a light emission mode setting unit that sets a light emission mode of an optical element corresponding to the grouped light emission area according to the positional relationship, and generates control data for controlling the optical element in the set light emission mode A program to make it work.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, the light emission aspect of the optical elements in the grouped light emission area is set based on the positional relationship with the figure that virtually changes with the passage of time, so a plurality of optical elements It is possible to easily generate data for causing the animation pattern to emit light.

The invention according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Closing operation detection means (for example, main control circuit 91) for detecting the closing operation of the game medium;
Start operation detection means (for example, main control circuit 91) for detecting the start operation by the player based on the detection of the insertion operation by the insertion operation detection means;
Internal winning combination determining means (for example, main control circuit 91) which determines an internal winning combination with a predetermined probability based on detection of the starting operation by the starting operation detecting means;
Effect determination means (for example, sub control circuit 101) for determining an effect when the start operation detection means detects the start operation;
Control data storage means (for example, a ROM cartridge substrate 76) for storing control data for controlling the light emission mode of the optical element;
A game machine (e.g., an effect executing means (e.g., sub control circuit 101) for executing the effect determined by the effect determining means by controlling the light emission mode of the optical element based on the control data; A method of manufacturing the gaming machine 1, 300),
A position information management step of managing position information representing a position to be disposed in a predetermined area of the gaming machine for each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements;
A grouping step of grouping at least a portion of the light emitting region in response to a user operation;
A positional relationship determining step of determining a positional relationship between each of the light emitting regions and a figure that virtually changes in the predetermined region with time, based on position information of the grouped light emitting regions;
And a light emission mode setting step of setting a light emission mode of the optical element corresponding to the grouped light emission region according to the positional relationship, and generating control data for controlling the optical element in the set light emission mode. ,
And D. storing the control data in the control data storage means in a fixed manner, and incorporating the control data into the gaming machine.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, the light emission aspect of the optical elements in the grouped light emission area is set based on the positional relationship with the figure that virtually changes with the passage of time, so a plurality of optical elements It is possible to easily generate data for causing the animation pattern to emit light.

The invention according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Input operation detection means for detecting an operation for inserting a game medium;
Start operation detection means for detecting a start operation by the player based on the detection of the insertion operation by the insertion operation detection means;
Internal winning combination determining means for determining an internal winning combination with a predetermined probability based on detection of the starting operation by the starting operation detecting means;
An effect determining means for determining an effect when the start operation is detected by the start operation detecting means;
Control data storage means for storing control data for controlling the light emission mode of the optical element;
It is a game machine (for example, game machine 1, 300) which has an effect execution means which performs the said effect determined by the effect determination means by controlling the light emission mode of the optical element based on the control data. ,
The control data is
For each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements, managing position information indicating positions to be arranged in a predetermined area of the gaming machine,
Group at least a part of the light emitting area according to a user's operation;
The positional relationship between each of the light emitting regions and a figure that virtually changes in the predetermined region as time passes is determined based on position information of the grouped light emitting regions,
It is generated by setting the light emission mode of the optical element corresponding to the grouped light emission area according to the positional relationship,
A gaming machine incorporated in the gaming machine by fixedly storing the control data in the control data storage means.

According to such a configuration of the present invention, the light emission aspect of the optical elements in the grouped light emission area is set based on the positional relationship with the figure that virtually changes with the passage of time, so a plurality of optical elements It is possible to easily generate data for causing the animation pattern to emit light.
[Effect of the invention]

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily generate, for a large number of optical elements in a game machine, data for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of effects and the like.

[Appendix C]
[Background technology]

  BACKGROUND Conventionally, gaming machines called pachislot machines and pachinko machines are known. Generally in such gaming machines, when a predetermined condition is established in the game, the variable display control means controls the symbol display device to variably display identification information on the display area of the symbol display device, where the symbol display device is When the identification information finally derived and displayed on the display area becomes a predetermined combination (specific display mode), the gaming state shifts to a big hit gaming state (so-called "big hit") which is advantageous to the player.

  The gaming machine described above is controlled to perform rendering using various rendering devices including an optical element (for example, an LED) such as a lamp in accordance with the above-described gaming state (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 proposes a gaming machine that performs effects using LEDs. And in patent document 1, the various lighting patterns which defined the lighting aspect of several LED are memorize | stored, the lighting pattern selected from it among them is selected according to the presentation content, and several presentation based on the selected presentation content A technology for controlling the lighting of the LED has been proposed.

  In recent years, more complex and sophisticated expressions have been required for effects in gaming machines according to the gaming state, the effect story, and the like. In order to realize such effects, the number of optical elements (for example, LEDs) included in game machines has been dramatically increased, and furthermore, full color LEDs with a high degree of freedom in light emission color are adopted as the optical elements. Things to do are increasing.

