JP4758763B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a gaming machine capable of performing a predetermined game, and in particular, an image in which a non-display area is formed in a part of a display area where a moving image related to a game is displayed. The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a display device.

  Conventionally, many game machines such as pachinko machines and game machines equipped with an image display device such as a liquid crystal display have been put into practical use.

  In recent years, there have been proposed ones in which an image display device is arranged on the front side of a display area of a reel of a gaming machine, or ones in which a gaming board surface of a pachinko machine is made transparent and an image display device is arranged on the back side thereof. In particular, in the case where the image display device is arranged on the front side of the display area of the reel of the gaming machine, it is proposed that a non-display area is formed at a position corresponding to the display area of the reel so as not to disturb the visual recognition of the reel. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Also, an image processing device of an image display device mounted on a gaming machine generally reads out the corresponding image data from the image data ROM and outputs the image stored in the video RAM area to the image display device for display. It is. In such an image display device, it is determined whether or not a part of the image data stored in the video RAM protrudes from a drawing area (virtual display area) corresponding to the actual display area. It has been proposed that a pixel corresponding to the protruding portion is specified from the coordinates of the image data to be processed, and that the pixel is not drawn (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  On the other hand, as an image processing device of an image display device mounted on these gaming machines, moving image data obtained by storing compressed moving image data compressed by an encoding method using an encoding technique called MPEG and expanding the compressed moving image data An image processing apparatus that reproduces a moving image by using an image is used (for example, see Patent Document 3).

  In general, with regard to compressed moving image data (IP compressed moving image data) consisting only of an I frame (intra-frame encoded frame) and a P picture (forward prediction encoded frame), the order in which the frames are expanded when moving image reproduction is performed. Since the display order matches, for example, the expanded data of the forward I frame referred to when the P frame is expanded is held in the buffer as it is.

  In addition, with regard to compressed moving image data (IPB compressed moving image data) including B frames (bidirectional predictive encoded frames), the order in which the frames are expanded and the order in which the frames are displayed may not match when performing moving image reproduction. For example, the expansion data of the forward frame referred to when expanding the B frame is held in the buffer as it is, and the expansion data of the backward frame referred to when expanding the B frame is buffered in advance. Retained.

JP 2005-52290 A JP 2002-239150 A JP 2005-72655 A

  In a gaming machine as described in Patent Document 1 described above, that is, a gaming machine equipped with an image display device in which a non-display area is formed in a part of the display area, the virtual display area of the video RAM is processed by the image processing apparatus. Although the image data is drawn at a location corresponding to the non-display area, it is not actually displayed, so that there is a problem that the processing load is unnecessarily increased.

  In addition, even when the technique described in Patent Document 2 described above is applied to a gaming machine, although drawing is not performed for an area that protrudes from the screen, image data is rendered for a non-display area formed in the screen Thus, the image data of the area that is not actually displayed is still drawn, and the problem that the processing load is unnecessarily high cannot be solved.

  On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus described in Patent Document 3 described above, when performing moving image reproduction based on IP compressed moving image data, it is necessary to perform the expansion processing of the frame one frame period before displaying each frame. When reproducing a moving image based on IPB compressed moving image data, it is necessary to perform the expansion processing of the frame before two frame periods for displaying each frame. For this reason, when IP compressed moving image data and IPB compressed moving image data coexist, the timing for starting frame expansion processing differs depending on the type of moving image data, and management of the expansion processing execution timing in moving image reproduction control is complicated. There is a problem that there is.

  Further, in the image processing apparatus described in Patent Document 3 described above, when a moving image is reproduced based on the IP compressed moving image data, the last frame is displayed after one frame period of the frame period in which the last frame expansion processing is performed. However, when a moving image is reproduced based on the IPB compressed moving image data, the last frame is displayed after two frame periods of the frame period in which the last frame expansion process is performed. For this reason, when IP compressed moving image data and IPB compressed moving image data are mixed, the timing for ending the frame moving image reproduction control differs depending on the type of moving image data. There is a problem that the management of the execution timing of the decompression process in the moving image reproduction control of the compressed moving image data that is reproduced after the reproduction is complicated.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and includes an image display device in which a non-display area is formed in a part of a display area, and a mixture of IP compressed moving picture data and IPB compressed moving picture data. To provide a gaming machine that can reduce the processing load of the video playback control and can easily manage the execution timing of the expansion processing in the video playback control. Objective.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a gaming machine according to claim 1 of the present invention provides:
A gaming machine that performs a predetermined game,
An image display device in which a display area in which a moving image related to the game is displayed in a square screen area and a non-display area in which a moving image related to the game is not displayed;
Reproduction display means for reproducing and displaying a moving image based on compressed moving image data including a plurality of compressed image data compressed by a predetermined compression method on the screen area;
With
The reproduction display means includes
Compression storing a plurality of compressed moving image data including first compressed moving image data including bidirectional compressed image data compressed by bidirectional predictive coding and second compressed moving image data not including the bidirectional compressed image data Video data storage means;
Expansion processing means for performing expansion processing for expanding the compressed image data included in the compressed moving image data in a predetermined expansion order and storing the compressed image data in a buffer for each predetermined moving image frame period;
Means for performing creation processing for creating drawing data in a virtual display area corresponding to the entire screen area, and stored in the buffer by the development processing means in accordance with a display order predetermined at least for each moving image frame period Creation processing means for performing development image creation processing for creating drawing data based on image data in an area corresponding to a position for displaying an image of the screen area in the virtual display area;
Display processing means for performing a display process for displaying an image on the screen area according to the drawing data stored in the virtual display area;
Including
The reproduction display means further includes:
Specifying compressed video data when starting playback and display of a moving image, and starting expansion processing by the expansion processing means from a video frame period in which the compressed video data is specified,
Starting the developed image creation process by the creation processing means from the next video frame period of the video frame period that started the development process,
When the designated compressed moving image data is the first compressed moving image data, the decompression processing is performed a plurality of times in the designated moving image frame period, and
The decompression processing unit is configured to use the first processing used for the previous reproduction when the moving image based on the second compressed moving image data is reproduced at least after the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data is reproduced. The final scheduled display image data whose display order is the last in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data is not used for the expansion processing of the compressed image data indicating the other image in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data, A moving image frame period following a moving image frame period in which the expansion processing of the final display scheduled image data in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data used for the previous reproduction is performed, and based on the final display planned image data The second compression motion used for later playback in a video frame period before a video frame period in which drawing data is to be created in the virtual display area Performs the expansion process of expanding the earliest display image data display order is the first in a moving image based on the data,
In the moving image frame period in which drawing data based on the final display scheduled image data in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data used for the previous reproduction is to be generated in the virtual display area, The drawing data based on the final scheduled display image data is not created in the virtual display area by the developed image creation process, and the first display image data of the moving image based on the second compressed moving image data used for later reproduction is used. Creating drawing data based on the virtual display area,
Further, the creation processing means does not create drawing data based on the image data stored in the buffer by the development processing means for an area corresponding to the non-display area in the virtual display area in the developed image creation processing. ,
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, drawing data based on the image data stored in the buffer is not created in the virtual display area corresponding to the non-display area of the actual screen area. Since processing to be created in the display area can be omitted, the processing load of moving image reproduction control by the reproduction display means can be reduced, and the capability of moving image reproduction processing can be improved.
In addition, when the compressed moving image data designated when starting the reproduction display of the moving image is the first compressed moving image data, the decompression processing is performed a plurality of times during the designated moving image frame period. When IP compressed moving image data and IPB compressed moving image data coexist, even when the types of compressed moving image data are different, the timing for starting the decompression processing of the compressed image data can be set to the same timing. Management of the execution timing of the expansion process in the reproduction control becomes easy. In addition, when the compressed moving image data specified when starting the reproduction display of the moving image is the first compressed moving image data, a moving image frame in which the compressed moving image data is specified regardless of the order in which the bidirectional compressed image data is expanded. Since the expansion process is performed multiple times during the period, that is, the first video frame period, it is easy to specify the video frame period in which the multiple expansion processes are performed, and it is easier to design the execution timing of the expansion process in the video playback control. Become.
In addition, when a moving image based on at least the second compressed moving image data is reproduced after the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data is reproduced, the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data used for the previous reproduction is used. In the moving image based on the second compressed moving image data used for later reproduction in the moving image frame period before the moving image frame period in which the drawing data based on the final display scheduled image data is to be created in the virtual display area, the display order is The first earliest display image data is expanded, and the drawing data based on the final display scheduled image data in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data used for the previous reproduction is generated in the moving image frame period to be created in the virtual display area. Thus, the second compression used for later reproduction without drawing data based on the final scheduled display image data being created in the virtual display area. Since the drawing data based on the first display image data of the moving image based on the image data is created in the virtual display area, the type of the compressed moving image data is different when the IP compressed moving image data and the IPB compressed moving image data are mixed. However, the timing of ending the video playback control is the same timing, and the decompression processing timing in the video playback control of the compressed video data that is played back after the previous video playback can also be set to the same timing. Therefore, the management of the execution timing of the expansion process in the moving image reproduction control becomes easy.
In addition, when a moving image based on the first compressed moving image data is reproduced and then a moving image based on at least the second compressed moving image data is reproduced, the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data used for the previous reproduction is used. Since it is only necessary to expand the earliest display image data in the moving image based on the compressed moving image data used for later playback in the moving image frame period after the moving image frame period for performing the expansion processing of the final display scheduled image data in the image. It becomes possible to easily determine the switching timing of the compressed video data to be controlled when continuously playing back moving images based on the compressed video data, making it easier to manage the execution timing of decompression processing in video playback control Can be.
The virtual display area may be a storage area that can store drawing data at a position corresponding to the entire screen area, and may store drawing data of a two-dimensional area corresponding to the entire screen area. The drawing data may be stored for each of the plurality of display lines (scanning lines on the screen) corresponding to the entire screen area.

A gaming machine according to claim 2 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The creation processing means includes
Designating means for designating an area for creating drawing data based on the image data stored in the buffer by the developed image creation processing;
Regardless of whether or not it is specified by the specifying means to create drawing data based on the image data stored in the buffer for an area corresponding to the non-display area in the virtual display area. Perform non-display image creation processing to create drawing data for
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, when the compressed video data used for video playback of an image display device mounted on a certain gaming machine is used for video playback of an image display device mounted on a different type of gaming machine (for example, a pachinko machine) The same compressed image data is used for game machines with different non-display areas in the case of using the compressed moving image data used for reproducing the moving image of the image display device mounted on the video machine for reproducing the moving image of the image display device mounted on the slot machine. Even when it is applied, it is possible to apply the control of moving image reproduction without significantly changing the control content.

A gaming machine according to claim 3 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The creation processing means includes
Designation means for designating an area for creating drawing data based on the image data stored in the buffer by the developed image creation processing;
Prohibiting means for prohibiting designation of an area corresponding to the non-display area in the virtual display area as an area for creating drawing data based on image data stored in the buffer by the designation means;
including,
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, when the compressed video data used for video playback of an image display device mounted on a certain gaming machine is used for video playback of an image display device mounted on a different type of gaming machine (for example, a pachinko machine) The same compressed image data is used for game machines with different non-display areas in the case of using the compressed moving image data used for reproducing the moving image of the image display device mounted on the video machine for reproducing the moving image of the image display device mounted on the slot machine. Even when it is applied, it is possible to apply without significantly changing the control content. In addition, it is possible to apply a common program or hardware configuration creation processing means, and it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the parts constituting the creation processing means.

A gaming machine according to claim 4 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The expansion processing means stores the image data obtained by expanding the compressed image data in the expansion processing in any of a plurality of buffers,
Buffer number setting means for setting the number of buffers used in the decompression process according to whether or not the compressed moving image data used for reproduction display of the designated moving image is the first compressed moving image data;
The buffer number setting means sets a larger number of buffers when the first compressed moving image data than when the second compressed moving image data.
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, the capacity of the storage area used for moving image reproduction control can be appropriately allocated according to whether or not the compressed moving image data used for moving image reproduction display is the first compressed moving image data.

A gaming machine according to claim 5 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1-4,
The expansion processing means stores the image data obtained by expanding the compressed image data in the expansion processing in any of a plurality of buffers,
Buffer setting means for determining an image size of image data obtained by expanding the compressed moving image data used for reproduction display of the specified moving image, and setting a storage area of the image size according to the determination result as a buffer used for the expansion processing Prepare
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, the capacity of the storage area used for moving image reproduction control can be appropriately allocated according to the image size of the moving image based on the compressed moving image data used for moving image reproduction display.

A gaming machine according to claim 6 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The reproduction display means further includes sprite image data storage means for storing sprite image data for displaying a sprite image,
The expansion processing means performs the expansion processing for each moving image frame period,
The creation processing means displays the image of the virtual display area with drawing data based on the sprite image data for each sprite frame period which is 1 / N (N is an integer of 2 or more) of the moving image frame period. Sprite image creation processing to be created in the area corresponding to the position and the development image creation processing,
The display processing means performs display processing for displaying an image on the screen area for each sprite frame period according to the drawing data stored in the virtual display area.
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, the content of the sprite image is updated in a period shorter than the moving image frame period in which the compressed image data is updated. Therefore, the processing load related to the development of the compressed image data is reduced while realizing a precise display. It can prevent becoming heavy.

A gaming machine according to claim 7 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game, and the display result is derived and displayed on a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols that can be individually identified. A gaming machine in which one game is finished and a winning can be generated according to the display result of the variable display device,
The screen area is arranged in front of the variable display device, and the non-display area is formed so that a display result of the variable display device can be visually recognized.
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, it becomes possible to display a moving image related to a game in the screen area of the image display device arranged on the near side of the variable display device without impairing the visibility of the variable display device. In addition to enhancing the production effect, even when the screen area of the image display device is enlarged, a non-display area is formed so that the display result of the variable display device can be visually recognized. Can be reduced.

The gaming machine according to means 1 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The playback display means includes continuous playback display means for repeatedly playing back and displaying the same compressed video data repeatedly,
The continuous reproduction display means repeatedly reproduces and displays only the same second compressed video data.
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, when the same compressed image data is repeatedly reproduced and displayed repeatedly, only the second compressed moving image data that does not include bidirectional compressed image data is used although the compression rate is low. It is possible to reduce the control load associated with.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

  An embodiment of a slot machine to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. A slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment is rotatable to a housing (not shown) whose front surface is open and a side end of the housing. It consists of a pivoted front door.

