JP5277397B2 - Amusement stand - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game table which a memory means can be utilized effectively. <P>SOLUTION: The game table is composed in a way that when a determinator determines that specific image information T1-T9 is memorizable at a specific address 436a1, the specific image information T1-T9 is memorized at the specific address 436a1 of a second storage 436 and when the determinator determines that the specific image information T1-T9 is not memorizable at the specific address 436a1 the specific image information T1-T9 is memorized at addresses 436a1, 436a2 which an address determinator of the second storage 436 determines. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game table represented by a ball game machine (pachinko machine) and a spinning machine (slot machine).

  Conventionally, a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine has a display device for displaying images, and a variety of images and moving images are displayed on the display device to produce a game (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ). In such game machines, various image data are arranged (stored) in a frame buffer of a VRAM (image display storage means) provided in the game machine to draw an image to be displayed on the display device. ing. The area other than the frame buffer of VRAM (other storage areas) is provided with an area in which image data used for image drawing is transferred in advance from the ROM and arranged (stored). The image data is drawn in the frame buffer using the image data.

  An image to be displayed on the display device is drawn in a frame buffer of the VRAM every frame, and all image data used for drawing an image of one frame is stored in other storage areas in advance. However, for example, when the number of image data to be used (for example, 3) is determined, but an effect in which the number of candidate image data is more (for example, 9) is executed, the image to be used Only the image data (for example, three images) determined after determining the data is stored in the other storage area to improve the processing efficiency.

JP 2008-200302 A

  However, in the transfer of image data from the ROM to the other storage area of the VRAM, generally, the storage position address of the image data in the ROM and the VRAM transfer position address are preset in a one-to-one relationship and stored in the ROM. Each rendered image data is arranged at a preset address in another storage area of the VRAM when an image is drawn. For this reason, when only a part of image data selected from a plurality of candidate image data is used as described above, a space for arranging all the candidate image data is set as another storage area. There is a problem in that the use efficiency of the VRAM deteriorates due to a useless space in which image data is not stored. Further, since the space for arranging other image data is limited, there is a problem that usable image data is limited.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game machine capable of effectively utilizing storage means.

  The present invention provides image display means for displaying an image, first storage means capable of storing one or more pieces of image information, second storage means capable of storing one or more pieces of image information, and the first Information control means for storing the image information stored in the storage means in the second storage means, and an image based on the image information stored in the second storage means is displayed on the image display means A display control means for causing the second storage means to store the specific image information stored in the first storage means in the second storage means. The address in the storage means is predetermined as a specific address, a determination means for determining whether or not the specific image information can be stored in the specific address, and the determination means in the specific address Address determining means for determining an address in the second storage means when the specific image information is stored in the second storage means by the information control means when it is not determined that the image information can be stored; And when the determination unit determines that the specific image information can be stored at the specific address, the information control unit stores the specific image information in the second storage unit. When the determination means does not determine that the specific image information can be stored at the specific address, the address determination means in the second storage means determines the specific image information. The game machine is configured to be stored at a designated address.

  According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve an excellent effect that the storage means can be effectively used.

It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the pachinko machine from the front side (player side). It is the external view which looked at the same pachinko machine from the back side. It is the schematic front view which looked at the game board from the front. The circuit block diagram of a control part is shown. (A) An example of the stop symbol form of the special figure is shown. (B) An example of a decorative design is shown. (C) An example of a usual stop display symbol is shown. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a main control part main process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a main control part timer interruption process. (A) It is a flowchart of the main process which CPU of a 1st sub control part performs. (B) It is a flowchart of the command reception interruption process of a 1st sub control part. (C) It is a flowchart of the timer interruption process of a 1st sub control part. (D) It is a flowchart of the image control process of a 1st sub control part. (A) It is a flowchart of an effect control process. (B) It is a flowchart of a character display effect setting process. (C) It is a flowchart of a shutter control process. (A)-(e) It is the schematic which showed an example of the character display effect. It is the figure which showed the outline | summary of the process of the 1st sub control part in (a) and (b) character display effect. It is the figure which showed the outline | summary of the process of the 1st sub control part in a character display effect. It is the figure which showed the outline | summary of the process of the 1st sub control part in a character display effect. (A) And (b) It is the figure which compared this example with the prior art example. (A) It is a flowchart of a transfer instruction data movement process. (B) It is a flowchart of a data change process. It is the figure which showed the structure of transfer instruction data and a change value list. It is the figure which showed the structure of the transfer instruction data and the storage area list. It is a flowchart of a parameter change process. It is the figure which showed the structure of the change value list for drawing parameters and drawing parameters. (A) It is the figure which showed the coordinate used as the reference | standard of operation control of the left door 246a of the shielding apparatus 246, and the right door 246b. (B) It is the figure which showed the shutter operation data for character display effects. (A) It is the figure which showed the example which set the change value of the transfer destination coordinate with the calculation format. (B) It is the figure which showed the example which set the change value of the drawing parameter with the calculation format. (A)-(c) It is the figure which showed the example at the time of setting a drawing position for every image data. (A) And (b) It is the figure which showed the example in the case of using an image data group in a character display effect. It is the figure which showed the example in the case of using an image data group in a character display effect. It is the figure which showed the example in the case of using an image data group in a character display effect.

  Hereinafter, a gaming table (for example, a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine 100 or a spinning game machine such as a slot machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Overall configuration>
First, the overall configuration of the pachinko machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the figure is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the pachinko machine 100 from the front side (player side).

  As an external structure, the pachinko machine 100 includes an outer frame 102, a main body 104, a front frame door 106, a door 108 with a ball storage tray, a launching device 110, and a game board 200 on the front surface.

  The outer frame 102 is a wooden frame member having a vertical rectangular shape for fixing to an installation location (island facilities or the like) provided in a gaming machine installation sales shop.

  The main body 104 is a member that is provided inside the outer frame 102 and serves as a longitudinal rectangular gaming machine base body that is rotatably attached to the outer frame 102 via a hinge portion 112. The main body 104 is formed in a frame shape and has a space 114 inside.

  The front frame door 106 is attached to the front surface of the main body 104 on the front side of the pachinko machine 100 so as to be openable and closable with a lock function, and is configured in a frame shape so that the inner side of the front frame door 106 can be opened and closed. Is a door member having an opening. The front frame door 106 is provided with a transparent plate member 118 made of glass or resin at the opening, and a speaker 120 and a frame lamp 122 are attached to the front side. A game area 124 is defined by the rear surface of the front frame door 106 and the front surface of the game board 200.

  The door 108 with a ball storage tray is a door member attached to the lower side of the main body 104 on the front surface of the pachinko machine 100 so as to have a lock function and be openable and closable. The ball storage tray-equipped door 108 is capable of storing a plurality of game balls (hereinafter simply referred to as “balls”), and an upper plate 126 provided with a passage for guiding the game balls to the launching device 110. A lower plate 128 that stores game balls that cannot be stored in the upper plate 126, a ball removal button 130 that discharges the game balls stored in the upper plate 126 to the lower plate 128 by the player's operation, A ball discharge lever 132 that discharges game balls stored in the lower plate 128 to a game ball collection container (common name, dollar box) by operation, and a game ball guided to the launching device 110 by operation of the player 200 ball launching handles 134 for launching into the game area 124, chance buttons 136 for changing the effects of the various effects devices 206 by the player's operation, and the chance button 136 to emit light. Sub button lamp 138, ball lending operation button 140 for instructing ball lending to a card unit (CR unit) installed in the game store, and return operation button for instructing the card unit to return the player's balance 142, and a ball rental display unit 144 for displaying the balance of the player and the state of the card unit.

  The launching device 110 is attached to the lower side of the main body 104, and a launching rod 146 that rotates when the ball launching handle 134 is operated by the player, and a launching rod 148 that strikes the game ball at the tip of the launching rod 146. .

  The game board 200 has a game area 124 on the front surface, and is detachably attached to the main body 104 using a predetermined fixing member so as to face the space 114 of the main body 104. The game area 124 can be observed from the opening after the game board 200 is mounted on the main body 104.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the pachinko machine 100 of FIG. 1 viewed from the back side. The upper part of the back surface of the pachinko machine 100 has an opening that opens upward, a ball tank 150 for temporarily storing game balls, and a lower part of the ball tank 150 that is positioned below the ball tank 150. A tank rail 154 is provided for guiding a ball passing through the formed communication hole and dropping to the dispensing device 152 located on the right side of the back surface.

  The payout device 152 is formed of a cylindrical member, and includes a payout motor, a sprocket, and a payout sensor (not shown) inside.

  The sprocket is configured to be rotatable by a payout motor. The sprocket that temporarily passes through the tank rail 154 and flows down into the payout device 152 is temporarily retained, and the payout motor is driven to rotate by a predetermined angle. Thus, the temporarily accumulated game balls are sent one by one downward to the payout device 152.

  The payout sensor is a sensor for detecting the passage of the game ball sent out by the sprocket. When the game ball is passing, either a high signal or a low signal is passed. Either the high signal or the low signal is output to the payout controller 600. The game ball that has passed through the payout sensor passes through a ball rail (not shown) and reaches the upper plate 126 disposed on the front side of the pachinko machine 100. The pachinko machine 100 has this configuration. To pay out the ball to the player.

  On the left side of the payout device 152 in the figure, a main board case 158 that houses the main board 156 that constitutes the main control section 300 that performs control processing for the entire game, and control related to effects based on the processing information generated by the main control section 300 The first sub-board case 162 that houses the first sub-board 160 that constitutes the first sub-control unit 400 that performs processing, and the second sub-board that performs control processing related to effects based on the processing information generated by the first sub-control unit 400. An error release switch that constitutes a second sub-board case 166 that houses the second sub-board 164 that constitutes the control unit 500, a payout control unit 600 that performs control processing related to the payout of game balls, and that releases an error by the operation of a game clerk Discharge board case 172 storing the payout board 170 having 168, launch base constituting the launch control unit 630 that performs control processing relating to the launch of the game ball A launch board case 176 that houses 174, a power management unit 660 that supplies power to various electrical gaming machines, and a power switch 178 that turns the power on and off by the operation of a game store clerk and an RWM clear by being operated when the power is turned on A power board case 184 that houses a power board 182 that includes an RWM clear switch 180 that outputs a signal to the main controller 300, and a CR interface 186 that transmits and receives signals between the payout controller 600 and the card unit are provided. ing.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the game board 200 as viewed from the front. In the game board 200, an outer rail 202 and an inner rail 204 are arranged, and a game area 124 in which a game ball can roll is defined.

  An effect device 206 is disposed in the approximate center of the game area 124. The effect device 206 is provided with a decorative symbol display device 208 substantially in the center, and around the normal symbol display device 210, the first special symbol display device 212, the second special symbol display device 214, and the ordinary device. A symbol holding lamp 216, a first special symbol holding lamp 218, a second special symbol holding lamp 220, and a high-probability medium lamp 222 are provided. Hereinafter, the normal symbol may be referred to as “general symbol” and the special symbol may be referred to as “special symbol”.

  The effect device 206 performs the effect by operating the effect movable body 224, and details thereof will be described later.

  The decorative symbol display device 208 is a display device for performing various displays used for decorative symbols and effects. In the present embodiment, the decorative symbol display device 208 is constituted by a liquid crystal display device (Liquid Crystal Display). The decorative symbol display device 208 is divided into four display areas, a left symbol display area 208a, a middle symbol display area 208b, a right symbol display area 208c, and an effect display area 208d, and the left symbol display area 208a and the middle symbol display area 208b. The right symbol display area 208c displays different decorative symbols, and the effect display area 208d displays an image used for the effect. Furthermore, the position and size of each display area 208a, 208b, 208c, 208d can be freely changed within the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 208. In addition, although the liquid crystal display device is employ | adopted as the decoration symbol display apparatus 208, it is not a liquid crystal display device, What is necessary is just the structure which can display various effects and various game information, for example, a dot matrix display device Other display devices including a 7-segment display device, an organic EL (ElectroLuminescence) display device, a reel (drum) display device, a leaf display device, a plasma display, and a projector may be adopted.

  The general map display device 210 is a display device for displaying a general map, and is configured by a 7-segment LED in this embodiment. The first special figure display device 212 and the second special figure display device 214 are display devices for displaying special figures, and in the present embodiment, are constituted by 7 segment LEDs.

  The multi-purpose hold lamp 216 is a lamp for indicating the number of general-purpose variable games (details will be described later) that are on hold. In this embodiment, the general-purpose variable games are reserved up to a predetermined number (for example, two). It is possible to do. The first special figure hold lamp 218 and the second special figure hold lamp 220 are lamps for indicating the number of special figure variable games (details will be described later) that are being held. In this embodiment, the special figure variable games are displayed. It is possible to hold up to a predetermined number (for example, four). The high-probability medium lamp 222 is a lamp for indicating that the gaming state is a high-probability state in which a big hit is likely to occur or a high-probability state. Turns on when switching to the probability state, and turns off when switching from the high probability state to the low probability state.

  In addition, a general prize opening 226, a general figure starting opening 228, a first special figure starting opening 230, a second special figure starting opening 232, and a variable winning opening 234 are provided around the effect device 206. ing.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of general winning holes 226 are arranged on the game board 200. When a predetermined ball detection sensor (not shown) detects a ball entering the general winning holes 226 (in the general winning holes 226). In the case of winning, the payout device 152 is driven, and a predetermined number (for example, 10 balls) of balls are discharged to the upper plate 126 as prize balls. The player can freely take out the balls discharged to the upper plate 126. With these configurations, the player can pay out the winning balls to the player based on winning. The ball that has entered the general winning opening 226 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharged to the amusement island side. In this embodiment, a ball to be paid out to a player as a consideration for winning may be referred to as a “prize ball”, and a ball lent out to a player may be referred to as “rental ball”. They are called “balls (game balls)”.

  The normal start port 228 is configured by a device called a gate or a through chucker for determining whether or not a ball has passed a predetermined area of the game area 124. In this embodiment, the left side of the game board 200 is used. One is arranged. Unlike the ball that has entered the general winning opening 226, the ball that has passed through the usual starting port 228 is not discharged to the amusement island side. When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects that the ball has passed through the normal map starting port 228, the pachinko machine 100 starts a normal map variable game by the general map display device 210.

