JP4149408B2 - Liquid crystal display controller for gaming machines - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display control device that performs video display control of a liquid crystal display provided in a gaming machine.

  Gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines are mounted almost upright on indoor facilities called “amusement islands”, and there are various types of game board front areas (game areas) that can be seen through the glass plate on the front. Game parts. For example, in a pachinko machine, a prize opening, a symbol display device, etc. are arranged in the game area, and a player sitting facing the game board hits a game ball into the game area by operating the handle and moves it to the prize opening. A predetermined number of award balls can be obtained by dropping. Further, when the game ball enters the winning opening, the symbol display device performs a predetermined change and change operation according to a predetermined program, so that the player is greatly interested and can enjoy the game visually. As such a symbol display device, a plurality of cylindrical rotating drums on which a plurality of symbols are continuously drawn (usually three) are arranged on the same axis, and these rotating drums are rotated and stopped respectively. In addition to the mechanical display for displaying the combination, there is known a display that electronically displays a display corresponding to the design change of these rotating drums on a liquid crystal display. In addition, such a symbol display device is also provided in the slot machine, and the player operates the symbol display device by operating a lever or a button so that a specific combination of symbols is displayed. You can earn medals.

  Among the symbol display devices provided in such gaming machines, the control mechanism of the display by liquid crystal display is based on the standard of video display operation timing in the liquid crystal display in addition to the CPU (central processing unit) and the storage device (ROM, RAM). A dot clock oscillator that generates a dot clock frequency and a video display processor (VDP) that displays video on a liquid crystal display at a timing based on the dot clock frequency oscillated from the oscillator in accordance with a video output control signal output from the CPU These devices are integrated on a single control board.

The video display performed by the liquid crystal display in the gaming machine is one of the parts that the player is most interested in, and the video size (that is, the size of the liquid crystal display) greatly affects the interest of the player. For this reason, the size of the liquid crystal display installed in gaming machines has been increasing in recent years (from 7 inch size to 10 inch size, etc.), and now the content of the game is selected from among multiple size liquid crystal displays. A liquid crystal display of an optimal size is selected and installed on the game board.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-282430

  By the way, when the liquid crystal display having the optimum size corresponding to the content of the game is selected and installed in the gaming machine as described above, the dot clock frequency for taking the video display timing of the liquid crystal display is also the size of the liquid crystal display ( In other words, the number of pixels of the liquid crystal display needs to be determined. For example, it is necessary to use a dot clock frequency of 33.2 MHz for a 7 inch size liquid crystal display, and a dot clock frequency of 25.175 MHz for a 10.4 inch size liquid crystal display. Therefore, in the manufacture of gaming machines, it is necessary to manufacture a plurality of types of control devices (specifically, control boards equipped with an oscillator) that can output a dot clock frequency according to the size of the liquid crystal display. There has been a problem that a lot of costs are required in terms of manufacturing and management. In addition, when changing (replacement) the liquid crystal display to a different size in the same gaming machine by changing the game program, etc., it is necessary to replace not only the liquid crystal display but also its control device. There was a problem that the cost required for (replacement assembly) also increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and can be used in common for a plurality of types of liquid crystal displays having different sizes, and has a configuration capable of greatly reducing the cost required for manufacturing and management. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display control device for a gaming machine.

A liquid crystal display control device of a gaming machine according to the present invention is a liquid crystal display control device of a gaming machine that performs video display control of a liquid crystal display attached to a predetermined position of a gaming machine (for example, the pachinko machine 1 in the embodiment). A plurality of oscillators (for example, the first oscillator 44 and the second oscillator 45 in the embodiment) that oscillate different dot clock frequencies, and video display means (for example, a video display unit that displays images on the liquid crystal display based on the inputted dot clock frequencies) The image display processor 46) in the embodiment, the oscillator selection means for selecting one oscillator from the plurality of oscillators (for example, the oscillator selection switch 50 in the embodiment), and the one selected by the oscillator selection means. The dot clock frequency oscillated by the other oscillator is input to the image display means. And a frequency selection output circuit that.
Furthermore, a plurality of liquid crystal displays of different sizes can be selectively mounted at predetermined positions of the gaming machine, and the plurality of oscillators oscillate a dot clock frequency required for the operation corresponding to each of the plurality of liquid crystal displays. The plurality of switches are attached to the predetermined positions of the gaming machine corresponding to the sizes of the plurality of liquid crystal displays, and the plurality of liquid crystal displays are selectively attached. Only one of the switches is configured to be turned on, and the oscillator selection unit is necessary for the operation of the liquid crystal display corresponding to the switch that has received the on signal from a plurality of switches and outputs the on signal. An oscillator that transmits the dot clock frequency is selected.

