JP4173214B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine or a coin gaming machine, and particularly includes a variable display means capable of changing a display state, and a display result in the variable display means is a predetermined specific display mode. The present invention relates to a gaming machine that can be given a predetermined gaming value.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a gaming machine, a variable display device having a variable display unit capable of changing the display state is provided, and a predetermined game value is given to the player when the display result of the variable display unit becomes a predetermined specific display mode. There is something configured to give. For example, a plurality of pieces of identification information such as symbols are variably displayed on the variable display section. The variable display section is usually configured to display the display results of a plurality of identification information at different times. That the display result of the variable display unit is a combination of specific display modes determined in advance is usually referred to as “big hit”. The game value is a game in which the state of the variable winning ball device is easy to win based on the result of a special game such as symbol variation in a special game device such as a variable display device provided in the game area of the gaming machine. It is to be in a state advantageous to the player or to generate a right to be in a state advantageous to the player.
[0003]
In addition, among the combinations of “out of” display modes other than the “big hit” combination, the display results are already derived and displayed at the stage where some of the display results of the plurality of variable display portions are not yet derived and displayed. A state in which the display mode of the variable display unit satisfies a display condition that is a combination of specific display modes is referred to as “reach”. The player plays the game while enjoying how to generate the jackpot.
[0004]
Such a gaming machine is provided with game control means for controlling the progress of the game and display control means for controlling the display state of the variable display section in accordance with instructions from the game control means. The display control means includes a display control CPU, a ROM storing a display control CPU program and design and character data, a video display processor (VDP) for generating image data, and image data generated by the VDP. VRAM is provided. Then, during variable display of the symbols, the VDP performs control to extract the image data of the symbol displayed at that time from the image data of each symbol developed in the VRAM and display it on the variable display unit. Therefore, in order for the variable display of the symbols to be performed smoothly, the image data of all the symbols needs to be developed in the VRAM. Therefore, in the conventional gaming machine, the capacity of the display content temporary storage means such as the VRAM is relatively large because it is necessary to store the image data of all symbols.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the combination of symbols displayed on the variable display section is a condition for generating a right advantageous to the player, the player has a great interest in the variable display of the symbol. In particular, when reach has occurred, the player pays attention to whether or not a jackpot will occur. Therefore, if a more interesting character or the like is displayed on the variable display unit in such a situation, the interest of the game can be enhanced. Further, as described above, the gaming machine is provided with a large-capacity display content temporary storage means.
[0006]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of effectively displaying characters and the like other than symbols on a variable display unit using such display content temporary storage means.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A gaming machine according to the present invention provides a display device with a plurality of types of identification information. In the left middle right display area A game control means for controlling advancing of a game, which is variably displayed and is capable of giving a predetermined game value to a player when a display result of identification information is in a predetermined display mode. And for displaying each of at least a plurality of types of identification information Each image For displaying data and a given character image data When Is read from the image data storage means and the image data storage means image The display contents are temporarily stored in the display contents temporary storage means according to the control of the display contents temporary storage means and the game control means. image Required from data image Display control means for displaying an image on the display device by reading out the data and outputting it to the display device, the display control means during the variable display of the identification information, Each image data for displaying each type of identification information variably displayed in the left display area of the display device, and each of all types of identification information variably displayed in the right display area of the display device As the image data for displaying the image, each image common to the left display area and the right display area of the display device Data to display contents temporary storage means Unfold And reading from the display content temporary storage means image By changing the data address, In the left display area and right display area of the display device Variable display of identification information, Display in the left display area and right display area of the display device When performing an effect by a predetermined character after stopping variable display of identification information, Of the common image data developed in the display content temporary storage means, the left display area and the right display area of the display device The stopped identification information Image to display Other identification information leaving only data Image to display The data is erased from the display content temporary storage means, and a predetermined character is displayed in the vacant area of the display content temporary storage means by the deletion. image Set the data, In the left display area and the right display area of the display device Stopped identification information Image data for displaying And to display a predetermined character image data When The From display contents temporary storage means After reading and stopping the variable display of the identification information, an effect by a predetermined character is performed.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine that is an example of a gaming machine will be described. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the front, FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the gaming board of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the back. Here, a pachinko gaming machine is shown as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine and may be, for example, a coin gaming machine or a slot machine.