  Inside the casing of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, reels 2L, 2C, 2R (hereinafter also referred to as a left reel, a middle reel, and a right reel) in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 1, three consecutive symbols out of the symbols arranged on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are arranged so as to be seen from the see-through window 3 provided on the front door.

  As shown in FIG. 2, “red 7 (black 7 in the figure)”, “white 7”, “BAR”, “JAC”, “watermelon”, “ A plurality of types of mutually distinguishable symbols such as “cherry” and “bell” are drawn in a predetermined order. The symbols drawn on the outer peripheries of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are displayed in the upper, middle, and lower three stages in the see-through window 3, respectively.

  The reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are provided in correspondence with each other and are rotated by reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R (see FIG. 3), so that the symbols of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are continuously provided in the see-through window 3. In addition to being displayed while changing, by stopping the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, three consecutive symbols are derived and displayed on the fluoroscopic window 3 as display results.

  Further, a display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 (see FIG. 3) is arranged at a position on the front side (player side) of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R of the front door. The display area 51a is formed in a rectangular shape, and a non-display area 51b in which no image is displayed is formed in an area corresponding to the see-through window 3, and each reel 2L, 2C, 2R is always provided from the player side. The see-through window 3 can be seen through. In addition, a backlight (not shown) for irradiating the display area 51a from behind is provided on the back surface of the display area 51a excluding the non-display area 51b, and the back surface further conceals the inside. A member (not shown) is provided.

  Further, on the front door, a medal insertion portion 4 capable of inserting medals, a medal payout exit 9 from which medals are paid out, and credits (the number of medals stored as a player's own game value) are used for one medal. 1 bet switch 5 that is operated when setting the bet number of the game, and using a credit, a predetermined number of bet numbers determined according to the game state within the range (in this embodiment, the normal game state and The MAXBET switch 6 that is operated when setting 3 for a small-combination game and 1 for a regular bonus, which will be described later, pays out medals stored as credits and medals used to set the number of bets (credits and bets) The settlement switch 10 that is operated when the number of medals used for setting the number is returned), the start switch 7 that is operated when the game is started, and the reel L, 2C, stop switch 8L is operated to stop each rotation of the 2R, 8C, 8R are provided.

  The front door also displays a credit indicator 11 for displaying the number of medals stored as credits, the number of medals acquired in a big bonus, which will be described later, and an error code indicating the contents when an error occurs. An auxiliary indicator 12 and a payout indicator 13 for displaying the number of medals paid out due to the occurrence of a prize are provided.

  Also, on the front door, 1 BET LED 14 that notifies that the bet number is set by 1 is turned on, 2 BET LED 15 that notifies that the bet number is set 2 is turned on, and that the bet number is set to 3 3BETLED 16 to notify, the insertion request LED 17 to notify that the medal can be inserted by lighting, the start effective LED 18 to notify that the game start operation by the operation of the start switch 7 is effective, and the weight (previous game) (Waiting for starting reel rotation since a certain period of time has not elapsed since the start) LED 19 during waiting to notify that it is on, LED 20 during replay notifying that it is in a replay game to be described later Is provided.

  Further, inside the MAXBET switch 6, there is provided a BET switch valid LED 21 (see FIG. 3) for notifying by lighting that the betting number setting operation by the operation of the 1BET switch 5 and the MAXBET switch 6 is valid. Inside the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, left, middle, and right stop effective LEDs 22L, 22C, and 22R for informing that the reel stop operation by the corresponding stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is effective by lighting (FIG. 3) is provided.

  Further, inside the front door, a reset switch 23 for detecting a reset operation for canceling an error state excluding a RAM abnormality error described later and a stop state described later by a predetermined key operation, changing a set value described later And a set value indicator 24 for displaying the set value at that time during confirmation of the set value, and a flow path for medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 4, which will be described later, is provided in a hopper tank (not shown). ) Side or medal payout outlet 9 side, a flow path switching solenoid 30 for selectively switching, and a medal insertion sensor 31 for detecting a medal inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 and flowing down to the hopper tank side are provided. ing.

  Inside the casing, a reel unit (not shown) comprising the reels 2L, 2C and 2R, the reel motors 32L, 32C and 32R, and the reel sensor 33 capable of detecting the respective reel reference positions of the reels 2L, 2C and 2R. A hopper tank (not shown) for storing medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 4, a hopper motor 34 for paying out medals stored in the hopper tank from the medal payout opening 9, and paying out by driving the hopper motor 34. A payout sensor 35 for detecting a medal and a power supply box (not shown) are provided.

  On the front of the power supply box is a stop switch for selecting whether to enable / disable a stop function for controlling the stop state (a state in which the progress of the game is restricted until a reset operation is performed) at the end of a big bonus, which will be described later 36, a setting key switch 37 for switching to the setting change mode at the time of startup, and functioning as a reset switch for canceling an error state and a stop state except for a RAM abnormality error in a normal state. There are provided a reset / setting switch 38 functioning as a setting switch for changing the setting value of the winning probability (out-run rate) of the lottery, and a power switch 39 operated when turning on / off the power.

  When a game is played in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, first, medals are inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 or a bet number is set using credits. In order to use credits, the single BET switch 5 or the MAX BET switch 6 may be operated. When a predetermined number of bets determined according to the gaming state are set, the pay lines L1 to L5 (see FIG. 1) become effective, and the operation of the start switch 7 is effective, that is, the game can be started. It becomes a state. In this embodiment, as the specified number of bets, three are determined in the normal gaming state described later and the small bonus game during the big bonus, and one is determined in the regular bonus described later. Yes. If medals are inserted beyond the prescribed number corresponding to the gaming state, the amount is added to the credit.

  When the start switch 7 is operated in a state where the game can be started, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R rotate, and the symbols of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R continuously vary. When any one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is operated in this state, the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, 2R is stopped, and the display result is derived and displayed on the fluoroscopic window 3.

  Then, when all the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped, one game is completed, and a predetermined symbol combination on each of the activated pay lines L1-L5 is a reel 2L, 2C, 2R. When the display result is stopped, a winning occurs, and a predetermined number of medals are awarded to the player and added to the credit. Further, when the credit reaches the upper limit number (50 in this embodiment), medals are paid out directly from the medal payout opening 9 (see FIG. 1). In addition, when a combination of symbols accompanying the transition of the gaming state is stopped as a display result of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R on any of the activated pay lines L1 to L5, a game corresponding to the combination of symbols Transition to the state.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the slot machine 1 is provided with a game control board 40, an effect control board 90, and a power supply board 100, and the progress of the game is controlled by the game control board 40. The production according to the state is controlled, and the power supply board 100 generates the drive power for the electrical components constituting the slot machine 1 and supplies the drive power to each unit.

  The power supply board 100 is supplied with AC100V power from the outside, and from this AC100V power supply, a DC voltage necessary for driving electrical components constituting the slot machine 1 is generated, and the game control board 40 and the game control board 40 are generated. It is supplied to the production control board 90 connected through the. Further, the above-described hopper motor 34, payout sensor 35, stop switch 36, setting key switch 37, reset / setting switch 38, and power switch 39 are connected to the power supply substrate 100.

  Connected to the game control board 40 are the above-described one-sheet BET switch 5, MAXBET switch 6, start switch 7, stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, settlement switch 10, reset switch 23, insertion medal sensor 31, and reel sensor 33. In addition, the above-described payout sensor 35, stop switch 36, setting key switch 37, and reset / setting switch 38 are connected via the power supply substrate 100, and detection signals of these connected switches are input. It is like that.

  Further, the game control board 40 includes the credit display 11, the game auxiliary display 12, the payout display 13, 1 to 3 BET LEDs 14 to 16, the insertion request LED 17, the start valid LED 18, the waiting LED 19, the replaying LED 10, and the BET. The switch effective LED 21, left, middle, and right stop effective LEDs 22L, 22C, and 22R, the set value display 24, the flow path switching solenoid 30, and the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R are connected to each other, and are described above via the power supply board 100. The hopper motor 34 is connected, and these electric components are driven based on control of a main control unit 41 described later mounted on the game control board 40.

  The game control board 40 is composed of a microcomputer having a CPU 41a, ROM 41b, RAM 41c, and I / O port 41d. The main control unit 41 for controlling the game, random numbers in a predetermined range (0 to 16383 in this embodiment) are used. A random number generation circuit 42 for generating, a sampling circuit 43 for acquiring a random number from the random number generation circuit, and a switch detection circuit 44 for detecting a detection signal input from switches connected to the game control board 40 directly or via the power supply board 100 , A motor driving circuit 45 that controls the driving of the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R, a solenoid driving circuit 46 that controls the driving of the flow path switching solenoid 30, and a driving control of various displays and LEDs connected to the game control board 40. The power supply voltage supplied to the LED drive circuit 47 and the slot machine 1 to be monitored is monitored. An interruption detection circuit 48 that outputs a voltage drop signal indicating that to the main control unit 41 when a drop is detected. When the power is turned on or when an initialization command from the CPU 41a is not inputted, a reset signal is sent to the CPU 41a. A reset circuit 49 to be applied and other various devices and circuits are mounted.

  The CPU 41a has an interrupt function (including an interrupt prohibition function) such as a timekeeping function and a timer interrupt, and executes a program (described later) stored in the ROM 41b to perform processing related to the progress of the game. Each part of the control circuit mounted on the control board 40 is controlled directly or indirectly. The ROM 41b stores fixed data such as programs executed by the CPU 41a and various tables. The RAM 41c is used as a work area when the CPU 41a executes a program. The I / O port 41d inputs / outputs a control signal to / from each circuit connected via a signal input / output terminal included in the main control unit 41.

  The CPU 41a transmits various commands to the effect control board 90 via the I / O port 41d. A command transmitted from the game control board 40 to the effect control board 90 is sent in only one direction, and no command is sent from the effect control board 90 to the game control board 40. The transmission line of the command transmitted from the game control board 40 to the effect control board 90 is composed of a strobe (INT) signal line, a data transmission line, and a ground line, and is connected via the effect relay board 80. The game control board 40 and the effect control board 90 are not directly connected.

  Electrical components such as a liquid crystal display 51 (see FIG. 1), a rendering effect LED 52, speakers 53 and 54, and a reel LED 55 disposed on the front door of the slot machine 1 are connected to the rendering control board 90. The components are driven based on control by a later-described sub-control unit 91 mounted on the effect control board 90.

  Similar to the main control unit 41, the effect control board 90 includes a microcomputer having a CPU 91a, ROM 91b, RAM 91c, and I / O port 91d. The effect control board 90 includes a sub control unit 91 for effect control and an effect control board 90. A display control circuit 92 that performs display control of the connected liquid crystal display 51, a lamp drive circuit 93 that performs drive control of the effect LED 52 and the reel LED 55, an audio output circuit 94 that controls audio output from the speakers 53 and 54, and a power source A reset circuit 95 that gives a reset signal to the CPU 91a when it is turned on or when an initialization command is not input from the CPU 91a, and other circuits are mounted. The CPU 91a receives a command transmitted from the game control board 40. In addition to performing various controls for production, mounted on production control board 90 Directly or indirectly controls each unit of the control circuit.

  Similar to the CPU 41a of the main control unit 41, the CPU 91a has an interrupt function (including an interrupt prohibition function). An interrupt terminal (not shown) of the sub-control unit 91 is connected to a strobe (INT) signal line that is output when the main control unit 41 transmits a command among command transmission lines. An interrupt is generated based on the input to acquire a command from the main control unit 41 and execute a command reception interrupt process to be stored in the buffer. Further, an interrupt terminal (not shown) of the CPU 91a is connected to a graphic controller 200 (to be described later) of the display control circuit 92, and the CPU 91a periodically (every 33.3 ms in this embodiment) from the graphic controller 200. An interrupt is generated based on the input of the output V blank interrupt signal, and the V blank interrupt process is executed. Further, the CPU 91a interrupts on the basis of inputs of a development end interrupt signal, a transfer end interrupt signal, and a drawing end interrupt signal output from the graphic controller 200 at the end of development processing, transfer processing, and drawing processing, which will be described later. To generate the expansion end interrupt process, the transfer end interrupt process, and the drawing end interrupt process.

  Further, unlike the CPU 41a, when an interrupt is generated based on the input of the strobe signal (INT), the CPU 91a interrupts the process even when an interrupt process based on another interrupt is being executed. The command reception interrupt process is executed at the top, and even if another interrupt occurs at the same time, the command reception interrupt process is executed with the highest priority. During execution of the interrupt process, interrupts other than the interrupt based on the input of the strobe signal (INT) are prohibited.

  In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the medal payout rate changes according to the set value, and the winning probability of the internal lottery described later is determined according to the set value. Hereinafter, the setting value changing operation will be described.

  In order to change the setting value, it is necessary to turn on the power of the slot machine 1 after the setting key switch 37 is turned on. When the power is turned on with the setting key switch 37 in the ON state, 1 is displayed as the initial value of the setting value on the setting value display 24, and the setting change mode in which the setting value can be changed by operating the reset / setting switch 38 is set. Transition. When the reset / setting switch 38 is operated in the setting change mode, the setting value displayed on the setting value display 24 is updated one by one (when further operation is performed from the setting 6, the setting value is returned to the setting 1). . When the start switch 7 is operated, the set value is confirmed, and the confirmed set value is stored in the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41. Then, when the setting key switch 37 is turned off, the state shifts to a state in which the game can proceed.

  In the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the prescribed number of bets that can be set according to the gaming state is determined as described above, and the prescribed number of bets that are determined according to the gaming state is set. It becomes possible to start the game on the condition. In this embodiment, as will be described later, there are a regular bonus, a small role game in a big bonus, and a normal gaming state as a gaming state. Among these, 1 is defined as the prescribed number of bets corresponding to the regular bonus. The prescribed number of bets corresponding to the small role game and the normal gaming state is set to 3. Therefore, when the gaming state is a regular bonus, the game can be started when 1 is set as the bet number, and when the gaming state is the small role game or the normal gaming state, 3 is set as the bet number. Then, the game can be started. In this embodiment, when a specified number of bets corresponding to the gaming state is set, all winning lines L1 to L5 are activated, and the specified number corresponding to the gaming state is If it is 1, all winning lines L1 to L5 are activated when 1 is set as the bet number, and if the specified number is 3 according to the gaming state, 3 is set as the bet number. All winning lines L1 to L5 are activated.

