JP4694592B2 - Lamp control device, game machine, lamp control method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lamp control device that controls lighting of a lamp that is provided on a game board surface of a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine and performs an effect, etc., a gaming machine including the lamp control device, a lamp control method, and a program.

  Conventionally, when a game ball launched into the game area of the game board enters a specific start winning opening, three rows of symbols (for example, symbols of numbers 1 to 12) displayed on the display unit move from top to bottom. A game machine is widely used in which, when the same or related symbols are arranged on a certain line (effective line), the game becomes a big win, the big winning opening is opened, and the big win game can be played.

  In such a gaming machine, not only the effect by the display unit, but also the fun of the game is improved by lighting and controlling the lamps made of LEDs etc. provided on the game board around the display unit. Yes. The lamp control is configured to be executed by a lamp control unit that is different from the main control unit that performs control related to the jackpot (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

  In gaming machines and the like, full-color LEDs capable of emitting a plurality of colors with a single LED are beginning to be used for the effect. The full-color LED has a plurality of lamps as one lamp group, and the lighting color is controlled in units of the lamp groups. The lighting color control data is output as data indicating the ratio of R, G, and B, for example. Moreover, this brightness (gradation control) can be performed by setting the luminance for each lamp. In these lighting control and gradation control, the CPU constituting the lamp control means reads the lamp data and the scan data that change in time series in combination. Thereby, the lighting color of the lamp group and the luminance at the time of lighting can be changed with time. For example, it is possible to perform control to gradually increase or decrease the luminance at the time of lighting while lighting (ON) the lamp in a certain color.

  11 and 12 shown below are data referred to by the CPU when the full color LED is turned on in white and gradation control is performed. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of conventional lamp data (LMP_data) for white lighting. At the time of reading the lamp data 10, for a certain lamp group (LED1 to LED3), the time interval and the lighting information for each lamp (LED1 to LED3) by RGB ("1" ON / "0" OFF) and A gradation table to be referred to is set. During the time t1, since all the RGB values of the LED1 to LED3 are “1”, they are lit in white. In addition, during the time t1, it is indicated that scan data (scan_feed) described below is referred to.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of scan data (scan_feed) used for gradation control when white is lit. The gradation control using the scan data 20 uses PWM control, and uses 10 gradations with 9 being the highest luminance and 0 being extinguished. The example shown in FIG. 12 is an example in which the luminance is gradually decreased (fade out) as 9 → 8 → 7 →... (Omitted)... Note that when the time data is 0, the specification returns to the top of the table, and in the example of FIG. 12, a change from a high luminance state to a low state loops. FIG. 12 shows an example of gradation control for gradually decreasing the luminance, but there is also gradation control for gradually increasing the luminance.

  If such lamp control is applied to a gaming machine, for example, the effect at the time of reaching can be enhanced. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is applied to a general lighting device, for example, a stage lighting device, to provide a stage effect. It can also be used for enhancing purposes.

JP 2001-62116 A

  However, in the above-described example, the LEDs can only emit light in a combination of RGB, and different sets of lamp data and scan data are required to emit intermediate colors and the like and to control gradation.

  For example, FIGS. 13 and 14 shown below are data referred to by the CPU when the full color LED is lit in orange and gradation control is performed. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of lamp data (LMP_data) for controlling orange lighting according to the prior art. When the lamp data 30 is read, for a certain lamp group (LED1 to LED3), R and G of the RGB values of LED1 to LED3 are “1” for t1 time, so that the yellow light is on. become. It is shown that the scan data (scan_feed2) in FIG. 14 is referred to during the time t1.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of scan data (scan_feed2) used for gradation control when orange is lit. The example shown in FIG. 14 is an example in which the luminance is gradually decreased (fade out) as 9 → 8 → 7 →... (Omitted)...

  However, since only the light equivalent to yellow can be emitted on the lamp data side shown in FIG. 13, R = 9, G = 6, B = 0 at a certain time t2 in order to produce orange in the scan data 40 of FIG. And the emission ratios of R and G are different. Similarly, at the next time t2, R = 8, G = 5, and B = 0 must be set in order to reduce the luminance while maintaining the same ratio. In order to reduce the luminance in the subsequent time, an operation for setting all the numerical values as shown in the figure occurs for the following data rows.

  In other words, in the conventional technology, in order to make a full-color LED emit multicolor light and to control gradation, it is necessary to set a combination of lamp data and scan data for each light emission color, and the setting work is troublesome. The amount of data has increased. In particular, it is necessary to adjust the ratio on the scan data side for intermediate colors other than those obtained by emitting white light by RGB lighting or by combining RGB single colors of red, green, blue, and other RGB at the same rate. It took.

  Furthermore, in the above example, only three lamp groups, LED1 to LED3, have been described in order to simplify the description. However, the number of LEDs in one lamp group is actually larger, and the lamp group also includes Because there are multiple, a huge amount of setting work was required. Not only the setting work but also the work of correcting the color and gradation took the same time.