  In the present embodiment, only one first special figure starting port 230 is disposed at the center of the game board 200. When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the first special figure starting port 230, a payout device 152, which will be described later, is driven, and a predetermined number (for example, three) of balls is used as a prize ball for the upper plate 126. The special figure changing game by the first special figure display device 212 is started. The ball that has entered the first special figure starting port 230 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharged to the amusement island side.

  The second special figure starting port 232 is called an electric tulip (electric Chu), and in the present embodiment, only one second special figure starting port 232 is disposed directly below the first special figure starting port 230. This second special figure starting port 232 is provided with blades that can be opened and closed to the left and right. When the blades are closed, it is impossible to enter a ball. Is stopped and displayed, the blades open and close at a predetermined time interval and a predetermined number of times. When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the second special figure starting port 232, the payout device 152 is driven and a predetermined number (for example, four) of balls is discharged to the upper plate 126 as prize balls. At the same time, the special figure variation game by the second special figure display device 214 is started. The ball that has entered the second special figure starting port 232 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharged to the amusement island side.

  The variable winning opening 234 is called a big winning opening or an attacker. In the present embodiment, only one variable winning opening 234 is disposed below the center of the game board 200. This variable winning opening 234 has a door member that can be freely opened and closed, and it is impossible to enter a ball while the door member is closed, and the special figure display devices 212 and 214 win the special figure variable game and the jackpot symbol is displayed. When the stop display is made, the door member opens and closes at a predetermined time interval (for example, 29 seconds for opening time, 1.5 seconds for closing time) and a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times). When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the variable winning opening 234, the payout device 152 is driven to discharge a predetermined number (for example, 15 balls) of balls to the upper plate 126 as prize balls. The ball that entered the variable winning opening 234 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharged to the amusement island side.

  Further, a plurality of disc-shaped hitting direction changing members 236 called a windmill and a plurality of game nails 238 are arranged in the vicinity of these winning openings and start openings, and at the bottom of the inner rail 204, An out port 240 is provided for guiding a ball that has not won a prize or starting port to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharging it to the game island side.

  This pachinko machine 100 supplies the ball stored in the upper plate 126 by the player to the launch position of the launch rail, drives the launch motor with the strength corresponding to the operation amount of the player's operation handle, and launches 146 Further, the outer rail 202 and the inner rail 204 are passed by the launcher 148 and driven into the game area 124. Then, the ball that has reached the upper part of the game area 124 falls downward while changing the advancing direction by the hitting direction changing member 236, the game nail 238, etc., and a winning opening (general winning opening 226, variable winning opening 234) or start opening (Outside the first special figure starting port 230, the second special figure starting port 232), winning out any winning port or starting port, or just passing through the normal start port 228, the out port 240 To reach.

<Director>
Next, the rendering device 206 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described.

  On the front side of the effect device 206, a warp device 242 and a stage 244 are arranged in an area where the game ball can roll, and an effect movable body 224 is arranged in an area where the game ball cannot roll. . In addition, a decorative symbol display device 208 and a shielding device 246 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a shutter) are disposed on the back side of the effect device 206. That is, in the effect device 206, the decorative symbol display device 208 and the shielding device 246 are positioned behind the warp device 242, the stage 244, and the effect movable body 224.

  The warp device 242 discharges the game balls that have entered the warp inlet 242a provided at the upper left of the effect device 206 to the stage 244 below the front surface of the effect device 206 from the warp outlet 242b.

  The stage 244 can roll a ball discharged from the warp outlet 242b, a ball carried on by a nail of the game board 200, or the like, and the passed ball is a first special figure starting port 230 at the center of the stage 244. A special route 244a is provided to facilitate entry into the golf course.

  In this embodiment, the effect movable body 224 includes an upper arm 224a and a forearm 224b imitating the upper arm and forearm of a human right arm, and an upper arm motor and an elbow (not shown) that rotate the upper arm 224a to the position of the shoulder. A forearm motor (not shown) that rotates the forearm 224b at a position is provided. The effect movable body 224 moves in front of the decorative symbol display device 208 by the upper arm motor and the forearm motor.

  The shielding device 246 includes a lattice-like left door 246a and right door 246b, and is disposed between the decorative symbol display device 208 and the front stage 244. Belts wound around two pulleys (not shown) are fixed to the upper portions of the left door 246a and the right door 246b, respectively. That is, the left door 246a and the right door 246b move to the left and right as the belt driven by the motor through the pulley moves. In the state where the left door 246a and the right door 246b are closed, the shielding device 246 covers the inner end portions of the shielding device 246 so that it is difficult for the player to visually recognize the decorative symbol display device 208. In the state where the left door 246a and the right door 246b are opened, each inner end portion slightly overlaps the outer end portion of the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 208, but the player can visually recognize all of the display of the decorative symbol display device 208. It is. In addition, the left door 246a and the right door 246b can be stopped at arbitrary positions, respectively, for example, only a part of the decorative design so that the player can identify which decorative design the displayed decorative design is. Can be shielded. In addition, the left door 246a and the right door 246b may be configured so that a part of the decorative symbol display device 208 behind the lattice hole can be visually recognized, or the shoji part of the lattice hole is closed with a translucent lens body. The display by the decorative symbol display device 208 may be made vaguely visible to the player, or the shoji part of the holes in the lattice is completely blocked (shielded), and the decorative symbol display device 208 behind is made completely invisible. Also good.

<Control unit>
Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the pachinko machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. This figure shows a circuit block diagram of the control unit.

  The control unit of the pachinko machine 100 can be roughly classified into a main control unit 300 that controls the central part of the game and a command signal (hereinafter simply referred to as “command”) transmitted by the main control unit 300. A first sub-control unit 400 that controls the second sub-control unit 500 that controls various devices based on a command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400, and a command transmitted by the main control unit 300 A payout control unit 600 that mainly performs control related to payout of game balls, a launch control unit 630 that controls the launch of game balls, and a power management unit 660 that controls the power supplied to the pachinko machine 100. Yes.

<Main control unit>
First, the main control unit 300 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described.

  The main control unit 300 includes a basic circuit 302 that controls the entire main control unit 300. The basic circuit 302 includes a CPU 304, a ROM 306 for storing control programs and various data, and temporary data. RAM 308 for storing data, I / O 310 for controlling input / output of various devices, counter timer 312 for measuring time and frequency, and WDT 314 for monitoring abnormalities in program processing are mounted. . Note that another storage device may be used for the ROM 306 and the RAM 308, and this is the same for the first sub-control unit 400 described later. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 316 as a system clock.

  In addition, the basic circuit 302 includes a counter circuit 318 used as a hardware random number counter that changes a numerical value in the range of 0 to 65535 each time a clock signal output from the crystal oscillator 316 is received (this circuit includes two circuits). And a signal output from various sensors 320 including a ball detection sensor provided inside each start opening, winning opening and variable winning opening, and receiving an amplification result and a reference voltage. A sensor circuit 322 for outputting the comparison result to the counter circuit 318 and the basic circuit 302, a drive circuit 324 for performing display control of the first special figure display device 212 and the second special figure display device 214, A drive circuit 326 for performing display control of the figure display device 210, and various status display units 328 (for example, a general map hold lamp 216, a first special figure hold lamp) 18, a second special figure holding lamp 220, a high-accuracy middle lamp 222, and the like) and a solenoid 332 that opens and closes the second special figure starting port 232, the variable prize opening 234, and the like. A drive circuit 334 for controlling is connected.

  When the ball detection sensor detects that a ball has won the first special figure starting port 230, the sensor circuit 322 outputs a signal indicating that the ball has been detected to the counter circuit 318. Upon receiving this signal, the counter circuit 318 latches the value of the counter corresponding to the first special figure starting port 230 at that timing, and stores the latched value in the built-in counter value corresponding to the first special figure starting port 230. Store in the register. Similarly, when the counter circuit 318 receives a signal indicating that the second special figure starting port 232 has won a ball, the counter circuit 318 latches the value at the timing of the counter corresponding to the second special figure starting port 232. The latched value is stored in a built-in counter value storage register corresponding to the second special figure starting port 232.

  Further, an information output circuit 336 is connected to the basic circuit 302, and the main control unit 300 is connected to an information input circuit 350 provided in an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via this information output circuit 336. The game information (for example, game state) of the machine 100 is output.

  In addition, the main control unit 300 is provided with a voltage monitoring circuit 338 that monitors the voltage value of the power source supplied from the power management unit 660 to the main control unit 300. The voltage monitoring circuit 338 is a voltage value of the power source. Is less than a predetermined value (9v in this embodiment), a low voltage signal indicating that the voltage has decreased is output to the basic circuit 302.

  In addition, the main control unit 300 is provided with a start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) 340 that outputs a start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. When an activation signal is input, game control is started (main control section main processing described later is started).

  The main control unit 300 includes an output interface for transmitting a command to the first sub-control unit 400 and an output interface for transmitting a command to the payout control unit 600. With this configuration, the first control unit 300 Communication with the sub-control unit 400 and the payout control unit 600 is enabled. Information communication between the main control unit 300 and the first sub-control unit 400 and the payout control unit 600 is one-way communication. The main control unit 300 sends commands and the like to the first sub-control unit 400 and the payout control unit 600. The first sub control unit 400 and the payout control unit 600 are configured such that signals such as commands cannot be transmitted to the main control unit 300.

<Sub control unit>
Next, the first sub control unit 400 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described. The first sub-control unit 400 includes a basic circuit 402 that controls the entire first sub-control unit 400 mainly based on commands transmitted from the main control unit 300. The basic circuit 402 includes a CPU 404 and ROM 406 for storing control programs and various effects data, RAM 408 for temporarily storing data, I / O 410 for controlling input / output of various devices, and for measuring time, frequency, etc. The counter timer 412 is mounted. The CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 414 as a system clock. The ROM 406 may store the control program and various effect data in separate ROMs.

  The basic circuit 402 includes a sound source IC 416 for controlling the speaker 120 (and amplifier), a drive circuit 420 for controlling various lamps 418 (for example, the chance button lamp 138), and a shielding device 246. A drive circuit 432 for performing drive control, a shielding device sensor 430 that detects the current position of the shielding device 246, a chance button detection sensor 426 that detects pressing of the chance button 136, a shielding device sensor 430, and a chance button detection sensor The sensor circuit 428 that outputs the detection signal from the 426 to the basic circuit 402, and the image data stored in the ROM 406 based on the signal from the CPU 404 are read, and the display image is generated using the work area of the VRAM 436 to decorate A VDP 434 (image) that displays an image on the symbol display device 208. Are connected Oh and display processor), the.

  In the work area of the VRAM 436, two display areas A and B (frame buffer) and other storage areas are provided. The display area A and the display area B are both storage areas for temporarily storing image data of an image to be displayed on the decorative symbol display device 208 (a set of color information of each pixel constituting the corresponding image). , One of which can be designated as the drawing area, and when the image data of the display area not designated as the drawing area is displayed as an image on the decorative symbol display device 208, the display area designated as the drawing area The image data can be expanded (stored). With such a configuration, by switching (swapping) the designation of the drawing area between the display area A and the display area B, the image displayed on the decorative symbol display device 208 can be easily switched. The other storage area is provided with a color palette storage area for storing color information of the image and the like, and image data used for drawing an image to be displayed on the decorative symbol display device 208 is stored.

  Next, the second sub control unit 500 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described. The second sub-control unit 500 includes a basic circuit 502 that receives the control command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400 via the input interface and controls the entire second sub-control unit 500 based on the control command. The basic circuit 502 includes a CPU 504, a RAM 508 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 510 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer for measuring time and frequency 512 is installed. The CPU 504 of the basic circuit 502 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 514 as a system clock, and controls a control program and data for controlling the entire second sub-control unit 500, and an image display A ROM 506 storing data and the like is provided.

  The basic circuit 502 includes a drive circuit 516 for controlling the drive of the effect movable body 224, an effect movable body sensor 424 that detects the current position of the effect movable body 224, and a detection signal from the effect movable body sensor 424. Is output to the basic circuit 502, a game board lamp drive circuit 530 for controlling the game board lamp 532, and a game table frame lamp drive for controlling the game table frame lamp 542 The circuit 540 is connected to a serial communication control circuit 520 that performs lighting control by serial communication between the game board lamp drive circuit 530 and the game stand frame lamp drive circuit 540.

<Discharge control unit, launch control unit, power supply management unit>
Next, the payout control unit 600, the launch control unit 630, and the power management unit 660 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described.

  The payout control unit 600 controls the payout motor 602 of the payout device 152 mainly based on a command signal or the like transmitted from the main control unit 300, and a prize ball or a rental ball based on a control signal output from the payout sensor 604 It is detected whether or not the payout has been completed, and communication with a card unit 608 provided separately from the pachinko machine 100 is performed via the interface unit 606.

  The launch control unit 630 outputs a control signal output from the payout control unit 600 to permit or stop the launch, or a launch intensity output circuit provided in the ball launch handle 134 to operate the ball launch handle 134 by the player. Control of the launch motor 632 that drives the launcher 146 and launcher 148, and control of the ball feeder 634 that supplies the launcher 110 with a ball from the upper plate 126 based on a control signal that indicates the launch intensity according to the amount. I do.

  The power management unit 660 converts the AC power supplied from the outside to the pachinko machine 100 into a DC voltage, converts it into a predetermined voltage, and controls each control unit such as the main control unit 300 and the first sub control unit 400, the payout device 152, etc. Supply to each device. Further, the power management unit 660 supplies a power storage circuit (for example, a power supply circuit) for supplying power to a predetermined part (for example, the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300) for a predetermined period (for example, 10 days) even after the external power supply is cut off. , Capacitor). In the present embodiment, a predetermined voltage is supplied from the power management unit 660 to the payout control unit 600 and the second sub control unit 500, and the main control unit 300, the second sub control unit 500, and the launch control unit are supplied from the payout control unit 600. Although a predetermined voltage is supplied to 630, the predetermined voltage may be supplied to each control unit and each device through another power supply path.

<Type of design>
Next, using FIGS. 5A to 5C, the first special symbol display device 212, the second special symbol display device 214, the decorative symbol display device 208, and the normal symbol display device 210 of the pachinko machine 100 are stopped and displayed. The types of special maps and general maps to be described will be described. Fig.5 (a) shows an example of the stop symbol aspect of a special figure.