  In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when all the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped, the activated pay line (in the present embodiment, all the pay lines are always enabled. The activated winning line is simply referred to as a winning line), and a winning combination is obtained when a combination of symbols called “comb” is arranged. The type of winning combination is determined according to the game state, but it can be roughly divided into a small role with payout of medals and a replay that can start the next game without the need to set the number of bets. There are a game combination and a special combination with a transition of the game state. Below, a small role and a re-playing role are collectively called a general role. In order to win each winning combination determined according to the game state, it is necessary to win an internal lottery to be described later and set a winning flag for the winning combination to an internal winning flag storing work described later.

  Of the winning flags for each of these combinations, the winning flag for the small combination and the replaying combination is valid only in the game in which the flag is set, but the winning flag for the special combination is permitted by the flag. It is valid until the role is complete. That is, once the special combination winning flag is won, even if the special combination allowed by the flag cannot be arranged, the winning flag is carried over to the next game. However, as will be described later, the combination of JACIN among the special roles will always be aligned with the winning game, so it will not be carried over to the next game, only the winning flags of other special roles will be If the allowed combination is not complete, it will be carried over to the next game.

  FIG. 4A is a view showing a combination determined according to the gaming state.

  In this slot machine 1, special bonuses include Big Bonus (1), Big Bonus (2), Regular Bonus (1), Regular Bonus (2), JACIN, and JAC, Cherry, Watermelon, and Bell as small roles. Each replay is defined as a re-playing role.

  In the regular bonus game state, JAC, cherry, watermelon, and bell, which are small roles, are determined as winning roles, and are subject to lottery in the internal lottery in the regular bonus. In the small bonus game, which will be described later of the big bonus, cherry, watermelon and bell, which are small roles, and regular bonus (2), which is a special role, and JACIN are determined as winning roles. It is targeted. In the normal game state, small roles such as cherry, watermelon and bell, replay role replay, special roles big bonus (1), big bonus (2), regular bonus (1) are determined as winning roles. In the normal game state, the lottery is a lottery target.

  In this embodiment, in the regular bonus game state, in addition to cherry, watermelon and bell, JAC is defined as a small role for winning. However, in the regular bonus game state, a small role game or a normal game is also provided. Similarly to the state, only cherry, watermelon and bell may be determined as winning small prizes.

  The big bonus (1) is won when a combination of “red 7-red 7-red 7” is arranged in any of the winning lines in the normal gaming state, and the big bonus (2) is won in the normal gaming state. When a combination of “white 7-white 7-white 7” is arranged in any of the above, a prize is awarded. When winning the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2), the gaming state shifts from the normal gaming state to the big bonus. In the big bonus, a game called a small role game can be played. While the game state is the big bonus, the big bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 41c. The big bonus is ended when the total number of medals paid out to the player in the big bonus becomes equal to or more than a prescribed number (466 in this embodiment).

  When there is no need to distinguish between the big bonus (1) and the big bonus (2), the big bonus (1) and the big bonus (2) may be simply referred to as “big bonus”.

  The regular bonus (1) is awarded when the combination of “BAR-BAR-BAR” is aligned on any of the winning lines in the normal gaming state, and the regular bonus (2) is any of the winning lines in the small role game. When the combination of “BAR-BAR-BAR” is complete, a prize is awarded. When winning the regular bonus (1) or the regular bonus (2), the gaming state shifts from the normal gaming state or the small role game to the regular bonus. The regular bonus ends when 12 games have been consumed or when 8 games have been won (any kind of combination can be used), whichever comes first. While the game state is in the regular bonus, the regular bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 41c. In particular, when the regular bonus (2) is won in the small role game, the regular bonus is provided during the big bonus, and the regular bonus medium flag is also set in the RAM 41c together with the big bonus medium flag. When the total number of medals paid out to the player in the big bonus exceeds the specified number with the regular bonus in the big bonus, the regular bonus is terminated together with the big bonus.

  When there is no need to distinguish between the regular bonus (1) and the regular bonus (2), the regular bonus (1) and the regular bonus (2) may be simply referred to as “regular bonus”. Further, the big bonus (1), the big bonus (2), the regular bonus (1), and the regular bonus (2) may be collectively referred to simply as “bonus”.

  JACIN wins when a combination of “Watermelon-JAC-JAC” is arranged on any of the winning lines in the small role game, but in a gaming state other than the small role game, even if this combination is available, JACIN wins. Not. When winning JACIN, the aforementioned regular bonus is provided during the big bonus, and the regular bonus medium flag is also set in the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41 in addition to the big bonus medium flag. When the total number of medals paid out to the player in the big bonus exceeds the specified number with the regular bonus in the big bonus, the regular bonus is terminated together with the big bonus.

  JAC is awarded when the combination of “Bell-JAC-JAC” is arranged on the winning line in the regular bonus, but in the gaming state other than the regular bonus, even if this combination is arranged, the JAC is not awarded. Cherry is awarded when the symbol “cherry” is derived on any of the winning lines for the left reel 2L in any gaming state. A watermelon is awarded when a combination of “watermelon-watermelon-watermelon” is arranged on any of the winning lines in any gaming state. A bell is awarded when a combination of “bell-bell-bell” is arranged on any of the winning lines in any gaming state. The payout of medals when these small roles are won will be described later.

  Replay is awarded when a combination of “JAC-JAC-JAC” is available on any of the winning lines in the normal gaming state, but this combination is used for regular bonuses and big bonuses (small-games and regular bonuses). Even if they are ready, they will not win. When you win a replay, no medals are paid out, but you can start the next game without setting the number of bets again, so the number of bets that you no longer need to set in the next game (Because the regular bonus does not require a replay, it is always 3) This is substantially the same as paying out three medals corresponding to.

  Hereinafter, the internal lottery will be described. In the internal lottery, it is determined whether or not the above winning combination is permitted before the display results of all the reels 2L, 2C and 2R are derived and displayed (actually, when the start switch 7 is detected). To do. In the internal lottery, first, a random number for internal lottery (an integer from 0 to 16383) is acquired as described later. Then, for each combination determined according to the gaming state, an internal lottery random number obtained, the number of bets set by the player, and the number of determination values of each combination determined according to the set value are determined. Is called.

  When the gaming state is the normal gaming state, the big bonus (1), big bonus (2), regular bonus (1), cherry, watermelon, bell, and replay are sequentially read out as the subject combinations of the internal lottery. However, when the winning flags of big bonus (1), big bonus (2), and regular bonus (1) are set in the game before the previous game, and the game is carried over without winning based on the flag, the big bonus (1 ), Big Bonus (2) and Regular Bonus (1) are not eligible for internal lottery.

  When the gaming state is a small role game with a big bonus, the regular bonus (2), JACIN, cherry, watermelon, and bell are sequentially read out as the internal lottery target roles. However, when the regular bonus (2) winning flag is set in the game before the previous time and the winning based on the flag is carried over without being generated, the regular bonus (2) and JACIN are not subject to the internal lottery.

  When the gaming state is a regular bonus (including a case where the bonus is provided during the big bonus), JAC, cherry, watermelon, and bell are sequentially read out as the subject for internal lottery.

  In the internal lottery, the number of determination values determined for the internal lottery target combination is sequentially added to the internal lottery random number, and when the addition result overflows, it is determined that the winning combination is won. When the winning is determined, the winning flag of the combination is set in the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41. The number of determination values for each combination is read according to the storage address of the number of determination values registered in a combination table (not shown) stored in advance in the ROM 41b of the main control unit 41.

  Also, the number of medals to be paid out when winning each winning combination is registered in the role-specific table. However, only the JACs, cherries, watermelons, and bells, which are small roles, are the targets for paying out medals when winning a prize. Cherry, watermelon and bell can be awarded when the bet number is 1 (regular bonus) or 3 (game state other than the regular bonus), but for the bell, when the bet number is 1, That is, when the gaming state is a regular bonus, 15 medals that are more than the other 8 are paid out.

  The big bonus (1), the big bonus (2), the regular bonus (1), the regular bonus (2), and the winning of JACIN are accompanied by a transition of the gaming state and are not eligible for payout of medals. Replay does not involve the payout of medals. However, since it is not necessary to insert medals used for setting the number of bets in the next game, it is substantially the same as paying out 3 medals.

  Next, stop control of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R will be described.

  The CPU 41a creates a stop control table for each rotating reel when the rotation of the reel starts and when the reel is stopped and a reel that is still rotating still remains. When any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R corresponding to the rotating reel is effectively detected, the stop control table of the corresponding reel is referred to, and the referred stop control table is drawn. Based on the number of frames, control is performed to stop the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R corresponding to the operated stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R.

  The stop control table corresponds to the area number of each symbol, the stop switch 8L at the timing when the area corresponding to each area number is located at the stop reference position (in the present embodiment, the area of the lower symbol of the perspective window 3). It is a table in which the number of frames to be drawn when operations of 8C and 8R are detected is set.

  Next, when the CPU 41a effectively detects any one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R corresponding to the rotating reel, the control for deriving the display result to the corresponding reel will be described. If any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R corresponding to the rotating reel is detected effectively, the area number of the stop operation position is based on the number of steps from the reel reference position when the stop operation is detected. And the number of drawn frames corresponding to the area number of the specified stop operation position is acquired by referring to the stop control table of the reel where the stop operation is detected. Then, control is performed to rotate and stop the reel by the number of acquired frames. Thereby, the area corresponding to the area number that is the stop position ahead of the number of frames to be drawn from the area corresponding to the area number of the stop operation position where the stop operation is detected is the stop reference position (in this embodiment, the perspective window 3 It will stop in the lower symbol area).

  Further, in this embodiment, a value of 0 to 4 is determined as the number of drawn frames, and the reel can be stopped by drawing a maximum of four symbols after detecting a stop operation. In other words, the stop position of the symbol can be designated from a range of a maximum of 5 frames including the stop operation position where the stop operation is detected. In addition, since it is necessary to move one frame to move the reel for one symbol, it is possible to stop the reel by pulling in a maximum of four symbols after detecting the stop operation. The symbol stop position can be designated from a range of up to five symbols including the operation position.

  Also, in this embodiment, when any of the winning combinations is won, the winning combination is drawn in as much as possible within the range of 4 frames, and the number of drawn-in frames is determined so that the winning combinations are not arranged. A stop control table is created and reel stop control is performed.On the other hand, if the player is selected for a loss, a stop control table is created in which the number of frames to be drawn that does not have any role is determined, and the reel stop control is performed. Is done. As a result, when the stop operation is performed, if the symbols of the winning combination can be stopped on the winning line in the drawing range of up to 4 frames, the control is performed to align them and stop. The symbol of the winning combination will be controlled to be stopped in a drawing range of a maximum of 4 frames.

  Further, in this embodiment, when a small role is won in a state where the winning flag for the special role has been carried over from before the previous game (such as a big bonus (1) a cherry that is being carried over), a stop operation is performed. If you can stop a special role that has been selected in the winning line with a maximum of 4 frames on the winning line and stop it, it will be controlled to stop it, and the drawing area with a maximum of 4 frames on the winning line will be controlled. If you can't pull in the symbol for the special role that you have won in the game, if you can align and stop the symbols for the small role that you have won in the drawing range of up to 4 frames on the winning line, stop them. The control of the winning combination is performed, and the symbol of the winning combination is controlled to be stopped within the drawing range of 4 frames. That is, in such a case, priority is given to the control for aligning the special combination on the winning line over the small combination, and the small combination can be won only when the special combination cannot be drawn.

  Also, in this embodiment, when a re-playing role is won in a state where the special role has been carried over from before the previous game (such as a big bonus (1) replay during carry-over), a winning operation is performed. Control is performed so that the symbols of the re-gamer are aligned and stopped within a maximum of 4 frames on the line. As will be described later, “replay”, which is a symbol constituting the re-game player, is arranged within 4 symbols, that is, within 4 frames for each of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R. Can be stopped at any position within the pull-in range, so if the special player is carried over from before the previous game, the stop switch 8L, 8C, 8R by the player Regardless of the operation timing, the re-game players will always win together. That is, in such a case, the control for aligning the re-games on the winning line has priority over the special game, and the re-games will always win.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, for "Bell" and "JAC", all of reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are arranged within 4 symbols, that is, at intervals of 4 frames, and 5 frames are drawn in. It can be stopped at any position within the range. In addition, the “watermelon” is arranged at intervals of 4 symbols or less, that is, 4 frames or less on any of the left reels, and can always be stopped at an arbitrary position within the drawing range of 5 frames. In other words, when the winning flags of bell, replay, JAC, and JACIN are set, the winning combination can always be won regardless of the operation timing of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R by the player.

  Next, commands that the CPU 41a of the main control unit 41 transmits to the effect control board 90 will be described.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 41 a of the main control unit 41 makes a BET command, an internal winning command, a reel rotation start command, a reel stop command, a winning determination command, a payout command, A plurality of types of commands including a payout end command, a gaming state command, a standby command, a stop command, an error command, a setting start command, and an initialization command are transmitted.

  The BET command is a command that can specify the number of medals inserted, that is, the number of medals used to set the bet number. When a medal is inserted, the one-BET switch 5 or the MAX BET switch 6 is operated to set the bet number. Sent when

  The internal winning command is a command that can specify the winning status of the internal winning flag and the type of the internal winning flag that has been established, and is transmitted when the start switch 7 is operated to start the game.

  The reel rotation start command is a command for notifying the start of reel rotation, and is transmitted when rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is started.

  The reel stop command is a command that can specify whether the reel to be stopped is the left reel, the middle reel, or the right reel, or the symbol that stops on the corresponding reel, and each time stop control of each reel is performed. Sent.

  The winning determination command is a command that can specify the presence / absence of winning, the type of winning, and the number of medals to be paid out at the time of winning, and is transmitted after all the reels are stopped and the winning determination is performed.

  The payout start command is a command for notifying the start of payout of medals, and is transmitted when the payout of medals is started by paying out a prize or credit (including medals used for setting the number of bets). The payout end command is a command for notifying the end of payout of medals, and is transmitted when the payout of medals by winning and winning a credit is completed.

  The gaming state command is a command that can specify the gaming state of the next game (whether it is a normal gaming state, a big bonus, a regular bonus, etc.), and is transmitted at the end of the game.

  The standby command is a command indicating a transition to the standby state, and is transmitted when the transition to the standby state is made after a certain time has elapsed without setting the bet amount after the end of one game.

  The stop command is a command that indicates the occurrence or release of a stop state. After the end of the big bonus, the stop command that indicates the occurrence of the stop state is transmitted when the ending effect waiting time has elapsed, and a reset operation is performed. When the stop state is released, a stop command indicating the release of the stop state is transmitted.