  The present invention provides a lamp control device, a gaming machine, a lamp control method, and a program capable of easily controlling the emission color and luminance gradation of a lamp that emits multicolor light in order to eliminate the above-described problems caused by the prior art. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a lamp control device according to the present invention controls lighting of a plurality of lamps with a predetermined color in a lamp control device that controls lighting of a plurality of lamps capable of emitting multicolor light. Lamp data, and a color pallet in which the light emission color indicated by the lamp data is set, a data storage means for storing the lamp data, and reading the lamp data from the data storage means at a predetermined timing to Control means for controlling lighting of the lamp, and unspecified emission color information for arbitrarily changing the emission color of the lamp by a color change command input from the outside is set in the lamp data. It is characterized by that.

  The data storage means stores a color change table in which the emission color of the lamp is set for each flag, and the control means selects a flag corresponding to the color change command and selects the flag corresponding to the flag. The emission color of the lamp is determined by referring to a color change table.

  Further, the data storage means stores scan data for gradation control for a plurality of lamps set as reference destinations in the lamp data, and the control means stores the scan data set in the lamp data. Is used to change and control the luminance during light emission.

  The lamp data is a table in which predetermined time unit information for controlling the lighting of the lamp, undesignated emission color information, and information of scan data to be referred to are set, and the color change table includes: The emission color for each lamp is set corresponding to the flag, and the value of the ratio of the three primary colors R, G, and B corresponding to the emission color is set for the lamp in the color palette. The control means performs lighting control based on the emission color for the plurality of lamps in a predetermined time unit set with reference to the lamp data table, and based on the scan data, the predetermined time unit. To control the gradation of the lamp.

  Further, the color palette is a table in which the ratio values of the three primary colors R, G, and B of light for each gradation for each predetermined color are set.

  Further, the scan data is a table in which predetermined time unit information for gradation control and luminance information for each of the plurality of lamps in the predetermined time unit are set.

  According to the lamp control device having the above-described configuration, the light emission colors of a plurality of lamps can be changed by a color change command input from the outside based on unspecified light emission color information set in the lamp data. Only unspecified emission color information is set in the lamp data, and the RGB ratio is set in the color palette. Thereby, the emission color can be easily set in the lamp data. Even if the emission color of the lamp data is changed, it is not necessary to change the setting content of the scan data, and the same scan data can be used for all the emission colors. This makes it easy to set and change the lamp pattern control for causing the lamp group to emit multicolor light.

  Further, the gaming machine of the present invention performs control related to the lamp control device according to any one of the above, a plurality of lamps capable of emitting multicolor light arranged on a board surface of the gaming machine, and a jackpot of the gaming machine, A main control board for outputting a command for controlling the lamp to be lit in a predetermined color to the lamp control device, wherein the color change command is input from an external device to the lamp control device. To do.

  According to such a gaming machine having a lamp control device, it becomes possible to perform multicolor emission and gradation control with simple control for a large number of lamps arranged on the game board, and an effect using the lamp is effective. Will be able to do.

  Further, the lamp control method of the present invention is a lamp control method for controlling lighting of a plurality of lamps capable of emitting multicolor light. Lamp data for controlling lighting of a plurality of lamps with a predetermined color and a lighting time indicated by the lamp data A color palette in which the emission color is set, a control step of reading out the lamp data at predetermined timings from the data storage means in which the lamp is stored, and controlling the lighting of the plurality of lamps, and the lamp data in the lamp data A light emission color changing step for arbitrarily changing the light emission color of the lamp by a color change command inputted from the outside when unspecified light emission color information for arbitrarily changing the light emission color is set; It is characterized by including.

  A program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute the lamp control method described above.

  According to the lamp control device of the present invention, the gradation pattern of the emission color and brightness of a plurality of lamps emitting multicolor light can be easily controlled, and the lamp pattern for lighting the lamp with various emission colors and gradations. Can be obtained. By applying this lamp control device to a gaming machine, the lamps on the game board can be variously controlled with simple settings, and an effect using the lamps can be effectively performed.

(Embodiment 1)
Exemplary embodiments of a lamp control device, a game machine, a lamp control method, and a program according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a lamp control device of the present invention. The lamp control device 100 includes an input unit 101, a control unit 102, a timer 103, a data storage unit 104, and an output unit 105. Data for lamp lighting control is input to the input unit 101 as a command or the like, and this command is output to the control unit 102. The control unit 102 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, analyzes the command, and outputs lamp control data corresponding to the command to the lamp group 108 via the output unit 105.

  At the time of this command analysis, the control unit 102 refers to the timing information of the timer 103, the lamp data 111 and the color palette 112 stored in the data storage unit 104, and the scan data 20 (see FIG. 12). Corresponding lamp control data is generated and output to the output unit 105. As illustrated, the lamp group 108 includes a plurality of lamp groups 1 to 5, and lighting control is individually performed for each lamp group. One lamp group is composed of a plurality of full-color LEDs, and can emit light in an arbitrary emission color.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of lamp data (LMP_data2) for lighting control. At the time of reading the lamp data 111, for one lamp group (LED1 to LED3), the time interval, the information on the emission color for each lamp (LED1 to LED3), and the scan data to be referred (scan_feed) are set.