With regard to the light emission control of the LED as described above, it is necessary to individually designate the light emission color and the lighting (turning off) timing for each frame for each port of the LED in accordance with the presentation contents of the gaming machine. Because of this, the person in charge has made such designation work by trial and error based on experience and intuition, taking into consideration the positions where the respective LEDs are disposed in the gaming machine.
[Prior art document]
[Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2005-152152 [Summary of the Invention]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]

  However, in order to set the person in charge to perform light emission control interlocked with the rendering content for each LED port by the increase in the number of LEDs as described above, full colorization, and complication of the rendering content The amount of work is dramatically increasing and approaching the limit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned point, and light emission can be easily generated for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of effects for a large number of optical elements in a game machine An object of the present invention is to provide an aspect setting device, a light emission aspect setting method, a program, a method of manufacturing a gaming machine, and a gaming machine.
[Means for Solving the Problems]

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a light emission mode setting device, a light emission mode setting method, a program, a method of manufacturing a game machine, and a game machine as described below.

The invention according to the first embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Each of the light emitting areas (for example, the area identified by the sprite name shown in FIG. 14) corresponding to the optical element (for example, LED 25) is disposed in a predetermined area of the gaming machine (for example, gaming machine 1 or 300) Position information management means (for example, CPU 231) for managing position information (for example, center coordinates and size) representing a position;
Grouping means (for example, CPU 231) for grouping at least a part of the light emitting area according to the user's operation (for example, grouping performed in a group window 414 shown in FIG. 14);
Sub-grouping means (e.g., grouped into sub-groups as shown in FIG. 20, FIG. 21) for grouping each of the light-emitting areas into sub-groups based on position information of the grouped light-emitting areas , CPU 231),
For the optical elements corresponding to the grouped light emission areas, the light emission mode (for example, the light emission color of the optical element and the lighting / extinguishing timing) is set for each of the sub groups, and the optical elements are controlled by the set light emission mode. And a light emission mode setting unit (for example, the CPU 231) for generating control data (for example, the LED data 206) for controlling the light emission mode (for example, the development PC 200).

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, the light emission aspect is set for each of the optical elements of the grouped light emission area in units of the subgroups further sub-grouped, so the light emission aspect is set for each of the optical elements There is no need, and it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine light emission control linked to the contents of the effect and the like.

The invention according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration in the first embodiment.
According to the control data, the light emitting area is sequentially emitted for each of the sub groups (for example, optical elements sub-grouped at the timing shown in FIG. 22B are sequentially emitted by the designation shown in FIG. 22A). The light emission mode setting device according to claim 1, wherein the light emission mode setting device is controlled.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, data is easily generated to control the optical elements corresponding to the light emitting area to sequentially emit light for each sub group.

The invention according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
A light emission mode setting method executed in a light emission mode setting device, comprising:
A position information management step of managing position information representing a position to be disposed in a predetermined area of the gaming machine for each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements;
A grouping step of grouping at least a portion of the light emitting region in response to a user operation;
A sub-grouping step of grouping the respective light emitting areas into sub groups based on positional information of the grouped light emitting areas;
A light emission mode setting step of setting a light emission mode for each of the sub-groups and generating control data for controlling the optical element in the set light emission mode for the optical elements corresponding to the grouped light emission areas; The light emission aspect setting method provided.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, the light emission aspect is set for each of the optical elements of the grouped light emission area in units of the subgroups further sub-grouped, so the light emission aspect is set for each of the optical elements There is no need, and it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine light emission control linked to the contents of the effect and the like.

The invention according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
On the computer
Position information managing means for managing position information representing a position to be disposed in a predetermined area of the gaming machine for each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements;
Grouping means for grouping at least a part of the light emitting area according to user's operation;
Subgrouping means for grouping the respective light emitting regions into sub groups based on positional information of the grouped light emitting regions;
The light emitting mode is set for each of the sub groups for the optical elements corresponding to the grouped light emitting regions, and functions as light emitting mode setting means for generating control data for controlling the optical element in the set light emitting mode. A program that

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, the light emission aspect is set for each of the optical elements of the grouped light emission area in units of the subgroups further sub-grouped, so the light emission aspect is set for each of the optical elements There is no need, and it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine light emission control linked to the contents of the effect and the like.