[0009]
As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. There is a hitting ball supply tray 3 on the lower surface of the glass door frame 2. Under the hitting ball supply tray 3, there are provided an extra ball receiving tray 4 for storing prize balls overflowing from the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a hitting ball operating handle 5 for firing the hit ball. A game board 6 is detachably attached to the rear side of the glass door frame 2. A game area 7 is provided on the front surface of the game board 6.
[0010]
Near the center of the game area 7, there is provided a variable display device 8 including an image display unit 9 for variably displaying a plurality of kinds of symbols and a variable display 10 using 7 segment LEDs. A passing gate 11 for guiding a hit ball is provided on the side of the variable display device 8. The hit ball that has passed through the passing gate 11 is guided to the start winning opening 14 through the ball outlet 13. In the path between the passing gate 11 and the ball exit 13, there is a gate sensor 12 that detects a hit ball that has passed through the passing gate 11. The winning ball that has entered the start winning opening 14 is guided to the back of the game board 6 and detected by the start opening sensor 17. A variable winning ball device 15 that opens and closes is provided below the start winning opening 14. The variable winning ball device 15 is opened by a solenoid 16. An opening / closing plate 20 that is opened by a solenoid 21 in a specific gaming state (big hit state) is provided below the variable winning ball device 15. Of the winning balls guided to the back of the game board 6 from the opening / closing plate 20, the winning ball entering one (V zone) is detected by the V count sensor 22, and the winning ball entering the other is detected by the count sensor 23. . At the bottom of the variable display device 8, a start winning memory display 18 having four display units for displaying the number of winning balls that have entered the start winning opening 14 is provided. In this example, with the upper limit being four, each time there is a start prize, the start prize storage display 18 increases the number of lit display units one by one. Each time variable display on the image display unit 9 is started, the number of display units that are lit is reduced by one.
[0011]
The game board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning openings 19, 24. Decorative lamps 25 blinking during the game are provided around the left and right sides of the game area 7, and an outlet 26 for absorbing a hit ball that has not won a prize is provided below. Two speakers 27 that emit sound effects are provided on the left and right upper portions outside the game area 7. A game effect lamp / LED 28 is provided on the outer periphery of the game area 7. In this example, a prize ball lamp 51 is provided in the vicinity of one speaker 27 to be turned on when the prize ball is paid out, and a ball out lamp 52 to be turned on in the vicinity of the other speaker 27 is supplied when the supply ball is cut. Is provided. Further, FIG. 1 also shows a card unit 50 that is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and enables ball lending by inserting a prepaid card.
[0012]
The hit ball fired from the hit ball launching device enters the game area 7 through the hit ball rail, and then descends the game area 7. When the hit ball is detected by the gate sensor 12 through the passing gate 11, the display number of the variable display 10 changes continuously. When the hit ball enters the start winning opening 14 and is detected by the start opening sensor 17, the three symbols in the image display unit 9 start to rotate. The rotation of the symbols in the image display unit 9 stops when a certain time has passed. If the combination of images at the time of stop is a combination of jackpot symbols, the game shifts to a jackpot gaming state. That is, the opening / closing plate 20 is opened until a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses or until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls wins. When the hit ball enters the specific winning area while the opening / closing plate 20 is opened and is detected by the V count sensor 22, the right to continue is generated and the opening / closing plate 20 is opened again. The generation of the continuation right is allowed a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times).
[0013]
When the combination of symbols in the image display unit 9 at the time of stoppage is a combination of jackpot symbols with probability variation and the symbol shown by the variable display 10 is a predetermined symbol, the variable winning ball apparatus 15 is The probability of becoming the big hit next becomes high while being in the open state with high frequency. That is, it becomes a more advantageous state for the player.
[0014]
Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
On the back surface of the variable display device 8, as shown in FIG. 2, a prize ball tank 38 is provided above the mechanism plate 36, and the prize ball is placed from above in a state where the pachinko gaming machine 1 is installed on the gaming machine installation island. It is supplied to the prize ball tank 38. The prize balls in the prize ball tank 38 pass through the guide rod 39 and reach the ball dispensing device.
[0015]
The mechanism plate 36 includes a variable display control unit 29 for controlling the image display device 9 via the relay board 30, a game control board 31 covered with a board case 32 and mounted with a game control microcomputer, and the variable display control unit. A prize board 37 on which a relay board 33 for relaying signals between the game control board 29 and the game control board 31 and a payout control microcomputer for carrying out payout control of prizes is installed. Further, the mechanism board 36 is provided with a ball hitting device 34 that launches a hit ball into the game area 7 using the rotational force of the motor, and an electric decoration board 35 for sending signals to the speaker 27 and the game effect lamp / LED 28. Has been.
