JP4768063B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine provided with an image display means that allows a player to execute a predetermined game and display a moving image.

  As a gaming machine, a game medium such as a game ball is launched into a game area by a launching device, and when a game medium wins a prize area such as a prize opening provided in the game area, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player. There is something to be done. Furthermore, variable display means capable of variably displaying the identification information is provided, so that when the display result of the variable display of the identification information becomes a specific display result, it can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player. There is something configured.

  The specific game state means a state advantageous for a player who is given a predetermined game value. Specifically, the specific gaming state is, for example, a state in which the state of the variable winning ball apparatus is advantageous for a player who is easy to win a hit (a big hit gaming state), or a state in which a right to become advantageous for a player has occurred. A state in which a predetermined game value is given, such as a state where conditions for paying out premium game media are easily established.

  In the pachinko gaming machine, the display result of the variable display means for variably displaying the special symbol (identification information) (displaying the symbols visually recognized by the player among a plurality of types of symbols as time passes) A combination of specific display modes that have been defined (for example, a big hit symbol) is usually referred to as “big hit”. When a big hit occurs, for example, the big winning opening (variable winning ball apparatus) is opened a predetermined number of times, and the game shifts to a big hit gaming state in which a hit ball is easy to win.

  And in each open period, if there is a prize for a predetermined number (for example, 10) of the big prize opening, the big prize opening is closed. And the number of times the special winning opening is opened is fixed to a predetermined number (for example, 15 rounds). Note that an opening time (for example, 29.5 seconds) is determined for each opening, and even if the number of winnings does not reach a predetermined number, the big winning opening is closed when the opening time elapses. Further, when a predetermined condition (for example, winning in the V zone provided in the big prize opening) is not established at the time when the big prize opening is closed, the big hit gaming state is ended.

  In addition, the symbols other than the symbol that becomes the final stop symbol (for example, the middle symbol of the left and right middle symbols) on the variable display means continue for a predetermined time and stop, swing, or expand in a state that matches the specific display result. The possibility of big hits continues before the final result is displayed due to a reduced or deformed state, or multiple symbols changing synchronously with the same symbol, or the position of the display symbol changing. An effect performed in a state in which the player is in a state (hereinafter, these states are referred to as reach states) is referred to as reach effect. Further, the reach state and its state are referred to as a reach mode. Furthermore, variable display including reach production is called reach variable display. In the reach state, the interest of the game is enhanced by making the variation pattern different from the variation pattern in the normal state. And when the display result of the symbol variably displayed on the variable display means does not satisfy the condition for reaching the reach state, it becomes “displaced”, and the variable display state ends. A player plays a game while enjoying how to generate a big hit.

  In addition to the variably displayed identification information, the variable display means recalls a character image other than the background image and the identification information (an image displayed in a part of the display area, which is specific to the player) Image) is also displayed to move. That is, a one-screen image composed of identification information, a character image, and a background image is displayed as a moving image. In order to realize such moving image display, moving image data including a background image, identification information, and a moving image of a character is stored in advance in a storage unit, and moving image data is variably displayed frame by frame (one frame). There is a gaming machine configured to display on a means (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a gaming machine, identification information or the like can be displayed in a paused manner (hereinafter also referred to as a pause) by statically displaying an arbitrary piece.

JP 7-185088 A (paragraphs 0050-0051)

  However, if a completely different scene (for example, the background or the character image to be displayed is different) is to be displayed on the variable display means after being paused, it is necessary to store the moving image data for each scene in the storage means. is there. That is, if the scene is switched after being paused, a huge storage capacity is required. In order to prevent an increase in storage capacity, it is possible to always make the screen displayed at the time of pausing the same, but in such a configuration, the same scene is always displayed at the time of pausing. End up. Also, at the time of pause, the identification information and the character image displayed in a pause are not always the same, even if the scene is the same, due to the difference in the previous identification information and the pause timing. Therefore, in the prior art, each image data must be prepared in the storage means, and it is difficult to reduce the storage capacity.

  Therefore, the present invention prevents a memory capacity from increasing in a gaming machine that performs control to resume the display of a moving image from a scene different from the scene at the time of pause after the display screen is paused in the image display means. The purpose is to do.

The gaming machine according to the present invention is an image display means (for example , a display effect including a variable display of a plurality of types of identification information that allows a player to execute a predetermined game and that can identify each by displaying a moving image. An image display for generating image data of a screen displayed by the image display means and outputting the image data to the image display means in accordance with the process data corresponding to the variable display of the identification information. Control means (for example, production control means including production control CPU 101 and GCL 106), and the process data includes variable display mode data indicating a variable display mode of identification information and variable display mode of identification information based on variable display mode data. It consists of a plurality of data consisting of a combination of time data indicating the control time and the development of presentation in the process of variable display of identification information. After the data indicating the start of effect, set data indicating to resume the variable display of the identification information, the image display control means, the image element data storing means for storing a plurality of types of image element data (e.g., Image element data reading means for reading image element data used for screen display from the CGROM 83 and storing it in temporary storage means (for example, VRAM formed in the SDRAM 84) (for example, a part for executing the processing of step S906 in the GCL 106) ) And image element data used to create image data of the screen displayed by the image display means from the image element data stored in the temporary storage means, and the image data based on the selected image element data is displayed in the virtual display area. (For example, a frame buffer formed in the SDRAM 84) Image data creation means (for example, a part that executes the process of step S904 in the GCL 106 based on the process of step S724 by the effect control CPU 101) and image data that outputs the image data created in the virtual display area to the image display means According to the output means (for example, the part that executes the process of step S902 in the GCL 106 based on the process of step S723 by the effect control CPU 101) and the start timing of the development effect based on the process data, the image In order to statically display the screen displayed on the display means, the pause control means for prohibiting the selection of new image element data by the image data creation means (for example, the processing of steps S834 and S721 in the CPU 101 for effect control is executed. To pause) and pause Temporary storage control means (for example, effect control CPU 101 for storing image data for one screen created in the virtual display area in the temporary storage means as screen image element data when the control means prohibits selection of image element data. In response to the restart timing of the variable display of the identification information based on the process data ), a new control by the suspension control means is performed. pause canceling means for canceling the prohibition of selection of the image element data (e.g., portions for performing the process of step S841, S721 in effect control CPU 101) viewed contains an image data creation means, prohibited by the temporary stop release means When is released, new image data when the still display state ends And wherein the creating a virtual display region by using the stored picture image element data and the other image element data in the temporary storage.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the game machine stops the selection of the image element data of the image data creation means to temporarily display the screen displayed on the image display means, and the image data creation means The image data for one screen created in the virtual storage area when the selection of the image is stopped is stored in the temporary storage means, and the new image data when the still display state ends is stored in the temporary storage means. Since the screen image element data and other image element data are used to create the virtual display area, it is possible to generate a moving image again from various scenes different from the scenes at the time of pause without increasing the storage capacity. The display can be started.

It is the front view which looked at the pachinko game machine from the front. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structural example of a game control board (main board). It is a block diagram showing an example of circuit configuration of an effect control board, a lamp driver board and an audio output board. It is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of a portion related to image display control in the effect control board. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU in a main board | substrate performs. It is a flowchart which shows a 2 ms timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol process process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the relationship between a fluctuation pattern command and a fluctuation pattern. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a special symbol and a special symbol corresponding | compatible symbol. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an animation fluctuation | variation display. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating control of the temporary stop of the variable display of a special symbol, and the restart of a variable display. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a timing developed to the effect of a super reach. It is explanatory drawing which shows the timing of the display effect shown by FIG. 12 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU for production control performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the state by which the image data of the special symbol was memorize | stored in image ROM. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the state by which the image data of the special figure corresponding design was memorize | stored in image ROM. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the vertical scroll display control of a special symbol. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the implementation method of an effect process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an effect process. It is a flowchart which shows production control process processing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of 1 structure of process data. It is a flowchart which shows an effect selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the process during symbol fluctuation. It is explanatory drawing which shows a part of process data. It is a flowchart which shows a display control process. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of GCL.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine that is an example of a gaming machine will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine as viewed from the front. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example. However, the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, and can be applied to other gaming machines such as a slot machine.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame (not shown) formed in a vertically long rectangular shape, and a game frame attached to the inside of the outer frame so as to be opened and closed. Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape that is provided in the game frame so as to be opened and closed. The game frame includes a front frame (not shown) installed to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame, a mechanism plate to which mechanism parts and the like are attached, and various parts attached to them (excluding a game board described later). Is a structure including

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. On the lower surface of the glass door frame 2 is a hitting ball supply tray (upper plate) 3. Under the hitting ball supply tray 3, an extra ball receiving tray 4 for storing game balls that cannot be accommodated in the hit ball supply tray 3 and a hitting operation handle (operation knob) 5 for launching the game balls are provided. A game board 6 is detachably attached to the back surface of the glass door frame 2. The game board 6 is a structure including a plate-like body constituting the game board 6 and various components attached to the plate-like body. A game area 7 is formed on the front surface of the game board 6.

  Near the center of the game area 7, there is provided a variable display device (special symbol display device) 9 as an image display means including a plurality of variable display portions each variably displaying a symbol as identification information. The variable display device 9 has, for example, three variable display portions (symbol display areas) of “left”, “middle”, and “right”. In addition, the variable display device 9 is provided with four special symbol start memory display areas (start memory display areas) 18 for displaying the number of effective winning balls that have entered the start winning opening 14, that is, the start memory number. Each time there is a valid start prize, the display color changes (for example, changes from blue display to red display), and the start storage display area is increased by one. Each time the variable display of the variable display device 9 is started, the start memory number display area where the display color is changed is reduced by 1 (that is, the display color is returned to the original). In this example, since the symbol display area and the start memory display area are provided separately, the start memory number can be displayed even during variable display. The start memory display area may be provided in a part of the symbol display area. Further, the display of the start memory number may be interrupted during variable display. In this example, the start memory display area is provided in the variable display device 9. However, a display (special symbol start memory display) for displaying the start memory number may be provided separately from the variable display device 9. Good.

  Below the variable display device 9, a variable winning ball device 15 is provided as a start winning port 14. The winning ball that has entered the start winning opening 14 is guided to the back of the game board 6 and detected by the start opening switch 14a. A variable winning ball device 15 that opens and closes is provided below the start winning opening 14. The variable winning ball device 15 is opened by a solenoid 16.