  The error command is a command that indicates the occurrence or release of an error state.When an error is determined and controlled to the error state, an error command that indicates the occurrence of a stop state is transmitted, and a reset operation is performed to indicate the error state. At the time of cancellation, an error command indicating the cancellation of the error state is transmitted.

  The setting start command is a command indicating the start of the setting change mode, and is transmitted when the setting is started, that is, when the mode is changed to the setting change mode.

  The initialization command is a command indicating that the gaming state has been initialized, and is transmitted when the setting ends, that is, when the setting change mode ends.

  Next, the control of the effect performed by the sub control unit 91 based on the command transmitted from the CPU 41a of the main control unit 41 to the effect control board 90 will be described.

  When the CPU 91a of the sub control unit 91 receives a command transmitted by the CPU 41a of the main control unit 41, the CPU 91a refers to the control pattern table stored in the ROM 91b, and displays the liquid crystal display based on the control content registered in the control pattern table. The various effect devices such as the device 51, the effect LED 52, the speakers 53 and 54, and the reel LED 55 are controlled.

  In the control pattern table, for each of a plurality of types of effect patterns determined according to the winning status of the winning flag, etc., the process data number and the effect effect LED 52 that define the display pattern of the liquid crystal display 51 corresponding to the type of command. The control pattern of these effect devices, such as the lighting mode, the output mode of the speakers 53 and 54, the lighting mode of the reel LED, and the like are registered. Of the control patterns registered corresponding to the set effect pattern, the control device corresponding to the type of the received command is referred to, and the effect device is controlled based on the control pattern. Thereby, the production according to the production pattern and the progress of the game is executed.

  Next, the display control circuit 92 that performs display control of the liquid crystal display 51 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the display control circuit 92 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 and the graphic controller 200 that performs drawing control and display control of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 in accordance with a control instruction from the CPU 91 a. Stream (compressed series of moving image data, each image data is also called a frame) constituting a moving image, character used as a sprite image (also called image data such as person, animal, character, figure, symbol, or CG data), etc. CGROM 205 for storing the above-described data, and SDRAM (synchronous DRAM) used as a VRAM (video RAM) area.

  The graphic controller 200 is a system register 202 for storing various settings of the graphic controller 200, attributes (parameters used when drawing a character, character drawing order, number of colors, enlargement / reduction ratio, palette number) , An attribute register 203 storing data for designating coordinates), a drawing control unit 206 for controlling drawing of an image in a drawing area (to be described later) of the VRAM area, and palette data (when drawing control unit 206 draws an image) Data in which the character display color is defined) in the palette buffer 207 for temporarily saving, the CG data buffer 208 for temporarily saving the CG data when the drawing control unit 206 draws an image, and the CGROM 205 Stores CG data in VRAM area A data transfer control unit 211 that performs control to transfer to the video data, a compressed video decoder 212 that expands the stream stored in the CGROM 205 to a VRAM area, and a video signal for displaying image data stored in a display area to be described later in the VRAM area The display control unit 213 that outputs the (R (red), G (green), and B (blue)) signal and the synchronization signal, the video signal output from the display control unit 213 is converted into an analog signal, and the liquid crystal display 51 This is an integrated circuit on which an output DA converter 214 and the like are mounted.

  The graphic controller 200 includes a system bus and a CG bus. The system bus and the CG bus are connected to the CPU 91a of the sub-control unit 91 via the CPU interface 201, and the CG bus is a CG bus interface. It is connected to the CGROM 205 via 204. A system register 202 is connected to the system bus, and an attribute register 203 is connected to the CG bus, so that the CPU 91a can access the system register 202 and the attribute register 203.

  Further, the drawing control unit 206, the data transfer control unit 211, the compressed moving picture decoder 212, and the display control unit 213 are connected to the system bus so that the system register 202 can be accessed. In addition, the drawing control unit 206, the data transfer control unit 211, and the compressed moving image decoder 212 are connected to a CG bus so that the CGROM 205 and the attribute register 203 can be accessed.

  Further, a VRAM bus is further provided inside the graphic controller 200, and the VRAM bus is connected to the SDRAM 210 via the VRAM bus interface 209. A drawing control unit 206, a data transfer control unit 211, a compressed moving picture decoder 212, and a display control unit 213 are connected to the VRAM bus so that the VRAM space of the SDRAM 210 can be accessed via the VRAM bus.

  The system register 202 includes a system control register that stores instructions such as drawing, data transfer, and decoding of compressed moving image data, an interrupt control register that stores an output instruction of an interrupt signal, which will be described later, and a drawing area in the VRAM space A drawing register for storing a pallet data arrangement area, a transfer source address at the time of data transfer, a data transfer register for storing a transfer destination address, a display register for storing a display area in the VRAM space, a stream to be developed Storage address, type of stream to be developed (IP or IPB, which will be described later), arrangement area of a development buffer in which a stream is developed in the VRAM space, arrangement position of a DC nest that is a template used at the time of stream development, current development Expansion of current frame and all frames Such decoding register for storing such status indicating the completion is assigned.

  The CPU interface 201 outputs a V blank interrupt signal to the CPU 91a at the start of each V blank (an image update period, which is 33.3 ms in this embodiment), and sets the interrupt control register setting state. The drawing end interrupt signal indicating that at the end of drawing, the reading end interrupt signal indicating that at the end of reading the attribute, and the transfer end interrupt signal indicating that at the end of data transfer are compressed. At the end of the development of the image data, a development end interrupt signal indicating that is output to the CPU 91a.

  The drawing control unit 206 reads the attribute stored in the attribute register 203 when an instruction for reading the attribute is stored in the system control register, and instructs the output of the reading end interrupt signal when the attribute reading is completed. .

  In addition, when a drawing execution instruction is stored in the system control register, the drawing control unit 206 displays a character arranged in the VRAM space and a frame developed from the stream in accordance with the attribute read from the attribute register 203, in the VRAM space. A drawing process for drawing in the drawing area designated in step (1) is performed, and when drawing is completed, an output of a drawing end interrupt signal is instructed.

  When the data transfer execution instruction is stored in the system control register, the data transfer control unit 211 transfers the character and palette data stored in the CGROM 205 specified in the data transfer register to the specified position in the VRAM space. The data transfer process is performed, and when the data transfer is completed, an instruction to output a transfer end interrupt signal is issued.

  When a decoding execution instruction is stored in the system control register, the compressed moving picture decoder 212 performs expansion processing for expanding the stream designated by the decode register into the VRAM area, and expansion of each frame constituting the stream is completed. Each time a decompression end interrupt signal is output, the status of the decode register is updated, and when the decompression of all frames is completed, the end of decompression of all frames is set in the status of the decode register.

  The display control unit 213 performs display processing for outputting image data in the display area of the VRAM space designated by the display register as a video signal. In the present embodiment, the display area and the drawing area are alternately switched every V blank. For this reason, the area assigned as the drawing area in a certain V blank is drawn, and in the next V blank, the display area is switched, so that the image data drawn in the previous V blank is displayed and output. In the meantime, drawing is performed in the other area.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the VRAM area of the SDRAM 210. As shown in FIG.

  The VRAM area includes a palette area in which palette data is arranged, a display area in which image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 is stored, a drawing area in which characters and the like are drawn by a drawing process, and an L size stream. Expansion buffers L1 to L4 in which frames are expanded, expansion buffers S1 to S4 in which frames constituting an S-size stream are expanded, and a DC nest area in which a DC nest is stored are allocated.

  In particular, the pallet area, the expansion buffers L1 to L4, the expansion buffers S1 to S4, and the DC nest area are fixedly allocated, and no other data is arranged in that area. In addition, the display area and the drawing area are areas of the same size, and are alternately switched and assigned, and the image data of the other area is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 while being drawn in one area. It will be. For this reason, the drawing process in the drawing area and the display process in the display area can be executed in parallel, and the number of characters that can be drawn in one line is not limited. Furthermore, the frame rate (ratio at which the display is updated in a certain period) can be changed during the reproduction of the moving image. Note that the two areas allocated as the display area and the drawing area are also fixedly allocated, and no other data is arranged in these areas. In addition to these areas, characters and the like serving as source data of the sprite image are arranged.

  As described above, the CPU 91a of the sub-control unit 91 can access the system register 202 and the attribute register 203 via the CPU interface 201, and according to the process data defining the display pattern of the liquid crystal display 51 described above. The graphic controller 200 is indirectly controlled by storing execution instructions and necessary data in the system register 202 and the attribute register 203.

  In the process data, the setting contents that the CPU 91a performs for the system register 202 and the attribute register 203 are determined for each V blank. The setting contents of the system register 202 include drawing, data transfer, and decode execution instructions, and CG data, palette data, and attribute settings for data transfer. The setting contents of the attribute register 203 are attributes, that is, parameters used when drawing a character.

  In the process data, attributes are set so that the sprite image is updated every V blank. For this reason, as will be described in detail later, the development of the stream is performed once every two periods of the V blank (a frame period to be described later), and the frame used for drawing (image data developed from the stream) is also updated. The sprite image is updated every V blank while the V blank is performed once every two periods.

  In addition, the process data includes a setting content for loop reproduction of a stream, that is, a setting content for continuous reproduction of the same stream. This type of process data has a type. Only loop playback of an IP stream, which will be described later, is set. When loop playback of a stream is performed, only loop playback of a stream of type IP is performed.

  Next, stream development control will be described.

  The stream is composed of a file header, a frame header of each frame, and compressed image data. The file header includes a stream type (whether it is an IP composed only of an I frame and a P frame, which will be described later, or an IPB composed of an I frame, a P frame, and a B frame, which will be described later), an image size, a total Information such as the number of frames and drawing order is included, and the stream has a data structure that follows the file header in the order in which the frame header and compressed image data of each frame are expanded.

  Also, the frames constituting the stream are composed of three types: I frame (intra-screen encoded frame), P frame (forward prediction encoded frame), and B frame (bidirectional predictive encoded frame). The I frame is a frame in which the image data is compressed as it is independently of the preceding and following frames. The P frame is a frame that is predictively encoded from an I frame or a P frame that is located in the past in time. In the P frame, a higher compression rate than in the I frame can be obtained in an image in which an object is moving in the screen. The B frame is a frame that is predictively encoded from frames in the forward direction, the backward direction, and both directions by using I frames or P frames that are positioned temporally forward and backward. In the B frame, even when an object suddenly disappears or appears suddenly in the video, predictive coding can be accurately performed using temporally previous and subsequent frames.

  The stream types used in this embodiment include IP including only I frames and P frames, and IPB including all of I frames, P frames, and B frames, and stores frames developed according to the stream type. The number of expansion buffers to be used is different.

  When a stream of type IP is developed, a decompression buffer for storing a currently decompressed frame, a decompression buffer for storing a past frame used for decompressing an I frame, and a decompressed frame used for rendering processing Is required to use three development buffers, ie, development buffers L1 to L3 or development buffers S1 to S3. Is done.

  When a stream of type IPB is developed, a development buffer for storing a currently developed frame, a development buffer for storing past frames used for developing P frames and B frames, and a B frame development Since four decompression buffers are required, which are a decompression buffer for storing future frames to be used and a decompression buffer for storing unexpanded frames used for drawing processing, a stream of type IPB is represented as a decompression buffer. Development is performed using four development buffers L1 to L4 or development buffers S1 to S4.

  In addition, there are two types of streams, L and S, used in this embodiment, and the size of the expansion buffer that stores the expanded frame differs depending on the size of the stream. When a stream having a size L is expanded, the expansion buffers L1 to L3 or the expansion buffers L1 to L4 are expanded, and when a stream having a size S is expanded, the expansion buffer is used. Development is performed using the expansion buffers S1 to S3 or expansion buffers S1 to S4.

  The decode register includes a development pointer indicating a development buffer in which a development frame is stored among the development buffers L1 to L4 and S1 to S4, and a development buffer in which a frame used for drawing processing is stored. Areas for storing the respective drawing pointers to be indicated are allocated, the compressed moving picture decoder 212 stores the expanded frame in the expansion buffer indicated by the expansion pointer, and the drawing control unit 206 specifies the expansion frame indicated by the drawing pointer. Renders the frame stored in the buffer. The compressed video decoder 212 performs frame expansion every predetermined frame period (in this embodiment, once every two V blanks), and updates the expansion pointer and the drawing pointer for each frame period. To do. At this time, the compressed video decoder 212 sets a decompression pointer to a decompression buffer in which no frame is stored, and a frame that will not be used for rendering processing or decompression of another frame in the current or future frame period. Is updated to a value indicating the arbitrarily selected expansion buffer from the expansion buffer in which is stored, and the drawing pointer is updated to a value indicating the expansion buffer storing the frame used for the drawing process in the frame period. To do.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of development timing and drawing timing when developing a stream of type IP, and FIG. 9 is an example of development timing and drawing timing when developing a stream of type IPB. FIG.

  First, the control status of the CPU 91a and the compressed moving picture decoder 212 when developing a stream of the type IP (total number of frames 12) will be described with reference to FIG.

  When developing a stream whose type is IP, the CPU 91a sets the storage destination of the stream to be developed in the CGROM 205 in the decode register at the start of the first frame period (F1), and designates the stream to be developed. Then, the decode execution instruction is stored in the system control register, and input of the expansion end interrupt signal is awaited.

  Along with this, the compressed moving picture decoder 212 acquires the stream designated by the decode register from the CGROM 205, and sets the expansion buffer based on the type and size included in the file header of the acquired stream. Here, since the stream of the type IP is expanded, if the size is L, the expansion buffers L1 to L3 are set as expansion buffers. If the size is S, the expansion buffer S1 is used as the expansion buffer. ~ S3 is set. Then, a development pointer is stored in a development buffer in which no frame is stored, a development buffer in which a frame that will not be used in the future for drawing processing or development of other frames in the current or future frame period is stored. The first frame (I1) is expanded and stored in the expansion buffer indicated by the expansion pointer, with the value indicating the expansion buffer arbitrarily selected from the buffer. When expansion of the first frame (I1) is completed, the expansion pointer is used in the future for expansion processing in which a frame is not stored, for drawing processing and expansion of other frames in the current or future frame period. A frame (I1) in which the drawing pointer is expanded in the frame period (F1) is updated to a value indicating an arbitrarily selected expansion buffer from the expansion buffer in which no frame is stored. The value is updated to a value indicating the expansion buffer that is present, and the output of the expansion end interrupt signal is commanded.