  First, during the time t1 based on the time measured by the timer 103, since the values of the LEDs 1 to 3 are all “W”, the color palette 112 is referred to and the light emission color information is obtained and turned on in white. Subsequently, since the values of LED1 to LED3 are all “Or” during the next t1, the color palette 112 is referred to and transferred in orange. Thus, LMP_data2 indicates that LEDs 1 to 3 are alternately turned on in white and orange at t1 time intervals. If no color is set, the corresponding lamp (LED) can be turned off. Note that during each t1 time, by referring to the same scan data (scan_feed, see FIG. 12), during the time t1, the brightness of the LEDs that are turned on every t2 hours is sequentially lowered and looped. Output data.

  In the above example, the same lamp group (LED1 to LED3) emits light of the same color (white or orange) during the time t1, but it is also specified among the same lamp group (LED1 to LED3). The LED (for example, only LED 2) can be set to emit light with different emission colors.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an RGB conversion table for white in the color palette. In the white (W) conversion table 301, as shown in the figure, when the luminance is the maximum value “9”, the values of the three primary colors R, G, and B are the same as 9, 9, and 9, respectively. Even when the luminance value is “7”, the values of R, G, and B are set to the same values as 7, 7, and 7, respectively. As described above, the values of R, G, and B at the time of white lighting are all set to the same value according to the luminance.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an RGB conversion table for orange in the color palette. This orange (Or) conversion table 302 shows that when the luminance is the maximum value “9”, the R, G, and B values are 9, 6, and 0, respectively, as shown in FIG. When the R value is “9” without lighting, the G value is set to “6” so that orange light is emitted. In addition, even when the luminance value is “7”, the ratios of the R, G, and B values are set to 7, 4, and 0, respectively. As described above, the values of R, G, and B when the orange color is lit are set to values that cause the orange color to be emitted at any luminance by making the values of R and G different.

  In the above example, the white and orange colors have been described as an example of the color palette 112, but conversion tables corresponding to colors corresponding to other light emission colors are prepared. For example, blue, pink, green, two purple colors, and light blue are set. If 2 bits are used for the color designation value, 4 colors can be set, 8 colors can be set with 3 bits, and 18 colors can be set with 4 bits. Then, the color palette 112 corresponding to each color is referred to by setting the emission color in the lamp data (LMP_data2).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of lamp control processing executed by the lamp control device. The following processing is performed when the control unit 102 shown in FIG. 1 executes a predetermined lamp control program stored in a ROM or the like. First, the control unit 102 refers to a table of lamp data 111 that is read this time from the data storage unit 104 (step S401). Referring to FIG. 2, first, the first table is read out. Then, for the lamps (LED1 to LED3) set and used in this table (step S402: Yes), the following processing is executed, but if there is a lamp that is not used, Step S402: No), the process proceeds to step S406 without performing the process.

  Next, the color palette 112 set in the ramp data 111 is referred to (step S403). At this time, the color palette 112 corresponding to the color set in the ramp data 111 is referred to. In the example of FIG. 2, the emission color for the time t1 is white “W” first, and the color palette 112 (white RGB conversion table 301) shown in FIG. 3A is referred to. Next, the scan data 20 set in the lamp data 111 is referred to (step S404). At the time of this reference, the gradation data in the scan data 20 (see FIG. 12, scan_feed) set in the ramp data 111 is referred to.

  Thus, gradation data in one lamp group (LED1 to LED3) is set (step S405). Specifically, the lamp group (LED1) is selected based on the selection of the lamp to be turned on in step S402, the setting of the lighting color using the color palette 112 in step S403, and the setting of the luminance using the scan data 20 in step S404. -The gradation data for LED3) is set. Then, it is possible to perform the lighting color control of the lamp every time t1 by the lamp data and the gradation control of the luminance change every time t2 by the scan data within this time t1.

  Thereafter, a lamp table to be used next time is selected (step S406), and a series of processes is terminated. As described above, the lamp control (white lighting and brightness change) using the table shown in the first row shown in FIG. 2 is executed. In the next process, lamp control (orange color and luminance change) based on the setting of the table described in the second row of FIG. 2 is executed by executing the processes after step S401 again.

  FIG. 5 is a timing chart of lamp control according to the present invention. It is a timing chart of the lamp control based on the processing content of FIG. FIG. 5 shows a control state of a lamp (LED2) having a lamp group based on the lamp data (LMP_data2) 111 of FIG. The scan data referred to in this ramp data is the scan data (scan_feed) shown in FIG.