  The liquid crystal display control device for a gaming machine according to the present invention includes a plurality of oscillators that oscillate different dot clock frequencies, and oscillates a dot clock frequency necessary for the operation of the liquid crystal display provided in the gaming machine. By selecting an appropriate oscillator by the oscillator selection means, the dot clock frequency oscillated by the selected oscillator can be input to the image display means. For this reason, it can be used in common for multiple types of liquid crystal displays of different sizes (that is, it has versatility), and it is necessary to manufacture and store liquid crystal display control devices for each size of liquid crystal display that can be attached to a gaming machine. Therefore, the cost required for this can be greatly reduced. In addition, even if the liquid crystal display is changed (replaced) to a different size in the same gaming machine by changing the game program, etc., the liquid crystal display control device does not need to be replaced, and the liquid crystal display is replaced. The assembly cost at the time can also be reduced.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a pachinko machine 1 equipped with a liquid crystal display control device for a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pachinko machine 1 is installed in an almost standing state on an indoor installation table TB called “amusement island”, and its outer frame is aligned with a rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 2 and a front opening area of the outer frame 2. A rectangular frame-shaped front frame 3, a rectangular frame-shaped glass door 4 configured in accordance with the front area of the front frame 3, and an upper ball tray 5 provided below the glass door 4. ing. The front frame 3 is attached to the outer frame 2 through a hinge (not shown) provided on the left side of the front so that it can be opened and closed. The glass door 4 and the upper ball tray 5 are also provided with separate hinges (the front left side). It is attached to the front frame 3 via an opening (not shown). The fixing of the front frame 3 to the outer frame 2 and the fixing of the glass door 4 to the front frame 3 can be performed by the locking operation of the locking device 3a having a key insertion port on the front right side of the glass door 4, and the upper ball tray 5 When the glass door 4 is fixed to the front frame 3, the glass door 4 is sandwiched and fixed between the glass door 4 and the front frame 3.

  A rectangular frame-shaped storage frame (not shown) is formed in the front frame 3, and a game board 11 is stored and held in the storage frame so as to be detachable (exchangeable). A rectangular opening 4a is formed at the center of the glass door 4, and a transparent glass plate 6 is attached thereto. The upper ball tray 5 is provided with a ball storage portion 5a capable of storing game balls, and a lower ball tray 7 is provided in the lower region of the upper ball tray 5 in the front frame 3 so as to extend in the left-right direction. In addition, a back set board 10 is installed on the back side of the storage frame for holding the game board 11, and other components (not shown) such as a prize ball storage tank 9 and a game ball payout mechanism are predetermined. It is attached to the position.

  A hitting ball launching handle 8 which is a twisting operation component is provided on the right side of the front of the lower ball tray 7. A hitting ball launching mechanism (not shown) for hitting a game ball according to the twisting motion of the hitting ball launching handle 8 is provided in the internal area of the pachinko machine 1, and a player sitting on the front side of the pachinko machine 1 When the hitting ball launching handle 8 is twisted, game balls are launched and supplied one after another into the front area (game area) of the game board 11 with the hitting force according to the twisting operation angle (twisting operation amount). Yes. A liquid crystal display 12 as a symbol display device is installed at the center of the game board 11, and a large number of game nails, windmills, winning holes, etc. are arranged around and below the display. When a game ball that has been launched into the game area by the operation of the ball launch handle 8 performed by the player falls into the prize opening and wins, a predetermined number of game balls according to the winning situation are stored as prize balls. It is paid out from the tank 9 into the ball storage portion 5a of the upper ball tray 5. The liquid crystal display 12 is controlled by a control board (described later) attached to the back set board 10 and performs a predetermined symbol display operation (video display operation) according to the winning situation or the like. Further, in addition to the liquid crystal display 12, speakers 13 and lamps 14 (see FIG. 1) are also provided, and when winning a prize, an interesting effect by voice and electrical decoration is displayed together with video display by the liquid crystal display 12. ing. In the pachinko machine 1, either a 7-inch size liquid crystal display or a 10.4-inch size liquid crystal display can be attached, and any one that fits the contents of the game stored in the program ROM is arbitrarily selected. It can be selected and installed.