  The CPU 91a to which the expansion end interrupt signal is input waits for the start of the next frame period (F2), refers to the decode register to check whether or not the expansion of all the frames has been completed, If not completed, the decode execution instruction is stored in the system control register again, and input of the expansion end interrupt signal is awaited.

  The compressed video decoder 212 that has received the decode execution instruction again at the start of the second frame period (F2) expands the next frame (P1) and stores it in the expansion buffer indicated by the expansion pointer. From the expansion buffer in which no frame is stored, from the expansion buffer in which a frame that will not be used for drawing processing or expansion of other frames in the current or future frame period is stored. The drawing pointer is updated to a value indicating the arbitrarily selected expansion buffer, and the drawing pointer is updated to a value indicating the expansion buffer storing the frame (P1) expanded in the frame period (F2). Command to output end interrupt signal.

  From the third frame period (F3) to the frame period (F12) in which the final expanded frame is expanded, the same control as in the second frame period (F2) is repeatedly performed. In addition, when the frame expanded in the second and subsequent frame periods is a P frame, the compressed video decoder 212 uses the I frame or the P frame expanded before that and stored in the expansion buffer. Perform deployment.

  In the frame period in which the final expanded frame (P9) is expanded, the compressed video decoder 212 decodes the fact that the expansion of the final expanded frame has been completed, the expansion pointer and the drawing pointer have been updated, and the expansion of all frames has been completed. Set the status of the register and output the expansion end interrupt signal The CPU 91a, to which the expansion interrupt signal is input, recognizes that the expansion of all frames has been completed since the status of the decode register is set to indicate that the expansion of all frames has ended.

  When a stream of type IP is expanded in this way, the frames are expanded in the order in which they are drawn by the compressed video decoder 212, and the drawing pointer is expanded in the frame period each time the expansion ends. Is updated to a value indicating the expansion buffer that has ended, the drawing is performed in the frame period (F13) after the expansion of the final expansion frame (P9) from the frame period after the second frame period (F2). The control unit 206 draws a frame developed in the previous frame period. When a stream of type IP is developed, drawing is also performed in the order of expansion, and drawing of a frame developed in the previous frame period is always performed.

  Next, the control status of the CPU 91a and the compressed moving picture decoder 212 when developing a stream (total number of frames 12) whose type is IPB will be described with reference to FIG.

  When developing a stream whose type is IPB, the CPU 91a sets the storage destination of the stream to be developed in the CGROM 205 in the decode register at the start of the first frame period (F1), and designates the stream to be developed. Then, the decode execution instruction is stored in the system control register, and input of the expansion end interrupt signal is awaited.

  Along with this, the compressed moving picture decoder 212 acquires the stream designated by the decode register from the CGROM 205, and sets the expansion buffer based on the type and size included in the file header of the acquired stream. Here, since the stream of type IPB is expanded, if the size is L, the expansion buffers L1 to L4 are set as expansion buffers. If the size is S, the expansion buffer S1 is used as the expansion buffer. ~ S4 is set. Then, a development pointer is stored in a development buffer in which no frame is stored, a development buffer in which a frame that will not be used in the future for drawing processing or development of other frames in the current or future frame period is stored. The first frame (I1) is expanded and stored in the expansion buffer indicated by the expansion pointer, with the value indicating the expansion buffer arbitrarily selected from the buffer. When the expansion of the first frame (I1) is completed, the output of the expansion end interrupt signal is commanded.

  The CPU 91a to which the expansion end interrupt signal is input does not wait for the start of the next frame period (F2), stores the decode execution instruction in the system control register again, and waits for the input of the expansion end interrupt signal. That is, when developing a stream whose type is IPB, the first frame (I1) and the second frame (P1) are instructed in the first frame period (F1).

  The compressed video decoder 212 that has received the decoding execution instruction again in the first frame period (F1) expands the second frame (P1) and stores it in the expansion buffer indicated by the expansion pointer, and then stores the expansion pointer. , A decompression buffer in which no frames are stored, or a decompression buffer in which frames that will not be used in the future for rendering or other frame decompression in the current or future frame period are arbitrarily selected. The drawing pointer is updated to a value indicating the expansion buffer, and the drawing pointer is changed to the drawing order included in the file header (in the drawing, I1, P1, B1, B2, P2, B3, P3, P4, I2, B4, B5). , P5)), a decompression buffer in which frames are stored, that is, the first decompression in the frame period (F1). Updated to a value indicating a deployment buffer frame (I1) is stored, commands the output of the expansion end interrupt signal.

  After executing the second decode execution instruction in the first frame period (F1), the CPU 91a, to which the expansion end interrupt signal is input, waits for the start of the next frame period (F2) and refers to the decode register. Whether or not the expansion of all the frames has been completed is confirmed. If the expansion of all the frames has not been completed, the decode execution instruction is stored again in the system control register and the input of the expansion end interrupt signal is awaited.

  The compressed video decoder 212 that has received the decode execution instruction again at the start of the second frame period (F2) expands the next frame (P2) and stores it in the expansion buffer indicated by the expansion pointer. From the expansion buffer in which no frame is stored, from the expansion buffer in which a frame that will not be used for drawing processing or expansion of other frames in the current or future frame period is stored. The value is updated to a value indicating the arbitrarily selected expansion buffer, and the drawing pointer is updated to a value indicating the expansion buffer storing the frame (P1) according to the drawing order included in the file header. Command to output end interrupt signal.

  From the third frame period (F3) to the frame period (F11) in which the final expanded frame is expanded, the same control as in the second frame period (F2) is repeatedly performed. In addition, when the frame expanded in the second and subsequent frame periods is a P frame, the compressed video decoder 212 uses the I frame or the P frame expanded before that and stored in the expansion buffer. When the frame is expanded and the frame expanded in the second and subsequent frame periods is the B frame, the I frame or the P frame positioned before and after in time, that is, expanded before and stored in the two expansion buffers The frame is expanded using a set of I frames or P frames.

  In the frame period in which the final expanded frame (B5) is expanded, the compressed video decoder 212 decodes the fact that the expansion of the final expanded frame has been completed, the expansion pointer and the drawing pointer have been updated, and the expansion of all frames has been completed. Set the status of the register and output the expansion end interrupt signal. The CPU 91a, to which the expansion interrupt signal is input, recognizes that the expansion of all frames has been completed since the status of the decode register is set to indicate that the expansion of all frames has ended.

  In addition, the compressed moving picture decoder 212 updates only the drawing pointer when the stream is not continuously expanded in the frame period (F11) in which the final expanded frame (B5) is expanded. Accordingly, in the frame period (F12) next to the frame period (F11) in which the final expanded frame (B5) is expanded, the second frame (B5) from the last in the drawing order is the frame in which the final expanded frame (B5) is expanded. In the frame period (F13) after the period (F11), the last frame (P5) in the drawing order is drawn. This is because when expanding P frames, it is necessary to expand the preceding and following frames first, so that when a stream of type IPB is expanded, the rendering order is last. The timing at which the frame is drawn is the timing two frames after the frame period during which the final expanded frame is expanded.

  In this way, when developing a stream whose type is IPB, the order in which each frame is developed differs from the order in which each frame is drawn, unlike when developing a stream whose type is IP. . For this reason, each frame is expanded by the compressed video decoder 212 in the order stored in the stream, and each time the expansion of the second and subsequent frames is completed, the drawing pointer is included in the drawing order included in the file header. The two frames that have been expanded from the frame period after the second frame period (F2) and the final expanded frame (P9) have been updated. In the subsequent frame period (F13), the drawing control unit 206 draws frames according to the drawing order.

  Further, before expanding the B frame, it is necessary to expand the preceding and succeeding frames, and only one frame is expanded for each frame period as in the case of expanding a stream of type IP. Since the expansion cannot catch up with the drawing of the B frame in the middle, the expansion of the preceding and succeeding frames must be started from the frame period two frames before the drawing of the frame to be drawn first. The difference between the frame period for starting development and the frame period for starting drawing differs depending on whether it is IP or IPB.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, both the first frame and the second frame are expanded during the frame period in which expansion starts, and whether the stream type is IP or IPB. Regardless of this, it is possible to start drawing a frame from the frame period following the frame period where the expansion has always started.

  In addition, when developing a stream whose type is IP, since the frame developed in the previous frame period is always drawn, the timing at which the last drawn frame is drawn is the last. When the stream having the type IPB is expanded as described above, the frame having the last rendering order is rendered, whereas the frame period is the next frame period after the expanded frame is expanded. The timing is a timing two frame periods later than the frame period in which the final expanded frame is expanded.

  Therefore, when all the frames constituting the stream are played back (drawn), the stream is played back continuously after the stream whose type is IP, and the stream is played back continuously after the stream whose type is IPB. The timing for starting the development of a stream to be reproduced later is different from the case.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, when a stream is reproduced continuously after a stream of type IPB, the CPU 91a starts from the frame period next to the frame period in which the last expanded frame of the previous stream has been expanded. Instructs expansion of a stream to be reproduced later.

  For example, when the final expanded frame of the previous stream is a B frame, as shown in FIG. 10A, the CPU 91a performs the frame period (F11) in which the final expanded frame (B5) of the previous stream is expanded. ) The first frame (I1) of the subsequent stream in the next frame period (F12 (F1)) of the frame period in which the end of expansion of the final expanded frame is confirmed (when the type of the subsequent stream is IPB) Is instructed to expand the first frame and the second frame). Along with this, the first frame (I1) of the subsequent stream is developed by the compressed video decoder 212, but the drawing pointer stores the second frame (B5) from the last in the drawing order of the previous stream. Since the expansion buffer is shown, the second frame (B5) from the last in the drawing order of the previous stream is drawn. Then, when the first frame (I1) of the subsequent stream (the second frame when the subsequent stream type is IPB) is expanded, the drawing pointer is set to the last frame in the drawing order of the previous stream ( Since the rendering order of the subsequent stream is updated to a value indicating the development buffer in which the first frame (I1) is stored, not the development buffer in which P5) is stored, the final development frame of the previous stream is updated. In the frame period (F13 (F2)) that is two frames after the frame period (F11) in which the development of (B5) is performed, the drawing order of the previous stream is not the last frame (P5), but the drawing of the subsequent stream Drawing of the first frame (I1) is performed.

  If the final expanded frame of the previous stream is not a B frame, as shown in FIG. 10B, the CPU 91a performs the frame period (F11) in which the final expanded frame (P6) of the previous stream is expanded. ) The first frame (I1) of the subsequent stream in the next frame period (F12 (F1)) of the frame period in which the end of expansion of the final expanded frame is confirmed (when the type of the subsequent stream is IPB) Is instructed to expand the first frame and the second frame). Along with this, the first frame (I1) of the subsequent stream is expanded by the compressed video decoder 212, but the drawing pointer stores the second frame (P5) from the last in the drawing order of the previous stream. Since the expansion buffer is shown, the second frame (P5) from the last in the drawing order of the previous stream is drawn. Then, when the first frame (I1) of the subsequent stream (the second frame when the subsequent stream type is IPB) is expanded, the drawing pointer is set to the last frame in the drawing order of the previous stream ( Since the drawing order of the subsequent stream is updated to a value indicating the development buffer in which the first frame (I1) is stored, not the development buffer in which P6) is stored, the final development frame of the previous stream is updated. In the frame period (F13 (F2)) two frames after the frame period (F11) in which the expansion of (P6) is performed, the drawing order of the previous stream is not the last frame (P5), but the drawing of the subsequent stream Drawing of the first frame (I1) is performed.

  In this way, when the stream is reproduced continuously after the stream of the type IPB, the CPU 91a determines the stream to be reproduced after the frame period next to the frame period in which the last expanded frame of the previous stream has been expanded. The expansion is instructed, the subsequent stream is expanded, and in the next frame period, the drawing order of the previous stream is not the last frame, and the drawing of the subsequent stream is drawn in the first frame. It is like that. For this reason, when the stream is continuously played after the stream whose type is IP, when the stream is continuously played after the stream whose type is IPB, and the timing to start the expansion of the stream to be played later When the stream is continuously played back regardless of whether the stream is continuously played after the stream of the type IP and the stream is played back continuously after the stream of the type IPB On the other hand, the CPU 91a performs the expansion of the stream after the frame period next to the frame period in which the final expansion frame of the previous stream is expanded, that is, the frame period after the frame period after the expansion of all the frames of the previous stream is completed. You can command the start.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the last expanded frame of the previous stream is not a B frame, the last expanded frame (P6) is not drawn (displayed). As described above, when the stream is reproduced continuously after the IPB stream whose final development frame is not the B frame, it is preferable to store a dummy frame in the final development frame of the previous stream. The dummy frame may be, for example, the same image as the entire one-color image or the last frame in the drawing order. If the entire one-color image is a dummy frame, the stream capacity can be reduced. However, if the image is the same as the last frame in the drawing order, even if the dummy frame is drawn by mistake, it is possible to prevent an uncomfortable appearance.

  Next, drawing control will be described.

  In order for the drawing control unit 206 to perform the drawing process, it is necessary that a character or a frame developed from a stream necessary for drawing is arranged in the VRAM space. Of these, the frames expanded from the stream are stored in the expansion buffer by the compressed video decoder, and therefore, the frame stored in the expansion buffer indicated by the drawing pointer may be used. It is necessary to arrange the character as source data in the VRAM space.

  For this reason, when performing the moving image reproduction, the CPU 91a issues a transfer instruction from the CGROM 205 to the VRAM space for all characters necessary for the moving image reproduction. Along with this, all the characters necessary for moving image reproduction are arranged in the VRAM space by the data transfer control unit 211. In the present embodiment, when the CPU 91a performs moving image reproduction, a transfer command from the CGROM 205 to the VRAM space for all characters necessary for the moving image reproduction is performed. However, transfer of characters necessary for drawing is performed. The command may be executed each time.

  In the present embodiment, the graphic controller 200 has a shape and size corresponding to the non-display area 51b in the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 by the data transfer control unit 211 when the graphic controller 200 is activated, and is a non-transparent non-display area character. Is transferred from the CGROM 205 and arranged at a predetermined position in the VRAM space.

  Further, in order for the drawing control unit 206 to perform drawing processing, an attribute must be set in the attribute register 203. Since the attribute is different for each V blank, the attribute according to the process data is stored in the attribute register 203 for each V blank.