  The special figure 1 variable game is started on the condition that the first start port sensor detects that the ball has entered the first special figure start port 230, and the ball has entered the second special figure start port 232 The special figure 2 variable game is started on the condition that the second start port sensor has detected. When the special figure 1 variable game is started, the first special symbol display device 212 performs “variable display of special figure 1” by repeating all lighting of seven segments and lighting of one central segment. In addition, when the special figure 2 variable game is started, the second special symbol display device 214 displays “fluctuation display of special figure 2” which repeats lighting of all seven segments and lighting of one central segment. Do. These “variation display of special figure 1” and “variation display of special figure 2” correspond to an example of the symbol fluctuation display according to the present invention. Then, when the variation time determined before the variation start of the special figure 1 (corresponding to the variation time referred to in the present invention) elapses, the first special symbol display device 212 stops and displays the special symbol form of the special figure 1. When the variation time determined before the start of variation 2 (this also corresponds to the variation time according to the present invention) has elapsed, the second special symbol display device 214 stops and displays the stop symbol form of the special diagram 2. Therefore, from the start of “figure display of special figure 1” until the stop symbol form of special figure 1 is stopped, or after the start of “fluctuation display of special figure 2”, the stop symbol form of special figure 2 is displayed. Until stop display corresponds to an example of the symbol variation stop display referred to in the present invention, hereinafter, after the “variable display of special figure 1 or 2” is started, the stop symbol form of special figure 1 or 2 is stopped and displayed. The series of displays up to is referred to as symbol variation stop display. As will be described later, the symbol variation stop display may be continuously performed a plurality of times. FIG. 5A shows ten types of special drawings from “Special Figure A” to “Special Figure J” as the stop symbol forms in the symbol variation stop display. In the figure, the white portions in the figure indicate the locations of the segments that are turned off, and the black portions indicate the locations of the segments that are turned on.

  “Special Figure A” is a 15 round (15R) special jackpot symbol, and “Special Figure B” is a 15R jackpot symbol. In the pachinko machine 100 according to the present embodiment, as will be described later, the determination as to whether or not the big hit in the special figure variable game is made by lottery of hardware random numbers, and the decision as to whether or not it is a special big hit is made by lottery of software random numbers. The difference between the jackpot and the special jackpot is the difference in whether the probability of winning the jackpot is high (special jackpot) or low (jackpot) in the next special figure variation game. Hereinafter, a state having a high probability of winning the jackpot is referred to as a special figure high probability state, and a state having a low probability is referred to as a special figure low probability state. Moreover, after the 15R special jackpot game ends and after the 15R jackpot game ends, both shift to the time-saving state. Although the time reduction will be described in detail later, the state that shifts to the time reduction state is referred to as a normal high probability state, and the state that does not shift to the time reduction state is referred to as a normal low probability state. “Special figure A”, which is a 15R special jackpot symbol, is a special figure high probability normal figure high probability state, and “Special figure B”, which is a 15R jackpot symbol, is a special figure low probability ordinary figure high probability state. These “special chart A” and “special chart B” are symbols that give a relatively large profit amount to the player.

  “Special figure C” is a 2R jackpot symbol called sudden probability change, and is a special figure high probability normal figure high probability state. That is, “Special Figure C” is 2R compared to “Special Figure A” which is 15R. "Special figure D" is a 2R jackpot symbol called sudden time reduction, and is a special figure low probability normal figure high probability state. That is, “Special Figure D” is 2R compared to “Special Figure B” which is 15R.

  “Special figure E” is a 2R jackpot symbol called hidden probability change, and is a special figure high probability normal figure low probability state. "Special figure F" is a 2R jackpot symbol suddenly called normal, and is a special figure low probability normal figure low probability state. These “special drawing E” and “special drawing F” are both 2R and are in a state in which they do not shift to the time-saving state.

  "Special figure G" is a first small hit symbol, and "Special figure H" is a second small hit symbol, both of which are in a special figure low probability normal figure low probability state. The small hit here is equivalent to the same short hit big hit with 2R. That is, “Special Figure G” and “Special Figure H” are in the same state as “Special Figure F”, but the effects displayed on the decorative symbol display device 208 are different in both cases. By providing “G”, “Special Figure H”, and “Special Figure F”, the interest of the game is enhanced.

  In addition, “Special Figure I” is a first off symbol, and “Special Figure J” is a second off symbol, and the profit amount given to the player is a relatively small profit amount.

  In the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, symbols other than “Special Figure A” are prepared as 15R special jackpot symbols, and the same applies to other symbols such as 15R jackpot symbols.

  FIG. 5B shows an example of a decorative design. There are 10 types of decoration patterns of the present embodiment: “Decoration 1” to “Decoration 10”. The first start port sensor detects that a ball has won the first special figure start port 230 or the second special view start port 232, that is, the ball has entered the first special view start port 230; or On the condition that the second start port sensor detects that a ball has entered the second special symbol start port 232, the left symbol display area 208a, the middle symbol display area 208b, and the right symbol display of the decorative symbol display device 208 are displayed. Displayed in the order of “decoration 1” → “decoration 2” → “decoration 3” →... “Decoration 9” → “decoration 10” → “decoration 1” →... “Decoration display of decorative pattern” is performed. When the 15R jackpot of “Special Figure B” is notified, a symbol combination (for example, “decoration 1—decoration 1—decoration”) corresponding to the 15R jackpot in the symbol display areas 208a to 208c is arranged. 1 ”or“ decoration 2—decoration 2—decoration 2 ”). When the 15R special jackpot of “special drawing A” is notified, a combination of three symbols of the same odd number of decorative symbols (for example, “decoration 3—decoration 3—decoration 3” or “decoration 7—decoration 7—decoration 7”). Etc.) is stopped and displayed.

  In addition, the 2R jackpot called “hidden probability change” of “Special Figure E”, the 2R jackpot called “Special Figure F” suddenly, or the first small hit of “Special Figure G”, “Special Figure H” When notifying the second small hit, “decoration 1-decoration 2—decoration 3” is stopped and displayed. Furthermore, in order to notify the 2R jackpot called “sudden change” of “special drawing C” or the 2R jackpot called “sudden time reduction of“ special drawing D ”,“ decoration 1-decoration 3—decoration 5 ” Stop display.

  On the other hand, when notifying the first deviation of “Special Figure I” and the second deviation of “Special Figure J”, the symbol combinations other than the symbol combinations shown in FIG. 5B are stopped in the symbol display areas 208a to 208c. indicate.

  FIG.5 (c) shows an example of the usual stop display symbol. In the present embodiment, there are two types of stoppage display modes for ordinary maps: “general diagram A” which is a winning symbol and “general symbol B” which is a missed symbol. Based on the fact that the above-mentioned gate sensor has detected that a sphere has passed through the general-purpose start opening 228, the normal symbol display device 210 repeats all lighting of the seven segments and lighting of the central one segment. Perform a “normal change display”. Then, when notifying the winning of the common figure variable game, the “normal figure A” is stopped and displayed, and when notifying the usual figure variable game, the “normal figure B” is stopped and displayed. Also in the figure, the white portions in the drawing indicate the locations of the segments that are turned off, and the black portions indicate the locations of the segments that are turned on.

<Main control unit main processing>
Next, main control unit main processing executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing of the main control unit.

  As described above, the main control unit 300 is provided with the start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) 340 that outputs the start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 to which this activation signal has been input performs reset start by a reset interrupt, and executes main control unit main processing shown in FIG. 6 in accordance with a control program stored in advance in the ROM 306.

  In step SA01, initial setting 1 is performed. In this initial setting 1, setting of a stack initial value (temporary setting) to the stack pointer (SP) of the CPU 304, setting of an interrupt mask, initial setting of the I / O 310, initial setting of various variables stored in the RAM 308, to the WDT 314 The operation is permitted and the initial value is set. In the present embodiment, a numerical value corresponding to 32.8 ms is set in WDT 314 as an initial value.

  In step SA03, the counter value of WDT 314 is cleared, and the time measurement by WDT 314 is restarted.

  In step SA05, whether or not the low voltage signal is on, that is, the voltage value of the power source supplied from the power management unit 660 to the main control unit 300 by the voltage monitoring circuit 338 is a predetermined value (in this embodiment). 9v), it is monitored whether or not a low voltage signal indicating that the voltage has dropped is output. If the low voltage signal is on (when the CPU 304 detects that the power supply is cut off), the process returns to step SA03. If the low voltage signal is off (if the CPU 304 does not detect that the power supply is cut off), the step returns. Proceed to SA07. Even if the predetermined value (9 V) is not yet reached immediately after the power is turned on, the process returns to step SA03, and step SA05 is repeatedly executed until the supply voltage becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined value.

  In step SA07, initial setting 2 is performed. In this initial setting 2, a process for setting a numerical value for determining a cycle for executing a main control unit timer interrupt process, which will be described later, in the counter timer 312 and a predetermined port of the I / O 310 (for example, a test output port, A process of outputting a clear signal from the output port to the first sub control unit 400, a setting for permitting writing to the RAM 308, and the like are performed.

  In step SA09, it is determined whether or not to return to the state before the power interruption (before the power interruption), and the state before the power interruption is not restored (when the basic circuit 302 of the main control unit 300 is set to the initial state). ) Proceeds to an initialization process (step SA13).

  Specifically, first, a RAM clear signal transmitted when a store clerk or the like of an amusement store operates the RWM clear switch 180 provided on the power supply board is turned on (indicates that there has been an operation). That is, it is determined whether or not RAM clear is necessary. If the RAM clear signal is on (RAM clear is necessary), the process proceeds to step SA13 to set the basic circuit 302 to the initial state. On the other hand, when the RAM clear signal is OFF (when the RAM clear is not necessary), the power status information stored in the power status storage area provided in the RAM 308 is read, and the power status information is information indicating suspend. It is determined whether or not. If the power status information is not information indicating suspend, the process proceeds to step SA13 to set the basic circuit 302 to an initial state. If the power status information is information indicating suspend, a predetermined area of the RAM 308 is set. A checksum is calculated by adding all the 1-byte data stored in (for example, all areas) to a 1-byte register whose initial value is 0, and the calculated checksum results in a specific value (for example, 0) (whether or not the checksum result is normal). If the checksum result is a specific value (eg, 0) (if the checksum result is normal), the process proceeds to step SA11 to return to the state before the power interruption, and the checksum result is a specific value. If the value is other than 0 (for example, 0) (if the result of the checksum is abnormal), the process proceeds to step SA13 to set the pachinko machine 100 to the initial state. Similarly, when the power status information indicates information other than “suspend”, the process proceeds to step SA13.

  In step SA11, power recovery processing is performed. In this power recovery process, the value of the stack pointer stored in the stack pointer save area provided in the RAM 308 at the time of power interruption is read and reset to the stack pointer (this setting). In addition, the value of each register stored in the register save area provided in the RAM 308 at the time of power interruption is read out and reset in each register, and then the interrupt permission is set. Thereafter, as a result of the CPU 304 executing the control program based on the reset stack pointer and registers, the pachinko machine 100 returns to the state when the power is turned off. That is, the processing is resumed from the instruction next to the instruction (predetermined in step SA15 and step SA17) performed immediately before branching to the timer interrupt process (described later) immediately before the power interruption. A RAM 308 mounted on the basic circuit 302 in the main control unit 300 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a transmission information storage area. In step SA11, a power recovery command is set in the transmission information storage area. This power recovery command is a command indicating that the power has been restored to the state at the time of power interruption, and is transmitted to the first sub control unit 400 in step SB33 in the timer interrupt process of the main control unit 300, which will be described later.

  In step SA13, initialization processing is performed. In this initialization process, interrupt prohibition setting, stack initial value setting to the stack pointer (this setting), initialization of all storage areas of the RAM 308, and the like are performed. Further, here, a normal return command is set in the transmission information storage area provided in the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300. This normal return command is a command indicating that the initialization process (step SA13) of the main control unit 300 has been performed. Like the power recovery command, the normal return command is the first command in step SB33 in the timer interrupt process of the main control unit 300. 1 is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400.

  In step SA15, after setting for prohibition of interruption, a basic random number initial value update process is performed. In this basic random number initial value update process, two initial value generation random number counters for generating the initial values of the ordinary figure winning random number counter and the special figure random value counter, the ordinary figure timer random number value, and the special figure timer, respectively. Two random number counters for generating each random number value are updated. For example, if the range of values that can be taken as normal timer random numbers is 0 to 20, a value is acquired from a random number counter storage area for generating a normal timer random value provided in the RAM 308, and 1 is added to the acquired value. Then, it is stored in the original random number counter storage area. At this time, if the result of adding 1 to the acquired value is 21, 0 is stored in the original random number counter storage area. Other initial value generation random number counters and random number counters are similarly updated. Further, after this basic random number initial value update process is completed, an interrupt permission is set, and the process proceeds to Step SA17.

  In step SA17, effect random number update processing is performed. In this effect random number update process, a random number counter for generating an effect random number used by the main control unit 300 is updated. In the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300, a first special figure notice lottery random number counter for generating a first special figure notice lottery random number value that can take a value in the range of 0 to 127, and a value in the range of 0 to 127 are also taken. A second special figure notice lottery random number counter for generating a second special figure notice lottery random number value to be obtained is provided. In step SA17, the values of these counters are updated.

  The main control unit 300 repeatedly executes the processes of step SA15 and step SA17 except during the timer interrupt process that starts every predetermined period.

<Main control unit timer interrupt processing>
Next, the main control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the main control unit timer interrupt process.

  The main control unit 300 includes a counter timer 312 that generates a timer interrupt signal at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, about once every 2 ms), and the main control unit timer interrupt is triggered by this timer interrupt signal. The process is started at a predetermined cycle.

  In step SB01, timer interrupt start processing is performed. In this timer interrupt start process, a process of temporarily saving each register value of the CPU 304 to the stack area is performed.

  In step SB03, the WDT 314 is periodically changed to the initial value (32.8 ms in the present embodiment) so that no WDT interruption occurs (so as not to detect a processing abnormality). In the embodiment, the restart is performed once every about 2 ms, which is the period of the main control unit timer interrupt.