  In the control of the LED2 based on the lamp data (LMP_data2) 111 in FIG. 2, the LED2 is turned on (ON) during the time t1 from the time T0 to the time T1 based on the timing of the timer 103. Then, the color palette 112 indicated in the ramp data (LMP_data2) 111 is referred to. Thereby, the RGB conversion table 301 corresponding to white is referred to, and lighting is performed in white.

  Then, according to the scan data (scan_feed), the brightness at the time of white lighting during the period from T0 to T1 is looped with the value of W being 9 → 8 → 7. At this time, the RGB conversion table 301 is read every time t2 elapses, and the R, G, and B values corresponding to W are read. For example, when W = 8, the values of R = 8, G = 8, and B = 8 are read, the brightness of the LED is reduced by one step, and the LED is lit in white.

  Similarly, the LED 2 is lit (ON) during the time t1 from the time T1 to T2. Then, the color palette 112 indicated in the ramp data (LMP_data2) 111 is referred to. Thereby, the RGB conversion table 302 corresponding to the orange color is referred to, and the orange color is turned on.

  Then, according to the scan data (scan_feed), the brightness of the orange light during the period from T1 to T2 is looped with the value of W being 9 → 8 → 7... (Omitted). At this time, the RGB conversion table 302 is read every time t2 elapses, and the R, G, and B values corresponding to Or are read. For example, when Or = 8, the values of R = 8, G = 5, and B = 0 are read, the luminance of the LED is lowered by one level, and is lit in orange.

  Similarly, during time t1 from time T2 to time T3, lamp control (white lighting and brightness change) using the table described in the first row shown in FIG. 2 is executed again, and white → orange → white The lighting is repeated. Note that reading of scan data (scan_feed) is once reset every time t1 in FIG. As a result, every time the times T1, T2, and T3 are reached, the scan data (scan_feed) is newly read again, and the luminance is started from the state of 9 each time.

  As described above, by using a combination of the lamp data, the color palette for each color, and the scan data, it is possible to easily set and control the lamp emission color and the luminance change state (lamp pattern). It becomes like this. In particular, even if the emission colors are different, the same scan data (see FIG. 12) can be shared by a plurality of lamp data. In other words, only the emission color is specified in the lamp data, and the RGB value setting is referred to another table (color palette). Therefore, when changing the emission color, the emission color setting in the lamp data is changed. It is only necessary to change the RGB values. This saves the effort of creating lamp data for each lamp pattern, reduces the number of corrections when changing the lamp pattern, and easily executes lamp lighting control for changing the lighting color and brightness. It becomes like this.

(Basic configuration of gaming machine)
The lamp control device of the present invention can be applied to various devices, but can be applied to a gaming machine described below. FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of the gaming machine of the present invention. This gaming machine includes a game board 601. At the lower position of the game board 601, an operation handle 613 that is a part of the launching unit is disposed. The game ball launched by driving the launching unit rises between the rails 602a and 602b and reaches the upper position of the game board 601, and then falls within the game area 603. A plurality of nails (not shown) are provided in the game area 603, and a game ball is dropped in various directions, and a windmill that changes the fall direction of the game ball or a prize opening is provided in the middle of the fall. Is arranged.

  An image display unit 604 is disposed at the center of the game area 603 of the game board 601. As the image display unit 604, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) is used. Below the image display unit 604, a start winning opening 605a for starting winning is arranged. In addition, an electric tulip (electric chew) 605b is disposed below the start winning opening 605a. A winning gate 606 is disposed below the image display unit 604. Both the start winning opening 605a and the electric chew 605b can be changed in design by winning.

  The winning gate 606 is provided to detect the passing of the game ball and perform a lottery to open the electric chew 605b for a predetermined time. A normal winning opening 607 is disposed on the side of the image display unit 604, below, or the like. When a game ball wins the normal winning opening 607, the number of winning balls (for example, 10) at the time of the normal winning is paid out. At the bottom of the game area 603, a collection port 608 is provided for collecting game balls that have not won any winning ports. In addition, although not shown, the game area 603 may be provided with an accessory or a movable movable accessory.

  The above-described image display unit 604 starts a change in the display of a plurality of symbols when a game ball wins the start winning opening 605a and the electric chew 605b, and the symbols stop after a predetermined time. When specific symbols (for example, “777”) are prepared at the time of the stop, a big hit state is obtained. In the big hit state, the predetermined winning opening 609 located below is repeatedly opened for a predetermined period (for example, 15 rounds), and the number of winning balls corresponding to the winning game balls is paid out. On the upper part of the image display unit 604, a reserved ball display unit 620 (620a to 620d) is provided.

  A frame member 610 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the game area 603 of the game board 601. The frame member 610 has a shape that surrounds the periphery of the game area 603 on four sides of the game board 601. In the frame member 610, effect light portions (frame lamps) 611 are provided on the two sides on the upper side and the lower side of the game area 603. Each effect light unit 611 includes a plurality of lights 612.

  An operation handle 613 is disposed at a lower position of the frame member 610. The operation handle 613 is operated by the player when the game ball is fired by driving the launching unit. Similar to the frame member 610 described above, the operation handle 613 has a shape that protrudes from the surface of the game board 601 toward the player. The frame member 610 incorporates a speaker that outputs sound.