The invention according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Closing operation detection means (for example, main control circuit 91) for detecting the closing operation of the game medium;
Start operation detection means (for example, main control circuit 91) for detecting the start operation by the player based on the detection of the insertion operation by the insertion operation detection means;
Internal winning combination determining means (for example, main control circuit 91) which determines an internal winning combination with a predetermined probability based on detection of the starting operation by the starting operation detecting means;
Effect determining means (for example, main control circuit 91) for determining an effect when the start operation is detected by the start operation detecting means;
Control data storage means (for example, a ROM cartridge substrate 76) for storing control data for controlling the light emission mode of the optical element;
A game machine (e.g., an effect executing means (e.g., main control circuit 91)) which executes the effect determined by the effect determining means by controlling the light emission mode of the optical element based on the control data; A method of manufacturing the gaming machine 1, 300),
A position information management step of managing position information representing a position to be disposed in a predetermined area of the gaming machine for each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements;
A grouping step of grouping at least a portion of the light emitting region in response to a user operation;
A sub-grouping step of grouping the respective light emitting areas into sub groups based on positional information of the grouped light emitting areas;
A light emission mode setting step of setting a light emission mode for each of the sub-groups and generating control data for controlling the optical element in the set light emission mode for the optical elements corresponding to the grouped light emission areas;
And D. storing the control data in the control data storage means in a fixed manner, and incorporating the control data into the gaming machine.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, the light emission aspect is set for each of the optical elements of the grouped light emission area in units of the subgroups further sub-grouped, so the light emission aspect is set for each of the optical elements There is no need, and it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine light emission control linked to the contents of the effect and the like.

The invention according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Input operation detection means for detecting an operation for inserting a game medium;
Start operation detection means for detecting a start operation by the player based on the detection of the insertion operation by the insertion operation detection means;
Internal winning combination determining means for determining an internal winning combination with a predetermined probability based on detection of the starting operation by the starting operation detecting means;
An effect determining means for determining an effect when the start operation is detected by the start operation detecting means;
Control data storage means for storing control data for controlling the light emission mode of the optical element;
It is a game machine (for example, game machine 1, 300) which has an effect execution means which performs the said effect determined by the effect determination means by controlling the light emission mode of the optical element based on the control data. ,
The control data is
For each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements, managing position information indicating positions to be arranged in a predetermined area of the gaming machine,
Group at least a part of the light emitting area according to a user's operation;
Grouping each of the light emitting regions into sub groups based on position information of the grouped light emitting regions;
The optical element corresponding to the grouped light emitting area is generated by setting the light emission mode for each of the sub groups,
A gaming machine incorporated in the gaming machine by fixedly storing the control data in the control data storage means.

According to such a configuration of the present invention, the light emission aspect is set for each of the optical elements of the grouped light emission area in units of the subgroups further sub-grouped, so the light emission aspect is set for each of the optical elements There is no need, and it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine light emission control linked to the contents of the effect and the like.
[Effect of the invention]

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily generate, for a large number of optical elements in a game machine, data for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of effects and the like.

[Appendix D]
[Background technology]

  BACKGROUND Conventionally, gaming machines called pachislot machines and pachinko machines are known. Generally in such gaming machines, when a predetermined condition is established in the game, the variable display control means controls the symbol display device to variably display identification information on the display area of the symbol display device, where the symbol display device is When the identification information finally derived and displayed on the display area becomes a predetermined combination (specific display mode), the gaming state shifts to a big hit gaming state (so-called "big hit") which is advantageous to the player.

  The gaming machine described above is controlled to perform rendering using various rendering devices including an optical element (for example, an LED) such as a lamp in accordance with the above-described gaming state (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 proposes a gaming machine that performs effects using LEDs. And in patent document 1, the various lighting patterns which defined the lighting aspect of several LED are memorize | stored, the lighting pattern selected from it among them is selected according to the presentation content, and several presentation based on the selected presentation content A technology for controlling the lighting of the LED has been proposed.

  In recent years, more complex and sophisticated expressions have been required for effects in gaming machines according to the gaming state, the effect story, and the like. In order to realize such effects, the number of optical elements (for example, LEDs) included in game machines has been dramatically increased, and furthermore, full color LEDs with a high degree of freedom in light emission color are adopted as the optical elements. Things to do are increasing.

With regard to the light emission control of the LED as described above, it is necessary to individually designate the light emission color and the lighting (turning off) timing for each frame for each port of the LED in accordance with the presentation contents of the gaming machine. Because of this, the person in charge has made such designation work by trial and error based on experience and intuition, taking into consideration the positions where the respective LEDs are disposed in the gaming machine.
[Prior art document]
[Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2005-152152 [Summary of the Invention]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]

  However, in order to set the person in charge to perform light emission control interlocked with the rendering content for each LED port by the increase in the number of LEDs as described above, full colorization, and complication of the rendering content The amount of work is dramatically increasing and approaching the limit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned point, and light emission can be easily generated for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of effects for a large number of optical elements in a game machine An object of the present invention is to provide an aspect setting device, a light emission aspect setting method, a program, a method of manufacturing a gaming machine, and a gaming machine.
[Means for Solving the Problems]

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a light emission mode setting device, a light emission mode setting method, a program, a method of manufacturing a game machine, and a game machine as described below.