[0016]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a winning ball collective cover 40 is provided on the back surface of the game board 6 to guide the winning balls that have won the winning holes and the winning ball devices along a predetermined winning path. Among the winning balls led to the winning ball collective cover 40, the winning ball through the opening / closing plate 20 is controlled so that the ball paying device 97 pays out a relatively large number of prize balls (for example, 15). What is won through the start winning opening 14 is controlled such that a ball payout device (not shown in FIG. 3) pays out a relatively small number of prize balls (for example, 6). And what was won through the other winning opening 24 and the winning ball device is controlled such that the ball payout device pays out a relatively medium number of prize balls (for example, 10).
In order to perform such control, signals from the start port sensor 17, the V count sensor 22 and the count sensor 23 are sent to the game control board 31. When a signal from each sensor is sent to the game control board 31, a prize ball number signal to be described later is sent from the game control board 31 to the prize ball board 37.
[0017]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration in the game control board (main board) 31. Note that FIG. 4 also shows a prize ball substrate 37, an electrical decoration substrate 35, and a display control substrate 80. The main circuit 31 includes a basic circuit 53 including a game control microcomputer for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program, and signals from the gate sensor 12, the start port sensor 17, the V count sensor 22 and the count sensor 23 as a basic circuit. 53, a solenoid circuit 59 for driving the solenoid 16 for opening / closing the variable winning ball apparatus 15 and the solenoid 21 for opening / closing the opening / closing plate 20 according to a command from the basic circuit 53, and the variable display 10 by 7 segment LED. And the lamp / LED circuit 60 for blinking the decoration lamp 25, and the prize ball number signal from the basic circuit 53 is transmitted to the prize ball board 37 and the winning data signal from the prize ball board 37 is input to the basic circuit 53. A prize ball substrate input / output circuit 61 is provided. The winning ball detector 99 detects that there has been a winning. In this case, the winning ball substrate 37 outputs a winning data signal. The basic circuit 53 gives a prize ball number signal to the prize ball board 37 in accordance with the winning data signal from the prize ball board 37. For example, the basic circuit 53 outputs “6” as the prize ball number signal when there is an input of a winning data signal corresponding to the start sensor 17 being turned on, and corresponding to turning on the count sensor 23 or the V count sensor 22. When a winning data signal is input, “15” is output as the winning ball number signal. If a winning data signal is input when those sensors are not turned on, “10” is output as the winning ball number signal.
[0018]
Further, the main board 31 includes an electric board command output circuit 62 that transmits a command from the basic circuit 53 to the electric board 35, and a CRT circuit 63 that provides a command and a strobe signal from the basic circuit 53 to the display control board 80. According to the data supplied from the basic circuit 53, the jackpot information indicating the occurrence of the jackpot, the effective starting information indicating the number of starting winning balls used for starting the image display of the image display unit 9, and the probability variation are generated. An information output circuit 64 that outputs probability variation information or the like to a host computer such as a hall management computer, a speech synthesis circuit 71 that outputs a speech signal such as a sound effect in response to a control signal from the basic circuit 53, and a speech synthesis circuit There is provided a volume amplification circuit 72 that amplifies the audio signal from 71 and applies it to the speaker 27 shown in FIG.
[0019]
The basic circuit 53 includes a ROM 54 that stores a game control program and the like, a RAM 55 that is used as a work memory, a CPU 56 that performs a control operation according to a control program, and an I / O port unit 57. Note that the ROM 54 and the RAM 55 may be built in the CPU 56.
[0020]
Furthermore, an initial reset circuit 65 for resetting the basic circuit 53 when the power is turned on is provided on the main board 31, and a reset pulse is given to the basic circuit 53 periodically (for example, every 2 ms) to start a game control program. A reset circuit 66 for re-execution from the start address, and an address for outputting a signal for selecting any I / O port of the I / O port unit 57 by decoding the address signal given from the basic circuit 53 A decoding circuit 67 is provided.