  The electrical system of the pachinko machine 1 is as schematically shown in FIG. 3. A main control board 21 that controls the electrical equipment of the entire pachinko machine 1, and a visual signal such as an audio / video image in response to a control signal from the main control board 21. It is controlled by a sub-control board 31 that performs control to produce an effect, a winning opening switch 20 that detects a winning situation during a game and outputs the information to the main control board 21, and a command signal from the main control board 21. , Work related to the assembly of the payout mechanism 30 for paying out the winning ball according to the winning situation, the speakers 13 which are controlled by the sub-control board 31, the lamps 14, the liquid crystal display 12 and the pachinko machine 1. The oscillator selection switch 50 is provided as a device that can be externally input by a person. The main control board 21 includes a main CPU 22 and a ROM 23 and a RAM 24 for exchanging signals and data with the main CPU 22. The main CPU 22 executes a game program stored in the ROM 23, and award port switches 20. The payout mechanism 30 is operated based on the detection information from and the control signal is output to the sub-control board 31 according to the winning situation. The sub-control board 31 includes an audio / lighting control unit 32 that controls the operation of the speakers 13 and the lamps 14, and a video display control unit 41 that controls the operation of the liquid crystal display 12. In response to the control signal, the speakers 13, the lamps 14, and the liquid crystal display 12 are operated.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the liquid crystal display control device 40 in the pachinko machine 1 together with the liquid crystal display 12. As shown in this figure, the liquid crystal display control device 40 includes the video display control unit 41 and the oscillator selection switch 50 on the sub control board 31. The configuration of the video display control unit 41 is as shown in FIG. 1. A video display CPU 42 that controls video output of the liquid crystal display 12, a control ROM 43 that exchanges signals and data with the video display CPU 42, and different dot clocks. Two oscillators that oscillate the frequency (first oscillator 44 and second oscillator 45), operate based on a control signal from the video display CPU 42, and display video on the liquid crystal display 12 at a timing according to the input dot clock frequency. A video display processor (VDP) 46 to be performed, a video data ROM 47 in which video data of a character to be displayed is written in advance, a RAM 48 in which video data generated by the video display processor 46 is temporarily written, and an oscillator selection switch 50 are selected. Dot clock generated by the selected oscillator And a frequency selection output circuit 49 to be input to the video display processor 46 wavenumbers.

  Of the two oscillators (the first oscillator 44 and the second oscillator 45) provided on the sub-control board 31, the first oscillator 44 oscillates a dot clock frequency of 33.2 MHz for use with a 7-inch liquid crystal display. The second oscillator 45 oscillates a dot clock frequency of 25.175 MHz for use with a 10.4 inch size liquid crystal display. The oscillator selection switch 50 is constituted by a toggle switch, for example, and can select either one of the two oscillators 44 and 45. When the first oscillator 44 is selected by the oscillator selection switch 50, the selection signal is input to the video display CPU 42 of the sub control board 31 via the main control board 21, and the video display CPU 42 receives the selected selection. The signal is output to the frequency selection output circuit 49.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the frequency selection output circuit 49 includes one negative logic switch 49 a, and an output signal (“0” or “1” signal) from the switch 49 a is sent to the first oscillator 44. An input signal to the switch 49a (that is, a selection signal from the video display CPU 42, which is also a signal of “0” or “1”) is input to the second oscillator 45. Each of the first oscillator 44 and the second oscillator 45 is turned on when a “0” signal is input and performs an oscillating operation, and is turned off when a “1” signal is input and performs an oscillating operation. The configuration is not performed.

  The video display CPU 42 outputs a signal “1” to the frequency selection output circuit 49 when the first oscillator 44 is selected by the oscillator selection switch 50. At this time, since the signal “0” is input to the first oscillator 44 and the signal “1” is input to the second oscillator 45, the first oscillator 44 is turned on and the second oscillator 45 is turned off. Only one oscillator 44 oscillates, and the dot clock frequency (33.2 MHz) oscillated by the first oscillator 44 is input to the video display processor 46. Further, when the second oscillator 45 is selected by the oscillator selection switch 50, the video display CPU 42 outputs a signal “0” to the frequency selection output circuit 49. At this time, a signal “1” is input to the first oscillator 44 and a signal “0” is input to the second oscillator 45, so that the first oscillator 44 is turned off and the second oscillator 45 is turned on. Only the two oscillators 45 oscillate, and the dot clock frequency (25.175 MHz) oscillated by the second oscillator 45 is input to the video display processor 46.

  Therefore, when a 7-inch size liquid crystal display 12 is attached to the game board 11, the 7-inch size liquid crystal display is operated by performing an operation of selecting the first oscillator 44 from the oscillator selection switch 50. When the 10.4 inch size liquid crystal display 12 is attached to the game board 11, the frequency required for the operation (33.2 MHz) can be input to the video display processor 46. By performing the operation of selecting the two oscillators 45, the frequency (25.175 MHz) necessary for operating the 10.4 inch size liquid crystal display can be input to the video display processor 46.