The invention according to the first embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Audio file specifying means (for example, CPU 231) for specifying an audio file of music;
Frequency analysis means (e.g., CPU 231) for determining an amplitude at a selected frequency for the audio file;
Position information management means (for example, an area identified by the sprite name shown in FIG. 14) corresponding to an optical element (for example, the LED 25) of the game machine (for example, the game machine 1 or 300) For example, CPU 231),
Timeline display control means (for example, CPU 231) for controlling to display a time line capable of displaying a symbol representing a light emission mode of a corresponding light emitting element with respect to at least one of the light emission regions. When,
The value regarding the amplitude at the selected frequency is controlled to be displayed graphically in synchronization with the time lapse of the timeline (for example, the graph display shown in the sound graph display portion 455 of the sound window 450 shown in FIG. 39). And a light emission mode setting device (for example, a development PC 200) including an amplitude display control unit (for example, CPU 231).

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, it is possible to set the light emission mode of the optical element at the corresponding timing while watching the change of a specific frequency band such as the main melody of the music and the deep bass, and the fineness linked to the contents of the presentation etc. It becomes possible to easily generate data for light emission control.

The invention according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration in the first embodiment.
The light emission mode setting device according to claim 1, wherein the selected frequency is a frequency band consisting of a range of frequencies.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, it is possible to represent the change in amplitude for a predetermined range of frequencies in time series, and to increase the freedom in setting the light emission mode of the optical element in accordance with the music.

The invention according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
A light emission mode setting method executed in a light emission mode setting device, comprising:
An audio file identification step of identifying an audio file of the music;
A frequency analysis step for determining the amplitude at the selected frequency for the audio file;
A position information management step of managing each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements of the gaming machine;
Controlling at least one of the light emitting regions to display a time line capable of displaying a symbol representing a light emitting mode of the corresponding light emitting element as time passes;
An amplitude display step of controlling the value of the amplitude at the selected frequency to be displayed graphically in synchronization with the time passage of the timeline.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, it is possible to set the light emission mode of the optical element at the corresponding timing while watching the change of a specific frequency band such as the main melody of the music and the deep bass, and the fineness linked to the contents of the presentation etc. It becomes possible to easily generate data for light emission control.

The invention according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
On the computer
Audio file identification means for identifying audio files of music,
Frequency analysis means for determining the amplitude at the selected frequency for the audio file,
Position information management means for managing each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements of the gaming machine,
A timeline display control unit configured to control to display a timeline capable of displaying a symbol representing a light emission mode of a corresponding light emitting element in at least one of the light emission regions according to the passage of time;
A program that functions as amplitude display control means for controlling to display a graph value in synchronization with the time lapse of the time line regarding the amplitude at the selected frequency.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, it is possible to set the light emission mode of the optical element at the corresponding timing while watching the change of a specific frequency band such as the main melody of the music and the deep bass, and the fineness linked to the contents of the presentation etc. It becomes possible to easily generate data for light emission control.

The invention according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Closing operation detection means (for example, main control circuit 91) for detecting the closing operation of the game medium;
Start operation detection means (for example, main control circuit 91) for detecting the start operation by the player based on the detection of the insertion operation by the insertion operation detection means;
Internal winning combination determining means (for example, main control circuit 91) which determines an internal winning combination with a predetermined probability based on detection of the starting operation by the starting operation detecting means;
Effect determination means (for example, sub control circuit 101) for determining an effect when the start operation detection means detects the start operation;
Control data storage means (for example, a ROM cartridge substrate 76) for storing control data for controlling the light emission mode of the optical element;
A game machine (e.g., an effect executing means (e.g., sub control circuit 101) for executing the effect determined by the effect determining means by controlling the light emission mode of the optical element based on the control data; A method of manufacturing the gaming machine 1, 300),
An audio file identification step of identifying an audio file of the music;
A frequency analysis step for determining the amplitude at the selected frequency for the audio file;
A position information management step of managing each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements of the gaming machine;
Controlling at least one of the light emitting regions to display a time line capable of displaying a symbol representing a light emitting mode of the corresponding light emitting element as time passes;
An amplitude display step of controlling a value related to an amplitude at the selected frequency to be displayed graphically in synchronization with a time lapse of the timeline;
A light emission mode setting step of generating the control data based on the light emission mode set in the time line according to a user's instruction;
And D. storing the control data in the control data storage means in a fixed manner, and incorporating the control data into the gaming machine.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, it is possible to set the light emission mode of the optical element at the corresponding timing while watching the change of a specific frequency band such as the main melody of the music and the deep bass, and the fineness linked to the contents of the presentation etc. It becomes possible to easily generate data for light emission control.