  Then, after starting the moving image reproduction, the CPU 91a sets an attribute in the attribute register 203 for each V blank, and then instructs execution of reading of the attribute. Along with this, the drawing control unit 206 reads the attribute of the attribute register 203 and instructs the output of the reading end interrupt signal when the reading is completed. In response to this, the CPU 91a commands execution of drawing, and the drawing control unit 206 draws image data in the drawing area in accordance with the read attribute.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state where necessary characters are arranged in the VRAM space, and FIGS. 12 to 14 are diagrams illustrating an example of a drawing state of a character or the like in a drawing area by the drawing control unit 206. It is.

  Here, the control situation in the case of drawing using characters A to C, which are sprite images, and frames developed from the stream will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following, image data such as characters A to C used for drawing and a frame developed from a stream are also referred to as an object.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the drawing control unit 206 displays characters A to C necessary for drawing, a frame developed from the stream (a frame stored in a development buffer indicated by the drawing pointer), and a non-display character as a VRAM. When a drawing execution command is received in a state of being arranged in space, drawing in the drawing area is started.

  The order in which the objects arranged in these VRAM spaces are drawn is determined by the attributes read from the attribute register 203. In the attribute, a higher priority is set for an object drawn in front as an order in which the objects are drawn, and the drawing control unit 206 performs drawing in order from the object with the highest priority. Here, the order of drawing in the order of characters A, B, C, and frames developed from the stream is defined in the attribute.

  First, as shown in FIG. 12, the drawing control unit 206 displays a non-display area in an area corresponding to the non-display area 51b of the liquid crystal display 51 in the drawing area of the VRAM space, regardless of the drawing order set in the attribute. Draw a character.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the character A having the highest priority in the drawing order set in the attribute is drawn in the region designated by the attribute. At this time, drawing is not performed for an already drawn object, that is, a region overlapping with a non-display region object in the region where the character A is drawn. Specifically, it is determined whether or not an object has already been drawn for each pixel of the drawing area in the area where the character A is drawn, and the pixel corresponding to the character A is drawn for pixels where no object is drawn. However, drawing is not performed for pixels on which the object has already been drawn.

  When the drawing of the character A is completed, the character B having the next highest priority is drawn in the area designated by the attribute. The same applies to the character B. Of the areas to be drawn, the area that overlaps the already drawn object is not drawn. Then, the character C is similarly drawn, and finally, as shown in FIG. 14, the frame of the development buffer indicated by the drawing pointer having the lowest priority, that is, the frame developed from the stream is drawn. When the drawing of the object with the lowest priority is finished, an instruction to output a drawing end interrupt signal is given. Note that, for an object placed outside the drawing area such as the character C, pixels in the area that protrudes in the same manner as the area that overlaps the already drawn object are not drawn and are included in the drawing area. Draw only for pixels.

  As described above, the drawing control unit 206 first draws the non-display area object in the drawing area at a position corresponding to the non-display area 51b of the liquid crystal display 51, and then sets the foremost object set by the attribute. It is designed to draw in order. At this time, the drawing is not performed for the area where the object is already arranged. That is, drawing is not performed for pixels that do not require drawing.

  In addition, the non-transparent non-display area object is always drawn first in the area corresponding to the non-display area 51b of the liquid crystal display 51 regardless of the drawing order set by the attribute. In the set display area, other objects are not drawn in the area corresponding to the non-display area 51b in which no image is always displayed in the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51.

  Next, the control contents executed by the CPU 41a of the main control unit 41 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The CPU 41a repeatedly performs the game process shown in FIG. In the game process, a BET process (Sa1), an internal lottery process (Sa2), a reel rotation process (Sa3), a winning determination process (Sa4), a payout process (Sa5), and a game end process (Sa6) are executed in order. When the end-time process ends, the process returns to the BET process again.

  In the BET process in the step of Sa1, the process waits in a state where a bet number can be set, and a process is performed in which a predetermined number of bets are set according to the gaming state and the bet number is determined when the start switch 7 is operated. To do.

  In the internal lottery process in the step Sa2, the random numbers for the internal lottery are extracted at the same time as the start of the game by the detection of the start switch 7 in the step Sd1, and the above winning combinations are allowed based on the extracted random number values. Processing to determine whether or not. In this internal lottery process, a winning flag is set based on each lottery result.

  In the reel rotation process in step Sa3, the process of rotating the reels 2L, 2C, 2R and the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R by the player are detected. A process for stopping the rotation is executed.

  In the winning determination process in the step Sa4, when it is determined in the step Sd3 that the rotation of all the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is stopped, a winning is determined according to the display result derived for each reel 2L, 2C, and 2R. A process of determining whether or not it has occurred is executed.

  In the payout process in step Sa5, when it is determined in step Sd4 that a winning has occurred, processing such as adding credits and paying out medals is performed based on the number of payouts corresponding to the winning.

  In the game end process in step Sa6, a process of setting a gaming state is executed in preparation for the next game.

  In each process constituting these game processes, the above-described command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91 according to the progress of the game.

  Next, various control contents executed by the CPU 91a of the sub-control unit 91 mounted on the effect control board 90 will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS.

  CPU91a will be in the state of waiting for interruption after starting. While waiting for this interrupt, V blank interrupt processing is performed based on the input of the V blank interrupt signal that is periodically output from the graphic controller 200 (every 33.3 ms in this embodiment). Also, in a state of waiting for an interrupt, a decompression end interrupt signal, a transfer end interrupt signal, a read end signal, and a drawing that are output from the graphic controller 200 at the end of the decompression process, transfer process, attribute read process, and drawing process, respectively. Based on the input of the end interrupt signal, the expansion end interrupt process, the transfer end interrupt process, the read end interrupt process, and the drawing end interrupt process are executed. When a strobe signal is input from the main control unit 41 regardless of whether or not it is in an interrupt wait state, a command from the main control unit 41 is acquired and a command reception interrupt process for storing in a buffer is executed. .

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the V blank interrupt process executed by the CPU 91a based on the input of the V blank interrupt signal periodically (every 33.3 ms in this embodiment) from the graphic controller 200. It is.

  In the V blank interrupt process, first, it is determined whether or not a command is stored in the buffer (Sb1). If the command is not stored in the buffer, the process proceeds to Sb6. If the command is stored in the buffer, the command is acquired from the buffer (Sb2), and the process proceeds to Sb3.

  In the step of Sb3, when the received command is an internal winning command, the effect table stored in the ROM 91b is referred to, and an effect pattern is selected at a selection rate according to the result of the internal lottery indicated by the internal winning command, The effect pattern selection process which sets the selected effect pattern as the effect pattern of the said game in RAM91c is performed, and it progresses to the step of Sb4.

  In step Sb4, processing corresponding to the received command is performed, and the control pattern table stored in the ROM 91b is referred to, and the effect pattern set in the RAM 91c and the control registered corresponding to the received command are stored. A control pattern setting process for reading the pattern and setting it in the RAM 91c is executed, and the process proceeds to step Sb5. In the control pattern setting process, the process data number is set in the RAM 91 c as the control pattern of the liquid crystal display 51.

  In step Sb5, an effect control process for controlling various effect devices such as effect effect LED 52, speakers 53 and 54, and reel LED is executed according to the control pattern set in step Sb4, and the process proceeds to step Sb6.

  In step Sb6, display control processing for performing various commands and settings for performing display control of the liquid crystal display 51 is executed on the graphic controller 200 in accordance with the process data set in the RAM 91a. Finish the process.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the display control process executed by the CPU 91a in step Sb6 of the V blank interrupt process.

  In the display control process, first, the transfer end interrupt signal output at the end of the data transfer process, the expansion process end interrupt signal output at the end of the expansion process, and the read end interrupt output at the end of the attribute read process It is determined whether a signal is waiting for an input of a drawing end interrupt signal output at the end of the drawing process (Sc1). Whether to wait for an interrupt signal input is determined based on whether a transfer end wait flag, a development end wait flag, a read end wait flag, and a drawing end wait flag, which will be described later, are set in the RAM 91c.

  If it is in the state of waiting for an interrupt in the step of Sc1, the display control process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, and if not in the state of waiting for an interrupt in the step of Sc1, new process data is set in the RAM 91c. It is determined whether or not to newly start moving image playback based on whether or not (Sc2).

  When it is determined in step Sc2 that a new video playback is to be started, that is, when new process data is set, a playback flag indicating that video playback is in progress is set in the RAM 91c and set in the RAM 91c. The process data counter value indicating which stage of the process data is being executed is cleared (Sc3).

  Next, referring to the process data set in the RAM 91c, the type of the stream to be played is set in the RAM 91c (Sc4), the start address of the storage destination of the stream to be played in the CGROM 91 is set in the decode register (Sc5), and the system The decoding instruction is stored in the control register to instruct the stream development (Sc6). Then, a development end wait flag indicating that the development end interrupt signal is waiting to be input is set in the RAM 91c (Sc7), the display control process is ended, and the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Further, when it is not determined in step Sc2 that the moving image reproduction is newly started, that is, when no process data is newly set, whether or not the moving image reproducing flag is set in the RAM 91c is determined. It is determined whether or not a moving image is being reproduced (Sc8).

  If the moving image is not being reproduced in the step of Sc8, the display control process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16. If it is determined that the moving image is being reproduced in the step of Sc8, the display area of the display register and The drawing area of the drawing register is updated to switch the display area and the drawing area in the VRAM space (Sc9).

  Next, the value of the process data counter set in the RAM 91c is updated (Sc10), and among the process data set in the RAM 91c, the attribute at the stage indicated by the value of the process data counter is set in the attribute register (Sc11). An attribute read command is set in the system control register by setting the attribute read command set in the attribute register (Sc12). Then, a read end wait flag is set in the RAM 91c to indicate that it is waiting to input a read end interrupt signal input at the end of reading the attribute (Sc13).

  Next, with reference to the value of the process data counter set in the RAM 91c, it is determined whether or not it is time to expand the stream (Sc14). Since the stream is developed at a rate of once every two V blanks, it is determined that it is time to perform the stream development only when the value of the process data counter is an even number (or only when it is an odd number).

  If it is not time to expand the stream in the step of Sc14, the display control process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, and if it is time to expand the stream in the step of Sc14, it is set in the decode register. With reference to the status of the development process, it is determined whether or not the development of all the frames has been completed (Sc15).

  If the development of all the frames is not completed in the step of Sc15, the process jumps to the step of Sc1 to instruct the development of the next frame. If the expansion of all the frames has been completed in the step of Sc15, the process data set in the RAM 91c is referred to and it is determined whether or not the stream is continuously reproduced (Sc16).

  When the stream is continuously reproduced in the step of Sc16, the process jumps to the step of Sc4, and development of the stream to be reproduced next is started according to the process data. If it is determined in step Sc16 that continuous playback is not performed, the process data set in the RAM 91c is referred to, and it is determined whether all moving image playback based on the process data has been completed (Sc17).

  If all the moving image reproduction has not been completed in the step of Sc17, the display control process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, and if all of the moving image reproduction has been completed in the step of Sc17, it is set in the RAM 91c. After clearing the playing flag (Sc18), the display control process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 18A is a flowchart showing the control contents of the expansion end interrupt process executed by the CPU 91a based on the input of the expansion end interrupt signal output from the graphic controller 200.

  In the expansion end interrupt process, first, the expansion end wait flag set in the RAM 91c is cleared (Sd1), the status of the decode register is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the current frame period is a frame for which expansion has started. (Sd2).

  If it is not the frame period in which the expansion is started in the step of Sd2, the expansion end interrupt process is terminated. If it is the frame period in which the expansion is started in the step of Sd2, the type of the stream currently being expanded is IPB. It is determined whether or not (Sd3). Whether or not the stream type is IPB is determined based on the type set in the RAM 91c at the start of decoding.

  When it is determined in step Sd3 that the type is IPB, the status of the decode register is referred to and it is determined whether or not the development of the first frame is completed (Sd4). If it is determined in step Sd4 that the first frame has been expanded, a stream execution instruction is stored by storing a decoding execution instruction in the system control register (Sd5). Then, a development completion waiting flag is set in the RAM 91c (Sd6), and the development completion interrupt process is terminated.

  If it is determined in step Sd3 that the type is not IPB, or if it is not determined in step Sd4 that the first frame has been expanded, that is, if the second frame has been expanded, the RAM 91c CG data transfer is performed by referring to the process data set in the process data and setting a transfer instruction to the VRAM space for all the CG data used as the source data of the sprite image necessary in the process data in the system control register. (Sd7). Then, a transfer end wait flag is set in the RAM 91c to indicate that the transfer end interrupt signal input upon completion of the transfer of CG data is waiting (Sd8), and the expansion end interrupt process is ended.

  FIG. 18B shows a read end interrupt signal output from the graphic controller 200 by the CPU 91a when the read end wait flag is set in the RAM 91c, that is, a read end interrupt signal output at the end of attribute reading. FIG. 18C is a flowchart showing the control contents of the read end interrupt process executed based on the input, and FIG. 18C shows the transfer that the CPU 91a outputs from the graphic controller 200 when the transfer end wait flag is set in the RAM 91c. FIG. 18D is a flowchart showing the control details of the transfer end interrupt process executed based on the input of the end interrupt signal, that is, the transfer end interrupt signal output at the end of the transfer of CG data. FIG. Drawing end interrupt output from graphic controller 200 Is a flow chart showing the control contents of the drawing end interrupt processing executed based on the input item.

  In the read end interrupt process, first, the read end wait flag set in the RAM 91c is cleared (Se1), and a drawing execution instruction is stored in the system control register to instruct execution of drawing (Se2). Then, a drawing end wait flag indicating that the drawing end interrupt signal is waiting to be input is set in the RAM 91c (Se3), and the reading end interrupt processing is ended. In the transfer end interrupt process, the transfer end wait flag set in the RAM 91c is cleared (Sf1), and the transfer end interrupt process ends. In the drawing end interrupt process, the drawing end waiting flag set in the RAM 91c is cleared (Sg1), and the drawing end interrupt process ends.

  As described above, when the attribute reading process, the drawing process, the data transfer process, and the stream development process are started by the graphic controller 200, the CPU 91a does not receive the V blank interrupt signal until these processes are completed. However, a new execution instruction for drawing, data transfer, and stream expansion is not performed.