[0021]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration in the display control board 80 together with a CRT 82 that realizes the image display unit 9. The display control board 80 is provided with a display control circuit 81 that controls the image display of the CRT 82. Further, the display control board 80 includes a reset circuit 83 for resetting the display control circuit 81, an oscillation circuit 84 for supplying a clock signal to the display control circuit 81, and a character ROM 86 for storing data representing frequently used images. And a VRAM 87 for storing the image data generated by the display control circuit 81 and a frame memory circuit 88 for setting image data for one screen. The image data in the frame memory circuit 88 is sent to the CRT 82 as a video signal composed of an RGB color signal and a SYNC signal in synchronization with a predetermined synchronizing signal, and the image is displayed on the CRT 82.
The frequently used image data stored in the character ROM 86 is, for example, a person, animal, or an image made up of characters, figures, symbols, or the like displayed on the CRT 82.
[0022]
When a strobe signal is input from the CRT circuit 63 of the main board 31, the display control circuit 81 receives display control command data from the CRT circuit 63 and recognizes the state indicated by the command data. The display control circuit 81 generates image data to be displayed on the CRT 82 according to the state of the command data. Then, the image data is stored in the VRAM 87.
[0023]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the display control circuit 81. The CRT control circuit 81 includes a display control CPU 91, a VDP 93, and a control data ROM 92 in which control data is stored. The display control CPU 91 reads necessary data from the character ROM 86 in accordance with the display command data from the CRT circuit 63. Then, the display control CPU 91 outputs the read data to the VDP 93. The VDP 93 generates image data to be displayed on the CRT 82 according to the input data, and stores the image data in the VRAM 87. A part of the image data in the VRAM 87 is transferred to the frame memory circuit 88. Therefore, the size of the VRAM 87 is larger than the size of the frame memory included in the frame memory circuit 88 (size corresponding to the display area of the screen).
Although not shown in FIG. 5, a CRT substrate having a CRT driving circuit for driving the CRT 82 based on a video signal is provided between the display control substrate 80 and the CRT 82.
[0024]
Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the basic circuit 53 in the main board 31. As described above, this processing is started, for example, every 2 ms by a reset pulse generated by the periodic reset circuit 66. When the basic circuit 53 is activated, the basic circuit 53 first performs a stack setting process for setting a designated address of the stack pointer (step S1). Next, initialization processing is performed (step S2). In the initialization process, the basic circuit 53 determines whether or not an error is included in the RAM 55. If the error is included, the basic circuit 53 performs a process such as initializing the RAM 55. Then, after performing a process of setting the command code sent to the image display unit 9 in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 (step S3), a process of outputting the command code is performed (step S4).
[0025]
Next, processing for transmitting a predetermined command for controlling sound generation and LED lighting is performed to the sub basic circuit 71 of the lighting board 35 via the lighting board command output circuit 62, and via the information output circuit 64. Thus, processing for transmitting data such as jackpot information, start-up information, probability variation information to the hall management computer is performed (data output processing: step S5). Further, various abnormality diagnosis processes are performed by the self-diagnosis function provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1, and an alarm is issued if necessary according to the result (error process: step S6).
[0026]
Next, a process of updating each counter indicating each determination random number is performed (step S7). The basic circuit 53 further performs a process of updating the display random number (step S11). That is, a random number for determining a missing symbol, a random number for reaching determination, a random number for reaching operation, a random number for determining a stop symbol, and the like are counted up (added by 1).
[0027]
The basic circuit 53 performs signal processing with the prize ball substrate 37 (step S12). That is, it is confirmed whether or not a winning data signal is output from the winning ball substrate 37, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a winning ball number signal is output to the winning ball substrate 37. The payout control microcomputer mounted on the prize ball substrate 37 drives the ball payout device 97 according to the prize ball number signal.
[0028]
Thereafter, the basic circuit 53 repeats the display random number update process in step S13 until the next reset pulse is given from the periodic reset circuit 66. That is, 1 is added to each random number value.
[0029]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol process processing program in the basic circuit 53. When performing the special symbol process, the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 performs any one of steps S300 to S309 shown in FIG. 8 according to the internal state. In each process, the following process is executed.
[0030]
Special symbol variation waiting process (step S300): Waiting for the start opening sensor 17 to be turned on after hitting the start winning opening 14 (the winning opening of the variable winning ball apparatus 15 in this embodiment).
Special symbol determination process (step S301): When the start port sensor 17 is detected to be turned on, it is determined whether to win or not according to the value of the special symbol determination random number.