  An open / close plate 20 that is opened by a solenoid 21 in a specific gaming state (big hit state) is provided below the variable winning ball device 15. The opening / closing plate 20 is a means for opening and closing a large winning opening (variable winning ball apparatus). Of the winning balls guided from the opening / closing plate 20 to the back of the game board 6, the winning ball entering one (V winning area: special area) is detected by the V count switch 22, and the winning ball from the opening / closing board 20 is counted 23. On the back of the game board 6, a solenoid 21A for switching the route in the special winning opening is also provided.

  When a game ball wins the gate 32 and is detected by the gate switch 32a, the variable display of the normal symbol display 10 is started. In this embodiment, variable display is performed by alternately lighting the left and right lamps (a symbol can be visually recognized when the lamp is lit). For example, if the right lamp is lit when the variable display ends, it is a win. When the stop symbol on the normal symbol display 10 is a predetermined symbol (winning symbol), the variable winning ball device 15 is opened for a predetermined number of times. In the vicinity of the normal symbol display 10, a normal symbol start memory display 41 having a display unit with four LEDs for displaying the number of winning balls entered into the gate 32 is provided. Each time there is a prize at the gate 32, the normal symbol start memory display 41 increases the number of LEDs to be turned on by one. Each time variable display on the normal symbol display 10 is started, the number of LEDs to be lit is reduced by one.

  The game board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning holes 29, 30, 33, 39, and winning of game balls to the winning holes 29, 30, 33, 39 is performed by winning hole switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a, respectively. Detected. Each winning opening 29, 30, 33, 39 constitutes a winning area provided in the game board 6 as an area for accepting game media and allowing winning. The start winning opening 14 and the big winning opening also constitute a winning area that accepts game media and allows winning. Around the left and right of the game area 7, there are provided decorative lamps 25 blinking and displayed during the game, and at the lower part there is an outlet 26 for absorbing a game ball that has not won a prize. Two speakers 27 that emit sound effects are provided on the left and right upper portions outside the game area 7. A top frame lamp 28a, a left frame lamp 28b, and a right frame lamp 28c are provided on the outer periphery of the game area 7. Further, a decoration LED is installed around each structure (such as a big prize opening) in the game area 7. The top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, and the decorative LED are examples of a decorative light emitter provided in the gaming machine.

  In this example, a prize ball LED 51 that is lit while paying out a prize ball is provided in the vicinity of the left frame lamp 28b, and a ball break LED 52 that is lit when the refill ball is cut is provided in the vicinity of the top frame lamp 28a. It has been. As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 1 of this embodiment is provided with lamps and LEDs as light emitters in various places. Furthermore, a prepaid card unit that enables lending a ball by inserting a prepaid card may be installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 (not shown).

  The game balls launched from the hit ball launching device enter the game area 7 through the hit ball rail, and then descend the game area 7. When the game ball enters the start winning port 14 and is detected by the start port switch 14a, the special symbol starts variable display (variation) on the variable display device 9 if the variable display of the symbol can be started. If the variable display of the symbol cannot be started, the start memory number is increased by one.

  The variable display of the special symbol on the variable display device 9 stops when a certain time has elapsed. If the combination of special symbols at the time of stoppage is a jackpot symbol (specific display result), the game shifts to a jackpot gaming state. That is, the opening / closing plate 20 is opened until a predetermined time elapses or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. When a game ball wins the V winning area while the opening / closing plate 20 is opened and is detected by the V count switch 22, a continuation right is generated and the opening / closing plate 20 is opened again. The generation of the continuation right is allowed a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds).

  When the combination of special symbols in the variable display device 9 at the time of stopping is a combination of jackpot symbols (probability variation symbols) with probability fluctuations, the probability of the next jackpot increases. That is, it becomes a more advantageous state for the player in the probability variation state.

  When the game ball wins the gate 32, the normal symbol display unit 10 is in a state where the normal symbol is variably displayed. Further, when the stop symbol on the normal symbol display 10 is a predetermined symbol (winning symbol), the variable winning ball device 15 is opened for a predetermined time. Further, in the probability variation state, the probability that the stop symbol in the normal symbol display 10 becomes a winning symbol is increased, and the opening time and the number of times of opening of the variable winning ball device 15 are increased. That is, the opening time and the number of times of opening of the variable winning ball device 15 can be increased when the stop symbol of the normal symbol is a winning symbol or the stop symbol of the special symbol is a probabilistic symbol. Change to an advantageous state. It should be noted that increasing the number of times of opening is a concept including changing from a closed state to an open state.

  FIG. 2 shows a circuit in a game control board (main board) 31 provided on a gaming machine (specifically, installed on the back of the gaming machine) on which a game control microcomputer or the like is mounted. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure. 2 also shows a payout control board 37, a lamp driver board 35, an audio output board 70, and an effect control board 80 that are mounted on the gaming machine. On the main board 31, a basic circuit (corresponding to a game control microcomputer: game control means) 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program, a gate switch 32a, a start port switch 14a, a V winning switch 22, a count switch 23 , A switch circuit 58 for giving signals from the winning opening switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a and the clear switch 921 to the basic circuit 53, a solenoid 16 for opening / closing the variable winning ball apparatus 15, a solenoid 21 for opening / closing the opening / closing plate 20, and a large A solenoid circuit 59 for driving the solenoid 21A for switching the path in the winning opening according to a command from the basic circuit 53 is mounted. The clear switch 921 is mounted on, for example, a power supply board installed in the gaming machine.

  Although not shown in FIG. 2, the count switch short circuit signal is also transmitted to the basic circuit 53 via the switch circuit 58. Further, the gate switch 32a, the start port switch 14a, the V winning switch 22, the count switch 23, the winning port switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a, and other switches may be referred to as sensors. That is, the name of the game medium detection means is not limited as long as it is a game medium detection means (game ball detection means in this example) that can detect a game ball.

  Further, according to the data given from the basic circuit 53, the jackpot information indicating the occurrence of the jackpot, the effective starting information indicating the number of starting winning balls used for starting the variable display of the symbols in the variable display device 9, the probability variation has occurred. An information output circuit 64 is provided for outputting an information output signal such as probability variation information indicating an error to an external device such as a hall computer via an information terminal board installed on the back of the gaming machine. Furthermore, a system reset circuit 65 is provided that gives a reset signal to the CPU 56 when power supply is started.

  A basic circuit 53 realized by a game control microcomputer includes a ROM 54 for storing a game control (game progress control) program and the like, and storage means used as a work memory (variable data storage means for storing variable data). RAM 55, CPU 56 for performing control operations in accordance with programs, and I / O port unit 57. In this embodiment, the ROM 54 and the RAM 55 are built in the CPU 56. That is, the CPU 56 is a one-chip microcomputer. The one-chip microcomputer only needs to have at least the RAM 55 built in, and the ROM 54 and the I / O port unit 57 may be externally attached or built in. Since the CPU 56 executes control according to the program stored in the ROM 54, the CPU 56 executes (or performs processing) hereinafter, specifically, the CPU 56 executes control according to the program. is there. The same applies to CPUs mounted on substrates other than the main substrate 31. The game control means is realized by a basic circuit 53 realized by a game control microcomputer, but is mainly realized by a CPU 56 that executes control according to a program in the game control microcomputer.

  The RAM 55 is a backup RAM as a nonvolatile storage means that is partially or entirely backed up by a backup power source. That is, even if the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped, a part or all of the contents of the RAM 55 is stored for a predetermined period (until the power supply of the backup power supply is disabled). In particular, at least data (special symbol process flag, etc.) corresponding to the game state, that is, the control state of the game control means, and data indicating the number of unpaid winning balls are stored in the backup RAM. Note that the data according to the control state of the game control means is data necessary for restoring the control state before the occurrence of a power failure or the like based on the data when the power supply is restored after a power failure or the like. . In this embodiment, it is assumed that the entire RAM 55 is backed up.

  In this embodiment, the effect control means realized by the effect control microcomputer mounted on the effect control board 80 is a display of the normal symbol hold memory display 41 and the decoration lamp 25 provided on the game board. While performing control, display control of the top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, the prize ball lamp 51 and the ball-out lamp 52 provided on the frame side is performed. Each lamp may be an LED or other types of light emitters. That is, a lamp or LED is an example of a light emitter, and may be collectively referred to as a lamp / LED. Further, a variable display device decoration LED (center decoration LED) is installed at the upper part and the left and right parts of the variable display device 9, and a large prize opening interior decoration LED is installed inside the big prize opening, and on the right and left of the big prize opening. Is provided with a large winning opening left decoration LED and a large winning opening right decoration LED. The effect control means also controls those light emitters.

  A drive signal for driving the lamp / LED is generated in the lamp driver substrate 35. Further, the display control of the variable display device 9 that variably displays the special symbol and the normal symbol display 10 that variably displays the normal symbol is performed by effect control means mounted on the effect control board 80.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of the effect control board 80, the lamp driver board 35, and the audio output board 70. In the effect control board 80, the effect control CPU 101 operates in accordance with a program stored in a ROM (not shown), and the input driver 102 and the input port according to a strobe signal (effect control INT signal) from the main board 31. An effect control command is received via 103. The effect control CPU 101 causes the GCL (graphic controller LSI) 106 to perform display control of the variable display device 9 using the LCD based on the effect control command. The GCL 106 is sometimes called a VDP (video display processor). Further, the effect control CPU 101 performs display control of the normal symbol display 10 via the output port 104 and the lamp driving circuit 107. The effect control microcomputer includes an effect control CPU 101, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O port.

  Further, the production control CPU 101 outputs sound number data to the audio output board 70 via the output port 104 and the output driver 110. A bus (including an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line such as a write / read signal) that is input / output to / from the effect control CPU 101 is extended to the lamp driver board 35 via the bus driver 105.

  In the lamp driver board 35, a bus that is input to and output from the effect control CPU 101 is connected to the output port 352 and the expansion port 353 via the bus receiver 351. A signal for driving each lamp output from the output port 352 is amplified by the lamp driver 354 and supplied to each lamp. A signal for driving each LED output from the output port 352 is amplified by the LED driving circuit 355 and supplied to each LED.

  In this embodiment, the lamps / LEDs provided in the gaming machine are controlled by effect control means including an effect CPU 101 mounted on the effect control board 80. Further, data for controlling the variable display device 9, the normal symbol display 10, the lamp / LED and the like are stored in the ROM. The effect CPU 101 controls the variable display device 9, the normal symbol display 10, the lamp / LED, and the like based on the data stored in the ROM. Then, the lamp / LED is driven via the output port 352 mounted on the lamp driver substrate 35 and each drive circuit. Therefore, when changing the model, if the production control board 80 is replaced with a new one, the model change can be realized without replacing the lamp driver board 35.