  In step SB05, input port state update processing is performed. In this input port state update process, detection of various sensors 320 including the above-mentioned front frame door open sensor, inner frame open sensor, lower pan full sensor, and various ball detection sensors via the input port of the I / O 310. A signal is input to monitor the presence or absence of a detection signal, and stored in a signal state storage area provided for each sensor 320 in the RAM 308. If the detection signal of the sphere detection sensor is described as an example, information on the presence / absence of the detection signal of each sphere detection sensor detected in the timer interruption process (about 4 ms before) is stored in the RAM 308 for each sphere detection sensor. This information is read out from the previous detection signal storage area partitioned and stored in the RAM 308 in the previous detection signal storage area partitioned for each sphere detection sensor, and the previous timer interrupt processing (about 2 ms before) ) Is read from the current detection signal storage area provided for each sphere detection sensor in the RAM 308, and this information is read out from the previous detection signal storage area described above. To remember. Further, the detection signal of each sphere detection sensor detected this time is stored in the above-described current detection signal storage area.

  In step SB05, the information on the presence / absence of the detection signal of each sphere detection sensor stored in each storage area of the detection signal storage area, the previous detection signal storage area, and the current detection signal storage area is compared. It is determined whether or not the information on the presence or absence of detection signals for the past three times in the ball detection sensor matches the winning determination pattern information. This main control unit timer interrupt process that is repeatedly started at a very short interval of about 2 ms while one game ball passes one ball detection sensor is started several times. For this reason, every time the main control unit timer interruption process is started, in the above-described step SB05, a detection signal indicating that the same game ball has passed the same ball detection sensor is confirmed. As a result, a detection signal indicating that the same game ball has passed the same ball detection sensor is stored in each of the detection signal storage area, the previous detection signal storage area, and the current detection signal storage area. That is, when the game ball starts to pass through the ball detection sensor, there is no detection signal before, a previous detection signal, and a current detection signal. In the present embodiment, in consideration of erroneous detection of the sphere detection sensor and noise, it is determined that there is a prize when the detection signal is stored twice continuously after no detection signal. The ROM 306 of the main control unit 300 shown in FIG. 4 stores winning determination pattern information (in this embodiment, information indicating that there is no previous detection signal, that there is a previous detection signal, and that there is a current detection signal). In this step SB05, information on presence / absence of detection signals for the past three times in each sphere detection sensor is predetermined winning determination pattern information (in this embodiment, no previous detection signal, previous detection signal, current detection signal present). In the case of the general winning port 226, the variable winning port 234, the first special figure starting port 230, and the second special figure starting port 232, or the ordinary drawing starting port 228. Is determined to have passed. In other words, it is determined that a prize has been awarded to the winning ports 226 and 234 and the starting ports 230, 232, and 228. For example, when the information on the presence / absence of the detection signals for the past three matches with the above-described winning determination pattern information in the general winning opening sensor for detecting the winning at the general winning opening 226, there is a winning at the general winning opening 226. If the information on the presence / absence of detection signals for the past three times does not match the above-described winning determination pattern information, the subsequent general winnings are performed. The process branches to the subsequent process without performing the process associated with winning the prize to the mouth 226. Note that the ROM 306 of the main control unit 300 stores winning determination clear pattern information (in this embodiment, information indicating that there is a detection signal before the previous time, no previous detection signal, and no current detection signal). After it is determined that there has been a single win, it is not determined that there has been a win until the information on the presence or absence of detection signals for the past three times matches the winning determination clear pattern information in each ball detection sensor, and the winning determination is cleared. If it matches the pattern information, it is next determined whether or not it matches the winning determination pattern information.

  In step SB07 and step SB09, a basic random number initial value update process and a basic random number update process are performed. In these basic random number initial value update processing and basic random number update processing, the value of the initial value generation random number counter performed in step SA15 is updated, and then the normal winning random number value used in the main control unit 300, Two random number counters for generating the special figure 1 random value and the special figure 2 random value are updated. For example, if the range of values that can be taken as a random number value for a normal winning number is 0 to 100, a value is acquired from a random number counter storage area for generating a normal winning random number value provided in the RAM 308, and 1 is added to the acquired value. Then, it is stored in the original random number counter storage area. At this time, if the result of adding 1 to the acquired value is 101, 0 is stored in the original random number counter storage area. If it is determined that the random number counter has made one round as a result of adding 1 to the acquired value, the value of the initial value generating random number counter corresponding to each random number counter is acquired and stored in the storage area of the random number counter. set. For example, a value is acquired from a random number counter for generating a regular winning random number that fluctuates in a numerical range of 0 to 100, and a result obtained by adding 1 to the acquired value is stored in a predetermined initial value storage area provided in the RAM 308. If the value is equal to the previously set initial value (for example, 7), the value is acquired as an initial value from the initial value generation random number counter corresponding to the random number counter for generating the random number for winning the normal number, The initial value set this time is stored in the above-described initial value storage area in order to determine that the random number counter for generating the winning random number value has made one round next time, in addition to setting it in the random number counter for generating the winning random value Keep it. Further, apart from the above-described initial value storage area for determining that the random number counter for generating the random number for winning the normal signal has made one round next, it is determined that the random number counter for generating the special figure random number has made one round. An initial value storage area is provided in the RAM 308. In the present embodiment, the counter for acquiring the random number value of FIG. 1 and the counter for acquiring the random value of FIG. 2 are separately provided, but the same counter may be used.

  In step SB11, effect random number update processing is performed. In this effect random number update process, a random number counter for generating an effect random number used by the main control unit 300 is updated. Here, the random number counter for generating the effect random number performed in step SA17 is updated. Accordingly, the values of the special figure 1 notice lottery random number counter and the special figure 2 notice lottery random number counter are updated in this step SB11.

  In step SB13, timer update processing is performed. In this timer update processing, the normal symbol display symbol update timer for timing the time for the symbol to be changed / stopped on the normal symbol display device 210, and the time for the symbol to be changed / stopped to be displayed on the first special symbol display device 212 are timed. Special symbol 1 display symbol update timer for performing, special symbol 2 display symbol update timer for measuring the time for the symbol to be changed and stopped on the second special symbol display device 214, a predetermined winning effect time, a predetermined opening time Various timers including a timer for measuring a predetermined closing time, a predetermined end effect period, and the like are updated.

  In step SB15, winning prize counter updating processing is performed. In this winning opening counter updating process, when winning holes 226, 234 and starting holes 230, 232, 228 are won, the RAM 308 stores the winning ball number storage area provided for each winning hole or for each starting hole. The value is read out, 1 is added, and the original prize ball number storage area is set.

  In step SB17, a winning acceptance process is performed. In step SB19, a payout request number transmission process is performed. The output schedule information and the payout request information output to the payout control unit 600 are composed of 1 byte, strobe information in bit 7 (indicating that data is set when on), and power supply in bit 6. Input information (indicating that it is the first command transmission after power-on when turned on), bits 4-5 for the current processing type for encryption (0-3), and bits 0-3 for encryption processing The number of subsequent payout requests is indicated.

  In step SB21, a normal state update process is performed. This normal state update process performs one of a plurality of processes corresponding to the normal state. For example, in the normal state update process in the middle of the normal symbol display (the above-described general symbol display symbol update timer value is 1 or more), the 7-segment LED constituting the normal symbol display device 210 is repeatedly turned on and off. Turns off drive control. By performing this control, the normal symbol display device 210 performs a usual fluctuation display (ordinary figure fluctuation game).

  Also, in the normal state update process at the timing when the normal symbol change display time has elapsed (the timing when the value of the general symbol display symbol update timer has changed from 1 to 0), if the hit flag is on, the win symbol is displayed. The normal symbol display device 210 is controlled so that the 7-segment LED constituting the normal symbol display device 210 is turned on / off, and when the hit flag is off, the normal symbol display device 210 is configured to be in the off symbol display mode. 7 segment LED on / off drive control is performed. Further, the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300 is provided with a setting area for performing various settings in various processes, not limited to the normal state update process. Here, the above-described lighting / extinguishing drive control is performed, and the setting area is set to indicate that the normal stop display is being performed. By performing this control, the normal symbol display device 210 determines the symbol of either the winning symbol (the common symbol A shown in FIG. 5C) or the off symbol (the common symbol B shown in FIG. 5C). Display. Thereafter, information indicating the stop period is set in a storage area of a normal stop time management timer provided in the RAM 308 in order to maintain the display for a predetermined stop display period (for example, 500 msec). With this setting, the symbol that has been confirmed and displayed is stopped and displayed for a predetermined period, and the player is notified of the result of the normal game.

  Further, if the result of the usual figure variable game is a hit, the usual figure hit flag is turned on as will be described later. When the usual figure hit flag is on, in the usual figure state update process at the timing when the predetermined stop display period ends (when the usual figure stop time management timer value changes from 1 to 0), The normal operation is set in the setting area, and the blade member is held open by the solenoid (332) for opening and closing the blade member of the second special figure starting port 232 for a predetermined opening period (for example, 2 seconds). In addition, a signal indicating the open period is set in the storage area of the blade open time management timer provided in the RAM 308.

  In the usual state update process that starts at the timing when the predetermined opening period ends (the timing when the value of the blade opening time management timer is changed from 1 to 0), the blade member has a predetermined closing period (for example, 500 milliseconds). A signal for holding the blade member in the closed state is output to the opening / closing drive solenoid 332, and information indicating the closing period is set in the storage area of the blade closing time management timer provided in the RAM 308.

  Further, in the normal state update process that starts at the timing when the predetermined closing period ends (when the value of the blade closing time management timer is changed from 1 to 0), the non-operating state is set in the setting area of the RAM 308. To do. Furthermore, if the result of the usual figure fluctuation game is out, the usual figure out flag is turned on as will be described later. When the off-normal flag is on, the normal state update process at the timing when the predetermined stop display period described above ends (the timing at which the normal stop time management timer value changes from 1 to 0) In the setting area of the RAM 308, normal operation inactive is set. In the general state update process in the case where the general map is not in operation, nothing is done and the process proceeds to the next step SB23.

  In step SB23, a general drawing related lottery process is performed. In this general map-related lottery process, the open / close control of the general map variable game and the second special map start port 232 is not performed (the state of the general map is not in operation), and the pending general map variable game is not held. When the number is 1 or more, it is decided whether to win or not to win the result of the variable figure game by random lottery based on the random number value stored in the random number value storage area. When the winning judgment is made and the winning is made, the winning flag provided in the RAM 308 is set to ON. If unsuccessful, turn off the winning flag. Regardless of the result of the hit determination, next, the value of the random number counter for generating the normal figure timer random value is acquired as the normal figure timer random number value, and a plurality of fluctuation times are obtained based on the acquired general figure timer random number value. One time is selected for variably displaying the normal map on the general map display device 210, and this variable display time is stored as a normal map variable display time in a general map variable time storage area provided in the RAM 308. In addition, the number of pending general figure variable games is stored in the usual figure pending number storage area provided in the RAM 308, and from the number of pending custom figure variable games each time a hit determination is made. The value obtained by subtracting 1 is re-stored in the usual figure number-of-holds storage area. Also, the random number value used for the hit determination is deleted.

  Subsequently, the special figure state update process for each of the special figure 1 and the special figure 2 is performed. First, the special figure state update process (the special figure 2 state update process) for the special figure 2 is performed (step SB25). In the special figure 2 state update process, one of the following eight processes is performed in accordance with the state of the special figure 2. For example, in the special figure 2 state update process in the middle of the special figure 2 fluctuation display (the value of the above-mentioned special figure 2 display symbol update timer is 1 or more), the 7-segment LED constituting the second special symbol display device 214 is turned on. Performs lighting / extinguishing drive control that repeatedly turns off. By performing this control, the second special symbol display device 214 performs the variable display of the special figure 2 (special figure 2 variable game).

  Further, the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300 includes a 15R big hit flag, a 2R big hit flag, a first small hit flag, a second small hit flag, a first off flag, a second off flag, a special figure probability variation flag, and a normal figure. A flag for each probability variation flag is prepared. In the special figure 2 state update process starting at the timing when the special figure 2 fluctuation display time has elapsed (the timing when the special figure 2 display symbol update timer value has changed from 1 to 0), the 15R big hit flag is on, and the special figure probability fluctuation When the flag is also on and the normal figure probability fluctuation flag is on, the special figure A, 15R jackpot flag shown in FIG. 5A is on, the special figure probability fluctuation flag is off, and the common figure probability fluctuation flag is on. When the special figure B, 2R big hit flag is on, the special figure probability fluctuation flag is on, and the general figure probability fluctuation flag is also on, the special figure C, 2R big hit flag is on, the special figure probability fluctuation flag is off, When the probability fluctuation flag is on, the special figure D, 2R jackpot flag is on, the special figure probability fluctuation flag is on, and when the common figure probability fluctuation flag is on, the special figure E, 2R jackpot flag is on, special chart Probability flag is off, normal When the rate fluctuation flag is also off, the special figure F, when the first small hit flag is on, the special figure G, when the second small hit flag is on, the special figure H, and the first off flag are on. In such a case, the 7-segment LED constituting the second special symbol display device 214 is controlled to be turned on / off so that the special figure I and the second off-flag are turned on, respectively, so that the special figure J is in the respective mode. A setting indicating that the special figure 2 stop display is in progress is made in the setting area of the RAM 308. By performing this control, the second special symbol display device 214 has a 15R special jackpot symbol (special symbol A), a 15R jackpot symbol (special symbol B), a sudden probability variation symbol (special symbol C), and a sudden time-short symbol symbol (special symbol). D), hidden probability variation (special E), suddenly normal (special F), first small hit (special G), second small hit (special H), first off symbol (special) Any one of the symbols I) and the first off-set symbol (special symbol J) is confirmed and displayed. After that, information indicating the stop period is set in the storage area of the special figure 2 stop time management timer provided in the RAM 308 in order to maintain the display for a predetermined stop display period (for example, 500 milliseconds). With this setting, the specially displayed special figure 2 is stopped and displayed for a predetermined period, and the result of the special figure 2 variable game is notified to the player. In addition, if the time reduction number stored in the time reduction number storage unit provided in the RAM 308 is 1 or more, 1 is subtracted from the time reduction number. If not (details will be described later), the time reduction flag is turned off. Further, the hourly flag is also turned off during the big hit game (in the special game state).