Stop symbol setting process (step S302): The stop symbols of the left and right middle symbols are determined according to the value of the special symbol random number.
[0031]
Reach operation setting processing (step S303): It is determined whether or not a reach operation is performed according to the value of the reach determination random number, and a variation mode of the reach operation is determined according to the value of the reach random number.
[0032]
All symbol variation start processing (step S304): The image display unit 9 is controlled to start variation of all symbols. Further, when a background or character is also displayed on the image display unit 9, control is performed so that display control command data corresponding to the background or character is sent to the display control board 80.
All symbol stop waiting process (step S305): When a predetermined time has elapsed, control is performed so that all symbols displayed on the image display unit 9 are stopped. In addition, control is performed so that the left and right symbols are stopped at a predetermined timing until the timing of stopping all symbols, and display control command data corresponding to the background and characters displayed on the image display unit 9 is appropriately displayed on the display control board 80. To be sent to
[0033]
Jackpot display processing (step S306): When the stop symbol is a combination of jackpot symbols, control is performed so that display control command data for jackpot display is sent to the display control board 80, and the internal state is shifted to step S307. Update as follows. If not, the internal state is updated to shift to step S309.
Big winning opening opening process (step S307): Control for opening the big winning opening is started.
Processing for opening a special prize opening (step S308): Control is performed so that display control command data for round display of the special prize opening is sent to the display control board 80.
Jackpot end processing (step S309): The internal flag and the like are returned to the initial state, and the internal state is updated to shift to step S300.
[0034]
In accordance with the processing of each step described above, the module that performs processing for sending the display control command data in the game control program outputs the corresponding display control command data to the output port and also outputs the strobe signal to the output port. .
[0035]
Next, the operation of the display control means mounted on the display control board 80 will be described by paying attention to a method for realizing variable display of symbols, which is the gist of the present invention.
9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams showing image data 87a and 87b developed in the VRAM 87 and how the display area 100 is displayed in the image display unit 9. FIG. 9 and 10, (A) shows image data 87a for the left symbol display area 100a and the right symbol display area 100c, and (B) shows image data 87b for the middle symbol display area 100b. (C) shows a display mode of the display area 100 in the screen 101 in the image display unit 9. FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10B each show 16 types of symbols, which are all symbols in this embodiment. Moreover, in (C) of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the arrow has shown the fluctuation | variation of a symbol.
[0036]
Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the all symbol variation process in step S304 in FIG. 8 is started, the display control CPU 91 reads data indicating each symbol (that is, all symbols) used for symbol variation from the character ROM 86 and transfers them to the VDP 93. . The VDP 93 expands the data into image data, and further sets each image data in the VRAM 87 (step S401). Then, image data as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B is developed in the VRAM 87. In this embodiment, although the fluctuation speed and the fluctuation start / end timing are different, the left and right symbols are assumed to vary in the same symbol. The middle symbol varies depending on a symbol that is partially different from the left and right symbols. That is, the left and right symbols vary on the same reel, but the middle symbol varies on different reels. Therefore, image data as shown in FIG. 9B is also developed in the VRAM 87 due to the middle symbol variation (step S402).
[0037]
As a result, the image data 87a as shown in FIG. 9 (A) is stored in the VRAM 87 due to the fluctuation of the left and right symbols, and the image 87b as shown in FIG. 9 (B) due to the fluctuation of the middle symbols. Data is stored. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, each numeral or star-decorated numeral indicates each symbol, and a broken line indicates the variation order of symbols.
[0038]
Then, in the image display unit 9, the VDP 93 reads the image data in the VRAM 87 while changing the read address of the VRAM 87 so that the left and right middle symbols fluctuate in a predetermined variation mode, and the read image data is read out by the frame memory circuit. (Step S403). Here, the image data 87a is read for the left and right symbol variation, and the image data 87b is read for the middle symbol variation. The frame memory circuit 88 includes a frame memory having a capacity of at least the size of the display area 100, and the contents are output to the CRT 82 side in synchronization with the synchronization signal. When a background or the like is displayed outside the display area 100, the frame memory capacity may correspond to the size of the screen 101.