  In the frame member 610, an effect button (chance button) 617 that receives an operation by the player is provided on the lower side of the game area 603. The operation of the effect button 617 is effective, for example, while a guidance that prompts the user to operate the effect button 617 is displayed during a specific reach effect during the game.

  A plurality of lamps are provided in the game area 603 and the frame member 610 of the game board 601. As the lamp, for example, a full-color LED capable of emitting multicolor light is used, which is divided into a plurality of areas as shown in the figure, and constitutes a lamp group 108 having a plurality of LEDs for each area. The plurality of LEDs provided in the lamp group 108 are turned on by the above-described lamp control, and are subjected to brightness control at the time of ON by gradation control. For example, at the time of reach, lighting control that repeats ON / OFF for a certain lamp group 108 is performed, and the luminance is changed by gradation control, so that the effect at the time of reach can be enhanced.

(Internal configuration of control unit)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the control unit of the gaming machine. The control unit 700 includes a plurality of control units. In the illustrated example, a main control unit 701, an effect control unit 702, a prize ball control unit 703, and a lamp control unit 751 are provided. The main control unit 701 controls basic operations relating to gaming of the gaming machine. The effect control unit 702 controls the effect operation during the game. The prize ball control unit 703 controls the number of prize balls to be paid out. The lamp controller 751 performs lamp control on the lamp group 108 described above.

  The control unit 102 illustrated in FIG. 1 is executed by a CPU (not illustrated) inside the lamp control unit 751 or a CPU 741 provided in the effect control unit 702. The data storage unit 104 illustrated in FIG. 1 can be configured by a ROM (not shown) inside the lamp control unit 751 or a ROM 742 provided in the effect control unit 702. 1 is constituted by a CPU (for example, a CPU of a lamp control unit) provided in the control unit 700, a CPU 741 of an effect control unit 702, and a timer (not shown) connected to the CPU 711 of the main control unit 701. it can.

  The main control unit 701 includes a CPU 711 that executes basic processing as the game content progresses, a RAM 713 that functions as a data work area during arithmetic processing by the CPU 711, and the like based on a program stored in the ROM 712. . The main control unit 701 realizes its function by, for example, a main control board. Various commands set in the RAM 713 are sent to the effect control unit 702 and the prize ball control unit 703 at a predetermined timing.

  The main control unit 701 includes a start winning port detecting unit (starting port SW) 721a for detecting a winning ball won in the starting winning port 605a, and an electric chew winning port detecting unit for detecting a winning ball won in the electric chew 605b. (Electric Chu SW) 721b, a gate detection unit (gate SW) 722 that detects a game ball that has passed through the winning gate 606, and a normal winning port detection unit that detects a gaming ball that has won the normal winning port 607 (normal winning port) SW) 723 and a big prize opening detection unit (large prize opening SW) 724 that detects a winning ball won in the big prize opening 609 are connected. A plurality of the regular winning openings SW723 may be provided, such as SW1 and SW2 for each arrangement position of the normal winning openings 607. These detection units can be configured using proximity switches or the like.

  Detection results by the start winning port detecting unit 721a, the electric chew winning port detecting unit 721b, the gate detecting unit 722, the normal winning port detecting unit 723, and the big winning port detecting unit 724 are input to the main control unit 701.

  In addition, the main control unit 701 controls the driving of the electric chew solenoid 725 that opens the electric chew 605b for a certain period of time and the big prize opening solenoid 731 that opens and closes the big prize opening 609. The big prize opening solenoid 731 performs an operation of opening the big prize opening 609 for a certain period in a big hit. This jackpot is programmed in advance to occur with a predetermined probability based on the generated random number.

  The main control unit 701 is connected to a reserved ball display unit 620. A game ball is detected by the start winning port detecting unit (starting port SW) 721a or the electric chew winning port detecting unit (electric chew SW) 721b, and display data of the number of reserved symbols for the next and subsequent symbol changes is displayed as the reserved ball display unit 620. Output to.

  Next, the effect control unit 702 controls the contents of the effect during the game. The effect control unit 702 controls an image and sound related to the effect based on a command sent from the main control unit 701. Therefore, the CPU 741 that executes the rendering process, the ROM 742 that stores the rendering program, various image data such as background images, design images, and character images and various sounds, and the data work area when the CPU 741 performs arithmetic processing functions. A RAM 743 and a VRAM 744 that stores image data to be displayed on the image display unit 604 are provided. The effect button 617 is connected to the effect control unit 702, and the operation of the effect button 617 is input to the effect control unit 702.

  Based on the command sent from the main control unit 701, the effect control unit 702 reads the program stored in the ROM 742, determines the effect contents, background image display processing, symbol image display / variation processing, character image Various image processing such as display processing and sound processing are executed. At this time, necessary image data and audio data are read from the ROM 742 and written into the VRAM 744. The background image, the design image, and the character image written in the VRAM 744 are superimposed and displayed on the image display unit 604 on the display screen. That is, the design image and the character image are displayed so as to be seen in front of the background image.