  FIG. 4 shows a modification of the liquid crystal display control device 40 (reference numeral 140). In the liquid crystal display control device 140 according to this modification, the configuration of the video display unit 40 includes a frequency selection output circuit 149 on the output side of each of the two oscillators (the first oscillator 44 and the second oscillator 45). The frequency selection output circuit 149 includes two three-state output switches (a first switch 149a and a second switch 149b). In FIG. 4, components having the same configuration or the same function as those of the liquid crystal display control device 40 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In this example, both the first and second oscillators 44 and 45 always oscillate at the dot clock frequency, and the dot clock signal oscillated by the first oscillator 44 is always input to the first switch 149a. The oscillating dot clock signal is always input to the second switch 149b. When the selection signal output from the video display CPU 42 is “0”, the first switch 149 a is in a high impedance state and cuts off the dot clock signal from the first oscillator 44 and is output from the video display CPU 42. When the selection signal is “1”, the inputted dot clock signal from the first oscillator 44 is output to the video display processor 46 as it is. Further, when the selection signal output from the video display CPU 42 is “1”, the second switch 149 b enters a high impedance state and blocks the input dot clock signal from the second oscillator 45 and outputs it from the video display CPU 42. When the selected signal is “0”, the inputted dot clock signal from the second oscillator 45 is output to the video display processor 46 as it is.

  Also in this example, the video display CPU 42 outputs a signal of “1” to the frequency selection output circuit 149 when the first oscillator 44 is selected by the oscillator selection switch 50, and “0” when the second oscillator 45 is selected. Is output to the frequency selection output circuit 149. Therefore, when the first oscillator 44 is selected by the oscillator selection switch 50, only the dot clock frequency (33.2 MHz) oscillated by the first oscillator 44 is input to the video display processor 46, and the second oscillator is input by the oscillator selection switch 50. When 45 is selected, only the dot clock frequency (25.175 MHz) oscillated by the second oscillator 45 is input to the video display processor 46.

  Even in such a configuration, when a liquid crystal display 12 having a 7-inch size is attached to the game board 11, an operation for selecting the first oscillator 44 from the oscillator selection switch 50 is performed. The frequency (33.2 MHz) required for operating the liquid crystal display can be input to the video display processor 46. When a 10.4 inch size liquid crystal display 12 is attached, the oscillator selection switch 50 is used. The frequency (25.175 MHz) required to operate the 10.4 inch size liquid crystal display can be input to the video display processor 46 by performing the operation of selecting the second oscillator 45 from the above.

  As described above, the liquid crystal display control device 40 (or 140) provided in the pachinko machine 1 includes a plurality of oscillators (first oscillator 44 and second oscillator 45) that oscillate different dot clock frequencies. By selecting one oscillator suitable for oscillating the dot clock frequency required for the operation of the liquid crystal display 12 provided in the machine 1 by the oscillator selection switch 50, the dot clock frequency oscillated by the selected oscillator is imaged. It can be inputted to the video display processor 46 which is a display means. Therefore, it can be used in common for a plurality of types of liquid crystal displays having different sizes (that is, has versatility), and the liquid crystal display control device 40 (or 140) for each size of the liquid crystal display 12 that can be attached to the pachinko machine 1. Since it is not necessary to manufacture and store, the cost required for this can be greatly reduced. Further, even if the liquid crystal display 12 is to be changed (replaced) to a different size in the same pachinko machine 1 by changing the game program or the like, the liquid crystal display control device 40 (or 140) needs to be replaced. In addition, it is possible to reduce the assembly cost when the liquid crystal display 12 is replaced. Even if the size of the liquid crystal display 12 is not yet determined at the design stage of the pachinko machine 1, the sub-control board 31 is the same regardless of the size of the liquid crystal display 12, so that the design process can proceed smoothly. Is also possible.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to those shown in the above-described embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the number of oscillators mounted on the sub-control board 31 is two because the number of liquid crystal display sizes that can be attached to the pachinko machine 1 is two. If the number of liquid crystal displays that can be attached to the pachinko machine 1 is three or more, the sub-control board 31 may be provided with a number of oscillators corresponding to the number of sizes of these liquid crystal displays. However, at this time, the oscillator selection means (corresponding to the oscillator selection switch 50 in the above example) is configured to be able to select any one of three or more oscillators attached to the sub-control board 31 and to select the frequency. The output circuit needs to be configured so that the dot clock frequency oscillated by one oscillator selected by the oscillator selecting means is input to the video display processor 46.