The invention according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Input operation detection means for detecting an operation for inserting a game medium;
Start operation detection means for detecting a start operation by the player based on the detection of the insertion operation by the insertion operation detection means;
Internal winning combination determining means for determining an internal winning combination with a predetermined probability based on detection of the starting operation by the starting operation detecting means;
An effect determining means for determining an effect when the start operation is detected by the start operation detecting means;
Control data storage means for storing control data for controlling the light emission mode of the optical element;
It is a game machine (for example, game machine 1, 300) which has an effect execution means which performs the said effect determined by the effect determination means by controlling the light emission mode of the optical element based on the control data. ,
The control data is
Identify the audio file that identifies the audio file of the song,
Determining the amplitude at the selected frequency for the audio file;
Manage each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements of the gaming machine,
Controlling at least one of the light emitting regions to display a time line capable of displaying a symbol representing a light emitting mode of the corresponding light emitting element as time passes;
Displaying a value relating to the amplitude at the selected frequency in synchronization with the time course of the timeline,
The control data is generated by generating the control data based on the light emission mode set in the timeline according to a user instruction.
A gaming machine incorporated in the gaming machine by fixedly storing the control data in the control data storage means.

According to such a configuration of the present invention, it is possible to set the light emission mode of the optical element at the corresponding timing while watching the change of a specific frequency band such as the main melody of the music and the deep bass, and the fineness linked to the contents of the presentation It becomes possible to easily generate data for light emission control.
[Effect of the invention]

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily generate, for a large number of optical elements in a game machine, data for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of effects and the like.

[Appendix E]
[Background technology]

  BACKGROUND Conventionally, gaming machines called pachislot machines and pachinko machines are known. Generally in such gaming machines, when a predetermined condition is established in the game, the variable display control means controls the symbol display device to variably display identification information on the display area of the symbol display device, where the symbol display device is When the identification information finally derived and displayed on the display area becomes a predetermined combination (specific display mode), the gaming state shifts to a big hit gaming state (so-called "big hit") which is advantageous to the player.

  The gaming machine described above is controlled to perform rendering using various rendering devices including an optical element (for example, an LED) such as a lamp in accordance with the above-described gaming state (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 proposes a gaming machine that performs effects using LEDs. And in patent document 1, the various lighting patterns which defined the lighting aspect of several LED are memorize | stored, the lighting pattern selected from it among them is selected according to the presentation content, and several presentation based on the selected presentation content A technology for controlling the lighting of the LED has been proposed.

  In recent years, more complex and sophisticated expressions have been required for effects in gaming machines according to the gaming state, the effect story, and the like. In order to realize such effects, the number of optical elements (for example, LEDs) included in game machines has been dramatically increased, and furthermore, full color LEDs with a high degree of freedom in light emission color are adopted as the optical elements. Things to do are increasing.

With regard to the light emission control of the LED as described above, it is necessary to individually designate the light emission color and the lighting (turning off) timing for each frame for each port of the LED in accordance with the presentation contents of the gaming machine. Because of this, the person in charge has made such designation work by trial and error based on experience and intuition, taking into consideration the positions where the respective LEDs are disposed in the gaming machine.
[Prior art document]
[Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2005-152152 [Summary of the Invention]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]

  However, in order to set the person in charge to perform light emission control interlocked with the rendering content for each LED port by the increase in the number of LEDs as described above, full colorization, and complication of the rendering content The amount of work is dramatically increasing and approaching the limit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned point, and light emission can be easily generated for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of effects for a large number of optical elements in a game machine An object of the present invention is to provide an aspect setting device, a light emission aspect setting method, a program, a method of manufacturing a gaming machine, and a gaming machine.
[Means for Solving the Problems]

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a light emission mode setting device, a light emission mode setting method, a program, a method of manufacturing a game machine, and a game machine as described below.

The invention according to the first embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Audio file specifying means (for example, CPU 231) for specifying an audio file of music;
Frequency analysis means (e.g., CPU 231) for determining an amplitude at a selected frequency for the audio file;
Position information management means (for example, an area identified by the sprite name shown in FIG. 14) corresponding to an optical element (for example, the LED 25) of the game machine (for example, the game machine 1 or 300) For example, CPU 231),
For at least one of the light emitting areas, display a timeline capable of displaying a symbol representing the light emission mode of the corresponding light emitting element as time passes (for example, a sound graph of the sound window 450 shown in FIG. 39) Graphical representation shown on the display unit 455) Furthermore, the value regarding the amplitude at the selected frequency is made to correspond to the time lapse of the time line, and the symbol of the light emission mode according to the value is displayed on the time line (E.g., displaying a symbol representing a gradation pattern shown in the timeline display portion 453 of the sound window 450 shown in FIG. 39); For example, development PC 200).

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, the light emission mode of the optical element at the corresponding timing is automatically set based on the change of a specific frequency band such as the main melody of the music or the deep bass, and It becomes possible to easily generate data for linked and detailed light emission control.

The invention according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration in the first embodiment.
The timeline display control means
It is configured to determine the symbol of the light emission mode based on the gradation pattern set to change the light emission color of the light emitting element according to the value.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, the light emission aspect of the optical element at the corresponding timing is based on the gradation pattern which defines the aspect of the predetermined color change based on the change of the specific frequency band such as the main melody of the music and the deep bass. It will be set automatically, and it is possible to easily perform the coloration of the light emission according to the change of the music in a more sophisticated manner.