  In this case, when the background image and the design image overlap at the same position, the design image is preferentially stored in the RAM 743 by referring to the Z value of the Z buffer of each image data by a known hidden surface removal method such as the Z buffer method. . The effect control unit 702 described above realizes its function by, for example, an effect control board.

  For the image display unit 604, the effect control unit 702 displays the contents of the effect during the game, for example, movement display of symbols, reach (a state in which two of the three symbols are aligned), and various display information at the time of jackpot Is generated and output. When the game is interrupted for a certain time, a screen waiting for the customer is displayed and output. In addition, the effect control unit 702 outputs data for outputting sound from the speaker 777. In addition, although not shown, when a movable accessory is provided on the game board 601, control is performed to move the movable accessory as part of the effect.

  The lamp control unit 751 corresponds to the lamp control device 100 shown in FIG. 1, and has the functional units shown in FIG. The lamp control unit 751 executes processing for lighting the lamp and outputs data for controlling lighting of the lamp group 108 and the effect light unit 611 provided in the game board 601 and the frame member 610.

  Next, the prize ball control unit 703 performs prize ball control based on a program stored in the ROM 782. The prize ball control unit 703 includes a CPU 781 that executes prize ball control processing, and a RAM 783 that functions as a data work area when the CPU 781 performs arithmetic processing. The prize ball control unit 703 realizes its function by a prize ball board, for example.

  The prize ball control unit 703 performs control for paying out the number of prize balls at the time of winning a prize to a payout unit (payout drive motor) 791. The payout unit 791 includes a motor for paying out a predetermined number from the game ball storage unit. Further, an operation for launching a game ball with respect to the launch unit 792 is detected, and the launch of the game ball is controlled.

  The prize ball control unit 703 gives the number of prize balls corresponding to the game balls won to each payout slot (starting prize slot 605a, electric chew 605b, normal prize slot 607, and big prize slot 609) to the payout unit 791. Control to pay out. The launch unit 792 launches a game ball for gaming, and includes a sensor that detects a game operation by the player, a solenoid that launches the game ball, and the like. When the prize ball control unit 703 detects a game operation by the sensor of the launch unit 792, the game ball 601 is intermittently fired by driving a solenoid or the like in response to the detected game operation, and the game area 603 of the game board 601 A game ball is sent out.

  The prize ball control unit 703 is connected to a detection unit (not shown) that detects the state of the game ball to be paid out, and detects the payout state for the prize ball. These detection units include a payout ball detection SW, a ball presence detection SW, a full tank detection SW, and the like.

  The main control unit 701, the effect control unit 702, the prize ball control unit 703, and the lamp control unit 751 configured as described above are provided on different printed circuit boards (main control board, effect control board, prize ball board, and lamp board). It is done. For example, the prize ball control unit 703 can be provided on the same printed circuit board as the main control unit 701.

(Basic operation of gaming machines)
An example of the basic operation of the gaming machine having the above configuration will be described. Control during the game is performed by the CPU 711 of the main control unit 701, and the winning status of the game balls for each winning opening is output to the winning ball control unit 703. The winning ball control unit 703 has the number of winning balls corresponding to the winning status. Make a withdrawal.

  Further, every time a game ball wins at the start winning opening 605a or the electric chew 605b, a corresponding control signal is output to the effect control unit 702, and the effect control unit 702 displays the design of the image display unit 604 in a variable manner. Repeat to stop. When the big hit occurrence has been determined, a corresponding control signal is output to the effect control unit 702, and the effect control unit 702 stops with a predetermined design. At the same time, control for opening the special winning opening 609 is performed. In addition, the display data of the number of symbols on hold for the symbol variation is output to the hold ball display unit 620.

  The effect control unit 702 displays various effects in addition to the symbol variation display on the image display unit 604 during the reach of the jackpot occurrence period and during the reach until the jackpot occurrence, or at the time of reach notice. . In addition, a specific drive is performed on the movable accessory, and effects such as changing the lighting state of the lamp group 108 are performed on the lamp control unit 751.

  When a big hit occurs, the big prize opening 609 is opened a plurality of times. For example, 15 rounds are repeatedly executed with one release as one round. The period of one round is set, for example, when 10 game balls are won or for a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds). At this time, the prize ball control unit 703 pays out with 15 prize balls per prize for each game ball to the big prize opening 609. After the jackpot is over, the jackpot state is canceled and the normal gaming state is restored.