  Although not specifically shown in the above-described embodiment, the operation control signal of the liquid crystal display 12 output from the video display processor 46 depends on the configuration of the liquid crystal display 12 to be attached (number of signal pins, etc.). 12 may be provided between the video display processor 46 and the liquid crystal display 12 with a predetermined control board for signal conversion.

  In the above-described embodiment, the oscillator selection means for selecting one oscillator from the plurality of oscillators is a switch (oscillator selection switch 50) provided as an apparatus that can be externally input by an operator involved in the assembly of the pachinko machine 1. However, this is not necessarily a switch. In addition, it may not be configured to be operated by an operator involved in assembling the pachinko machine 1, and when the liquid crystal display 12 is attached to the pachinko machine 1, a signal corresponding to the size of the liquid crystal display 12 is automatically displayed. It is good also as a structure input into CPU42. For example, when limit switches corresponding to the number of liquid crystal display sizes that can be attached are attached to the back surface of the game board 11 and the liquid crystal display 12 is attached to the game board 11, it corresponds to the size of the attached liquid crystal display. This can be realized by adopting a configuration in which only one limit switch is turned on. Alternatively, when the liquid crystal display 12 is connected to the sub-control board 31, an identification signal specific to the size of the liquid crystal display 12 may be output to the video display CPU 42. Alternatively, as a part of the contents of the game program written in the ROM 23 on the main control board 21, a program for outputting an oscillator selection signal corresponding to the liquid crystal display 12 used in the game is incorporated so that the game is executed. The selection signal is output from the main CPU 22 to the sub-control board 31, and the control ROM 43 provided in the video display control unit 41 stores “1” or “1” corresponding to the selection signal output from the main CPU 22. A program for instructing the video display CPU to output a signal of “0” to the frequency selection circuit 49 may be stored.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the gaming machine to which the present invention is applied is a pachinko machine has been described as an example. However, the present invention is similarly applied to other gaming machines (for example, an arrangement ball machine or a slot machine). It is possible to apply to.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the liquid crystal display control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the pachinko machine shown as an example of the game machine provided with the said liquid crystal display control apparatus, (A) is the front view, (B) is a side view. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the electrical equipment system in the said pachinko machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the liquid crystal display control apparatus which concerns on a modification.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachinko machine (game machine)
2 outer frame 3 front frame 3a locking device 4 glass door 4a opening 5 upper ball dish 5a ball storage part 6 glass plate 7 lower ball dish 8 hitting ball launching handle 9 prize ball storage tank 10 back set board 11 game board 12 liquid crystal display 13 Speakers 14 Lamps 20 Award opening switches 21 Main control board 22 Main CPU
23 ROM
24 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Discharge mechanism 31 Sub control board 32 Audio | voice / lighting control part 40 Liquid crystal display control apparatus 41 Video display control part 42 Video display CPU
43 Control ROM
44 First oscillator
45 Second oscillator
46 Video display processor (video display means)
47 Video data ROM
48 RAM
49 Frequency selection output circuit 49a Switch 50 Oscillator selection switch (oscillator selection means)
149 Frequency selection output circuit 149a First switch 149b Second switch

Claims (1)

In a liquid crystal display control device of a gaming machine that performs video display control of a liquid crystal display attached to a predetermined position of the gaming machine,
A plurality of oscillators that oscillate different dot clock frequencies;
Video display means for causing the liquid crystal display to display video based on the inputted dot clock frequency;
Oscillator selection means for selecting one oscillator from the plurality of oscillators;
E Bei a frequency selection output circuit for inputting a dot clock frequency the one oscillator selected by the oscillator selecting means for oscillating said image display means,
A plurality of liquid crystal displays of different sizes can be selectively attached to predetermined positions of the gaming machine, and the plurality of oscillators oscillate a dot clock frequency required for the operation corresponding to each of the plurality of liquid crystal displays. Is configured as
A plurality of switches are attached to a predetermined position of the gaming machine corresponding to each size of the plurality of liquid crystal displays, and any one of the corresponding ones when the plurality of liquid crystal displays are selectively attached. It is configured so that only the switch is on,
The oscillator selecting means is configured to select the oscillator that transmits a dot clock frequency necessary for the operation of the liquid crystal display corresponding to the switch that has received the ON signal from the plurality of switches and has output the ON signal. the liquid crystal display controller of the gaming machine, characterized in that it is.

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