  In addition, in order to execute the general command rotation stop setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step SB33), 4H is additionally stored as transmission information (general information) in the transmission information storage area described above, and the variable display is stopped. The special figure 2 identification information indicating that is special figure 2 is additionally stored in the RAM 308 as information to be included in command data, which will be described later, and the processing is terminated.

  If the result of the special figure 2 variable game is a big hit, the big hit flag is turned on as will be described later. When the jackpot flag is on, in the special figure 2 state update process at the timing when the predetermined stop display period ends (the timing when the special figure 2 stop time management timer value changes from 1 to 0), the RAM 308 In the setting area, the special figure 2 is in operation and waits for a predetermined winning effect period (for example, 3 seconds), that is, a period during which an image for notifying the player that the big win by the decorative symbol display device 208 is started is displayed. Therefore, information indicating the winning effect period is set in the storage area of the special figure 2 standby time management timer provided in the RAM 308. Further, 5H is additionally stored as transmission information (command type) in the above-described transmission information storage area in order to execute the general command winning effect setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step SB33).

  Further, in the special figure 2 state update process that starts at the timing when the predetermined winning effect period ends (the timing when the value of the special figure 2 standby time management timer changes from 1 to 0), a predetermined release period (for example, 29 seconds) Or, until a winning of a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 10 balls) is detected in the variable winning opening 234.) The door member is opened to the open / close driving solenoid (332) of the variable winning opening 234. A signal to be held is output, and information indicating an opening period is set in a storage area of a door opening time management timer provided in the RAM 308. Further, 7H is additionally stored as transmission information (command type) in the above-described transmission information storage area in order to execute the general command big prize opening release setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step SB33).

  In the special figure 2 state update process that starts at the timing when the predetermined opening period ends (the timing when the door opening time management timer value changes from 1 to 0), the predetermined closing period (for example, 1.5 seconds) A signal for holding the door member in a closed state is output to a solenoid (332) for opening and closing the door member of the variable prize opening 234, and a closing period is indicated in a storage area of a door closing time management timer provided in the RAM 308. Set the information. Further, 8H is additionally stored as transmission information (command type) in the above-described transmission information storage area in order to execute the general command big prize opening closing setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step SB33).

  In addition, the opening / closing control of the door member is repeated a predetermined number of times (in this embodiment, 15 rounds or 2 rounds), and in the special figure 2 state update process that starts at the end timing, a predetermined end effect period (for example, 3 seconds) In other words, the effect standby period is stored in the storage area of the effect standby time management timer provided in the RAM 308 in order to set to wait for a period during which an image for informing the player that the big hit by the decorative symbol display device 208 is to be ended is displayed. Set the information indicating. Also, if the normal probability fluctuation flag is set to ON, at the same time as the end of the jackpot game, the time reduction number 100 is set in the time reduction number storage unit provided in the RAM 308, and the time reduction flag provided in the RAM 308 is set. Turn on. If the usual time probability variation flag is set to OFF, the time reduction number is not set in the time reduction number storage unit, and the time reduction flag is not turned ON. The short time here means that the pachinko machine is in an advantageous state for the player in order to shorten the time from the end of the big hit in the special figure variable game to the start of the next big hit. If the short time flag is set to ON at this time, it is a normal high probability state. In the ordinary high probability state, compared to the ordinary low probability state, if the common figure variable game is hit, there is a high possibility that the variation time will be shortened. Also, the fluctuation time of the normal figure variable game is shorter in the normal figure high probability state than in the normal figure low probability state. Further, in the normal high-probability state, the opening time in one opening of the pair of blade members of the second special start port 232 tends to be longer than in the normal low-probability state. In addition, the pair of blade members are more likely to be opened in the normal high probability state than in the normal low probability state. In addition, as described above, the hourly flag is set to off during the big hit game (in the special game state). Therefore, the normal low probability state is maintained during the jackpot game. This is because, if the game is in a high probability state during a jackpot game, a large number of games will be placed in the second special figure start port 232 until a predetermined number of game balls are entered during the jackpot game. There is a problem that a ball enters and the number of game balls that can be acquired during the jackpot increases, resulting in an increase in euphoria. This is to solve this problem.

  Furthermore, 6H is additionally stored as transmission information (command type) in the above-described transmission information storage area in order to execute the general command end effect setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step SB33).

  Also, in the special figure 2 state update process that starts at the timing when the predetermined end production period ends (when the production standby time management timer value changes from 1 to 0), the special figure 2 is not activated in the setting area of the RAM 308. Set medium. Further, if the result of the special figure 2 variable game is out of the way, the off flag is turned on as will be described later. In the case where the miss flag is on, even in the special figure 2 state update process at the timing when the predetermined stop display period described above ends (the timing when the special figure 2 stop time management timer value changes from 1 to 0), In the setting area of the RAM 308, special figure 2 inactive is set. In the special figure 2 state update process when the special figure 2 is not operating, nothing is done and the process proceeds to the next step SB27.

  Subsequently, special figure state update processing (special figure 1 state update process) for special figure 1 is performed (step SB27). In the special figure 1 state update process, each process described in the special figure 2 state update process is performed according to the state of the special figure 1. Each process performed in the special figure 1 state update process is the same as the process in which “special figure 2” in the contents described in the special figure 2 state update process is replaced with “special figure 1”. Omitted. The order of the special figure 2 state update process and the special figure 1 state update process may be reversed.

  When the special figure state update process in step SB25 and step SB27 is completed, a special figure related lottery process for each of special figure 1 and special figure 2 is performed. Also here, the special figure related lottery process (special figure 2 related lottery process) for special figure 2 is performed first (step SB29), and then the special figure related lottery process for special figure 1 (special figure 1 related lottery process) (Step SB31). Also for these special drawing related lottery processes, the main control unit 300 performs the special figure 2 related lottery processing before the special figure 1 related lottery processing, so that the special figure 2 variable game start condition and the special figure 1 fluctuation Even if the game start conditions are satisfied at the same time, since the special figure 2 variable game is changing first, the special figure 1 variable game does not start changing. Further, the notification of the result of the jackpot determination of the special figure variable game by the decorative symbol display device 208 is performed by the first sub-control unit 400, and the lottery result of the lottery based on the winning at the second special figure starting port 232 is notified. However, it is performed in preference to the notification of the lottery result of the lottery based on the winning at the first special figure starting port 230.

  In step SB33, command setting transmission processing is performed, and various commands are transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400. Note that the output schedule information transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 is composed of 16 bits in the present embodiment, bit 15 is strobe information (indicating that data is set when ON), bit 11 -14 are command types (in this embodiment, commands such as basic command, symbol variation start command, symbol variation stop command, winning effect start command, end effect start command, jackpot round number designation command, power recovery command, FRAM clear command, etc. Information that can specify the type), bits 0 to 10 are composed of command data (predetermined information corresponding to the command type).

  Specifically, the strobe information is turned on and off in the command transmission process described above. If the command type is a symbol variation start command, information indicating the value of the 15R jackpot flag or 2R jackpot flag, the value of the special figure probability variation flag, the timer number selected in the special figure related lottery process, etc. is included in the command data. In the case of the symbol variation stop command, the value of the 15R jackpot flag, 2R jackpot flag, the value of the special figure probability variation flag, etc. are included. In the case of a jackpot round number designation command, the value of the special variation probability flag, the number of jackpot rounds, and the like are included. When the command type indicates a basic command, device information in the command data, presence / absence of winning at the first special figure starting port 230, presence / absence of winning at the second special figure starting port 232, winning of the variable winning port 234 Includes presence or absence.

  In the general command rotation start setting transmission process described above, the value of the 15R jackpot flag or 2R jackpot flag, the value of the special figure probability fluctuation flag, the special figure related lottery process, and the special figure stored in the RAM 308 as command data 2. Information indicating the timer number selected in the related lottery process, the number of the first special figure variable game or the second special figure variable game held, etc. is set. In the general command rotation stop setting transmission process described above, information indicating the value of the 15R jackpot flag, the 2R jackpot flag, the value of the special figure probability variation flag, etc. stored in the RAM 308 is set in the command data. In the above-mentioned general command winning effect setting transmission process, the command control data stored in the RAM 308, the effect control information output to the decorative symbol display device 208, various lamps 418, and the speaker 120 during the winning effect period, the special figure probability variation Information indicating the value of the flag, the number of the first special figure variable game or the second special figure variable game held, etc. is set. In the above-described general command end effect setting transmission process, command control data stored in the RAM 308, effect control information output to the decorative symbol display device 208, the various lamps 418, and the speaker 120 during the effect standby period, special figure probability variation Information indicating the value of the flag, the number of the first special figure variable game or the second special figure variable game held, etc. is set. In the general command big prize opening release transmission process described above, the number of big hits stored in the RAM 308 in the command data, the value of the special figure probability fluctuation flag, the first special figure fluctuation game or the second special figure fluctuation held. Information indicating the number of games is set. In the above-mentioned general command big prize opening closing setting transmission process, the number of big hit rounds stored in the RAM 308 in the command data, the value of the special figure probability fluctuation flag, the first special figure fluctuation game or the second special figure fluctuation held Information indicating the number of games is set. In step SB33, general command special figure hold increase processing is also performed. In this general command special figure pending increase process, special figure identification information (information showing special figure 1 or special figure 2) stored in the transmission information storage area of the RAM 308, command notice information (preliminary notice information, false) Set either advance notice information or no advance notice information).

  In the first sub-control unit 400, it is possible to determine the production control according to the change of the game control in the main control unit 300 by the command type included in the received output schedule information, and it is included in the output schedule information. Based on the information of the command data, the contents of effect control can be determined.

  In step SB35, an external output signal setting process is performed. In this external output signal setting process, the game information stored in the RAM 308 is output to the information input circuit 350 separate from the pachinko machine 100 via the information output circuit 336.

  In step SB37, device monitoring processing is performed. In this device monitoring process, the signal states of the various sensors stored in the signal state storage area in step SB05 are read and monitored for the presence or absence of a front frame door opening error or a bottom pan full error, etc. Device information indicating whether or not there is a front frame door open error or a lower plate full error is set in the transmission information to be transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 when a lower plate full error is detected. Further, various solenoids 332 are driven to control the opening and closing of the second special figure starting port 232 and the variable prize opening 234, and the normal symbol display device 210 and the first special symbol display via the display circuits 324, 326 and 330. Display data to be output to the device 212, the second special symbol display device 214, the various status display units 328, and the like is set in the output port of the I / O 310. In addition, the output schedule information set in the payout request number transmission process (step SB19) is output to the first sub control unit 400 via the output port (I / O 310).

  In step SB39, it is monitored whether or not the low voltage signal is on. Then, when the low voltage signal is on (when power supply cutoff is detected), the process proceeds to step SB43. When the low voltage signal is off (power supply cutoff is not detected), the process proceeds to step SB41.

  In step SB41, a timer interrupt end process is performed. In this timer interrupt end process, the value of each register temporarily saved in step SB01 is set in each original register, interrupt permission is set, etc., and then the main control unit main process shown in FIG. Return to.

  On the other hand, in step SB43, a specific variable or stack pointer for returning to the power-off state at the time of power recovery is saved as a return data in a predetermined area of the RAM 308, and power-off processing such as initialization of input / output ports is performed. After that, the process returns to the main process of the main control unit shown in FIG.

<Processing of first sub-control unit>
Next, processing of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described using FIG. FIG. 5A is a flowchart of main processing executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400. FIG. 5B is a flowchart of command reception interrupt processing of the first sub control unit 400. FIG. 5C is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process of the first sub control unit 400. FIG. 4D is a flowchart of the image control process of the first sub control unit 400.

  First, the main process of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. In step SC01 of the first sub control unit main process, various initial settings are performed. When the power is turned on, an initialization process is first executed in step SC01. In this initialization processing, initialization of input / output ports, initialization processing of a storage area in the RAM 408, and the like are performed.

  In step SC03, it is determined whether or not the timer variable is 10 or more. This process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 10. When the timer variable becomes 10 or more, the process proceeds to step SC05. In step SC05, 0 is assigned to the timer variable.

  In step SC07, command processing is performed. The CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400 determines whether a command has been received from the main control unit 300. In step SC09, an effect control process is performed (details will be described later).

  In step SC11, when pressing of the chance button is detected, processing for changing the effect data updated in step SC09 to effect data corresponding to the pressing of the chance button is performed. In step SC13, an image control process (details will be described later) shown in FIG.

  In step SC15, when there is a command to the sound source IC 416 in the effect data read in step SC09, this command is output to the sound source IC 416. In step SC17, when there is a command to various lamps 418 in the effect data read in step SC09, this command is output to the drive circuit 420.

  In step SC19, when there is a command to the shielding device 246 in the effect data read in step SC09, this command is output to the drive circuit 420 (details will be described later). In step SC21, when there is a control command to be transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500 in the effect data read in step SC09, the control command is set to be output, and the process returns to step SC03.

  Next, the command reception interrupt process of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described using FIG. This command reception interrupt process is a process executed when the first sub-control unit 400 detects a strobe signal output from the main control unit 300. In step SD01 of the command reception interrupt process, the command output from the main control unit 300 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command storage area provided in the RAM 408.

  Next, the first sub control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. The first sub-control unit 400 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, once every 2 ms), and the timer interrupt process is performed by using the timer interrupt as a trigger. Execute in the cycle.

  In step SE01 of the first sub control unit timer interrupt process, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of the RAM 408 described in step SC03 in the first sub control unit main process shown in FIG. Is stored in the timer variable storage area. Therefore, in step SC03, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10).

  In step SE03 of the first sub-control unit timer interrupt process, a control command is transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500 set in step SC21, an effect random number value is updated, and the like.

  Next, the image control process in step SC13 in the main process of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of image control processing.

  In step SF01, an instruction to transfer image data is issued. Here, the CPU 404 first swaps the designation of the display areas A and B in the VRAM 436. As a result, an image of one frame stored in the display area not designated as the drawing area is displayed on the decorative design display device 208. Next, the CPU 404 sets transfer instruction data indicating ROM coordinates (transfer source address of the ROM 406), VRAM coordinates (transfer destination address of the VRAM 436), etc. in the attribute register of the VDP 434 based on the position information table or the like. A command for instructing the start of image data transfer from the ROM 406 to the VRAM 436 is set. The VDP 434 transfers the image data from the ROM 406 to the VRAM 436 based on the command and transfer instruction data set in the attribute register. Thereafter, the VDP 434 outputs a transfer end interrupt signal to the CPU 404.