  As described above, in the graphic controller 200 mounted in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the actual display area among the drawing areas set in the VRAM space, that is, the non-display area of the display area 51 a in the liquid crystal display 51. Since image data is not drawn in the area corresponding to 51b and the non-display area 51b is formed, it is possible to omit the process of drawing image data that is not actually displayed in the drawing area. In addition, the processing load of moving image reproduction control by the graphic controller 200 can be reduced, and the moving image reproduction processing capability can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the CPU 91a of the sub-control unit 91 sets an attribute in the attribute register 203 of the graphic controller 200, and instructs the graphic controller 200 to execute drawing, so that the graphic controller 200 draws according to the attribute. The drawing in the area is executed, and the character for the non-display area is first drawn in the area corresponding to the non-display area 51b of the liquid crystal display 51 in the drawing area of the VRAM space regardless of the drawing order set in the attribute. Thus, after that, other objects (including frames developed from the stream) are not drawn in the area corresponding to the non-display area 51b. That is, the CPU 91a executes the drawing command ignoring the existence of the non-display area 51b, and when the drawing to the area corresponding to the non-display area 51b is instructed, the graphic controller 200 side is instructed to draw. Is determined to overlap with the area corresponding to the non-display area 51b, and if it overlaps, drawing is not performed. Therefore, when moving image data used for moving image playback of an image display device mounted on a certain gaming machine is used for moving image playback of an image display device mounted on a different type of gaming machine (for example, mounted on a pachinko machine) Even when the same image data is applied to a gaming machine with a different non-display area in the case of moving image data used for moving image playback of an image display device used for moving image playback of an image display device mounted in a slot machine) Control of moving image reproduction can be applied without significantly changing the control content (process data, attributes, etc.) on the CPU (CPU 91a in this embodiment) commanding the controller 200.

  In this embodiment, regardless of the drawing order set in the attribute, the graphic controller 200 first sets the character for the non-display area in the area corresponding to the non-display area 51b of the liquid crystal display 51 in the drawing area of the VRAM space. Then, other objects are not drawn in the area corresponding to the non-display area 51b. However, the CPU 91a displays the non-display area character in the area corresponding to the non-display area 51b. The attribute may always be set so that the image is drawn with the highest priority. In this case, the video data used for video playback of the image display device installed in a certain gaming machine may be different models. In the case of diverting to the video playback of the image display device mounted on the game machine, the graphic controller 200 side Not only it is possible to apply without greatly changing the control contents, it becomes possible to apply the graphic controller 200 in common program or hardware configuration, it is also possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the graphic controller 200.

  Further, when the CPU 91a sets the attribute, it is determined whether or not the area of the object (including the frame developed from the stream) drawn in the drawing area overlaps with the area corresponding to the non-display area 51b. If it is determined that the region 51b overlaps with the region corresponding to the region 51b, the attribute for instructing drawing of the object may not be set for the overlapping region. That is, the CPU 91a may prohibit the setting of an attribute that designates drawing of another object for an area that overlaps the area corresponding to the non-display area 51b. In this case, an image mounted on a certain gaming machine may be prohibited. When diverting the moving image data used for reproducing the moving image of the display device to reproducing the moving image of the image display device mounted on a different type of gaming machine, it becomes possible to apply the graphic controller 200 having a common program or hardware configuration. The manufacturing cost of the graphic controller 200 can also be reduced.

  In this embodiment, when a stream of type IPB is played, the CPU 91a instructs the expansion of both the first frame and the second frame during the frame period when the expansion is started, and the expansion is thereby performed. Both the first and second frames are expanded in the starting frame period, and the next frame of the frame period in which the expansion is always started regardless of whether the stream type is IP or IPB. It is possible to start drawing a frame from the period. That is, even when a stream of type IP and a stream of type IPB are mixed, the timing for starting the expansion of the frame is shared, so that the execution timing of the expansion processing in the stream reproduction control Management becomes easy.

  Accordingly, it becomes easy to design control contents (for example, control program, process data, attributes, etc.) of playback control of a stream in which a stream of type IP and a stream of type IPB are mixed. Specifically, when the designer who designs the control content of stream reproduction control assigns the appearance location of each stream, each stream is not conscious of whether the type is IP or IPB. This makes it possible to reduce the work load for development of stream reproduction control.

  In this embodiment, when a stream of type IPB is played back, the CPU 91a instructs the expansion of both the first frame and the second frame in the frame period for starting the expansion. As a result, both the first and second frames are expanded in the frame period for starting the expansion, and it becomes easy to specify the frame period instructing the expansion of the two frames, and the stream reproduction control by the CPU 91a. However, it is preferable that at least one frame period before the frame period instructing the expansion of the B frame is instructed to expand the two frames before the expansion of the B frame is performed. Two frames may be expanded, and even in this case, the stream Regardless of whether the type is IP or IPB, it is possible to start drawing a frame from the next frame period of the frame period where the expansion has started, and the type IP stream and the type IPB stream Even in the case where both are mixed, the timing for starting the expansion of the frame can be made common, so that it is easy to manage the execution timing of the expansion processing in the stream reproduction control.

  In the graphic controller 200 of this embodiment, when developing a stream of type IP, three development buffers L1 to L3 or development buffers S1 to S3 are set, and the set development buffers are set. When expansion processing is performed using a buffer and a stream of type IPB is expanded, four expansion buffers L1 to L34 or expansion buffers S1 to S4 are set, and the set expansion buffers are set. Expansion processing is performed using a buffer. That is, the number of expansion buffers used for the expansion process is set to be larger when the IPB stream is expanded than when the IP stream is expanded. This is because, when a stream of type IPB is developed, a decompression buffer for storing future frames used for decompressing B frames that are not necessary for decompressing an IP stream is required. Thus, in the case where the IPB stream is expanded as compared with the case where the IP stream is expanded, it is possible to appropriately allocate the area of the VRAM area by setting a larger number of expansion buffers used for the expansion process.

  Further, in the graphic controller 200 of this embodiment, when developing a stream of size L, the development buffers L1 to L3 or the development buffers L1 to L4 are set, and the set development buffer is set. When the expansion process is performed and a stream of size S is expanded, the expansion buffers S1 to S3 or the expansion buffers S1 to S4 are set, and the expansion buffer is used for expansion. Processing is performed. That is, when developing streams of different sizes, the development buffer is set according to the size, so that even when developing streams of different sizes, the VRAM area can be appropriately allocated.

  In this embodiment, the stream type and size are stored in the file header of the stream, and the compressed video decoder 212 automatically recognizes the stream type and size from the file header and designates the expansion buffer. However, the number and size of the expansion buffer may be designated according to the type and size of the stream to be expanded by the CPU 91a. In this case, the expansion is performed when the program of the CPU 91a is reorganized. The stream type can be recognized by checking the setting of the number of buffers, and the size of the stream can be recognized by checking the size setting. It is possible to save time and effort for analysis.

  Further, in this embodiment, when a stream is played back continuously after a stream that is an IPB, the CPU 91a plays back after the frame period next to the frame period in which the last expanded frame of the previous stream has been expanded. The stream is instructed to be expanded, and the subsequent stream is expanded. In the next frame period, the drawing order of the previous stream is not the last frame, and the drawing order of the subsequent stream is the first frame. To be done. For this reason, when the stream is continuously played after the stream whose type is IP, when the stream is continuously played after the stream whose type is IPB, and the timing to start the expansion of the stream to be played later When the stream is continuously played back regardless of whether the stream is continuously played after the stream of the type IP and the stream is played back continuously after the stream of the type IPB On the other hand, the CPU 91a performs the expansion of the stream after the frame period next to the frame period in which the final expansion frame of the previous stream is expanded, that is, the frame period after the frame period after the expansion of all the frames of the previous stream is completed. You can command the start. That is, even when the stream is continuously played after the IP stream and the stream is continuously played after the IPB stream, playback is performed later. Since the timing for starting the expansion of the frame of the stream to be shared is made common, the execution timing of the expansion process in the stream reproduction control can be easily managed.

  Accordingly, the content of playback control of a stream in which a stream continuously played after a stream of type IP and a stream continuously played after a stream of type IPB (for example, a control program, Process data, attributes, etc.) can be easily designed. Specifically, when the designer who designs the control content of the stream reproduction control assigns the appearance location of the continuous stream following the previous stream, it is a stream that follows the IP type stream. It is possible to assign a stream that follows the previous stream without being conscious of whether it is a stream that follows the IPB stream, thereby reducing the work load for development of stream reproduction control and the like.

  Furthermore, since it is only necessary to instruct the start of the expansion of the subsequent stream from the frame period following the frame period in which the expansion of all the frames of the previous stream has been completed, only the order of the streams to be continuously played back is designated. Thus, the development of the next stream can be automatically started when the development of the final development frame of the previous stream is completed, so that it becomes easier to design the reproduction control of the stream.

  In this embodiment, the stream is continuously played after the IPB stream whose final expanded frame is a B frame, and the stream is continuously played after the IPB stream whose final expanded frame is not a B frame. In the former case, since the last expanded frame of the previous stream is used for expanding other frames of the stream, all frames in the IPB stream are used for playback. Since the necessary frames can be used, not only is the stream data capacity not wasted, but it is also possible to prevent the processing load from increasing due to the execution of unnecessary expansion processing.

  In the latter case, since the final expanded frame is not reproduced, it can be said that the final expanded frame is a frame unnecessary for reproduction of the stream. However, the latter stream may be necessary by design, for example, when the second frame from the end is used for playback, and in such a case, it is played back as the last expanded frame. By providing a frame with no frame, it is only necessary to start the development of the subsequent stream in the next frame period after the expansion of the frame. As a result, the management of the execution timing of the expansion process does not become complicated.

  Also, in this embodiment, when performing loop playback in which the same stream is repeatedly and continuously played back, loop playback is performed using only the IP stream, not the IPB stream. This is because the IPB has a higher data compression rate than the IP stream, but the processing load when performing the decompression process becomes heavier than that of the IP, and the same stream as in the loop playback. This is because the data capacity of the stream is not greatly reduced, but there are many advantages in reducing the processing load.

  Further, in this embodiment, the stream is developed every two periods (frame period described later) every two V blanks, and the update of the frame (image data developed from the stream) used for drawing is also performed with the V blank. The sprite image is updated every V blank while it is performed once every two periods. In other words, since the content of the sprite image is updated in a half period (V blank) of the frame period in which the frame expanded from the stream is updated, the processing load related to stream expansion is achieved while realizing precise display. Can be prevented from becoming heavy.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 is disposed at the front side (player side) of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R, and corresponds to the see-through window 3 of the display area 51a. A non-display area 51b in which no image is displayed is formed in the area. For this reason, it is possible to display a moving image related to the game in the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 arranged on the front side of the reel without impairing the visibility of the reel. In addition, even when the display area is enlarged, the portion corresponding to the fluoroscopic window 3 is a non-display area, so that it is possible to reduce the processing load of moving image reproduction control.

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

  For example, in the above embodiment, the drawing control unit 206 draws image data in a two-dimensional drawing area in the VRAM space, but a plurality of lines (scanning lines) constituting the screen area, that is, a one-dimensional drawing. You may make it draw image data for every line of a drawing area.

  In the above embodiment, the slot machine is applied as the gaming machine, but it may be applied to other gaming machines such as a pachinko machine.

  Below, the modification which applied the pachinko machine as a gaming machine is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, a pachinko machine 1001 in this modification has a substantially circular window 1002a that allows the game board to be visually recognized on the front side of the game board 1003 formed of a transparent member such as acrylic. A glass door frame 1002 is provided. Further, a rectangular liquid crystal display 1006 is disposed on the back side of the game board 1003 so that the display area of the liquid crystal display 1006 can be seen through from the game board 1003 and the window portion 1002a.

  A non-transparent accessory 1004 is disposed on the left and right sides of the game board 1003, and a non-transparent variable winning ball apparatus 1005 is disposed at the lower part. For this reason, the display area that can be visually recognized by the player among the display areas of the liquid crystal display 1006 is only the area of the window portion 1002a of the glass door frame 1002, the area where the accessory 1004 and the variable winning ball apparatus 1005 are not arranged. It is. For this reason, in the liquid crystal display 1006 of this modified example, as shown in FIG. 19B, a portion hidden by the glass door frame 1002, the accessory 1004, and the variable winning ball device 1005 is set as a non-display area.

  The graphic controller mounted for the pachinko machine 1001 to control the display of the liquid crystal display 1006 is similar to the above-described embodiment in that the object is placed at a location corresponding to the non-display area in the VRAM space drawing area. Do not draw.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 1001, the game board 1003 is formed of a transparent member, and the display area of the liquid crystal display 1006 is arranged on the back side of the game board 1003, so that the liquid crystal display 1006 arranged in the Ura pattern of the game board 1003. In this display area, it is possible to display a moving image related to a game, so that the production effect can be enhanced, and even if the display area is enlarged, a portion hidden by an object or the like is a non-display area. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load of moving image playback control.

  Each element in the embodiment corresponds to the present invention as follows.