  The effect control board 80, the lamp driver board 35, and the audio output board 70 are independent boards, but are installed in a single box on the back of the gaming machine, for example. Further, the expansion port 353 is installed in consideration of the case where the number of lamps / LEDs and the like is increased when changing the model, but it may not be installed.

  In the audio output board 70, the sound number data from the effect control board 80 is input via the input driver 702 to a voice synthesis IC 703 by a digital signal processor, for example. The voice synthesis IC 703 reads data corresponding to the sound number data from the voice data ROM 704, generates voice and sound effects corresponding to the read data, and outputs them to the amplifier circuit 705. The amplification circuit 705 outputs an audio signal obtained by amplifying the output level of the speech synthesis IC 703 to a level corresponding to the volume set by the volume 706 to the speaker 27.

  The data corresponding to the sound number data stored in the sound data ROM 704 is a collection of data indicating the sound effect or sound output mode in a time series in a predetermined period (for example, a special symbol fluctuation time). When the voice number IC 703 receives the sound number data, the voice synthesis IC 703 performs sound output control according to the corresponding data in the voice data ROM 704. The sound output control according to the corresponding data is continued until the next sound number data is input. When the next sound number data is input, the speech synthesis IC 703 performs sound output control according to the data in the sound data ROM 704 corresponding to the newly input sound number data.

  In this embodiment, the sound and sound effect output from the speaker 27 are controlled by the effect control means, but the effect control means outputs the sound number data to the sound output board 70. In the audio output board 70, the audio data ROM 704 stores a large number of data for realizing sounds and sound effects that may appear as the game progresses, and these data are associated with the sound number data. . Therefore, the production control means can realize sound output control only by outputting the sound number data. Note that the sound number data is, for example, 1-byte data and is transferred to the audio output board 70 via a serial signal line or a parallel signal line.

  In this embodiment, one effect control means executes display control of variable display, lighting control of lamps / LEDs (light emitters), and sound generation control from the speaker 27, that is, effect control. The means realizes display control means, light emitter control means, and sound control means. Therefore, the display effect by the variable display device 9, the effect using the lamp / LED, and the effect by sound can be easily synchronized. However, in order to lighten the burden on the effect control means, a light emitter control microcomputer and a sound control microcomputer are provided, which are game control means or effect control means (in this case, display control means). The light emitter may be controlled and the sound may be controlled according to the command.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a portion related to image display control in the effect control board 80. In addition to the CPU 101 for effect control, the effect control board 80 is equipped with a ROM 122 for storing programs for effect control, various effect patterns such as symbol display, light emission, and sound output, and a RAM 123 used as a work memory. ing. The ROM 121 and the RAM 123 may be built in the effect control CPU 101.

  When executing the display control of the variable display device 9, the effect control CPU 101 gives an instruction according to the effect control command to the GCL 106. The GCL 106 reads necessary data from the CGROM 83 or the like. The CGROM 83 stores symbols (special symbols) and image data of frequently used characters. Therefore, the CGROM 83 is sometimes called a character ROM. The frequently used character stored in the CGROM 83 is, for example, an image made up of a person, an animal, or a character, figure, symbol, or the like displayed on the variable display device 9. Note that the character includes a moving image (video) and a still image obtained by actual shooting. The image data stored in the CGROM 83 may be referred to as image element data.

  The GCL 106 generates image data to be displayed on the variable display device 9 according to the input data, and outputs R (red), G (green), B (blue) signals and a synchronization signal to the variable display device 9. The variable display device 9 performs screen display by a dot matrix method using a large number of pixels (pixels), for example. In this embodiment, the R, G, and B signals are each represented by 8 bits. Therefore, according to the instruction from the GCL 106, the variable display device 9 can perform multi-color display of about 16.7 million colors with each of R, G, and B having 256 gradations. The number of bits of the R, G, and B signals may be other than 8 bits, and the number of bits of the R, G, and B signals may be different from each other.

  The effect control board 80 is provided with various storage media such as an SDRAM (synchronous DRAM) 84 in addition to the CGROM 83. In addition, a frame buffer area is secured in the SDRAM 84. In addition, data relating to a display image such as character source data and palette data used for specifying or changing a display color is stored. The source data is image data and is expressed as source data in the sense of original image data. Further, an area used as a VRAM (video RAM) is also secured in the SDRAM 84.

  The GCL 106 includes various storage media such as a pallet data buffer 85 used for temporarily storing predetermined pallet data and a CG data buffer 86 used for temporarily storing predetermined CG data. In addition, a drawing control unit 91, a display signal control unit 87 for outputting a signal to the variable display device 9, and a moving image compression / decompression unit 89 that performs moving image compression processing and expansion processing are included. The display signal control unit 87 outputs the image data to the DAC (DA conversion circuit) 104. The DAC 104 outputs the image data from the image composition IC 132 as an analog signal to the LCD serving as the variable display device 9. The drawing control unit 91 includes, for example, an attribute analysis unit, a VRAM address generation unit, a clipping unit, and a translucent luminance modulation unit. The attribute analysis unit analyzes parameters used when drawing the character. Information for designating an image drawing order, the number of colors, an enlargement / reduction ratio, a palette number, coordinates, and the like are set in the parameters. Note that the moving image compression / decompression unit 89 may be configured to be controlled by the GCL 106 or may be configured to be controlled by the effect control CPU 101.

  Inside the GCL 106, a CG bus and a VRAM bus are provided. A CG bus interface (CG bus I / F) 93 is installed between the CGROM 83 and the CG bus. The CPU I / F 92 is also connected to the CG bus, and the effect control CPU 101 can access the portion connected to the CG bus via the CPU I / F 92. Specifically, the effect control CPU 101 accesses the drawing control register 95 connected to the CG bus. The drawing control register 95 stores data such as instructions from the effect control CPU 101 to the drawing control unit 91. Therefore, the effect control CPU 101 writes an instruction for the GCL 106 in the drawing control register 95, and the GCL 106 receives the instruction from the effect control CPU 101 via the drawing control register 95. A VRAM I / F 94 is installed between the SDRAM 84 and the VRAM bus. Note that the moving picture decompression unit 89 can access the VRAM 84 via the VRAM bus and can access the drawing control register 95 via the CG bus.

  The GCL 106 reads the design and character source data from the CGROM 83 and stores them in the VRAM in response to the instruction from the CPU 101 for effect control. Further, the image data expanded in the VRAM is stored in a frame buffer that is an area secured in the SDRAM 84. The display signal control unit 87 outputs the image data stored in the frame buffer to the variable display device 9 via the DAC 124. “Expand to VRAM” means to write to VRAM, that is, to store in VRAM.

  In FIG. 3, the ROM 121, RAM 123, CGROM 83, and SDRAM 84 are not shown. In FIG. 4, the output port 104 is not shown.

  Next, the operation of the gaming machine will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the game control means (CPU 56 and peripheral circuits such as ROM and RAM) on the main board 31. When the gaming machine is turned on and the input level of the reset terminal to which a reset signal is input becomes high, the CPU 56 performs a security check process that is a process for confirming whether the contents of the program are valid. After execution, the main processing after step S1 is started. In the main process, the CPU 56 first performs necessary initial settings.

  In the initial setting process, the CPU 56 first sets the interrupt prohibition (step S1). Next, the interrupt mode is set to interrupt mode 2 (step S2), and a stack pointer designation address is set to the stack pointer (step S3). Then, the built-in device register is initialized (step S4). Further, after initialization (step S5) of CTC (counter / timer) and PIO (parallel input / output port) which are built-in devices (built-in peripheral circuits), the RAM is set in an accessible state (step S6). The interrupt mode 2 is an address synthesized from the value (1 byte) of the specific register (I register) built in the game control microcomputer 56 and the interrupt vector (1 byte: least significant bit 0) output from the built-in device. Is a mode indicating an interrupt address.

  Next, the CPU 56 checks the state of the output signal of the clear switch 921 input via the input port only once (step S7). When the on-state is detected in the confirmation, the CPU 56 executes normal initialization processing (steps S11 to S14).

  If the clear switch 921 is not in the on state, whether or not data protection processing of the backup RAM area (for example, power supply stop processing such as addition of parity data) has been performed when power supply to the gaming machine is stopped Confirm (step S8). When it is confirmed that such protection processing is not performed, the CPU 56 executes initialization processing. Whether there is backup data in the backup RAM area is confirmed, for example, by the state of the backup flag set in the backup RAM area in the power supply stop process. In this example, if “55H” is set in the backup flag area, it means that there is a backup (ON state), and if a value other than “55H” is set, it means that there is no backup (OFF state).

  After confirming that there is a backup, the CPU 56 performs a data check of the backup RAM area (parity check in this example) (step S9). In step S9, the calculated checksum is compared with the checksum calculated and stored by the same process in the power supply stop process. When the power supply is stopped after an unexpected power failure or the like, the data in the backup RAM area should be saved, so the check result (comparison result) is normal (matched). That the check result is not normal means that the data in the backup RAM area is different from the data when the power supply is stopped. In such a case, since the internal state cannot be returned to the state when the power supply is stopped, an initialization process that is executed when the power is turned on is not performed when the power supply is stopped.

  If the check result is normal, the CPU 56 performs a game state restoration process for returning the internal state of the game control means and the control state of the electric component control means such as the effect control means to the state when the power supply is stopped (step S10). ). Then, the saved value of the PC (program counter) stored in the backup RAM area is set in the PC, and the address is restored.

  In this embodiment, it is confirmed whether or not the data in the backup RAM area is stored by using both the backup flag and the check data, but only one of them may be used. That is, either the backup flag or the check data may be used as an opportunity for executing the state recovery process.

  In the initialization process, the CPU 56 first performs a RAM clear process (step S11). In addition, a predetermined work area (for example, a normal symbol determination random number counter, a normal symbol determination buffer, a special symbol left middle right symbol buffer, a special symbol process flag, a payout command storage pointer, a winning ball flag, a ball out flag, a payout A work area setting process for setting an initial value to a flag such as a stop flag for selectively performing processing according to the control state is performed (step S12). Further, a process of transmitting an initialization command for initializing the sub-boards (the payout control board 35 and the effect control board 80 in this embodiment) to each sub-board is executed (step S13). As the initialization command, there are a command indicating the initial symbol displayed on the variable display device 9 (for the effect control board 80), a command for instructing turning off the winning ball lamp 51 and the ball-out lamp 52, and the like.