[0039]
For example, when it is desired to change the left symbol at a speed of (0.3 seconds / symbol), the VDP 93 changes the read address of the VRAM 87 so that the next symbol is read after 0.3 seconds. For example, when the size of the left symbol display area 100a is equivalent to one symbol size as shown in FIG. 9D, image data for one symbol is read from the VRAM 87 in one reading process. As shown in FIG. 9E, when the size of the left symbol display area 100 a is equivalent to one symbol size + α, image data for 1 + α symbol is read from the VRAM 87. As shown in FIG. 9F, when the size of the left symbol display area 100a is equivalent to three symbol sizes, image data for three symbols is read from the VRAM 87.
Similar readout control is performed for the right symbol and the middle symbol.
If the reading start address is gradually changed and the next symbol is read out after 0.3 seconds, a variation in which the symbol gradually changes on display is realized.
[0040]
When receiving the instruction to stop the left symbol from the display control CPU 91, the VDP 93 fixes the read position so that the data is always read from the position where the image data of the stop symbol is stored in the VRAM 87 (steps S404 and S405). . Alternatively, after reading out the image data of the stop symbol, the reading process is stopped. Therefore, a stop symbol is displayed in the left symbol display area 100a as shown in FIG.
[0041]
When the right design stop instruction is received from the display control CPU 91, the VDP 93 fixes the read position so that the data is always read from the position where the stop design image data is stored in the VRAM 87 (steps S406 and S407). . Alternatively, after reading out the image data of the stop symbol, the reading process is stopped. Therefore, the stop symbol is displayed in the right symbol display area 100c.
[0042]
When the left and right stop symbols match and reach is established, the VDP 91 appears from the character ROM 86 via the display control CPU 91 and the stop symbol (in this example, “7”) symbol data and the screen during the reach operation. Input data corresponding to each action of the character. Then, these data are converted into image data and developed in the VRAM 87 (step S409). Therefore, the VRAM 87 stores image data 87a composed of stop pattern image data and character image data as shown in FIG. 10A, for example.
[0043]
Thereafter, the VDP 93 transfers the stop symbol image data and the character image data from the image data 87a of the VRAM 87 to the frame memory circuit 88 for the left and right display areas 100a and 100c (step S410). When it is desired to change the movement of the character, the read address is changed so that the image data of the changed character is read from the image data 87a of the VRAM 87. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10C, the stop symbol and the changing character are displayed in the left and right display areas 100a and 100c.
[0044]
The image data 87b shown in FIG. 9B remains in the VRAM 87 (see FIG. 10B). For the middle display area 100b, the VDP 93 continues the control of reading the image data 87b of the VRAM 87 so that the display symbol fluctuates at a predetermined speed.
Here, regarding the middle display area 100b, the design image data may be read from the image data 87b of the VRAM 87, and the character image data may be read from the image data 87a. Then, the read image data is written in an area corresponding to the middle display area 100b in the frame memory. By doing so, it is possible to display a changing character even in the middle display area 100b where the design is fluctuating.
The above processing is performed until the big hit or the loss is determined.
[0045]
If it is not reach in step S408, control is performed such that symbol variation is performed in the middle display area 100b for a predetermined time. Then, the VDP 93 fixes the read position so that the data is always read from the position where the image data of the stop symbol in the image data 87b shown in FIG. After the stop control, the symbol variation process is terminated.
[0046]
As described above, in this embodiment, when the reach display is performed, the image data of the left / right stop symbol, that is, the reach symbol is left in the VRAM 87 which is the display content temporary storage means, and the image data of other symbols is erased. Is done. While such processing is performed, other image data (in this example, character image data) is stored in the area where the image data has been deleted. Therefore, an effect that can improve the interest of the game, such as displaying characters that move in various ways when the reach operation is performed, can be realized by effectively using the VRAM 87. That is, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the VRAM 87 in order to produce an interesting effect in the image display unit 9.
[0047]
In order to effectively use the free capacity in the VRAM 87, various usages can be considered. When reach is established, the display area 100 may be enlarged as shown in FIG. Then, the image data 87a of the VRAM 87 for displaying the left and right display areas 100a and 100c is stored as enlarged image data of the stop symbol and image data corresponding to each movement of the character. When such a configuration is adopted, the free space in the VRAM 87 can be used to make it easier to see the enlarged reach graphic when the reach operation is performed.
[0048]
In order to perform such control, when reach is established, the VDP 91 inputs the symbol data of the stop symbol (in this example, “7”) from the character ROM 86 via the display control CPU 91 and expands it. In addition to creating image data, data corresponding to each action of the character appearing on the screen during the reach action is input. Then, these data are converted into image data and developed in the VRAM 87.