A gaming machine according to claim 1 of the present invention,
A gaming machine (slot machine 1) that performs a predetermined game,
A display area (an area excluding the non-display area 51b in the display area 51a) in which a moving image related to the game is displayed in a square screen area (display area 51a) and a non-display in which a moving image related to the game is not displayed An image display device (liquid crystal display 51) in which a region (non-display region 51b) is formed;
Reproduction display means (CPU 91a, graphic controller 200) for reproducing and displaying a moving image based on compressed moving image data (stream) including a plurality of compressed image data compressed by a predetermined compression method in a display area of the image display device;
With
The reproduction display means includes
First compressed video data (IPB stream) including bidirectional compressed image data (B frame) compressed by bidirectional predictive encoding, and second compressed video data (IP stream) not including the bidirectional compressed image data ), A compressed moving image data storage means (CGROM 205) for storing a plurality of compressed moving image data (streams) including:
For each predetermined moving image frame period (frame period), the compressed image data (frame) included in the compressed moving image data is expanded in a predetermined expansion order (the order stored in the stream). Expansion processing means (compressed video decoder 212) for performing expansion processing to be stored in a buffer (decompression buffer);
A means for performing a creation process (drawing process) for creating drawing data in a virtual display area (drawing area in the VRAM space) corresponding to the entire screen area, and displaying a predetermined display order (file) at least for each moving image frame period In accordance with the display order included in the header), the development processing unit creates drawing data based on the image data stored in the buffer in an area corresponding to a position where the image of the screen area is displayed in the virtual display area. Creation processing means (drawing control unit 206) for performing image creation processing (drawing processing for drawing a frame stored in the development buffer in a designated area of the drawing area);
Display processing means (display control unit 213) for performing a display process for displaying an image on the screen area according to the drawing data stored in the virtual display area;
Including
The reproduction display means further includes:
The compressed moving image data is designated when starting the reproduction display of the moving image (the CPU 91a designates the stream in the first frame period in which the expansion of the stream is started), and the compressed moving image data is designated from the designated moving image frame period. The expansion processing means starts expansion processing (the CPU 91a instructs the expansion of the stream in the first frame period),
The developed image creation process is started by the creation processing means from the next moving image frame period after starting the developing process (the CPU 91a instructs to draw a frame from the second frame period),
When the designated compressed moving image data is the first compressed moving image data, the decompression process is performed a plurality of times in the designated moving image frame period (when the CPU 91a reproduces the IPB stream). , Instruct the expansion twice in the first frame period), and
The decompression processing unit is configured to use the first processing used for the previous reproduction when the moving image based on the second compressed moving image data is reproduced at least after the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data is reproduced. The final scheduled display image data whose display order is the last in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data is not used for the expansion processing of the compressed image data indicating the other image in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data, A moving image frame period following a moving image frame period in which the expansion processing of the final display scheduled image data in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data used for the previous reproduction is performed, and based on the final display planned image data The second compression motion used for later playback in a video frame period before a video frame period in which drawing data is to be created in the virtual display area In the moving image based on the data, the expansion process of expanding the earliest display image data having the first display order is performed (when the CPU 91 continuously reproduces the stream, the CPU 91 expands the final expanded frame of the previous stream. Instructing the expansion of the first frame of the subsequent stream in the frame period of, the compressed video decoder 212 expands the first frame of the subsequent stream in the next frame period of expanding the final expansion frame of the previous stream. In addition, the compressed moving image data 212 indicates that when the stream is continuously played after the IPB stream whose final development frame is other than the B frame, the frame in which the rendering order of the previous stream is the last is the other frame. Unexpanding the last frame in the drawing order of the previous stream (final expanded frame) Stream rendering sequence performed by the deployment of the first frame after the next frame period went),
In the moving image frame period in which drawing data based on the final display scheduled image data in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data used for the previous reproduction is to be generated in the virtual display area, The drawing data based on the final scheduled display image data is not created in the virtual display area by the developed image creation process, and the first display image data of the moving image based on the second compressed moving image data used for later reproduction is used. Drawing data based on the virtual display area (when the drawing control unit 206 reproduces the stream continuously after the IPB stream, in the next frame period in which the last expanded frame of the previous stream is expanded, The drawing order of the previous stream is not the last frame, and the drawing order of the subsequent stream draws the first frame. Along with the
Further, the creation processing means does not create drawing data based on the image data stored in the buffer by the development processing means for an area corresponding to the non-display area in the virtual display area in the developed image creation processing. (The drawing control unit 206 places a non-display area character in an area corresponding to the non-display area 51 of the drawing area in the VRAM space before drawing another object, and then the other object specified by the attribute is non-displayed. Do not draw the area that overlaps the display area character),
It is characterized by that.

A gaming machine according to claim 2 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The creation processing means includes
Including designation means (the CPU 91a sets an attribute including a drawing area of a frame) for designating an area for creating drawing data based on the image data stored in the buffer by the developed image creation processing;
Regardless of whether or not it is specified by the specifying means to create drawing data based on the image data stored in the buffer for an area corresponding to the non-display area in the virtual display area. Non-display image creation processing for creating drawing data for rendering (the drawing control unit 206 draws a character for a non-display area in a region corresponding to the non-display area 51 of the drawing area in the VRAM space in preference to other objects. )I do,
It is characterized by that.

A gaming machine according to claim 3 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The creation processing means includes
Designation means (the CPU 91a sets an attribute including a drawing area of a frame) for designating an area for creating drawing data based on the image data stored in the buffer by the developed image creation processing;
Prohibiting means (CPU 91a is a frame that prohibits designating an area corresponding to the non-display area in the virtual display area as an area for creating drawing data based on the image data stored in the buffer by the designating means. When setting the attribute for, determine whether the area to draw the frame overlaps the non-display area, and if it is determined to overlap, specify the drawing of the frame in the area that overlaps the non-display area Do not set attributes)
including,
It is characterized by that.

A gaming machine according to claim 4 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The decompression processing means (compressed moving picture decoder 212) converts the image data obtained by decompressing the compressed image data (stream) in the decompression process to any one of a plurality of buffers (decompression buffers L1 to L4 and decompression buffers S1 to S4). And remember
Buffer number setting means (compressed moving image decoder) for setting the number of buffers used in the decompression process according to whether or not the compressed moving image data used for reproduction display of the specified moving image is the first compressed moving image data (IPB stream) 212 sets the expansion buffer in the decode register according to the stream type),
The buffer number setting means sets a larger number of buffers when the first compressed moving image data is used than when it is the second compressed moving image data (the compressed moving image decoder 212 has a stream type of In the case of IP, the expansion buffers L1 to L3 or the expansion buffers S1 to S3 are set. When the stream type is IPB, the expansion buffers L1 to L4 or the expansion buffers S1 to S4 are set. ,
It is characterized by that.

A gaming machine according to claim 5 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1-4,
The decompression processing means (compressed moving picture decoder 212) converts the image data obtained by decompressing the compressed image data (stream) in the decompression process to any one of a plurality of buffers (decompression buffers L1 to L4 and decompression buffers S1 to S4). And remember
Buffer setting means for determining an image size of image data obtained by developing compressed moving image data used for reproduction display of the specified moving image, and setting a storage area of the image size according to the determination result as a buffer used for the expansion processing ( The compressed video decoder 212 automatically recognizes whether the size of the stream is L or S. In the case of L, the decompression buffers S1 to L3 or the decompression buffers S1 to S4 are set. The development buffers S1 to S3 or the development buffers S1 to S4 are set).
It is characterized by that.

A gaming machine according to claim 6 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The reproduction display means (CPU 91a, graphic controller 200) further includes sprite image data storage means (CGROM 205) for storing sprite image data (character) for displaying a sprite image.
The expansion processing means performs the expansion processing for each moving image frame period (the compressed moving image decoder 212 performs expansion processing for each frame period),
The creation processing means displays the image of the virtual display area with drawing data based on the sprite image data for each sprite frame period which is 1 / N (N is an integer of 2 or more) of the moving image frame period. A sprite image creation process to be created in an area corresponding to the position and the developed image creation process are performed (the rendering control unit 206 performs rendering processing in units of V blanks)
The display processing means performs a display process of displaying the drawing data stored in the virtual display area on the screen area for each sprite frame period (the display control unit 213 updates the display in units of V blanks ( The drawing area and display area are switched in units of V blanks)),
It is characterized by that.

A gaming machine according to claim 7 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game, and a plurality of types of symbols that can be identified can be displayed in a variable display device (reels 2L, 2C, 2R). A gaming machine (slot machine 1) in which one game is completed by the result being derived and displayed, and a winning can be generated according to the display result of the variable display device,
The screen area (display area 51a) is arranged in front of the variable display device, and the non-display area is formed so that the display result of the variable display device can be visually recognized (non-display area). 51b is formed at a position corresponding to the transparent window 3),
It is characterized by that.

The gaming machine according to means 1 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The reproduction display means (CPU 91a, graphic controller 200) includes continuous reproduction display means for repeatedly reproducing and displaying the same compressed moving image data (stream).
The continuous reproduction display means repeatedly reproduces and displays only the same second compressed moving image data (the CPU 91a instructs continuous reproduction only for a stream of type IP),
It is characterized by that.

It is a front view of the slot machine of Example 1 to which the present invention was applied. It is a figure which shows the symbol arrangement | sequence of a reel. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a slot machine. It is a figure which shows the combination determined according to the game state in the Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the command transmitted with respect to a sub control part from a main control part. It is a figure which shows the structure of the display control circuit mounted in the sub-control part. It is a figure which shows the structure of VRAM space. It is a figure which shows an example of the expansion | deployment timing at the time of expand | deploying the stream whose type is IP, and a drawing timing. It is a figure which shows an example of the expansion | deployment timing at the time of expand | deploying the stream whose type is IPB, and a drawing timing. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the expansion | deployment timing and drawing timing at the time of expand | deploying the stream of IPB whose final expansion | deployment frame is a B frame. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of a development timing and a drawing timing when developing an IPB stream whose final development frame is not a B frame. It is a figure which shows an example of the state by which the character required for VRAM space is arrange | positioned when drawing with respect to a drawing area. It is a figure which shows an example of the condition of drawing of the character etc. to a drawing area. It is a figure which shows an example of the condition of drawing of the character etc. to a drawing area. It is a figure which shows an example of the condition of drawing of the character etc. to a drawing area. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the game process which CPU of a main control part performs after starting. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the V blank interruption process performed by CPU of a sub-control part based on the input of a V blank interruption signal. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the display control process which CPU of a sub-control part performs in a V blank interruption process. (A) is a flowchart which shows the control content of the expansion | extension completion | finish interruption process performed based on the input of the expansion | extension completion | finish interruption signal by CPU of a sub control part. (B) is a flowchart showing the control contents of the transfer end interrupt process (1) executed by the CPU of the sub-control unit based on the input of the transfer end interrupt signal output at the end of attribute transfer. (B) is a flowchart showing the control contents of the transfer end interrupt process (2) executed by the CPU of the sub-control unit based on the input of the transfer end interrupt signal output at the end of the transfer of CG data. (A) is a front view of the pachinko machine which is a modification of a gaming machine. (B) is a figure which shows the structure of the non-display area | region of the liquid crystal display with which the pachinko machine shown to (a) is equipped.

Explanation of symbols

1 slot machine 2L, 2C, 2R reel 40 game control board 41 main control unit 90 effect control board 91 sub control unit 91a CPU
91b ROM
91c RAM
92 Display Control Circuit 200 Graphic Controller

Claims (7)

A gaming machine that performs a predetermined game,
An image display device in which a display area in which a moving image related to the game is displayed in a square screen area and a non-display area in which a moving image related to the game is not displayed;
Reproduction display means for reproducing and displaying a moving image based on compressed moving image data including a plurality of compressed image data compressed by a predetermined compression method on the screen area;
With
The reproduction display means includes
Compression storing a plurality of compressed moving image data including first compressed moving image data including bidirectional compressed image data compressed by bidirectional predictive coding and second compressed moving image data not including the bidirectional compressed image data Video data storage means;
Expansion processing means for performing expansion processing for expanding the compressed image data included in the compressed moving image data in a predetermined expansion order and storing the compressed image data in a buffer for each predetermined moving image frame period;
Means for performing creation processing for creating drawing data in a virtual display area corresponding to the entire screen area, and stored in the buffer by the development processing means in accordance with a display order predetermined at least for each moving image frame period Creation processing means for performing development image creation processing for creating drawing data based on image data in an area corresponding to a position for displaying an image of the screen area in the virtual display area;
Display processing means for performing a display process for displaying an image on the screen area according to the drawing data stored in the virtual display area;
Including
The reproduction display means further includes:
Specifying compressed video data when starting playback and display of a moving image, and starting expansion processing by the expansion processing means from a video frame period in which the compressed video data is specified,
Starting the developed image creation process by the creation processing means from the next video frame period of the video frame period that started the development process,
When the designated compressed moving image data is the first compressed moving image data, the decompression processing is performed a plurality of times in the designated moving image frame period, and
The decompression processing unit is configured to use the first processing used for the previous reproduction when the moving image based on the second compressed moving image data is reproduced at least after the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data is reproduced. The final scheduled display image data whose display order is the last in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data is not used for the expansion processing of the compressed image data indicating the other image in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data, A moving image frame period following a moving image frame period in which the expansion processing of the final display scheduled image data in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data used for the previous reproduction is performed, and based on the final display planned image data The second compression motion used for later playback in a video frame period before a video frame period in which drawing data is to be created in the virtual display area Performs the expansion process of expanding the earliest display image data display order is the first in a moving image based on the data,
In the moving image frame period in which drawing data based on the final display scheduled image data in the moving image based on the first compressed moving image data used for the previous reproduction is to be generated in the virtual display area, The drawing data based on the final scheduled display image data is not created in the virtual display area by the developed image creation process, and the first display image data of the moving image based on the second compressed moving image data used for later reproduction is used. Creating drawing data based on the virtual display area,
Further, the creation processing means does not create drawing data based on the image data stored in the buffer by the development processing means for an area corresponding to the non-display area in the virtual display area in the developed image creation processing. ,
A gaming machine characterized by that. The creation processing means includes
Designating means for designating an area for creating drawing data based on the image data stored in the buffer by the developed image creation processing;
Regardless of whether or not it is specified by the specifying means to create drawing data based on the image data stored in the buffer for an area corresponding to the non-display area in the virtual display area. Perform non-display image creation processing to create drawing data for
The gaming machine according to claim 1. The creation processing means includes
Designation means for designating an area for creating drawing data based on the image data stored in the buffer by the developed image creation processing;
Prohibiting means for prohibiting designation of an area corresponding to the non-display area in the virtual display area as an area for creating drawing data based on image data stored in the buffer by the designation means;
including,
The gaming machine according to claim 1. The expansion processing means stores the image data obtained by expanding the compressed image data in the expansion processing in any of a plurality of buffers,
Buffer number setting means for setting the number of buffers used in the decompression process according to whether or not the compressed moving image data used for reproduction display of the designated moving image is the first compressed moving image data;
The buffer number setting means sets a larger number of buffers when the first compressed moving image data than when the second compressed moving image data.
A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The expansion processing means stores the image data obtained by expanding the compressed image data in the expansion processing in any of a plurality of buffers,
Buffer setting means for determining an image size of image data obtained by expanding the compressed moving image data used for reproduction display of the specified moving image, and setting a storage area of the image size according to the determination result as a buffer used for the expansion processing Prepare
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that. The reproduction display means further includes sprite image data storage means for storing sprite image data for displaying a sprite image,
The expansion processing means performs the expansion processing for each moving image frame period,
The creation processing means displays the image of the virtual display area with drawing data based on the sprite image data for each sprite frame period which is 1 / N (N is an integer of 2 or more) of the moving image frame period. Sprite image creation processing to be created in the area corresponding to the position and the development image creation processing,
The display processing means performs display processing for displaying an image on the screen area for each sprite frame period according to the drawing data stored in the virtual display area.
A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game, and the display result is derived and displayed on a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols that can be individually identified. A gaming machine in which one game is finished and a winning can be generated according to the display result of the variable display device,
The screen area is arranged in front of the variable display device, and the non-display area is formed so that a display result of the variable display device can be visually recognized.
A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein

Images