  Then, a CTC register set in the CPU 56 is set so that a timer interrupt is periodically generated every 2 ms (step S14). That is, a value corresponding to 2 ms is set in a predetermined register (time constant register) as an initial value.

  When the execution of the initialization process (steps S11 to S14) is completed, the display random number update process (step S17) and the initial value random number update process (step S18) are repeatedly executed in the main process. When the display random number update process and the initial value random number update process are executed, the interrupt disabled state is set (step S16). When the display random number update process and the initial value random number update process are finished, the interrupt enabled state is set. (Step S19). The display random number is a random number for determining a symbol displayed on the variable display device 9, and the display random number update process is a process for updating the count value of the counter for generating the display random number. . The initial value random number update process is a process for updating the count value of the counter for generating the initial value random number. The initial value random number is a random number for determining the initial value of the count value, such as a counter for generating a random number for determining whether to win or not (a big hit determination random number generation counter). A game control process for controlling the progress of the game, which will be described later (the game control microcomputer controls itself a game display device such as a variable display device 9, a variable winning ball device, a ball payout device, etc. provided in the game machine. In the process of transmitting a command signal for controlling to another microcomputer, or a game machine control process), when the count value of the big hit determination random number generation counter makes one round, the initial value is set in the counter Is done.

  Note that when the display random number update process is executed, the interrupt is prohibited. The display random number update process is also executed in the timer interrupt process described later, and thus conflicts with the process in the timer interrupt process. This is to avoid that. That is, if the timer interrupt is generated during the process of step S17 and the counter value for generating the display random number is updated during the timer interrupt process, the continuity of the count value is impaired. There is a case. However, such an inconvenience does not occur if the interrupt is prohibited during the process of step S17.

  When the timer interruption occurs, the CPU 56 executes the game control process of steps S20 to S33 shown in FIG. In the game control process, the CPU 56 first executes a power-off detection process for detecting whether or not a power-off signal has been output (whether the power-off signal has been turned on) (step S20). The power-off signal is output when, for example, a voltage drop monitoring circuit mounted on the power supply board detects a drop in the voltage of the power supplied to the gaming machine. In the power-off detection process, when detecting that the power-off signal has been output, the CPU 56 executes a power supply stop process for saving necessary data in the backup RAM area. Next, detection signals of switches such as the gate switch 32a, the start port switch 14a, the count switch 23, and the winning port switch 24a are input via the switch circuit 58, and the state determination thereof is performed (switch processing: step S21).

  Next, a process of updating the count value of each counter for generating each determination random number such as a big hit determination random number used for game control is performed (step S22). The CPU 56 further performs processing for updating the count value of the counter for generating the initial value random number and processing for updating the count value of the counter for generating the display random number (steps S23 and S24).

  Further, the CPU 56 performs special symbol process processing (step S25). In the special symbol process control, corresponding processing is selected and executed according to a special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to the gaming state. The value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state. Further, normal symbol process processing is performed (step S26). In the normal symbol process, the corresponding process is selected and executed according to the normal symbol process flag for controlling the display state of the normal symbol display 10 in a predetermined order. The value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

  Next, the CPU 56 performs a process of setting an effect control command related to the special symbol in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 and sending the effect control command (special symbol command control process: step S27). Further, a process for sending an effect control command by setting an effect control command for the normal symbol in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 is performed (normal symbol command control process: step S28).

  Further, the CPU 56 performs information output processing for outputting data such as jackpot information, start information, probability variation information supplied to the hall management computer, for example (step S29).

  In addition, the CPU 56 executes a prize ball process for setting the number of prize balls based on the detection signals of the prize opening switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a (step S30). Specifically, a payout control command indicating the number of winning balls is output to the payout control board 37 in response to detection of winning based on any one of the winning opening switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a being turned on. The payout control CPU mounted on the payout control board 37 drives the ball payout device 97 according to a payout control command indicating the number of prize balls.

  And CPU56 performs the memory | storage process which checks the increase / decrease in a pending | holding memory | storage number (step S31). In addition, a test terminal process, which is a process for outputting a test signal for enabling the control state of the gaming machine to be confirmed outside the gaming machine, is executed (step S32). Further, an output process for outputting a drive command to the solenoid circuit 59 when a predetermined condition is satisfied is performed (step S33). In response to a drive command from the game control means, the solenoid circuit 59 drives the variable winning ball device 15 or the opening / closing plate 20 to open or close, or switches the gaming ball path in the big winning opening. Accordingly, the solenoids 16, 21, 21A are driven. Thereafter, the CPU 56 sets the control state to the interrupt permission state (step S34).

  With the above control, in this embodiment, the game control process is started every 2 ms. In this embodiment, the game control process is executed by the timer interrupt process. However, in the timer interrupt process, for example, only a flag indicating that an interrupt has occurred is set, and the game control process is performed by the main process. May be executed.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol process processing program executed by the CPU 56. The special symbol process shown in FIG. 7 is a specific process of step S25 in the flowchart of FIG. When performing the special symbol process, the CPU 56 performs a variable shortening timer subtraction process (step S310) to detect that a game ball has won the start winning opening 14 provided in the game board 6. If the switch 14a is turned on, that is, if a start winning that causes the game ball to win the start winning opening 14 is generated (step S311), the start opening switch passing process (step S312) is performed, and then according to the internal state. Any one of steps S300 to S308 is performed. The variation shortening timer is a timer for setting the variation time when the variation time of the special symbol is shortened.

  Special symbol normal processing (step S300): Waits until the variable symbol variable display can be started. When the special symbol variable display can be started, the number of reserved memories is confirmed. If the number of reserved memories is not 0, it is determined whether or not to win a jackpot as a result of variable symbol special display. Then, the internal state (special symbol process flag) is updated so as to shift to step S301.

  Special symbol stop symbol setting process (step S301): The stop symbol of the left middle right symbol after variable display of the special symbol is determined. Then, the internal state (special symbol process flag) is updated so as to shift to step S302.

  Fluctuation pattern setting process (step S302): A variation pattern (variable display mode) of variable symbol special display is determined in accordance with the variation pattern determining random number. Also, a variable time timer is started. At this time, the left middle right final stop symbol and information for instructing the variation mode (variation pattern) are transmitted to the effect control board 80. Then, the internal state (special symbol process flag) is updated so as to shift to step S303. Note that the variation pattern is the variation pattern of the special symbol during the variation period, specifically, the variation speed corresponding to the switching speed of the special symbol visually recognized, the variation direction of the special symbol, the display size of the special symbol, and the like. Although it is an aspect which consists of detailed aspects, such as those switching timings, CPU56 does not determine the detailed aspect itself, but determines the data for specifying the multiple types of predetermined variation pattern. The determined data is notified to the effect control means as a variation pattern command. The effect control means holds detailed data indicating the detailed mode of each of a plurality of types of variation patterns in the ROM, reads detailed data corresponding to the variation pattern notified by the variation pattern command from the ROM, and based on the read data. Display control.

  Special symbol variation processing (step S303): When a predetermined time (the time indicated by the variation time timer in step S302, that is, the variation time of the special symbol) has elapsed, the internal state (special symbol process flag) is shifted to step S304. Update.

  Special symbol stop process (step S304): Control is performed so that all symbols displayed on the variable display device 9 are stopped. Specifically, an effect control command (confirmation command) indicating stop of all symbols is transmitted to the effect control CPU 101. If the stop symbol is a big hit symbol, the internal state (special symbol process flag) is updated to shift to step S305. If not, the internal state is updated to shift to step S300.

  Big winning opening opening process (step S305): Control for opening the big winning opening is started. Specifically, the counter and the flag are initialized, and the solenoid 21 is driven to open the special winning opening. Also, the process timer sets the execution time of the big prize opening opening process and sets the big hit flag. Then, the internal state (special symbol process flag) is updated so as to shift to step S306.

  Processing during opening of a special winning opening (step S306): processing for sending an effect control command for displaying a large winning opening round to the effect control board 80, processing for confirming the establishment of the closing condition of the special winning opening, and the like are performed. When the closing condition for the last big prize opening is satisfied, the internal state is updated to shift to step S307.

  Specific area valid time process (step S307): The presence / absence of passing through the V winning switch 22 is monitored, and a process of confirming that the big hit gaming state continuation condition is satisfied is performed. If the condition for continuing the big hit gaming state is satisfied and there are still remaining rounds, the internal state is updated to shift to step S305. In addition, when the big hit gaming state continuation condition is not satisfied within a predetermined effective time, or when all rounds are finished, the internal state is updated to shift to step S308.

  Big hit end processing (step S308): Control for causing the effect control means to perform display control for notifying the player that the big hit gaming state has ended. Then, the internal state is updated so as to shift to step S300.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a variation pattern. The data shown in FIG. 8 is set in the ROM 54 as a variation pattern table (variable display period table).

  In this embodiment, the effect control command has a 2-byte structure, the first byte represents MODE (command classification), and the second byte represents EXT (command type). The first bit (bit 7) of the MODE data is always “1”, and the first bit (bit 7) of the EXT data is always “0”. Note that such a command form is an example, and other command forms may be used. For example, a control command composed of 1 byte or 3 bytes or more may be used. And CPU56 will transmit the effect control command which shows the change pattern to the effect control board 80 (specifically CPU101 for effect control), if the change pattern used in the variable display of a special symbol is determined.

  In FIG. 8, “EXT” indicates EXT data of the second byte in the effect control command having a two-byte structure. In this embodiment, the “MODE” data in the first byte is “80 (H)” in any case for the effect control command indicating the variation pattern, that is, the variation pattern command. In FIG. 8, “Time” indicates a variation time (variable display period) in seconds.

  “Normal fluctuation” is a fluctuation pattern without a reach effect. “Normal” is a variation pattern that accompanies a reach effect but the variation result (stop symbol) does not cause a big hit. “Long” is a variation pattern similar to “normal” but has a long variation time. “Super reach 1” is a variation pattern having a reach form different from “long” and “normal”. Note that different reach modes mean that different modes of change (speed, direction of rotation, etc.), characters, etc. appear in the reach change time (the time during which the reach effect is executed in the change time).