  According to the embodiment described above, lamp control is performed by combining lamp data for lighting control, a color palette that sets RGB values for each lighting color and is referred to by the lamp data, and scan data for gradation control. Since one scan data can be shared by a plurality of lamp data, brightness (gradation) can be controlled by using one scan data for all emission colors even if the emission colors are different. become. As a result, even when the emission color is changed, gradation control using other emission colors can be performed simply by changing the emission color setting bits in the lamp data, so that lamp data can be easily created and modified. It becomes like this.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the lamp control device will be described. The second embodiment is an example in which a color setting command is input to the lamp control device 100 shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, the lamp data 111 is stored in the ROM in advance, and the issue color information in which the emission color is fixed is set. However, in the second embodiment, the emission color information is not designated. The light emission color can be freely changed by a color change command output from an external device.

  This color change command has a configuration in which the lamp control device is input from an external device to the lamp control device 100 shown in FIG. 1 before the lamp control device is incorporated into the device (the gaming machine in the above example). It is used for the operation of changing the lighting color of the lamp to various emission colors by inputting a color change command in a stage or the like and testing the emission state. After the design stage is completed, the color change command is not used, and the non-designated emission color information is replaced with the determined emission color information color, set in the lamp data 111, stored in the ROM, and incorporated in a gaming machine or the like. , Will actually operate.

  The lamp control device in a state of being incorporated in a gaming machine corresponds to the lamp control unit 751 or the effect control unit 702 shown in FIG. A color change command output from an external device is input to the lamp control unit 751 (or the effect control unit 702), and control for changing the emission color of the lamp is performed.

  The color change command is obtained by converting information for arbitrarily changing the above-described emission color according to the command. For example, a command is input during normal fluctuations in a gaming machine, and the lamps emit light in a predetermined color corresponding to the command in units of the lamp group 108. When reaching or changing the game mode, a reach command or a mode designation command is input, and the lamp group 108 is controlled to emit light with a light emission color corresponding to each reach or the designated mode. The external device includes the above-described color change command in such a command for changing the mode, or outputs a mode change command and a color change command.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of lamp data (LMP_data3) for lighting control in the second embodiment. Compared with the ramp data (LMP_data2) 111 shown in FIG. 2, the first and second tables are the same, but the third table is an almighty unspecified that can be arbitrarily changed by a color setting command. The emission color information (AL1 to AL3) is set. LED1 can be changed in color by AL1, LED2 can be changed in color by AL2, and LED3 can be arbitrarily changed in time t1 by AL3. When a color change is performed using a color change command, the control unit 102 sets a corresponding color change flag using the color change command.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a color change table in which the relationship between the color change flag and the set color is set. For example, the control unit 102 sets the flag A by a certain color change command. At this time, in the color change table 901, in this flag A, an association for emitting light with AL1 = R (red), AL2 = G (green), and AL3 = B (blue) is set. Further, the control unit 102 sets the flag B by another color change command. In the corresponding other color change table 902, in this flag B, an association in which light is emitted when AL1 = W (white), AL2 = R (red), and AL3 = Or (orange) is set.

  For the emission color set in the color change table, the RGB values necessary for the emission color are read out by referring to the color palette 112 for each lamp (LED1 to LED3) and output to the lamp (LED1 to LED3). The Further, when changing the gradation, the brightness is changed with reference to the scan data 20.

  In this example, the lamps are set to have different emission colors for each lamp. However, all of the LEDs 1 to LED3 included in a single lamp group 108 have the same emission color, AL1 = W (white). It can also be set. For example, it is used when the plurality of lamp groups 108 have the same color in the game mode and the entire game board 601 has a light emission color for each mode.

  These color change tables 901 and 902 are stored and held in the data storage unit 104 (not shown in FIG. 1). The color change tables 901 and 902 are not limited to this, and may be configured as lamp data 111 or partial data of the color palette 112.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of lamp control executed by the lamp control device in the second embodiment. The same processing contents as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  And in Embodiment 2, the process of step S1001-step S1003 is added. In step S402, when lamps (LED1 to LED3) set and used in the table are specified (step S402: Yes), it is determined whether the input command is a color change command (step S1001). If it is not a color change command (step S1001: No), the process proceeds to step S403, but if it is a color change command (step S1001: Yes), a flag corresponding to this color change command is set (step S1002). Specifically, the above flags A and B are selected and set.

  Next, the color change table corresponding to the set flag is referred to (step S1003). For example, when the flag is A, the color change table 901 shown in FIG. 9 is referred to, and when the flag is B, the color change table 902 is referenced. Thereby, the luminescent color of each of LED1-LED3 is set. Thereafter, the color palette 112 corresponding to the light emission color set in the color change table 901 is referred to (step S403). Thereafter, the scan data 20 is referred to (step S404), and the emission color indicated by the color change table 901 by the set of gradation data (LED1 = R (red), LED2 = G (green), and LED3 = shown in FIG. 9). B (blue)) is emitted (step S405).