  In step SF03, it is determined whether or not a transfer end interrupt signal from the VDP 434 is input. If a transfer end interrupt signal is input, the process proceeds to step SF05. Otherwise, a transfer end interrupt signal is input. Wait for it. In step SF05, parameters are set based on the production scenario configuration table and attribute data. Here, the CPU 404 forms the display image in the display area A or B of the VRAM 436 based on the image data transferred to the VRAM 436 in step SF01, and the coordinate axes of the VRAM 436 and the image for each of the image data constituting the display image. Information (drawing parameters) such as size and VRAM coordinates (arrangement coordinates) is set in the attribute register of the VDP 434. The VDP 434 draws an image in the drawing area based on the drawing parameters set in the attribute register.

  In step SF07, a drawing instruction is performed. In this drawing instruction, the CPU 404 instructs the VDP 434 to start drawing an image. The VDP 434 starts drawing an image in the frame buffer in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 404.

  In step SF09, it is determined whether or not a generation end interrupt signal from the VDP 434 based on the image drawing end is input. If the generation end interrupt signal is input, the process proceeds to step SF11. If not, the generation end interrupt signal is determined. Wait for input. In step SF11, a scene display counter which is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 408 and counts how many scene images have been generated is incremented (+1), and the process ends.

<Production control processing and shutter control processing>
Next, an effect control process in step SC09 and a shutter control process in step SC19 in the main process of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, FIG. 9A is a flowchart of the effect control process. In step SG01 of the effect control process, when there is a new command in step SC07 of the first sub-control unit main process, a process of reading effect data corresponding to this command from the ROM 406 is performed. Then, based on the read effect data, if the effect data needs to be updated, the effect data is updated, and any kind of effect is selected.

  In step SG03, it is determined whether or not the effect selected in step SG01 is a character display effect. In the present embodiment, a character display effect, which is an effect using three types of character images, is performed. If the selected effect is this character display effect, the process proceeds to step SG05; otherwise, the process proceeds to step SG07. move on.

  In step SG05, a character display effect setting process is performed. Here, settings relating to character display effects are made. The character display effect and the character display effect setting process will be described later.

  In step SG07, other effects are set. Here, various settings relating to effects other than the character display effect, such as setting of an image to be displayed on the decorative symbol display device 208, operation setting of the shielding device 246, and the like are performed.

  Next, an outline of a character display effect and processing in the character display effect will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIGS. 10A to 10E are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a character display effect.

  In the character display effect, first, as shown in FIG. 6A, the entire display screen of the decorative symbol display device 208 is set as an effect display region 208d, and images of three types of characters are arranged side by side on the effect display region 208d. To display. In this example, the image T1 is displayed on the left (hereinafter referred to as left display), the image T3 is displayed in the center (hereinafter referred to as middle display), and the image T9 is displayed on the right (hereinafter referred to as right display). ) Shows the case.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 5B to 5E, the left door 246a and the right door 246b of the shielding device 246 are moved to move the two images T1, T9 out of the three images T1, T3, T9. , And only the remaining one image T3 is visible. That is, this character display effect can be changed, for example, a big hit depending on which of the three images T1, T3, and T9 is finally visible (hereinafter referred to as the main stop). It is a production that suggests the sex to the player. In this example, the image T3 displayed in the middle is shown as an actual stop. However, the image T1 displayed on the left or the image T9 displayed on the right may be stopped.

  FIGS. 11-13 is the figure which showed the outline | summary of the process of the 1st sub control part 400 in a character display effect. When performing a character display effect, the CPU 404 of the first sub-control unit 400 first has different 9 as shown in FIG. 11A based on the effect data in the character display effect setting process (step SG05). Three image data are selected from candidate image data T1 to T9, which are image data of different types of characters (characters 1 to 9). Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, it is determined which of the three selected image data (in this example, T1, T3, T9) is left display, middle display, or right display.

  Nine types of candidate image data T1 to T9 are respectively stored in predetermined coordinates (transfer source addresses) of the ROM 406 of the first sub-control unit 400, as shown in FIG. The CPU 404 sets the transfer instruction data in the attribute register of the VDP 434 in step SF01 of the image control process, and thereby selects three image data T1, T3, and T9 selected from the candidate image data T1 to T9 in the ROM 406. The VDP 434 is instructed to transfer from a predetermined coordinate (transfer source address) to a predetermined arrangement coordinate (transfer destination address) in an area (other storage area 436a) other than the frame buffer of the VRAM 436. The VDP 434 transfers the image data T1, T3, T9 from the ROM 406 to the VRAM 436 based on the transfer instruction data set in the attribute register.

  In the present embodiment, candidate image data T1 to T9 are all transferred to an area (main area 436a1) of specific coordinates (specific address) in the other storage area 436a of the VRAM 436 in the initial setting of transfer instruction data. Are set (stored). Then, after selecting three image data to be displayed from the candidate image data T1 to T9, the arrangement coordinates (transfer destination address) of the image data determined to be left display are set in the main area 436a1 as they are, and the middle display The arrangement coordinates (transfer destination address) of the image data determined to be changed to the area 436a2 adjacent to the main area 436a1, and the arrangement coordinates (transfer of the image data determined to the right display are transferred to the area 436a3 further adjacent to that area. (Destination address) is changed.

  Specifically, in this example, first, the image data T1 determined to be displayed on the left is moved by “0” (dots) in the Y-axis direction (vertical direction in the figure) from the coordinates of the main area 436a1 that is initially set. Changed to position. That is, the arrangement coordinates of the image data T1 determined to be left display are set as they are as the coordinates of the main area 436a1. Since the size of each of the image data T1 to T9 is 30 × 20 (the number of dots in the X direction × the number of dots in the Y direction), the image data T3 determined to be in the middle display has an initial arrangement coordinate. The image data T9 that has been changed to the position (region 436a2) moved to “+20” (dots) in the Y-axis direction from the coordinates of the region 436a1 and determined to the right display has the arrangement coordinates Y from the coordinates of the main region 436a1 with the initial setting. The position is changed to the position (region 436a3) moved by “+40” (dot) in the axial direction.

  The VDP 434 transfers the three selected image data T1, T3, T9 from the ROM 406 to the other storage area 436a of the VRAM 436 based on the changed transfer instruction data. Accordingly, in this example, as shown in the figure, the image data T1 is arranged in the main area 436a1 in the other storage area 436a, the image data T3 is arranged in the adjacent area 436a2, and the image data T9 is further displayed in the main area 436a2. It will be arranged in the adjacent region 436a3.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the VDP 434 arranges the image data arranged in the other storage area 436a of the VRAM 436 at a predetermined position (coordinates) in the frame buffer 436b, thereby displaying an image to be displayed on the decorative symbol display device 208. Draw. The image drawing by the VDP 434 is performed based on the drawing parameters set by the CPU 404 in the attribute register of the VDP 434. This drawing parameter is set for each frame for each image to be used. For example, in the drawing parameters in the character display effect, the arrangement coordinates in the other storage area 436a, the drawing coordinates in the frame buffer 436b, the enlargement / reduction ratio at the time of drawing, and the like of the image data displayed on the left, middle, and right are displayed. It is set for each frame.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, the drawing parameters in the character display effect are all set to T1 for the image displayed on the left, the image displayed in the middle, and the image displayed on the right in the initial setting. At the same time, for all of the left display, middle display, and right display images, the arrangement coordinates in the other storage area 436a are set in the main area 436a1, and the drawing coordinates in the frame buffer 436b are the main display FB (frame). Buffer) 436b1. Then, after selecting three image data to be displayed from the candidate image data T1 to T9, the arrangement coordinates of the image to be displayed on the left are set to “0” (dot) in the Y-axis direction from the coordinates of the initial main area 436a1. The position is changed to the moved position (that is, the coordinates of the main area 436a1), and the arrangement coordinates of the image displayed in the middle are moved by “20” (dots) in the Y-axis direction from the coordinates of the main area 436a1 that is initially set (that is, The coordinates of the image displayed on the right are changed to the position moved by “40” (dots) in the Y-axis direction from the initial coordinates of the main area 436a1 (that is, the coordinates of the area 436a3). . In addition, the drawing coordinates of the image displayed on the left are changed to a position moved by “0” (dot) in the X-axis direction from the coordinates of the initial main FB 436 b 1 (that is, the coordinates of the main FB 436 b 1 that is the left display position). The drawing coordinate of the image displayed in the middle is changed to the position moved by “30” (dots) in the X-axis direction from the coordinates of the initial main FB 436b1 (that is, the coordinates of the position of the middle display). The drawing coordinates are changed to a position moved by “60” (dots) in the X-axis direction from the initial coordinates of the main FB 436b1 (that is, the coordinates of the right display position).

  The VDP 434 draws an image in the frame buffer 436b based on the changed drawing parameters. Therefore, in this example, as shown in the figure, the image data T1 arranged in the main area 436a1 in the other storage area 436a is arranged (drawn) in the main FB 436b1 (left display position) in the frame buffer 436b. The image data T3 arranged in the area 436a2 is arranged (drawn) in the area 436b2 (medium display position) next to the main FB 436b1, and the image data T9 arranged in the area 436a3 is the area 436b3 (right display) next to the area 436b2. Is placed (drawn).

  14A and 14B are diagrams comparing the conventional example and the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, by performing the processing as described above in the character display effect, it is possible to effectively use the VRAM 436 as compared with the conventional case and to efficiently perform processing related to image display.

  When drawing an image in the frame buffer 436b using only a part of the image data selected from a plurality of candidate image data as in the character display effect, conventionally, all of the candidate image data is stored in the VRAM 436. It was necessary to arrange (store) the other storage area 436a. For example, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5A, even when only a part of the nine types of candidate image data T1 to T9 stored in the ROM 406 is used, the image data T1. All of .about.T9 had to be arranged in the other storage area 436a of the VRAM 436. For this reason, when there are many types of candidate image data, the processing load of image data transfer increases, and the capacity of the other storage area 436a is compressed, and a lot of other image data cannot be arranged. There was a problem.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, only the three image data T1, T3, T9 selected from the nine candidate image data T1 to T9 are stored in the other storage area 436a. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load of image data transfer and to arrange many images other than the selected image data T1, T3, T9 in the other storage area 436a.

  In the present embodiment, all the arrangement coordinates of the candidate image data T1 to T9 are initially set to the main area 436a1, and the image data T1, T3, and T9 used from the candidate image data T1 to T9 are set. After the selection, the arrangement coordinates of the selected image data T1, T3, and T9 are changed to areas adjacent to each other. Therefore, for example, the arrangement coordinates in the other storage area 436a are individually set for each image data according to the specifications of the VDP 434. Even if there is a need to set it to, a wasteful space for the unselected image data T2, T4 to T8 (as a result, a space where no image data is arranged) is secured in the other storage area 436a. Therefore, the VRAM 436 can be used effectively.

  Next, the character display effect setting process in step SG05 in the effect control process will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart of the character display effect setting process.

  In step SH01 of the character display effect setting process, a character that performs left display, a character that performs middle display, and a character that performs right display are determined. Specifically, by referring to various tables based on a lottery or a command indicating the gaming state received from the main control unit 300 or a command indicating that the player wins the big hit, the candidate characters 1 to 9 ( Characters for left display, middle display and right display are selected from the image data T1 to T9). Further, it is determined which selected character is to be permanently stopped.

  In the following description, the character 1 (image data T1) is displayed on the left, the character 3 (image data T3) is displayed in the middle, and the character 9 (image data T9) is displayed on the right as in the above example. An example in which the character 3 (image data T3) displayed in the middle is determined to be the main stop will be described.

  In step SH03, a transfer instruction data movement process is performed. Here, the coordinates of the transfer source (ROM 406) and the transfer destination (other storage area 436a of the VRAM 436) of the image data T1, T3, T9 of the characters 1, 3, 9 selected in advance in the ROM 406 and selected in step SH01. Is transferred (copied) to the RAM 408 and stored in a predetermined area (details will be described later).

  In step SH05, display data stored in advance in the ROM 406, that is, drawing parameters set in the attribute register of the VDP 434 are moved (copied) to the RAM 408 and stored in a predetermined area. In step SH07, data change processing is performed. Here, the drawing parameters stored in the RAM 408 are changed (details will be described later).

  In step SH09, the shutter operation data, that is, the operation data of the shielding device 246 is acquired from the ROM 406 based on the character to be permanently stopped determined in step SH01 and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 408. In this example, since the character 3 (image data T3) displayed in the middle is determined to be the main stop, the character 3 displayed in the middle is finally visible (finally). The shutter operation data for operating the left door 246a and the right door 246b is acquired so as not to shield the character 3 displayed in the middle.

  Next, the transfer instruction data movement process in step SH03 in the character display effect setting process will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart of the transfer instruction data movement process.

  In step SI01 of the transfer instruction data movement process, transfer instruction data for the image data T1 of the character 1 to be displayed on the left is moved (copied) from the ROM 406 to the RAM 408 and stored in a predetermined area.

  16 and 17 are diagrams showing the structure of transfer instruction data, a change value list, and a storage area list. As shown in FIG. 16, the transfer instruction data is stored in advance in the ROM 406 as the coordinates of the transfer source ROM 406 (transfer source address) and the VRAM 436 as the transfer destination (transfer destination address (placement coordinates)). Yes. For the transfer instruction data, for the image data T1 to T9 of the characters 1 to 9 that are candidates for the character display effect, the coordinates in which the image data T1 to T9 are stored as the coordinates of the transfer source ROM 406, for example, image data Coordinates [ROM406T1] are stored for T1, and coordinates [ROM406T2] are stored for image data T2. As the coordinates of the transfer destination VRAM 436, a common coordinate [RAM406T1] (coordinate of the main area) is stored for all of the image data T1 to T9.

