JP5301002B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, and more specifically, based on the fact that a variable display start condition is satisfied after a variable display execution condition is satisfied, a plurality of types of identification information that can be individually identified The present invention relates to a gaming machine having variable display means for variably displaying, and having a specific gaming state advantageous to a player after the display result of identification information becomes a predetermined specific display result.

  In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, it can be changed by displaying predetermined identification information (hereinafter referred to as a display symbol) on a display device such as a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) by updating or scrolling. There are a number of games that have been enhanced by a so-called variable display game that performs variable display and determines whether or not to give a predetermined game value based on the display result.

  Some variable display games are played by using the above display device as an image display device. In such a variable display game, the change of the display symbol is started based on the detection of the game ball passing through the start winning opening (the execution condition of the variable display is satisfied), and the stop when the change of the display symbol is completely stopped. A game in which a case of a symbol (determined symbol) is a specific display mode is a “big hit”. When a “big hit” occurs in the variable display game, a special electric combination called a big prize opening or an attacker is opened, and a state in which a game ball can be won extremely easily is provided to a player for a certain period of time. This state is referred to as “specific game state” or “hit game state”.

  Here, as a technique for displaying an image on a display device, a technique that enables high-speed shadow display and display with a logical operation of a shape in addition to cross-sectional display has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-6-150017

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the position of the display figure is changed according to the elapsed time, data indicating the shape, coordinates, and the like is required for each display timing. Therefore, when applied to the effect display by the display device of the gaming machine, there is a risk that the data capacity necessary for the effect display increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving the effect of the game by enhancing the effect while preventing the increase in data capacity.

  (1) In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine described in the claims of the present application has variable display execution conditions (for example, the first start winning opening and the normal variable formed by the normal winning ball device 6A in the pachinko gaming machine 1). A game ball won in one of the second start winning holes formed by the winning ball device 6B, or a gambling number was set in the slot machine 500 or a replay player such as a replay in the previous game. The variable display start condition (for example, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 with the special symbol display device 4 in the previous special game or big hit after the start lever 505 is activated due to the winning) The start lever switch 505A detects the end of the gaming state or the operation of the start lever 505 in a state where the game can be executed in the slot machine 500. A variable display means (for example, the image display device 5) that variably displays a plurality of types of identification information (for example, decorative symbols) that can be identified based on the fact that the identification information A specific gaming state (for example, a big hit gaming state, or a big bonus or a regular bonus) advantageous to the player after the display result becomes a predetermined specific display result (for example, a definite decorative pattern of a big hit combination or a special role). A display control CPU (e.g., CPU 131) that controls the display operation of the variable display means, and a plurality of types of display elements. Image data storage means for storing a plurality of types of image data (for example, the image data memory 142) and the display control An image processor that generates display data based on a control command by the PU and image data read from the image data storage means, and then causes the variable display means to display an effect image based on the display data. (E.g., VDP 141), and the image processor temporarily stores image data read from the image data storage unit (e.g., temporary storage memory 156), and the image in the variable display unit. Display data storage means for temporarily storing the display data (for example, the drawing buffer 157A or the display buffer 157B of the VRAM 157) and the storage area in the temporary storage means corresponding to the activation of the display control CPU. Storage area setting means (for example, CPU 131) for setting a plurality of areas including a predetermined storage area In response to the storage area setting command process in step S52, the transfer control circuit 152 performs a storage area setting process in step S603) and display data creation means for creating display data based on the image data (for example, The display control CPU includes a drawing circuit 155 and the like, and the display control CPU uses the image data read from the image data storage means when a predetermined processing condition is satisfied according to the progress of the game. Image processing determining means (for example, the part where the CPU 131 executes the processes of steps S298, S300, S421, S422, and S423) for determining to start translucent synthesis with the image processing determining means Timer means for measuring the elapsed time from a predetermined time based on the determination result (for example, a production control timer setting). The elapsed time timer provided in the unit 192, the part where the CPU 131 executes the processes of steps S472 and S475 to S477, and the first display element and the second display element among the plurality of types of display elements Depth information setting means for setting depth information for disposing different depth positions in the virtual three-dimensional space so as to change in a predetermined moving direction according to the elapsed time measured by the timer means Based on the depth information set by the depth information setting unit (for example, the part where the CPU 131 executes the process of step S479) and the like in the virtual three-dimensional space among the first display element and the second display element. The transparency of the display element placed on the near side from the predetermined viewpoint is lower than the transparency of the display element placed on the far side. As described above, transparency information setting means for setting transparency information of the first display element and the second display element (for example, the part where the CPU 131 executes the process of step S480), and the reading position and writing position of the image data are set. Effect image update command means (for example, a portion where the CPU 131 executes sprite image update command processing in step S407) for notifying the image processor and instructing update of the effect image, and the display data creating means, An image indicating the depth information set by the depth information setting unit, the transparency information set by the transparency information setting unit, and the first display element based on the determination result to start by the image processing determination unit The display by translucent synthesis with coordinate transformation using data and image data indicating the second display element Drawing processing means for creating image data (for example, a portion where the drawing circuit 155 executes the processing of steps S751 to S755 as the projection / combination drawing processing in step S707) and the image data notified from the effect image update command means Is read from the read position in the image data storage means, transferred to the predetermined storage area in the temporary storage means, and then from the predetermined storage area. Image data processing means for reading out image data and writing and storing it at the writing position in the display data storage means (for example, the portion where the transfer control circuit 152 executes automatic transfer control processing in step S607 or the drawing circuit 155 is executed in step S705). And the like to execute automatic transfer drawing processing.