  “Super reach 2” is a variation pattern having a reach form different from “long”, “normal” and “super reach 1”. “Super reach 3” is a variation pattern having a reach form different from “long”, “normal”, “super reach 1” and “super reach 2”. “Super reach 4” is a variation pattern having a reach form different from “long”, “normal”, “super reach 1”, “super reach 2”, and “super reach 3”.

  “Hit” indicates that a big hit occurs after the end of the change of the symbol. “Super reach” is a variation pattern used when it is highly likely that the situation will be advantageous to the player. For example, it is a variation pattern in which the variation ends without fail or in a state where the jackpot symbol is displayed with a high probability. In other words, it is a variation pattern with high reliability for jackpots.

  In addition, when the names of the parts other than “hit” match, the reach effect that is executed when it is not decided to stop and display the big hit symbol on the variable display device, and the big hit symbol is stopped on the variable display device. The reach effect that is executed when it is determined to be displayed is the same as the effect method during the variable display, except that the stop symbol is a loss symbol or a jackpot symbol. For example, “super reach 1” and “per super reach 1” have the same production method during variable display, and the player cannot distinguish between the symbols until the symbol is finally stopped.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a special symbol used in this embodiment. In this embodiment, special symbols “0” to “9” as shown in FIG. 9 are used in the left, middle, and right display areas of the variable display device 9. The change of the special symbol is realized by changing the display of the special symbol in order from each display area “0”. Note that the display of the display symbols may change discontinuously during the change of the special symbols. In addition, when the final stop symbols (determined symbols) of the special symbols are aligned to the middle left and right, a big hit is obtained, and when the left and right are aligned, reach is achieved. Each special symbol is associated with a character of a different animal such as koala or panda (special symbol correspondence symbol). When the special symbol is displayed in a variable manner, the special symbol and the special symbol-corresponding symbol are integrally displayed in a variable manner.

  In the case of a big hit, when the odd symbols are arranged, the game shifts to a high probability state (probability change state) after the big hit game ends. Further, when a big hit occurs in the high probability state, or when a special symbol change is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, “4” which is the same as the upper limit number of reserved storage), the high probability state ends. In the probability variation state, the probability that the result of the variation of the special symbol (the final stop symbol, also simply referred to as the stop symbol) becomes a big hit symbol is increased compared to the state that is not the probability variation state (low probability state). Hereinafter, this may be expressed as “a hit / displacement is determined with high probability in the probability variation state”. Further, in the probability variation state, the probability that the stop symbol in the normal symbol display 10 becomes a winning symbol is higher than that in the low probability state. The possibility that the stop symbol in the normal symbol display 10 becomes a winning symbol may be the same as the probability in the low probability state. Further, in this embodiment, when the odd symbols are arranged, the game is shifted to the probability variation state after the big hit game is finished. That is, although the probability variation symbols are odd symbols, all of the big bonus symbols may be the probability variation symbols.

  When the probability variation state ends, the special symbol variation time shortening (shortening) state may be entered. In the short time state, the variation time (variable display period) of the special symbol is shortened compared to the case where the special time state is not. The short-time state continues until a predetermined number of special symbol changes or until a big hit occurs. In the short-time state, since the variation time of the special symbol is shortened, the frequency of the special symbol variation is increased (in other words, the digestion of the reserved memory is accelerated), and as a result, the big hit game is performed. The possibility increases.

  FIG. 10 shows a special state in a fluctuation state including a fluctuation state (a state in which all symbols in the middle left and right are not in a finalized state but a symbol is enlarged, reduced, or rocked and the symbol display position does not move). It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display mode of the animation fluctuation | variation display of a symbol and a special symbol corresponding | compatible symbol. The animation variation display means a display in which the contents of the combination image of each special symbol and the special symbol corresponding symbol change with the passage of time. In this example, the special symbol variation display is performed in a state in which the special symbol and the corresponding special symbol-corresponding symbol are arranged vertically. Then, when scroll display is performed in the display area in order to realize the variation of the special symbol, for example, in the order of FIG. 10 (A), FIG. 10 (B),..., FIG. And switching to the corresponding special figure corresponding symbol is executed. Further, in the fluctuation state, for example, switching display between the special symbol and the corresponding special symbol corresponding symbol is executed in the order of FIG. 10 (A), FIG. 10 (B),. The “Switching display” means that when scrolling display is performed, for example, the display content gradually changes every elapse of a predetermined period (for example, 33.3 ms), but the display content is changed when the predetermined period elapses. Say.

  Specifically, with regard to the special symbol, it is in a state where it is directed to the front stepwise (FIGS. 10B and 10C) from a state in which it is inclined (FIG. 10A), and FIG. Animation variation display is executed in a state (FIG. 10 (E)) facing obliquely in the opposite direction to 10 (A).

  In addition, with regard to the special figure corresponding design, the state is changed from a state where the corresponding animal is facing the front (FIG. 10A) to a downward direction in a stepwise manner (FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C). And the animation fluctuation | variation display which returns to the state which faced the front (FIG.10 (E)) is performed.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining control of temporary display variable variable display pause and variable display restart performed when super reach 1 to 4 is selected as a variation pattern. As shown in FIG. 11 (A), when the left middle right symbol is fluctuating (variably displayed), the effect control means stops the entire screen as shown in FIG. 11 (B) at a predetermined timing. Let That is, it is set to a stationary state. Such control is realized by not updating the contents of the frame buffer. Then, as shown in FIGS. 11 (C) and 11 (D), for example, the effect control means causes the variable display device 9 to perform still image display such that the center of the screen is broken, and then develops into a super reach effect. Let That is, the production of super reach is started. Subsequent super reach effects are gorgeous effects to the extent that the player can recognize them compared to other reach effects. For example, the displayed character is moved faster or the character size is increased. Note that the screens as shown in FIGS. 11C and 11D are obtained by performing a predetermined calculation on the image data of the screen at the time of suspension shown in FIG. A screen based on image data obtained by performing a predetermined calculation on the image data of the current screen is called an effect screen.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of timing for development into a super reach effect in this embodiment. At any of the timings (1) to (3) shown in FIG. 12, the effects exemplified in FIGS. 11 (B) to (D) are performed. In addition, (1)-(3) respond | corresponds to super reach 1-3. For example, when super reach 1 is selected, it is developed to produce a super reach at the timing (1). In addition, the “development to super reach” shown in FIG. 12 is performed when the effects illustrated in FIGS. 11B to 11D are not performed in any of (1) to (3). It means developing to reach.

  The timing of (4) is used when Super Reach 4 is selected. As shown in FIGS. 11 (C) and 11 (D) after all the left middle right symbols are stopped and displayed. This means that a display effect is performed. In that case, the effect control means performs display control as if the game is being played on the variable display device 9 after displaying the off symbol (the left and right symbols are the same, but the middle symbols are different). At that time, a display effect that breaks the center of the screen as illustrated in FIGS. 11C and 11D is performed to give the player a sense of expectation that a big hit may occur again. Note that the game is, for example, the content as if two characters are playing a game, and is the content that allows the player to recognize at the end of the game as if the game was lost. Further, the variation time in the case of the super reach 4 is the time from the variation start to the end of the game.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing in detail the timing of the display effect shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, (1) indicates that, in the case of super reach 1, the special symbol that is first stopped and displayed (in this example, the left symbol) develops into a super reach effect before the timing of stopping. Note that, regardless of which variation pattern is used (except for shortened display), the left symbol is stopped and displayed when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of variation. The same applies to the right design.

  (2) indicates that, in the case of super reach 2, the special symbol (in this example, the right symbol) to be stopped and displayed next develops to a super reach effect before the timing of stopping. (3) indicates that after the left and right symbols are stopped and the reach effect is started, it develops into a super reach effect. (4) indicates that the display effect as shown in FIGS. 11 (C) and 11 (D) is performed after the symbol is displayed as the left middle right symbol.

  Next, the operation of the effect control means will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the effect control CPU 101. In the main process, first, an initialization process is performed for clearing the RAM area, setting various initial values, initializing a timer for determining the start interval of effect control, and the like (step S701). Thereafter, the effect control CPU 101 shifts to a loop process for checking the timer interrupt flag (step S702). When a timer interrupt occurs, the effect control CPU 101 sets a timer interrupt flag in the timer interrupt process. If the timer interrupt flag is set in the main process, the effect control CPU 101 clears the flag (step S703) and executes the following effect control process.

  In this embodiment, as an example, a timer interrupt takes every 2 ms. That is, the effect control process is activated every 2 ms. In this embodiment, only the flag is set in the timer interrupt process, and the specific effect control process is executed in the main process, but the effect control process may be executed in the timer interrupt process.

  In the effect control process, the effect control CPU 101 first analyzes the received effect control command (command analysis execution process: step S704). Next, the effect control CPU 101 performs effect control process processing (step S705). In the effect control process, a process corresponding to the current control state is selected and executed from among the processes corresponding to the control state. And the process which updates the random number counter used by the effect selection process mentioned later is performed (step S706). Thereafter, the process returns to the process of checking the timer interrupt flag in step S702.

  An INT signal for effect control from the main board 31 is input to the interrupt terminal of the CPU 101 for effect control. For example, when the INT signal from the main board 31 is turned on, the production control CPU 101 is interrupted. Then, the effect control CPU 101 executes an effect control command reception process in the interrupt process. In the effect control command reception process, the effect control CPU 101 stores, for example, the received effect control command data in a predetermined buffer (RAM).

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a storage state in the special symbol image ROM (CGROM 83). As shown in FIG. 15, image data corresponding to the type and image change (mode) of each special symbol is stored in the CGROM 83 for each special symbol. When one special design (for example, “0”) image is switched and displayed one frame at a time, the three-dimensionally formed number “0” rotates as if it is a vertical axis (clockwise as viewed from above). A moving image is displayed. If the switching order is reversed, a moving image in which “0” rotates in the reverse direction (counterclockwise when viewed from above) is displayed.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a storage state in the image ROM (CGROM 83) of the special symbol corresponding design. As shown in FIG. 16, the image data corresponding to the type of each special symbol corresponding symbol and the image change is stored in the CGROM 83 for each special symbol corresponding symbol. When switching the image of one special figure corresponding figure (for example, “Koala”) one frame at a time, the koala appears to be in the state of facing down from the state of facing the front to the state of facing the front. A moving image is displayed.

  The control ROM (ROM 122) stores data (index data) that associates the special symbol with the special symbol-corresponding symbol and can specify the contents of the animation variation display (image change and change order).