Here, it is assumed that the image data 87a of the VRAM 87 that has already been enlarged is included in the image data 87a of the VRAM 87, but normal size image data is stored in the image data 87a and is read out from the VRAM 87. An image enlargement process may be performed.
[0049]
In the above embodiments, the left and right symbols are changed by the same reel, but the present invention can be applied even if the left and right symbols are changed by different reels. In such a case, image data corresponding to each reel is stored in the VRAM 87, and when the symbols are stopped on each reel, the data other than the stopped symbols are erased and the erased data is stored. Other data such as character data is set in the area.
In each of the above embodiments, the case where an image is displayed on the CRT 82 has been described. However, the present invention can be applied even when another display element such as an LCD is used.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the gaming machine is read from the image data storage means. image The display content temporary storage means for expanding the data is provided, and the display control means during the variable display of the identification information, Each image data for displaying each type of identification information variably displayed in the left display area of the display device, and each of all types of identification information variably displayed in the right display area of the display device As the image data for displaying the image, each image common to the left display area and the right display area of the display device Data to display contents temporary storage means Unfold And reading from the display content temporary storage means image By changing the data address, In the left display area and right display area of the display device Variable display of identification information, Display in the left display area and right display area of the display device When performing an effect by a predetermined character after stopping variable display of identification information, Of the common image data developed in the display content temporary storage means, the left display area and the right display area of the display device The stopped identification information Image to display Other identification information leaving only data Image to display The data is erased from the display content temporary storage means, and a predetermined character is displayed in the vacant area of the display content temporary storage means by the deletion. image Set the data, In the left display area and the right display area of the display device Stopped identification information Image data for displaying And to display a predetermined character image data When The From display contents temporary storage means Since it is configured to perform an effect by a predetermined character after reading and stopping the variable display of the identification information, an effect that can improve the interest of the game is effectively used for the display content temporary storage means There is an effect that can be realized by.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine as viewed from the front.
FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the game board of the pachinko gaming machine as viewed from the back.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration in a game control board.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a circuit in a display control board and an image display unit using a CRT.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a display control circuit.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the basic circuit on the main board.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol process processing program;
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing image data developed in a VRAM and how the display area is displayed in the image display unit;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing image data developed in the VRAM after the reach is established and how the display area is displayed in the image display unit.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing symbol variation processing in the display control means.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of image data developed in the VRAM after the reach is established and a display area display mode in the image display unit;
[Explanation of symbols]
9 Image display
31 Game control board (main board)
53 Basic circuit
80 Display control board
86 Character ROM
87 VRAM
91 CPU for display control
93 Video Display Processor (VDP)

Claims (1)

Multiple types of identification information can be variably displayed in the left, middle and right display areas of the display device , and a predetermined game value can be given to the player when the display result of the identification information becomes a predetermined display mode. In the gaming machine
Game control means for controlling the progress of the game;
An image data storing means for storing at least a plurality of types of image data for displaying each image data with a predetermined character for each displaying the identification information,
Display content temporary storage means for expanding the image data read from the image data storage means;
A display that displays an image on the display device by reading out necessary image data from the image data developed in the display content temporary storage device and outputting the image data to the display device in accordance with the control of the game control device. Control means,
The display control means includes
During the variable display of the identification information, each image data for displaying each type of identification information variably displayed in the left display area of the display device, and the right display area of the display device As each image data for displaying each of all kinds of identification information variably displayed, each image data common to the left display area and the right display area of the display device is stored in the display content temporary storage means. Expanding and changing the address of the image data read from the display content temporary storage means to perform variable display of the identification information in the left display area and the right display area of the display device ,
In the case of performing an effect by a predetermined character after stopping the variable display of the identification information displayed in the left display area and the right display area of the display device, the common contents developed in the display content temporary storage means Among the image data, the display content includes image data for displaying other identification information while leaving only the image data for displaying the stopped identification information in the left display area and the right display area of the display device. Erasing from the temporary storage means, setting the image data for displaying a predetermined character in the empty area of the display content temporary storage means by the erasure, to the left display area and the right display area of the display device reads the image data for displaying the image data for displaying the stop identification information said predetermined character from the display content temporary storage unit, variable display of the identification information Gaming machine and performing effects by predetermined character after stopping.

Images