  The transfer source coordinates and transfer destination coordinates of the image data T1 of the character 1 to be displayed on the left are stored in the RAM 408 by referring to the storage area list stored in the ROM 406. In this storage area list, as shown in FIG. 17A, the coordinates of the RAM 408 storing the transfer destination coordinates and transfer source coordinates displayed in the left, middle, and right are shown. In this example, in the storage area list, the storage area of the transfer source coordinates on the left display is set to coordinates [ROM 406 left coordinates], and the storage area of the transfer destination coordinates is set to coordinates [RAM 436 left coordinates]. In addition, the storage area of the transfer source coordinates in the middle display is set to coordinates [coordinates in the ROM 406], the storage area of the transfer destination coordinates is set to coordinates [coordinates in the RAM 436], and the storage area of the transfer source coordinates in the right display is set to the coordinates [ROM 406 The storage area of coordinates] and transfer destination coordinates is set to coordinates [RAM 436 right coordinates].

  Accordingly, in step SI01, the transfer source coordinates [ROM406T1] and transfer destination coordinates [RAM436T1] of the image data T1 of the character 1 stored in the ROM 406 are referred to, and the coordinates [ROM406 left coordinates] and the coordinates of the RAM 408 are referred to with reference to the storage area list. This is stored in [RAM 436 left coordinate].

  Returning to FIG. 15, in step SI <b> 03, transfer instruction data for the image data T <b> 3 of the character 3 to be displayed in the middle is moved from the ROM 406 to the RAM 408. Specifically, the transfer source coordinates [ROM406T3] and transfer destination coordinates [RAM436T1] of the image data T3 of the character 3 stored in the ROM 406 are referred to, the coordinates of the RAM 408 [the coordinates in the ROM406] and the [RAM436] are referred to the storage area list. The middle coordinates are stored (see FIG. 16).

  In step SI05, the transfer instruction data for the image data T9 of the character 9 to be displayed on the right is moved from the ROM 406 to the RAM 408. Specifically, the transfer source coordinates [ROM406T9] and transfer destination coordinates [RAM436T1] of the image data T9 of the character 9 stored in the ROM 406 are referred to, and the coordinates [RAM406 right coordinates] and [RAM436 of the RAM 408 are referred to the storage area list. Right coordinate] (see FIG. 16).

  Next, the data change process in step SH07 in the character display effect setting process will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart of the data change process.

  In step SJ01 of the data change process, the left display change value is acquired. Here, the change value of the transfer destination coordinates of the image data T1 of the character 1 displayed on the left is acquired from the change value list stored in the ROM 406.

  In the present embodiment, since the size of the image data T1 to T9 is 30 × 20 (the number of dots in the X direction × the number of dots in the Y direction) as described above, it is stored in the ROM 406 as shown in FIG. In the change value list, the left display change value is set to “Y axis + 0”, the middle display change value is set to “Y axis + 20”, and the right display change value is set to “Y axis + 40”. Therefore, in step SJ01, “Y axis + 0” is acquired as the change value of the transfer destination coordinates of the image data T1 of the character 1 to be displayed on the left.

  In step SJ03, the value of the transfer destination coordinate of the image data T1 of the character 1 displayed on the left moved to the RAM 408 in step SI01 of the transfer instruction data movement process is changed based on the change value acquired in step SJ01. Specifically, the coordinate [RAM 436T1 + “Y axis + 0”] obtained by adding 0 to the value of the Y axis coordinate of the transfer destination coordinate [RAM 436T1] of the image data T1 stored in the coordinate [RAM 436 left coordinate] of the RAM 408 is stored in the RAM 408. The coordinates are newly stored in the [RAM 436 left coordinates] (see FIG. 16). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the initial coordinates [RAM 436T1] are maintained for the transfer destination coordinates of the image data T1 of the character 1 to be displayed on the left.

  In step SJ05, “Y axis + 20” is acquired from the change value list stored in the ROM 406 as the change value of the transfer destination coordinates of the image data T3 of the character 3 to be displayed in the middle. In step SJ07, the value of the transfer destination coordinate of the image data T9 of the character 3 to be displayed while moved to the RAM 408 in step SI03 of the transfer instruction data movement process is changed based on the change value acquired in step SJ05. Specifically, the coordinate [RAM 436T1 + “Y axis + 20”] obtained by adding 20 to the value of the Y axis coordinate of the transfer destination coordinate [RAM 436T1] of the image data T3 stored in the coordinate [RAM 436 coordinate] of the RAM 408 is stored in the RAM 408. Newly stored in coordinates [coordinates in RAM 436] (see FIG. 16).

  In step SJ09, “Y axis + 40” is acquired from the change value list stored in the ROM 406 as the change value of the transfer destination coordinates of the image data T9 of the character 9 to be displayed on the right. In step SJ11, the value of the transfer destination coordinate of the image data T9 of the character 9 displayed on the right moved to the RAM 408 in step SI05 of the transfer instruction data movement process is changed based on the changed value acquired in step SJ09. Specifically, the coordinate [RAM 436T1 + “Y axis + 40”] obtained by adding 40 to the value of the Y axis coordinate of the transfer destination coordinate [RAM 436T1] of the image data T3 stored in the coordinate [RAM 436 right coordinate] of the RAM 408 is stored in the RAM 408. The coordinates are newly stored in the coordinates [RAM 436 right coordinates] (see FIG. 16).

  As a result of the above processing, the transfer instruction data stored in the RAM 408 has the transfer source coordinates of the image data T1 of the character 1 displayed on the left as [ROM406T1] and the transfer destination coordinates of [RAM436T1] as shown in FIG. The transfer source coordinates of the image data T3 of the character 3 to be displayed in the middle are set to [ROM406T3], the transfer destination coordinates are set to [RAM 436T1 + “Y axis + 20”], and the transfer source of the image data T9 of the character 9 to be displayed on the right is set. The coordinates are set to [ROM406T9], and the transfer destination coordinates are set to [RAM436T1 + “Y axis + 40”].

  In step SF01 of the image control process, the CPU 404 sets the changed transfer instruction data stored in the RAM 408 in the attribute register of the VDP 434. The VDP 434 transfers the image data T1, T3, and T9 of the characters 1, 3, and 9 from the ROM 406 to the VRAM 436 based on the transfer instruction data stored in its attribute register.

  Returning to FIG. 15, in step SJ13, parameter change processing is performed. Here, the drawing parameters moved to the RAM 408 in step SH05 of the character display effect setting process are changed (details will be described later).

  Next, the parameter changing process will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart of the parameter changing process.

  In step SK01 of the parameter changing process, the change value of the left display arrangement coordinates is acquired. Here, the change value of the arrangement coordinates of the left display in the drawing parameters is acquired from the change value list stored in the ROM 406.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the structure of a drawing parameter and a list of change values for the drawing parameter. As shown in the figure, a plurality of drawing parameters stored in the ROM 406 are prepared for each type of effect (effect A or the like). Image data displayed on the left, middle, and right, and other image data The type of image data, the arrangement coordinates, the drawing coordinates, the enlargement / reduction ratio, and the like are set for each frame.

  In the drawing parameter change value list stored in the ROM 406, left, middle, and right display arrangement coordinate change values and drawing coordinate change values are set. In the present embodiment, as described above, the size of the image data T1 to T9 is 30 × 20 (the number of dots in the X direction × the number of dots in the Y direction). +0 ”, the change value of the drawing coordinate is set to“ X axis +0 ”, the change value of the arrangement coordinate is set to“ Y axis +20 ”, the change value of the drawing coordinate is set to“ X axis +30 ”, and the right display The change value of the arrangement coordinate is set to “Y axis + 40”, and the change value of the drawing coordinate is set to “X axis + 60”. Accordingly, in step SK01, “Y axis + 0” is acquired as the change value of the arrangement coordinates of the image data T1 of the character 1 to be displayed on the left.

  Returning to FIG. 18, in step SK03, the value of the left display arrangement coordinates in the drawing parameters moved and stored in RAM 408 in step SH05 of the character display effect setting process is changed based on the changed value acquired in step SK01. To do.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the drawing parameters in the character display effect are initially set to the coordinates of the main area 436a1 and the drawing coordinates of the main FB 436b1 for all of the left display, middle display, and right display. Set to coordinates. Accordingly, in step SK03, the left display arrangement coordinates in the drawing parameters stored in the RAM 408 are changed to coordinates [“main area” + “Y axis + 0”] obtained by adding 0 to the Y axis coordinates of the coordinates of the main area 436a1. . Therefore, in the present embodiment, the default coordinates are maintained for the left display arrangement coordinates.

  In step SK05, “X axis + 0” is acquired from the change value list stored in the ROM 406 as the change value of the drawing coordinates of the left display in the drawing parameters. In step SK07, the value of the left display drawing coordinates in the drawing parameters stored in the RAM 408 is changed based on the change value acquired in step SK05. Specifically, the left display drawing coordinates in the drawing parameters stored in the RAM 408 are changed to coordinates [“main FB” + “X axis + 0”] obtained by adding 0 to the X axis coordinates of the coordinates of the main FB 436b1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the default coordinates are maintained for the left display drawing coordinates.

  In step SK09, “Y axis + 20” is acquired from the change value list stored in the ROM 406 as the change value of the arrangement coordinates of the middle display in the drawing parameters. In step SK11, the value of the middle display arrangement coordinate in the drawing parameters stored in the RAM 408 is changed based on the change value acquired in step SK09. Specifically, the middle display arrangement coordinates in the drawing parameters stored in the RAM 408 are changed to coordinates [“main area” + “Y axis + 20”] obtained by adding 20 to the Y axis coordinates of the coordinates of the main area 436a1.

  In step SK13, “X axis + 30” is acquired from the change value list stored in the ROM 406 as the change value of the drawing coordinates of the medium display in the drawing parameters. In step SK15, the value of the middle display drawing coordinates in the drawing parameters stored in the RAM 408 is changed based on the changed value acquired in step SK11. Specifically, the middle display drawing coordinates in the drawing parameters stored in the RAM 408 are changed to coordinates [“main FB” + “X axis + 30”] obtained by adding 30 to the X axis coordinates of the coordinates of the main FB 436b1.

  In step SK17, “Y axis + 40” is acquired from the change value list stored in the ROM 406 as the change value of the arrangement coordinates of the right display in the drawing parameters. In step SK19, the value of the right display arrangement coordinate in the drawing parameters stored in the RAM 408 is changed based on the change value acquired in step SK17. Specifically, the arrangement coordinates of the right display in the drawing parameters stored in the RAM 408 are changed to coordinates [“main area” + “Y axis + 40”] obtained by adding 40 to the Y axis coordinates of the coordinates of the main area 436a1.

  In step SK21, “X axis + 60” is acquired from the change value list stored in the ROM 406 as the change value of the drawing coordinates of the right display in the drawing parameters. In step SK23, the value of the drawing coordinates for right display in the drawing parameters stored in the RAM 408 is changed based on the change value acquired in step SK21. Specifically, the right display drawing coordinates in the drawing parameters stored in the RAM 408 are changed to coordinates [“main FB” + “X axis + 60”] obtained by adding 60 to the X axis coordinates of the coordinates of the main FB 436b1.

  As a result of the above processing, the drawing parameters stored in the RAM 408 are, as shown in FIG. 19, the arrangement coordinates of the left display are [“main area” + “Y axis + 0”] and the drawing coordinates are [“main FB” + “ X axis +0 "], the middle display arrangement coordinates are set to [" main area "+" Y axis +20 "], the drawing coordinates are set to [" main FB "+" X axis +30 "], and the right display The arrangement coordinates are set to [“main area” + “Y axis + 40”], and the drawing coordinates are set to [“main FB” + “X axis + 60”].

  In step SF05 of the image control process, the CPU 404 sets the changed drawing parameters stored in the RAM 408 in the attribute register of the VDP 434. The VDP 434 arranges the image data T1, T3, and T9 of the characters 1, 3, and 9 at the drawing coordinates in the frame buffer based on the drawing parameters stored in its own attribute register, and displays the image on the decorative symbol display device 208. Draw.

  In the present embodiment, the drawing parameters are changed for each frame of the image displayed on the decorative design display device 208, but the drawing parameters of a plurality of frames may be changed collectively. In the present embodiment, there is no problem in processing even if the type of image data set to the left, middle, and right display of the drawing parameters is different from the type of image data actually arranged at the arrangement coordinates. In the drawing parameters, the type of image data to be displayed to the left, middle, and right is not changed as the default image data T1, but for example, the setting such as the enlargement / reduction ratio is changed according to the type of image data. In this case, the image data type may be changed to the selected image data together with the arrangement coordinates and the drawing coordinates.

  Next, the shutter control process in step SC19 in the main process of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart of the shutter control process.

  In step SL01 of the shutter control process, the command to the shielding device 246, for example, the shutter operation data acquired in step SH09 of the character display effect setting process is output to the drive circuit 420, and the left door 246a and the right door of the shielding device 246 are output. 246b is operated based on the shutter operation data.

  FIG. 20A is a diagram illustrating coordinates serving as a reference for operation control of the left door 246 a and the right door 246 b of the shielding device 246. The stepping motor that drives the left door 246a and the right door 246b of the shielding device 246 is used with 1-2 phase excitation. The left door 246a and the right door 246b are moved from the fully open position to the fully closed position by inputting 392 pulses to the stepping motor. Configured to move up to. In the present embodiment, the number of pulses is used as coordinates indicating the positions of the left door 246a and the right door 246b. The left end of the decorative symbol display device 208 is set to the coordinate 0, the center is set to the coordinate 392, and the right end is set to the coordinate 784. Further, the position of the right door 163a is controlled with respect to the left end 163a1, and the position of the left door 163b is controlled with respect to the right end 163b1.

  FIG. 20B is a diagram showing shutter operation data for character display effects. In this embodiment, as shutter operation data for character display effects, shutter operation data (movement data I-1 to I-3) when the character to be stopped is left display, and the character to be stopped is displayed in the middle. The ROM 406 stores the shutter operation data (movement data II-1 to II-3) in the case of, and the shutter operation data (movement data III-1 to III-3) in the case where the character to be permanently stopped is displayed on the right. ing. In each shutter operation data, control data such as an input pulse to the stepping motor corresponding to each different operation pattern is set.

  In this example, since the character 3 displayed in the middle is set to the main stop, in step SH09 of the character display effect setting process, any one of the movement data II-1 to II-3 is selected and acquired by lottery. .

<Other settings for change value>
Next, other settings of the change value of the transfer destination coordinate and the change value of the drawing parameter will be described. In the present embodiment, the change value of the transfer destination coordinate and the change value of the drawing parameter are set to specific values, respectively, but these change values may be set, for example, in a calculation format. FIG. 21A is a diagram showing an example in which the change value of the transfer destination coordinate is set in the calculation format, and FIG. 21B is a diagram showing an example in which the change value of the drawing parameter is set in the calculation format. .