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a manner of variation (scroll display) using animation variation display. The GCL 106 is image data of special symbols corresponding to the number of extracted symbols (for example, two) of the image data shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 101 for effect control, A plurality of modes of image data prepared for performing animation fluctuation display with each symbol are read out, arranged in the order of display, and developed in a VRAM. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 17 (A) to 17 (E), for each special symbol, five types of image data prepared for performing animation variation display are read and stored in the VRAM. Be expanded.

  The extracted symbol portion means a number that is at least one more than the number of symbols that are completely displayed at one time on the variable display device 9 (1 in the example shown in FIG. 17). Fully displayed means a display state such as E21 or E25. In FIG. 17, the number of extracted symbols is 2 for simplicity of explanation, but may be 3 or more. That is, when two or more symbols are displayed at a time, the number of extracted symbols is set to three or more.

  When the sun of the special symbol and the special symbol-corresponding symbol is not changed in accordance with the variation of the symbol, one type of image data (for example, one type shown in FIG. 17C) is read and developed in the VRAM. The In that case, as shown in E21 to E52 shown in FIG. 17, the display area of the special symbol is displayed from one type of image data developed in the VRAM while shifting the area to be extracted as shown in E21 to E52 in FIG. The image data of the region area having a size corresponding to the size of is extracted.

  The GCL 106 calculates the size of one symbol (one frame) from each image data (FIGS. 17A to 17E) in which two special symbols are vertically arranged in the VRAM. The image data of the area it has is extracted in order as a display image and developed in the frame buffer. The image data developed in the frame buffer is output to the variable display device 9 at a predetermined timing. In the example shown in FIG. 17, the region from which the image data is extracted in each image data (FIGS. 17A to 17E) is E21 to E21 to FIGS. 17A to 17E. E25, and regions E21 to E25 shown in FIGS. 17A to 17E are sequentially extracted. That is, in this example, image data is sequentially extracted from each image data (FIG. 17A to FIG. 17E) in the order of region E21, region E22, region E23, region E24, region E25, and variable display. The data is output to the device 9 and is switched and displayed.

  After that, when the above process is repeatedly executed, the variable display device 9 displays a scroll display with an animation variation display.

  In the above example, the vertical scroll with reverse variation (the symbols are variably displayed in reverse order) has been described. However, other scroll methods can be similarly processed. For example, even with horizontal scrolling, animation variation display can be realized by the same processing.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method for realizing effect processing (processing for creating image data shown in FIGS. 11C and 11D). The image data when the display screen in the variable display device 9 is paused is present in the frame buffer at that time. The GCL 106 stores the contents of the frame buffer in the VRAM in accordance with the instruction from the effect control CPU 101 (see FIG. 18A). Then, a predetermined calculation is performed on the data of the effect image (see FIG. 18B) stored in advance in the CGROM 83 and the image data stored in the VRAM to create the image data of the effect screen. In this example, addition is performed. Then, image data that realizes display as if the center is broken as shown in FIG. 11C is created. When the addition process is performed, if the effect image shown in FIG. 18B is an all-white image (values of R, G, and B are 255), the central region (the image shown in FIG. 18B) is displayed. The portion where the inside of the outline exists) is displayed in all white.

  When the image data shown in FIG. 18C is used as the effect image data, image data that realizes the display shown in FIG. 11D is created. Note that the image data shown in FIG. 18C is obtained, for example, by reading the special symbol “5” from the CGROM 83 and developing it in the VRAM, and cutting out a predetermined area of the developed image. Further, if the addition process is simply performed, the image shown in FIG. 18 (A) and the image shown in FIG. 18 (C) in the area on the center side of the screen (the portion where the outline of the image shown in FIG. 18 (C) exists). ) Is superimposed on the image data shown in FIG. 18A, and the portion corresponding to the inside of the image contour shown in FIG. 18C is all black (R). If the image data shown in FIG. 18C are added after the values of G, B and B are set to 0), the area on the center side of the screen (the inside of the contour of the image shown in FIG. 18C) exists. Only the display shown in FIG. 18C is displayed. That is, the screen illustrated in FIG. 18A is not superimposed.

  FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of effect processing. In the example shown in FIG. 19, three types of effect processing are shown. The effect 1 is used when performing display as illustrated in FIG. 11, the effect 2 is used when displaying such that the center of the screen is divided by an ellipse, and the effect 3 is displayed on the screen. This is used when the center part is displayed with jagged edges. In any case, when the effect image shown at the right end in FIG. 19 is used, the image used when the special symbol variable display is resumed is displayed in the outline of the effect image. The In each effect process, three or more effect images may be used in stages.

  Here, an example using addition as the calculation method has been described. However, as the calculation method, subtraction or translucent processing for translucent the effect image and adding it to the contents of the frame buffer stored in the VRAM, Other operations (for example, replacement processing) may be used. The types of effect processing that can be employed may be classified by effect images as illustrated in FIG. 19, but may be classified by addition, subtraction, translucency processing, and other operations. Furthermore, after classification by effect images, each may be further classified by addition, subtraction, translucency processing, and other operations. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the effect processing is classified according to the effect image and further classified according to addition, subtraction, translucency processing, and other operations.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the effect control process (step S705) in the main process shown in FIG. In the effect control process, any one of steps S800 to S806 is performed according to the value of the effect control process flag. In each process, the following process is executed.

  Fluctuation pattern command reception waiting process (step S800): It is confirmed whether or not an effect control command (variation pattern command) capable of specifying the fluctuation time is received by the command reception interrupt process. For example, it is confirmed whether or not a flag (variation pattern reception flag) indicating that a variation pattern command has been received is set. The variation pattern reception flag is set when it is confirmed by command analysis processing that a variation pattern designation effect control command has been received. When it is confirmed that the effect control command designating the variation pattern has been received, the value of the effect control process flag is updated to a value corresponding to step S801.

  Effect selection process (step S801): It is determined whether or not an effect accompanied by an effect process is to be performed, and the type of effect process to be performed. Thereafter, the value of the effect control process flag is updated to a value corresponding to step S802.

  All symbol variation start processing (step S802): The variation of the left middle right symbol in the variable display unit 9 is started. Thereafter, the value of the effect control process flag is updated to a value according to step S803.

  Symbol variation processing (step S803): Controls the switching timing of each variation state (variation speed, etc.) constituting the variation pattern and monitors the end of the variation time. In addition, stop control of the left and right symbols is performed. Thereafter, the value of the effect control process flag is updated to a value corresponding to step S804. In addition, when the effect by the super reach 4 is made and it is determined that the effect 4 is to be processed, the display effect of the game is also controlled before the change time ends. In the meantime, the left middle right design is changed to a swinging fluctuation state.

  All symbol stop setting process (step S804): If an effect control command (special symbol stop effect control command: confirmation command) is received at the end of the variation time, the symbol variation is stopped and stopped. Control to display a symbol (definite symbol) is performed. Thereafter, the value of the effect control process flag is updated to a value corresponding to step S805.

  Big hit display process (step S805): After the end of the fluctuation time, the control of the probability variable big hit display or the normal big hit display is performed. Thereafter, the value of the effect control process flag is updated to a value according to step S806.

  Process during jackpot game (step S806): Control during jackpot game is performed. For example, when an effect control command for display before opening the big winning opening or display when opening the big winning opening is received, display control of the number of rounds is performed. Thereafter, the value of the effect control process flag is updated to a value according to step S800.

  FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of process data set for each variation pattern. The process data is composed of data obtained by collecting a plurality of combinations of process timer set values and presentation control execution data. The effect control execution data includes display control execution data, lamp control execution data, and audio data. In the display control execution data, data indicating the display state (variation speed, etc.) of the variable display device 9 during the variation of the special symbol is set. For example, the display control execution data 1 is set with data indicating the display state of the variable display device 9 at the start of variable display. In the lamp control execution data, data indicating the lamp / LED display state during the change of the special symbol is set. For example, in the lamp control execution data 1, data indicating the lamp / LED display state at the start of variable display is set. In the audio data, data indicating the sound generation state of the speaker 27 during the change of the special symbol is set. For example, the audio data 1 is set with data indicating a sound generation state at the start of variable display.

  Then, during the change of the special symbol, the timing for switching the display state (for example, the timing for switching the symbol variation speed, the timing for the appearance of a new character in the variable display device 9, the timing for switching the lamp / LED from the lit state to the unlit state. ) Arrives, the effect control means controls the display state of the variable display device 9 and the lamp / LED according to the next effect control execution data (display control execution data, lamp control execution data, audio data) in the process data. The audio data is output to the audio output board 70. In the process timer set value, a time corresponding to the switching timing is set.

  The process data shown in FIG. 21 is stored in the ROM of the effect control board 80. Further, process data is prepared for each variation pattern. Furthermore, for each variation pattern, if process data is prepared for each type of notice effect or effect processing type, the effect control means can be easily changed by simply selecting the relevant process data at the start of the variation. The effect control during the display can be executed.

  That is, the display control execution data includes information indicating whether or not to use a moving image (movie data), information specifying the size of the display area of identification information (special symbol) displayed on the variable display device 9, Information such as the display position of each display area, the moving speed and moving direction of the identification information, the enlargement / reduction ratio of the identification information, the transmittance of the identification information, and the rotation angle of the identification information are also included.

  The “information specifying the size of the display area” means information indicating the size of the area for displaying the left symbol, the middle symbol, and the right symbol on the display screen of the variable display device 9. It should be noted that the size of the area for displaying each special symbol may change (enlarge, reduce, or deform) during a single variable symbol variable display.

  The ROM 122 stores information indicating the type and arrangement of the special symbol (identification information arrangement specifying information: specifically, for example, the special symbol numbers “0” to “9”), and information and images indicating the special symbol image change. A data table of index data for specifying a storage area of image data indicating a special symbol based on information indicating the change order (image change specifying information: for example, a direction from (A) to (E) shown in FIG. 17). Is remembered. That is, the address of each image data (image element data) stored in the CGROM 83 is specified using a data table of index data.

  The effect control CPU 101 can realize the animation variation using the display control execution data in the process data and other information (such as identification information array specifying information) stored in the ROM 122. In other words, the speed and direction for variably displaying the special symbol on the GCL 106 can be designated using the moving speed and moving direction of the special symbol in the display control execution data. Moreover, the display position of a special symbol etc. can be designated with the information which shows the display position of each display area. Furthermore, the size of the display area of the special symbol can be specified by the information specifying the size of the display area. In addition, the order in which the special symbol indicated by the identification information array specifying information is variably displayed (for example, 0 → 1 →... → 9), the image change order of the special symbol indicated by the image change specifying information, and the method of changing the image (for example, 17A and 17E, image information in the direction from (A) to (E)), and identification information image element data (for example, shown in FIGS. 17A to 17E) necessary for a plurality of types of display. Image data) is stored (developed) in the VRAM.