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, only by changing the color change command for a certain LED1, AL1 emits light with R (red) in flag A, and AL1 emits light with W (white) in flag B. Thus, the light emission color of the lamp at the time of reach or in a specific mode can be easily changed using a flag. Therefore, for example, the emission color corresponding to various modes at the time of trial production of a gaming machine can be easily changed to an arbitrary emission color by sending a color command. In particular, a gaming machine can be obtained by transmitting a color command to the gaming machine from the outside in a state where a ROM or the like, which is a data storage unit 104 in which lamp data having a fixed emission color is stored, is incorporated in the gaming machine. The emission color of the lamp group 108 can be freely changed outside the lamp. As a result, the lamp lighting state at the time of the actual performance can be confirmed on the game board 601 and the emission color can be easily changed.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, lamp control for performing an effect using a lamp provided in a gaming machine has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other configurations may be used as long as the luminance is changed with a certain lighting pattern. It can also be applied to lamp control. For example, it can be similarly applied to various attractions and lighting control devices for stage lighting.

  Note that the lamp control method described in this embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance by a computer provided in the gaming machine. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As described above, the present invention is suitable for changing the lighting color of a lamp capable of emitting multicolor light by correction or the like, and is applied to a device that performs various effects using the lamp, for example, a lamp of a lighting device or a gaming machine. can do.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the lamp | ramp control apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the lamp data (LMP_data2) for lighting control. It is a figure which shows the RGB conversion table for white among color palettes. It is a figure which shows the RGB conversion table for orange among color palettes. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the lamp control which a lamp control apparatus performs. 3 is a timing chart of lamp control according to the present invention. It is a front view which shows an example of the game machine of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the control part of a game machine. It is a figure which shows an example of the lamp data (LMP_data3) for lighting control in Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the color change table which set the relationship between the flag at the time of a color change, and a setting color. 6 is a flowchart showing details of lamp control processing executed by the lamp control device in the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the lamp data (LMP_data) for the conventional white lighting. It is a figure which shows an example of the scan data (scan_feed) used for the gradation control at the time of white lighting. It is a figure which shows an example of the lamp data (LMP_data) for orange lighting control by a prior art. It is a figure which shows an example of the scan data (scan_feed2) used for the gradation control at the time of orange lighting.

Explanation of symbols

20 Scan Data 101 Input Unit 102 Control Unit 103 Timer 104 Data Storage Unit 105 Output Unit 108 Lamp Group 111 Lamp Data 112 Color Palette 301,302 RGB Conversion Table 601 Game Board 604 Image Display Unit 701 Main Control Unit 702 Effect Control Unit 703 Award Sphere control unit 901, 902 Color change table

Claims (9)

In a lamp control device that controls lighting of a plurality of lamps capable of emitting multicolor light,
Data storage means for storing lamp data for controlling lighting of a plurality of lamps with a predetermined color, and a color palette in which a light emission color at the time of lighting indicated by the lamp data is set;
Control means for controlling the lighting of the plurality of lamps by reading the lamp data from the data storage means at a predetermined timing;
The lamp control device according to claim 1, wherein unspecified emission color information for arbitrarily changing the emission color of the lamp is set in the lamp data by a color change command inputted from outside. The data storage means stores a color change table in which the emission color of the lamp is set for each flag,
The said control means selects the flag corresponding to the said color change command, determines the luminescent color of the said lamp by referring the said color change table corresponding to the said flag. Lamp control device. The data storage means is set as a reference destination for the lamp data and stores scan data for gradation control for a plurality of the lamps.
The lamp control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes and controls luminance at the time of light emission using the scan data set in the lamp data. The lamp data is a table in which predetermined time unit information for controlling the lighting of the lamp, unspecified emission color information, and information of scan data to be referred to are set.
In the color change table, an emission color for each lamp is set corresponding to the flag,
In the color palette, the value of the ratio of the three primary colors R, G, and B corresponding to the emission color for the lamp is set.
The control means performs lighting control based on the emission color for the plurality of lamps in a predetermined time unit set with reference to the lamp data table, and the lamp in the predetermined time unit based on scan data. The lamp control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gradation is controlled.   5. The table according to claim 1, wherein the color palette is a table in which values of ratios of three primary colors R, G, and B of light for each gradation for each predetermined color are set. Lamp control device.   The scan data is a table in which predetermined time unit information for gradation control and luminance information for each of the plurality of lamps in the predetermined time unit are set. The lamp control device according to claim 5. The lamp control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A plurality of lamps capable of emitting multicolor light arranged on the surface of the gaming machine;
A main control board that controls a jackpot of a gaming machine and outputs a command for controlling the lighting of the lamp in a predetermined color to the lamp control device
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the color change command is input from an external device to the lamp control device. In a lamp control method for controlling lighting of a plurality of lamps capable of emitting multicolor light,
The lamp data for controlling the lighting of a plurality of lamps with a predetermined color and a color palette in which a light emission color at the time of lighting indicated by the lamp data is set are stored at a predetermined timing from the data storage means. And controlling the lighting of a plurality of the lamps,
If unspecified emission color information for arbitrarily changing the lamp emission color is set in the lamp data, the lamp emission color is arbitrarily changed by a color change command input from the outside. A light emission color changing step,
A lamp control method comprising:   A program causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 8.

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