The invention according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
A light emission mode setting method executed in a light emission mode setting device, comprising:
An audio file identification step of identifying an audio file of the music;
A frequency analysis step for determining the amplitude at the selected frequency for the audio file;
A position information management step of managing each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements of the gaming machine;
For at least one of the light emitting regions, display a timeline capable of displaying a symbol representing the light emitting aspect of the corresponding light emitting element according to the passage of time, and further, the value regarding the amplitude at the selected frequency And a timeline display control step of controlling a symbol of a lighting mode according to the value to be displayed on the time line in correspondence with the elapsed time of the timeline.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, the light emission mode of the optical element at the corresponding timing is automatically set based on the change of a specific frequency band such as the main melody of the music or the deep bass, and It becomes possible to easily generate data for linked and detailed light emission control.

The invention according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
On the computer
Audio file identification means for identifying audio files of music,
Frequency analysis means for determining the amplitude at the selected frequency for the audio file,
Position information managing means for managing each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements of the gaming machine;
For at least one of the light emitting regions, display a timeline capable of displaying a symbol representing the light emitting aspect of the corresponding light emitting element according to the passage of time, and further, the value regarding the amplitude at the selected frequency A program that functions as a timeline display control unit that controls to display symbols of a light emission mode corresponding to the value on the timeline in correspondence with the elapsed time of the timeline.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, the light emission mode of the optical element at the corresponding timing is automatically set based on the change of a specific frequency band such as the main melody of the music or the deep bass, and It becomes possible to easily generate data for linked and detailed light emission control.

The invention according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Closing operation detection means (for example, main control circuit 91) for detecting the closing operation of the game medium;
Start operation detection means (for example, main control circuit 91) for detecting the start operation by the player based on the detection of the insertion operation by the insertion operation detection means;
Internal winning combination determining means (for example, main control circuit 91) which determines an internal winning combination with a predetermined probability based on detection of the starting operation by the starting operation detecting means;
Effect determination means (for example, sub control circuit 101) for determining an effect when the start operation detection means detects the start operation;
Control data storage means (for example, a ROM cartridge substrate 76) for storing control data for controlling the light emission mode of the optical element;
A game machine (e.g., an effect executing means (e.g., sub control circuit 101) for executing the effect determined by the effect determining means by controlling the light emission mode of the optical element based on the control data; A method of manufacturing the gaming machine 1, 300),
An audio file identification step of identifying an audio file of the music;
A frequency analysis step for determining the amplitude at the selected frequency for the audio file;
A position information management step of managing each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements of the gaming machine;
For at least one of the light emitting regions, display a timeline capable of displaying a symbol representing the light emitting aspect of the corresponding light emitting element according to the passage of time, and further, the value regarding the amplitude at the selected frequency A timeline display control step of controlling to display on the timeline a symbol of a light emission mode according to the value in correspondence with the time lapse of the timeline;
And a light emission mode setting step of generating the control data based on a symbol representing the light emission mode displayed on the timeline according to a user's instruction.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, the light emission mode of the optical element at the corresponding timing is automatically set based on the change of a specific frequency band such as the main melody of the music or the deep bass, and It becomes possible to easily generate data for linked and detailed light emission control.

The invention according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Input operation detection means for detecting an operation for inserting a game medium;
Start operation detection means for detecting a start operation by the player based on the detection of the insertion operation by the insertion operation detection means;
Internal winning combination determining means for determining an internal winning combination with a predetermined probability based on detection of the starting operation by the starting operation detecting means;
An effect determining means for determining an effect when the start operation is detected by the start operation detecting means;
Control data storage means for storing control data for controlling the light emission mode of the optical element;
It is a game machine (for example, game machine 1, 300) which has an effect execution means which performs the said effect determined by the effect determination means by controlling the light emission mode of the optical element based on the control data. ,
The control data is
Identify the audio file that identifies the audio file of the song,
Determining the amplitude at the selected frequency for the audio file;
Manage each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements of the gaming machine,
For at least one of the light emitting regions, display a timeline capable of displaying a symbol representing the light emitting aspect of the corresponding light emitting element according to the passage of time, and further, the value regarding the amplitude at the selected frequency Control is made to display a symbol of the light emission mode corresponding to the value on the time line in correspondence with the time lapse of the time line.
The control data is generated by generating the control data based on a symbol representing the light emission mode displayed on the timeline according to a user instruction.
A gaming machine incorporated in the gaming machine by fixedly storing the control data in the control data storage means.

According to such a configuration of the present invention, the light emission mode of the optical element at the corresponding timing is automatically set based on the change of a specific frequency band such as the main melody of the music or the deep bass, and It becomes possible to easily generate data for linked and detailed light emission control.
[Effect of the invention]

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily generate, for a large number of optical elements in a game machine, data for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of effects and the like.