  The GCL 106 selects image data (image element data) sequentially developed in the VRAM based on the designated speed and direction and the size of the specified display area, and selects the selected image element data at a predetermined position in the frame buffer. By arranging it at (position indicated by information indicating the display position of the display area), image data for one screen can be created in the frame buffer.

  For example, there are four types of process data that are used when realizing the super reach 1; those that involve effect processing and those that do not involve effect processing 1, 2, and 3. The process data used for realizing the super reach 1 with the effect processing 1 is the data for realizing the effect processing 1 in the effect control execution data used when the timing indicated by (1) in FIG. (Data indicating the start of development effect) is set. It should be noted that such a method for preparing effect processing by preparing a large number of process data is an example, and display control is performed by using one type of process data for realizing each of the super reach 1 to 4. The CPU 101 measures the time from the start of the change according to each of the super reach 1 to 4, and starts the development effect for the GCL 106 when the timings shown in FIGS. You may make it give the instruction | indication which shows doing.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the effect selection process (step S801). In the effect selection process, the effect control CPU 101 checks whether or not the effect control command (variation pattern command) indicating the variation pattern received from the game control means indicates one of super reach 1 to 4 (step S811). ). If any one of super reach 1 to 4 is indicated, a random number is extracted (step S812). That is, the value of the random number counter is read, and the read value is set as the random number value. Then, according to the random number value, it is determined whether or not to execute the effect process, and when it is determined to execute, the type of the effect process is determined (step S813).

  For example, in the ROM 122, whether or not to execute the effect processing and the type of effect processing (specifically, the type of the effect image and the type of calculation) in the case of execution are numerical values (numerical values in a range that the random number can take). ) Is stored in the effect processing selection table set in correspondence with (). The effect control CPU 101 compares the extracted random number value with each numerical value set in the effect processing selection table, and selects the effect processing type corresponding to the matched numerical value or the effect processing is not executed. Then, the value of the effect control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the all symbol variation start process (step S802).

  In the all symbol variation start process in step S802, the effect control CPU 101 first selects process data to be used (also referred to as a variation pattern table) and starts a process timer corresponding to the process timer set value. Control based on display control execution data 1, lamp control execution data 1 and audio data 1 in the process data is started. Next, a variation time timer (a timer corresponding to the variation time of the special symbol) is started, and the value of the effect control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the symbol variation processing (step S803).

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the symbol variation processing (step S803). In the symbol variation processing, the effect control CPU 101 first executes display control processing (step S830). When the process timer times out (step S831), the effect control execution data in the process data is switched (step S832). That is, in the process data, the next set process timer is started, and LCD control is performed based on the next set display control execution data. Further, lamp / LED control is performed based on the lamp control execution data set next in the process data. Further, audio data 1 indicating the next set sound number data in the process data is output to the audio output board 70. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the process timer is set to time out, for example, when the changing speed is switched or when a specific character is displayed.

  When data indicating the start of the development effect is set in the display control execution data after switching, an instruction to expand the internal state of the effect control CPU 101 (expand new image data from the VRAM to the frame buffer) Is set to a state of prohibiting (steps S833 and S834), and image data is output to the GCL 106 to the variable display device 9 side in order to start the development effect (see FIGS. 11 and 18). A copy instruction indicating that the contents of the frame buffer that has been copied is copied to the VRAM is output (step S835). Note that the instruction from the effect control CPU 101 to the GCL 106 is output to the GCL 106 when the effect control CPU 101 writes the instruction in the drawing control register 95.

  If the data indicating that the special symbol variable display is resumed is set in the process data (step S836), the GCL 106 is instructed to resume the moving image display on the variable display device 9. . That is, the effect control CPU 101 first outputs a clear instruction indicating that the image data in the frame buffer is to be erased to the GCL 106 (step S837). Next, together with the address in the CGROM 83 of the effect image used in the effect process selected in step S813, a read instruction is issued to instruct reading of the effect image to the VRAM (step S838).

  Further, in response to the instruction by the process in step S835, a development instruction is output indicating that the image data copied by the GCL 106 to the frame buffer (see step S908) is returned to the frame buffer (step S839). Further, by calculating between the image data (see step S906) read by the GCL 106 to the frame buffer in response to the instruction in the process of step S838, that is, the image data of the effect image and the contents of the frame buffer at that time. Then, a drawing instruction (calculation instruction) indicating that the image data arranged in the frame buffer and the image data of the effect image are combined is output (step S840). Then, the internal state of the production control CPU 101 is returned from the state where the expansion instruction is prohibited to the original state (a state where the expansion instruction is not prohibited) (step S841). The drawing instruction (calculation instruction) includes information indicating the contents of the calculation (for example, calculation for realizing addition, subtraction, translucent processing, etc.) and information indicating the setting position of the effect image in the frame buffer. Is accompanied.

  In this embodiment, in the process data, as shown in FIG. 24, display control execution data indicating that variable display is resumed is set after display control execution data indicating that the development effect is started. The value of the process timer set immediately before the display control execution data indicating the start of the development effect corresponds to the period during which the display screen is stationary (also the period during which the effect effect is executed). The display control execution data indicating that variable display is resumed includes data at the start of super reach production. For example, data indicating that a special character is displayed is included. Therefore, the effect control means can start the super reach effect when resuming the moving image display.

  If the variable time timer has timed out (step S842), a monitoring timer for monitoring the reception of the special symbol stop effect control command is started (step S843), and the value of the effect control process flag is set to all symbol stop waits. A value corresponding to the process is set (step S844). If the effect control CPU 101 receives the effect control command for stopping the special symbol, the effect control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the all symbol stop process even if the variable time timer has not timed out.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a display control process executed by the effect control CPU 101 in response to a V blank interrupt periodically generated by the GCL 106. In the display control process, if the internal state is not the development instruction prohibition state (step S721), the effect control CPU 101 outputs an instruction to switch the frame buffer for outputting the image data to the variable display device 9 side to the GCL 106 (step S721). S722). In this embodiment, the frame buffer has a double buffer configuration. While image data is output from one frame buffer to the variable display device 9, the image data of VRAM is developed (written) in the other frame buffer. ) Is possible. The GCL 106 switches the frame buffer that outputs the image data to the variable display device 9 side in response to an instruction to switch the frame buffer.

  Then, the effect control CPU 101 outputs to the GCL 106 a display instruction indicating that the image data is to be output to the variable display device 9 side from the frame buffer (read-out side frame buffer) that outputs the image data to the variable display device 9 side. (Step S723). Further, a position in the VRAM of the image data of the image to be displayed is displayed as an expansion instruction indicating that the image data of the image to be displayed in the next frame is written from the VRAM to the frame buffer on the writing side, ie, the frame buffer not on the reading side Is output to the GCL 106 together with information for designating (step S724).

  Further, the effect control CPU 101 determines the type of the symbol to be displayed in the next frame, and confirms whether or not to switch the image data of the special symbol developed in the VRAM (step S725). In this embodiment, in the special symbol display area of the variable display device 9, it is assumed that the display is switched one frame at a time every 33.3 ms and the scroll display is realized. When the display method illustrated in FIG. 17 is used, when the display switching is performed five times, the image data to be displayed in the next frame does not exist in the VRAM. The timing that should be deployed will arrive. At such timing, the production control CPU 101 outputs an instruction for switching the animation image developed in the VRAM to the GCL 106.

  Specifically, a clear instruction indicating that the animation image developed in the VRAM is cleared is output to the GCL 106 (step S726). Also, an animation image to be newly developed in the VRAM is specified (step S727), and a read instruction indicating that the animation image is expanded in the VRAM is output to the GCL 106 together with the address in the CGROM 83 of the specified animation image (step S728). ). In order to perform display control as illustrated in FIG. 17, the CPU 101 for effect control at each timing starts from the image data of a series of images different from the image data of the series of images extracted at the immediately preceding timing. The GCL 106 is instructed to extract image data from a region shifted from the region extracted at the extraction timing. That is, as shown in FIGS. 17A to 17E, image data is extracted by shifting regions.

  When the animation image is switched, for example, when the special symbols “4” and “3” are expanded to the VRAM, the effect control CPU 101 uses a plurality of types of modes for “4” and “3”. The image data is specified, and an instruction is given to the GCL 106 so that the image data is arranged in the display order and developed in the VRAM.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the processing of the GCL 106. When the display instruction (see step S723) is input from the effect control CPU 101, the GCL 106 starts processing to output image data from the reading-side frame buffer to the variable display device 9 side (steps S901 and S902).

  When a development instruction (see steps S839 and S724) is input from the effect control CPU 101, image data is extracted from the designated area in the VRAM (clipped) and written to the frame buffer (steps S903 and S904). When a read instruction (see steps S838 and S728) is input from the effect control CPU 101, image data is read from the address in the designated CGROM 83 and written to the VRAM (steps S905 and S906).

  When a copy instruction (see step S835) is input from the effect control CPU 101, the contents of the frame buffer that has output the image data to the variable display device 9 are copied to the VRAM (steps S907 and S908). When a clear instruction is input (steps S837 and S726), clear data is written in the corresponding area to clear the contents (steps S909 and S910).

  When the drawing instruction (see step S840) is input from the effect control CPU 101, the GCL 106 performs the following control. Immediately before the drawing instruction is input, a development instruction indicating that the image data copied to the frame buffer is returned to the frame buffer is input from the effect control CPU 101 (see steps S839 and S840). As a result, in step S904, such image data, that is, image data at the time when the development effect is started (display image data at the time of temporary still display) is returned to the frame buffer. Further, according to the read instruction in the process of step S838, the image data of the effect image is present in the VRAM in the process of step S906. In response to the drawing instruction, the GCL 106 performs calculation (for example, addition, subtraction, and translucency processing) between the contents of the frame buffer and the image data of the effect image by the calculation indicated by the calculation content accompanying the drawing instruction. Calculation to realize). As a result, the image data of the image illustrated in FIG. 11C in which the contents of the frame buffer and the effect image are combined is generated in the frame buffer. Note that the image data of the effect image developed in the VRAM is cleared, for example, when the special symbol ends.