  In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first display position, the second display position, the third display position, the fourth display position, not the three display positions of the left, middle, and right displays,... And the example at the time of setting a some display position is shown.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10A, the change value “Y axis + 20” of the second display position is set as a threshold, the change value of the third display position is “threshold × 2”, and the change value of the fourth display position is “threshold. X3 "is set. In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the change value “Y axis + 20” of the arrangement coordinates of the second display position is set as the threshold value A, and the change value “X axis + 30” of the drawing coordinates is set as the threshold value B. The change value of the arrangement coordinate of “threshold A × 2”, the change value of the drawing coordinate of the third display position is “threshold B × 2”, the change value of the arrangement coordinate of the fourth display position is “threshold A × 3”, The change value of the drawing coordinates at the fourth display position is set to “threshold value B × 3”. By setting the change value in this way, the storage capacity of the ROM 406 and RAM 408 may be reduced and the processing load on the CPU 404 may be reduced.

<Example of preset drawing position for each image data>
Next, an example in which a drawing position is set for each image data in advance will be described. In the present embodiment, the drawing position is set for each of the left display, middle display, and right display, and any image data from the nine candidate image data T1 to T9 is displayed on the left in step SH01 of the character display effect setting process. Although it is determined whether the middle display and the right display are performed, the drawing position may be set individually for the image data T1 to T9 in advance.

  FIGS. 22A to 22C are diagrams illustrating an example in which a drawing position is set for each image data. In this example, in step SH01 of the character display effect setting process, three image data are selected from the image data T1 to T9 of candidate characters 1 to 9, as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, the drawing parameters of this example are set with the arrangement coordinates, drawing coordinates, enlargement / reduction ratio, etc. of all the candidate image data T1 to T9, and each image data Different coordinates are set in advance in the drawing coordinates of T1 to T9 as shown in FIG. In the parameter changing process, only the arrangement coordinates are changed without changing the drawing coordinates.

  Further, for the image data T1 to T9, the CPU 404 sets only the information of the image data selected in the drawing parameters in the attribute register of the VDP 434 in the image control process step SF05. Therefore, for example, when image data T1, T3, and T9 are selected in step SH01 of the character display effect setting process, only the information on the image data T1, T3, and T9 in the drawing parameters is displayed as shown in FIG. Is used, and the information of the image data T2, T4 to T8 is not used.

  Therefore, the VDP 434 arranges the image data T1, T3, and T9 at the drawing coordinates in the frame buffer based on the drawing parameters of the image data T1, T3, and T9 set in its own attribute register, and sends them to the decorative symbol display device 208. Draw the image to be displayed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the selected image data T1, T3, and T9 are displayed at their own positions, and the positions corresponding to the drawing coordinates of the image data T2, T4 to T8 are The image data T2, T4 to T8 are not displayed.

<Example using image data group>
Next, an example of using an image data group composed of a plurality of images in a character display effect will be described. 23 to 25 are diagrams showing an example in the case of using an image data group in a character display effect.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 23 (a), image data groups T1 to T9 each including a plurality of image data (30 × 20 dots in the same manner as described above) are prepared for characters 1 to 9, respectively. Stored in the ROM 406. These image data groups T1 to T9 are each composed of 10 pieces of image data in this example. For example, the image data group T1 is composed of image data T1-1 to T1-10, and the image data group T2 is , Image data T2-1 to T2-10.

  In this example, in step SH01 of the character display effect setting process, three image data groups are selected from these nine image data groups T1 to T9. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 5B, a case where the image data group T1 is selected for the left display, the image data group T3 is selected for the middle display, and the image data group T9 is selected for the right display will be described. .

  As shown in FIG. 14, the transfer destination coordinates (arrangement coordinates) of the image data groups T1 to T9 are all set in the main area 436a1 by default. The main area 436a1 in this example is set to a size that allows 10 image data constituting each of the image data groups T1 to T9 to be arranged in 2 rows and 5 columns.

  The transfer destination coordinates of the selected image data groups T1, T3, and T9 are changed based on the change value list stored in the ROM 406 in the data change process in step SH07 in the character display effect setting process, and the VDP 434 is changed. Image data groups T1, T3, and T9 are arranged at the previous coordinates (arrangement coordinates). First, in this example, as shown in the figure, since the left display change value is “Y axis + 0”, the image data T1-1 to T1-10 constituting the image data group T1 are the other of the VRAM 436436. Are arranged and stored in the main area 436a1 in the storage area 436a. The image data T3-1 to T3-10 constituting the image data group T3 are based on the middle display change value “Y-axis + 40” set from the arrangement of the image data in the main region 436a1 in two columns. Similarly, the image data T9-1 to T9-10 constituting the image data group T9 are stored next to the area 436a based on the change value “Y-axis + 80” displayed on the right side and arranged in the area 436a2 adjacent to the area 436a1. Are arranged and stored in the area 436a3.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the image data groups T1, T3, and T9 arranged in the other storage area 436a of the VRAM 436 have the drawing coordinates of the frame buffer 436b based on the drawing parameters set in the attribute register of the VDP 434. Be placed. In this example, the drawing parameters are arranged for each of the image data T1-1 to T1-10, T3-1 to T3-10, and T9-1 to T9-10 constituting the image data groups T1, T3, and T9. Coordinates and drawing coordinates are set, and the image data T1-1 to T1-10, T3-1 to T3-10, and T9-1 to T9-10 are arranged at drawing coordinates for each frame. That is, as shown in the figure, image data T1-1, T3-1, and T9-1 are arranged at drawing coordinates in the first frame drawing, and image data T1-2 in the next frame drawing. T3-2 and T9-2 are arranged at the drawing coordinates, and in the next frame drawing, the image data T1-3, T3-3, and T9-3 are arranged at the drawing coordinates. 1 to T1-10, T3-1 to T3-10, and T9-1 to T9-10 are sequentially arranged on the drawing coordinates.

  In this example, as shown in the figure, the drawing coordinates of the image data included in the same image data group are set so as to be shifted little by little so as to draw a substantially circular shape. Accordingly, the image data T1-1 to T1-10 are at the left display position, the image data T3-1 to T3-10 are at the middle display position, and the image data T9-1 to T9-10 are at the right display position. It is arranged in the frame buffer 436b while being slightly shifted for each frame so as to draw a substantially circular shape. Thus, in this example, a moving image that moves in a substantially circular shape while gradually changing the character 1 at the left display position, the character 3 at the middle display position, and the character 9 at the right display position is decorated. It is possible to display on the symbol display device 208.

  As described above, the pachinko machine 100 according to the present embodiment includes an image display unit (decorative symbol display device 208 in the present embodiment) for displaying an image and one or more pieces of image information (in the present embodiment, for example, First storage means (in this embodiment, ROM 406 of the first sub-control unit 400) that can store image data T1 to T9) and second storage means (this embodiment) that can store one or more pieces of image information. In the embodiment, the VRAM 436 of the first sub control unit 400) and information control means for storing the image information stored in the first storage means 406 in the second storage means 436 (in this embodiment, the first sub control). Image data transfer by the VDP 434 based on the instruction in step SF01 of the image control process of the unit 400) and an image based on the image information stored in the second storage unit 436. A display control means (displayed by the VDP 434 in this embodiment) for displaying on the display means 208, and a specific image stored in the first storage means 406. Information (in this embodiment, image data T1 to T9 that are candidates for character display effects) in the second storage means 436 when the information control means stores the information in the second storage means 436 (in this embodiment, Transfer destination coordinates (arrangement coordinates)) are predetermined as specific addresses (in this embodiment, coordinates of the main area 436a1), and it is determined whether or not specific image information T1 to T9 can be stored at the specific addresses. Determining means (in this embodiment, step SH01 processing in the character display effect setting process) and the determining means at a specific address If it is not determined that the fixed image information T1 to T9 can be stored, the address (second storage means 436) when the specific image information T1 to T9 is stored in the second storage means 436 by the information control means ( In the present embodiment, it includes address determining means (in this embodiment, steps SJ05 and SJ09 in the data change process) for determining the regions 436a2 and 436a3), and the information control means has a determination means specified by When it is determined that the specific image information T1 to T9 can be stored in the address, the specific image information T1 to T9 is stored in the specific address in the second storage unit 436, and the determination unit specifies the specific address in the specific address. If it is not determined that the image information T1 to T9 can be stored, the specific image information T1 to T9 is determined by the second storage unit 436. The setting means is configured to store at an address determined.

  With such a configuration, the second storage unit 436 may be effectively utilized in some cases.

  The determination unit stores specific image information T1 to T9 at a specific address when predetermined image information (image information used for the current frame) is not stored at a specific address (not determined). Judge that it is possible.

  By adopting such a configuration, there are cases where the second storage unit 436 can be effectively used by reducing duplication of information in the second storage unit 436.

  In addition, specific image information T1 to T9 can be stored in each of a plurality of addresses (specific address and address determined by the address determination unit) in the second storage unit 436, and stored in each of the plurality of addresses. A plurality of images corresponding to the image information T1 to T9 (in this embodiment, images of the characters 1 to 9) are displayed at positions on the image display unit 208 corresponding to the addresses of the plurality of addresses.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is not necessary to store image information that is not displayed at a predetermined display timing in the second storage unit 436, so that the second storage unit 436 can be used effectively. There is a case.

  The first storage unit 406 stores a plurality of pieces of image information T1 to T9, and a predetermined address in the second storage unit 436 that stores each of the plurality of pieces of image information T1 to T9 is determined in advance. The selection means (in this embodiment, for example, T1, T3, T9 in the present embodiment) from among the plurality of image information T1 to T9 is selected by the selection means (in this embodiment, in step SH01 in the character display effect setting process). Processing), and one piece of image information (eg, T1 in this embodiment) out of a predetermined number of pieces of image information (eg, T1, T3, and T9 in this embodiment) selected by the selection means Other image information (for example, T3 and T9 in this embodiment) of the predetermined number of image information stored in the address and selected by the selection unit is the address determination unit. It is stored in the determined address.

  With such a configuration, duplication of information in the second storage unit 436 can be reduced, and the second storage unit can be effectively used in some cases.

  In addition, when the determination unit does not determine that the specific image information T1 to T9 can be stored at the specific address, the address determination unit determines the amount of information greater than the specific image information T1 to T9 from the specific address. Specific image information T1 to T9 is stored at the shifted address.

  With such a configuration, a program for realizing the present invention may be simplified.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the size of the image data T1 to T9 of the characters 1 to 9 used for the character display effect is 30 × 20 dots is shown as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The data T1 to T9 may have other sizes.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the sizes of the image data T1 to T9 of the characters 1 to 9 used for the character display effect are all the same size is shown as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. T1 to T9 may be different sizes.

  In this embodiment, the change value of the transfer destination coordinate (arrangement coordinate) is shown as an example in which only the Y-axis coordinate is changed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the transfer destination coordinate change is not limited thereto. The value may change only the X-axis coordinate, or may change both the X-coordinate and the Y-coordinate. In addition, for example, the change value of the transfer destination coordinate of the middle coordinate changes only the Y-axis coordinate, and the change value of the right coordinate changes only the X-axis coordinate, etc. Also good. The same applies to the arrangement coordinates and the change values of the drawing coordinates in the drawing parameters.

  Also, lottery data may be set so that some of the image data T1 to T9 that are candidates for character display effects are not easily selected for left display, and in this case, images that are difficult to select for left display. For data, the initial setting of the transfer destination coordinates and the arrangement coordinates and the drawing coordinates in the drawing parameters may be set to the coordinates corresponding to the middle display or the right display.

  In addition, the number of candidate image data in the character display effect is not limited to nine, and may be any other number, and the number of image data selected from the candidate image data is three. It is needless to say that the number is not limited to one, and may be any other number.

  It should be noted that the game table according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in addition to the pachinko machine 100 (1 type), the present invention can be applied to a pachinko machine (2 types and 3 types), a sealed pachinko machine, a pachinko machine, and the like. It can also be applied to ball game machines, smart balls, and the like.

  Further, for example, the present invention can be applied to a slot machine using medals (coins) as a game medium. Here, as a slot machine to which the present invention is applied, a plurality of reels provided with a plurality of types of symbols, a start switch for starting rotation of the plurality of reels, and each of the plurality of reels are provided. Provided by a stop switch that individually stops the rotation of the reels, lottery means for determining whether or not an internal winning of a plurality of predetermined winning combinations is made by lottery, and the plurality of reels when stopped An example includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the winning combination is determined based on whether or not the combination of symbols is a winning combination that has been won internally by the lottery means.

  In addition, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are described in the embodiments of the present invention. It is not limited to things.

  The game machine of the present invention can be used particularly in the field of game machines represented by a ball game machine (such as a pachinko machine) or a spinning machine (slot machine).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Pachinko machine 208 Decoration symbol display apparatus 400 1st sub control part 406 ROM of 1st sub control part
434 VDP of the first sub-control unit
436 VRAM of the first sub-control unit
436a1 Main area 436a2, 436a3 Area in other storage area of VRAM 436 T1-T9 Image data (image data group)

Claims (1)

Image display means for displaying an image;
A first storage unit capable of storing one or more of the image information,
Second storage means capable of storing one or more pieces of image information;
The image information stored in said first storage means, wherein is stored in the first memory location of the second storage means, the image information stored in said first storage location, in the image display means Display for controlling to display the image on the image display means based on the image information stored in the second storage position of the second storage means as the display position and stored in the second storage position Control means;
A game machine equipped with
For each of a plurality of n (2 ≦ n) specific image information having the same size stored in the first storage means, a first address in the first storage position and the second storage position And a second address in is predetermined,
When the display control unit selects a specific number m (2 ≦ m ≦ n) of the specific image information from the plurality of the specific image information, the display control unit selects one of the selected specific image information. The image information shall be stored at the first address,
The display control means shifts the first address of the selected specific image information other than the one specific image information, by shifting the first address by the size of the specific image information or more. And store it at the third address
When the display control unit performs control to display an image based on the other one specific image information stored in the third address on the image display unit, the second address is set to the specific image. Image information based on the other one specific image information is stored in a fourth address shifted by the size of the information or more.
A game stand characterized by that.