[Supplementary Note F]
[Background technology]

  BACKGROUND Conventionally, gaming machines called pachislot machines and pachinko machines are known. Generally in such gaming machines, when a predetermined condition is established in the game, the variable display control means controls the symbol display device to variably display identification information on the display area of the symbol display device, where the symbol display device is When the identification information finally derived and displayed on the display area becomes a predetermined combination (specific display mode), the gaming state shifts to a big hit gaming state (so-called "big hit") which is advantageous to the player.

  The gaming machine described above is controlled to perform rendering using various rendering devices including an optical element (for example, an LED) such as a lamp in accordance with the above-described gaming state (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 proposes a gaming machine that performs effects using LEDs. And in patent document 1, the various lighting patterns which defined the lighting aspect of several LED are memorize | stored, the lighting pattern selected from it among them is selected according to the presentation content, and several presentation based on the selected presentation content A technology for controlling the lighting of the LED has been proposed.

  In recent years, more complex and sophisticated expressions have been required for effects in gaming machines according to the gaming state, the effect story, and the like. In order to realize such effects, the number of optical elements (for example, LEDs) included in game machines has been dramatically increased, and furthermore, full color LEDs with a high degree of freedom in light emission color are adopted as the optical elements. Things to do are increasing.

With regard to the light emission control of the LED as described above, it is necessary to individually designate the light emission color and the lighting (turning off) timing for each frame for each port of the LED in accordance with the presentation contents of the gaming machine. Because of this, the person in charge has made such designation work by trial and error based on experience and intuition, taking into consideration the positions where the respective LEDs are disposed in the gaming machine.
[Prior art document]
[Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2005-152152 [Summary of the Invention]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]

  However, in order to set the person in charge to perform light emission control interlocked with the rendering content for each LED port by the increase in the number of LEDs as described above, full colorization, and complication of the rendering content The amount of work is dramatically increasing and approaching the limit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned point, and light emission can be easily generated for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of effects for a large number of optical elements in a game machine An object of the present invention is to provide an aspect setting device, a light emission aspect setting method, a program, a method of manufacturing a gaming machine, and a gaming machine.
[Means for Solving the Problems]

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a light emission mode setting device, a light emission mode setting method, a program, a method of manufacturing a game machine, and a game machine as described below.

The invention according to the first embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Each of the light emitting areas (for example, the area identified by the sprite name shown in FIG. 14) corresponding to the optical element (for example, LED 25) is disposed in a predetermined area of the gaming machine (for example, gaming machine 1 or 300) Position information managing means (for example, CPU 231) for managing position information representing a position;
Moving image file specifying means (for example, CPU 231) for specifying a moving image file;
An image position information acquisition unit (for example, CPU 231) for acquiring corresponding image position information in the image of the moving image file based on the position information of the light emitting area;
The color information of the image corresponding to the image position information is acquired at predetermined timings (for example, as shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, color information of the position of the movie corresponding to the position of the light emitting area is acquired) Color information acquisition means (for example, CPU 231);
And a light emission mode setting unit (for example, CPU 231) for determining a light emission color at each timing of the light emission area based on the color information at the corresponding timing (for example, development PC 200).

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, each light emitting area is associated with the position of the image in which the color changes for each frame such as a movie, and the color of the position is determined as the light emitting color of the light emitting area. According to the change, the light emission color in the light emission area of the game machine changes, and it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of the effect and the like.

The invention according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
A position information management step of managing position information representing a position to be disposed in a predetermined area of the gaming machine for each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements;
A video file identification step of identifying a video file;
An image position information acquisition step of acquiring corresponding image position information in the image of the moving image file based on the position information of the light emitting area;
A color information acquisition step of acquiring color information of the image corresponding to the image position information at predetermined timings;
An emission mode setting step of determining an emission color at each timing of the light emission area based on the color information of the corresponding timing.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, each light emitting area is associated with the position of the image in which the color changes for each frame such as a movie, and the color of the position is determined as the light emitting color of the light emitting area. According to the change, the light emission color in the light emission area of the game machine changes, and it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of the effect and the like.

The invention according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
On the computer
Position information managing means for managing position information representing a position to be disposed in a predetermined area of the gaming machine for each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements;
Video file identification means for identifying video files,
An image position information acquisition unit that acquires corresponding image position information in an image of the moving image file based on the position information of the light emitting area;
Color information acquisition means for acquiring color information of the image corresponding to the image position information at predetermined timings;
A program that causes light emission color at each timing of the light emission area to function as light emission mode setting means that determines based on the color information of the corresponding timing.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, each light emitting area is associated with the position of the image in which the color changes for each frame such as a movie, and the color of the position is determined as the light emitting color of the light emitting area. According to the change, the light emission color in the light emission area of the game machine changes, and it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of the effect and the like.