  With the control as described above, scroll display of special symbols, that is, variable display (fluctuation) is realized, and further, display control for pausing and resuming variable display as shown in FIG. 11 is realized. When such display control is performed, the effect control means (including the effect control CPU 101 and the GCL 106) displays image data stored in the frame buffer, that is, image data at the time of suspension (the entire one screen). ) Is once copied to the VRAM, and the arithmetic processing is executed on the image data copied to the VRAM and the effect image data.

  Therefore, regardless of the state of the screen state including the display state of the special symbol at the time of suspension, the suspension and resumption control can be executed by the above processing. In the conventional method, when the modified screen illustrated in FIG. 11C in which the screen at the time of suspension is modified is displayed, the image of the modified screen corresponding to each of the various screen states at the time of suspension. Since the data is stored in the character ROM and the image data is read out to realize the screen display illustrated in FIG. 11C, the capacity of the character ROM is increased. Further, in order not to increase the capacity of the character ROM, when only one type or several types of image data are stored in the character ROM, the screen state at the time of pause can only be one type or several types. Therefore, it is not possible to diversify the display control of pause and resume.

  Further, the effect control means performs control to stop the operation of the image data update means at any one of a plurality of predetermined time points in the variable display period in which the variable display of the identification information is performed (see FIG. 13). ), When canceling the stop of the operation of the image data updating means, the mode of the display effect is changed to the super reach effect (development to super reach), but in this embodiment, each of the plurality of time points is , And are determined in advance in each of the super reach 1 to 4. However, instead of deciding the timing for stopping the operation of the image data updating means according to the variation pattern, the effect control means is instructed by the game control means to execute the variation of the special symbol by one variation pattern. In such a case, for example, the timing for stopping the operation of the image data updating unit may be determined by lottery, and the operation of the image data updating unit may be stopped while the special symbol is changing according to the change pattern. .

  Further, in the above embodiment, as a pachinko gaming machine, a predetermined game value is given to a player when a special symbol stop symbol variably displayed on the variable display unit 9 based on the start winning combination becomes a combination of a predetermined symbol. Although the first type pachinko gaming machine that can be used has been exemplified, if a display device is provided, a predetermined game value is given to a player if there is a winning in a predetermined area of an electric accessory that is released based on a start winning prize A certain right is generated if there is a prize for a predetermined electric combination that is released when a combination of a predetermined symbol is combined with a stop symbol of a symbol that can be variably displayed based on the start winning prize and the second type pachinko machine Or even if it is a 3rd type pachinko game machine which continues, this invention is applicable. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to a slot machine.

  In the above embodiment, the following gaming machines are also disclosed.

  A game machine that is provided with an image display means (for example, a variable display device 9) that allows a player to execute a predetermined game and performs a display effect by displaying a moving image, and a screen displayed by the image display means The image display control means (for example, the effect control means including the effect control CPU 101 and the GCL 106) that generates and outputs the image data to the image display means, the image display control means outputs a plurality of types of image element data. Image element data reading means (for example, CGROM 83) for storing image element data used for screen display is read and stored in temporary storage means (for example, VRAM formed in SDRAM 84). A portion for executing the processing of step S906 in the GCL 106) and image element data stored in the temporary storage means. The image element data used to create the image data of the screen displayed by the image display means is selected, and the image data is created in the virtual display area (for example, a frame buffer formed in the SDRAM 84) based on the selected image element data. Image data creation means (for example, a portion that executes the process of step S904 in the GCL 106 based on the process of step S724 by the effect control CPU 101), and an image that outputs the image data created in the virtual display area to the image display means Data output means (for example, a part that executes the process of step S902 in the GCL 106 based on the process of step S723 by the effect control CPU 101) and the image data creation to statically display the screen displayed on the image display means New image element data by means A temporary stop control means for prohibiting the selection of data (for example, a portion for executing the processing of steps S834 and S721 in the effect control CPU 101) and a virtual display area when the temporary stop control means prohibits the selection of image element data. Temporary storage control means for storing the created image data for one screen in the temporary storage means as screen image element data (for example, the process of step S908 in the GCL 106 is executed based on the process of step S835 by the CPU 101 for effect control) Part) and a pause canceling means for canceling the prohibition of the selection of new image element data by the pause control means (for example, a part for executing the processing of steps S841 and S721 in the effect control CPU 101), and image data The creation means was lifted by the suspension release means. Sometimes, screen image element data and other image element data are used to create image data of a screen to be newly displayed after still display (for example, step S912 in the GCL 106 based on the processing of step S840 by the CPU 101 for effect control) A game machine characterized by that.

  In order to temporarily display the screen displayed on the image display means, the selection of the image element data of the image data creation means is stopped, and the screen is created in the virtual storage area when the selection of the image data creation means is stopped. The image data for one screen is stored in the temporary storage means, and new image data when the still display state ends is created using the screen image element data and other image element data stored in the temporary storage means. Thus, the display of the moving image can be started again from various scenes different from the scene at the time of pause without increasing the storage capacity.

  In the above embodiment, a gaming machine to which the following characteristic requirements are added is also disclosed.

  Based on the establishment of the variable display start condition, variable display of a plurality of types of identification information (for example, special symbols) that can be identified in each of the plurality of display areas in the image display means is started, and identification in the plurality of display areas is started. A gaming machine capable of controlling a gaming state advantageous to a player (for example, a big hit gaming state) when a display result of information becomes a specific display result (for example, a big hit symbol). In variable display of information, special effect means (for example, game control among effect control means) that executes any one of a plurality of predetermined special effects (for example, reach effect) in the image display means. Based on the variation pattern command according to the reach from the means, the process data used for reach production is used to perform step S. 03) (see FIG. 8), the special effects of a plurality of types are more highly executed when the display result of the identification information becomes the specific display result than the other special effects. Including special effects (for example, super-reach effects), and the special effects means causes the screen displayed on the image display means to remain stationary during the variable display period in which the identification information is variably displayed, and then executes the special special effects. A gaming machine configured to start (see FIG. 12 and FIG. 24).

  In such a case, the special special effect is started after the screen displayed on the image display means is statically displayed during the variable display period in which the identification information is variably displayed. Since it is configured, the player can expect not only the contents of the variable display of the identification information but also the screen to be displayed statically, and the interest can be improved.

  Based on the establishment of the variable display start condition, variable display of a plurality of types of identification information (for example, special symbols) that can be identified in each of the plurality of display areas in the image display means is started, and identification in the plurality of display areas is started. A gaming machine capable of controlling a gaming state to an advantageous state for a player (for example, a big hit gaming state) when a display result of information becomes a specific display result (for example, a big hit symbol), wherein the image element data storage means is For each of a plurality of types of identification information, a plurality of types of identification information image element data (see FIG. 10) used for changing the mode of the identification information is stored, and the image display control means variably displays the identification information. Fluctuating direction speed specifying means for specifying the direction (for example, the moving speed and moving direction of the identification information set in the process data in the effect control means The part that executes the process of step S832 based on the information) and the display area specifying means for specifying the size of the display area for displaying the identification information (for example, the process data of the effect control means is set in the process data). In which the image element data reading means variably displays a plurality of types of identification information (for example, 0 → 1 →). ... → 9) and a plurality of types of identification information image element data (see FIG. 17) according to the order of changing the mode of each identification information (for example, the direction from (A) to (E) shown in FIG. 17). The speed and direction designated by the variable direction speed designation means from the plurality of types of identification information image element data stored in the temporary storage means and stored in the temporary storage means. And image element data to be displayed (for example, any one of E21 to E25 shown in FIG. 17) based on the size of the display area specified by the display area specifying means, and using the selected image element data A gaming machine configured to create image data in a virtual display area.

  If so configured, image element data to be displayed is selected based on the specified speed and direction and the size of the specified display area, and virtual display is performed using the selected image element data. Since the image data is created in the area, the decoration of the identification information can be changed while the identification information is variably displayed, and the display quality of the identification information can be improved.

  When the image data creation means creates image data for a screen to be newly displayed after displaying a still image, a plurality of types of computation methods (see FIG. 19) determined in advance so that the created image data are different from each other. A gaming machine configured to create image data using any of the calculation methods (for example, the processing in steps S812 and S813).

  In such a configuration, the types of image data created by the image data creation means can be diversified without increasing the storage capacity.

  The present invention is suitable for increasing variations of effects executed in a variable display device or the like in a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine equipped with variable display means capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information that can identify each. Can be applied to.

1 Pachinko machine 9 Variable display device 18 Reserved storage display area 31 Main board 56 CPU
80 Production control board 83 CGROM
84 SDRAM (VRAM, frame buffer)
101 CPU for effect control
106 GCL (VDP)

Claims (1)

A gaming machine comprising an image display means for performing display effects including variable display of a plurality of types of identification information that allows a player to execute a predetermined game and that can identify each by displaying a moving image,
In accordance with the process data corresponding to the variable display of the identification information, comprising image display control means for creating image data of a screen displayed by the image display means and outputting the image data to the image display means,
The process data is
It is composed of a plurality of data composed of a combination of variable display mode data indicating a variable display mode of the identification information and time data indicating a control time based on the variable display mode of the identification information based on the variable display mode data.
The data indicating that the variable information display is resumed after the data indicating the start of the development effect that the effect develops in the process of variable display of the identification information is set,
The image display control means includes
Image element data reading means for reading image element data used for screen display and storing it in the temporary storage means from the image element data storage means for storing a plurality of types of image element data;
From the image element data stored in the temporary storage means, image element data used to create image data of the screen displayed by the image display means is selected, and the image data based on the selected image element data is stored in the virtual display area. Image data creation means to create;
Image data output means for outputting the image data created in the virtual display area to the image display means;
Based on the process data, in order to display the screen displayed on the image display unit in a stationary manner in response to the start timing of the development effect, new image element data by the image data generation unit is displayed. A suspension control means for prohibiting selection;
Temporary storage control means for storing image data for one screen created in the virtual display area as screen image element data in the temporary storage means when the temporary stop control means prohibits selection of image element data;
Based on the process data, the In response to a variable display of the recommencement timing of the identification information, viewing including a temporary stop canceling means for canceling the prohibition of selection of a new image element data by the suspension control unit ,
When the prohibition is canceled by the temporary suspension canceling unit, the image data creating unit is configured to send new image data when the still display state is terminated to the screen image element data stored in the temporary storage unit and the like. A game machine that is created in the virtual display area using the image element data .

Images