The invention according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Closing operation detection means (for example, main control circuit 91) for detecting the closing operation of the game medium;
Start operation detection means (for example, main control circuit 91) for detecting the start operation by the player based on the detection of the insertion operation by the insertion operation detection means;
Internal winning combination determining means (for example, main control circuit 91) which determines an internal winning combination with a predetermined probability based on detection of the starting operation by the starting operation detecting means;
Effect determination means (for example, sub control circuit 101) for determining an effect when the start operation detection means detects the start operation;
Control data storage means (for example, a ROM cartridge substrate 76) for storing control data for controlling the light emission mode of the optical element;
A game machine (e.g., an effect executing means (e.g., sub control circuit 101) for executing the effect determined by the effect determining means by controlling the light emission mode of the optical element based on the control data; A method of manufacturing the gaming machine 1, 300),
A position information management step of managing position information representing a position to be disposed in a predetermined area of the gaming machine for each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements;
A video file identification step of identifying a video file;
An image position information acquisition step of acquiring corresponding image position information in the image of the moving image file based on the position information of the light emitting area;
A color information acquisition step of acquiring color information of the image corresponding to the image position information at predetermined timings;
A light emission mode setting step of determining the light emission color at each timing of the light emission area based on the color information of the corresponding timing and generating the control data by setting the light emission area to emit light of the light emission color When,
And D. storing the control data in the control data storage means in a fixed manner, and incorporating the control data into the gaming machine.

  According to such a configuration of the present invention, each light emitting area is associated with the position of the image in which the color changes for each frame such as a movie, and the color of the position is determined as the light emitting color of the light emitting area. According to the change, the light emission color in the light emission area of the game machine changes, and it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of the effect and the like.

The invention according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
Input operation detection means for detecting an operation for inserting a game medium;
Start operation detection means for detecting a start operation by the player based on the detection of the insertion operation by the insertion operation detection means;
Internal winning combination determining means for determining an internal winning combination with a predetermined probability based on detection of the starting operation by the starting operation detecting means;
An effect determining means for determining an effect when the start operation is detected by the start operation detecting means;
Control data storage means for storing control data for controlling the light emission mode of the optical element;
It is a game machine (for example, game machine 1, 300) which has an effect execution means which performs the said effect determined by the effect determination means by controlling the light emission mode of the optical element based on the control data. ,
The control data is
For each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements, managing position information indicating positions to be arranged in a predetermined area of the gaming machine,
Identify the video file,
The corresponding image position information in the image of the moving image file is acquired based on the position information of the light emitting area,
Acquiring color information of the image corresponding to the image position information at predetermined timings;
The light emission color at each timing of the light emission area is determined based on the color information of the corresponding timing, and the light emission area is generated by causing the light emission color to emit light.
A gaming machine incorporated in the gaming machine by fixedly storing the control data in the control data storage means.

According to such a configuration of the present invention, each light emitting area is associated with the position of the image in which the color changes for each frame such as a movie, and the color of the position is determined as the light emitting color of the light emitting area. According to the change, the light emission color in the light emission area of the game machine changes, and it becomes possible to easily generate data for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of the effect and the like.
[Effect of the invention]

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily generate, for a large number of optical elements in a game machine, data for fine light emission control interlocked with the contents of effects and the like.

1,300 game machine 25 LED
31R, 31L, 32R, 32L, 33R, 34R, 34L, 35R, 35L, 36L, 36L, 37R, 37L Sprite 72 LED board 76 ROM cartridge board 101 Sub control circuit 122 LED driver 200 PC for development
203 image data 204 housing data 205 LED data for preview 206, 206a LED data 207 LED data

Claims (2)

Position information managing means for managing position information representing a position to be arranged in a predetermined area of the gaming machine for each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements;
Video file identification means for identifying a video file;
An image position information acquisition unit that acquires corresponding image position information in the image of the moving image file based on the position information of the light emitting area;
Color information acquisition means for acquiring color information of the image corresponding to the image position information at predetermined timings;
A light emission mode setting device comprising: light emission mode setting means for determining a light emission color at each timing of the light emission area based on the color information of the corresponding timing. Effect determining means for determining an effect based on the establishment of a predetermined condition;
Control data storage means for storing control data for controlling the light emission mode of the optical element;
It is a game machine having an effect executing unit that executes the effect determined by the effect determining unit by controlling a light emission mode of an optical element based on the control data.
The control data is
For each of the light emitting areas corresponding to the optical elements, managing position information indicating positions to be arranged in a predetermined area of the gaming machine,
Identify the video file,
The corresponding image position information in the image of the moving image file is acquired based on the position information of the light emitting area,
Acquiring color information of the image corresponding to the image position information at predetermined timings;
The light emission color at each timing of the light emission area is determined based on the color information of the corresponding timing, and the light emission area is generated by causing the light emission color to emit light.
A gaming machine incorporated in the gaming machine by fixedly storing the control data in the control data storage means.

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