  According to such a configuration, the depth information setting unit arranges the first display element and the second display element among the plurality of types of display elements with different depth positions in the virtual three-dimensional space. The depth information is set so as to change in a predetermined moving direction according to the elapsed time measured by the timer means. The transparency information setting means is configured such that, of the first display element and the second display element, the transparency of the display element arranged on the near side as viewed from a predetermined viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space is the transparency of the display element arranged on the back side. The transparency information of the first display element and the second display element is set so as to be lower than that of the first display element. The drawing processing means includes depth information set by the depth information setting means, transparency information set by the transparency information setting means, image data indicating the first display element, and image data indicating the second display element. Display data is created by translucent synthesis with coordinate transformation using. As a result, the image data indicating the first display element and the image data indicating the second display element are not changed, and translucent synthesis with coordinate conversion is performed based on depth information and transparency information set according to the elapsed time. By creating display data, it is possible to provide an effect display that advances in, for example, clouds, fog, smoke, darkness, etc., while preventing an increase in data capacity in storage means such as image data storage means, It is possible to enhance the entertainment effect by enhancing the production effect. Further, when the image data storage means includes the read position of the image data notified from the effect image update command means, the image data processing means reads the image data from the read position in the image data storage means and the temporary storage means. After transferring to the predetermined storage area, the image data is read from the predetermined storage area, and is written and stored in the writing position in the display data storage means. Thus, for image data transferred to a predetermined storage area in the temporary storage means, if the reading position in the image data storage means and the writing position in the display data storage means are designated, the storage position in the temporary storage means It can be used to create display data without specifying the address, address management becomes easy, and the burden of program design can be reduced.

  (2) In the gaming machine of (1), the display control CPU is configured to perform the virtual operation on the first display element and the second display element based on the depth information set by the depth information setting unit. Rotation amount information setting means for setting the rotation amount information indicating the rotation angle in the predetermined rotation direction in the three-dimensional space so as to change according to the depth position of each display element (for example, the CPU 131 executes the process of step S480A. The drawing processing means includes depth information set by the depth information setting means, transparency information set by the transparency information setting means, image data indicating the first display element, In addition to image data indicating the second display element, a translucent image with coordinate conversion using rotation amount information set by the rotation amount information setting means. The may be created the display data (e.g., as the projection and synthesis drawing process drawing circuit 155 at step S707, the step S751~S753, S753A, such as portions for performing the process of S753B, S754 and S755).

  In such a configuration, the rotation amount information setting means displays rotation amount information indicating a rotation angle in a predetermined rotation direction in the virtual three-dimensional space with respect to the first display element and the second display element. It is set to change according to the depth position. Then, the drawing processing means performs translucent synthesis with coordinate conversion using the rotation amount information set by the rotation amount information setting means. Thereby, the effect by the effect display can be further enhanced, and the game entertainment can be improved.

  (3) In the gaming machine of the above (1) or (2), the image processing determining means is a half that involves coordinate conversion when changing the background image displayed on the variable display means as the predetermined processing condition. The determination to start the transparent composition may be performed (for example, the part where the CPU 131 determines Yes in step S421).

  In such a configuration, the image processing determining unit determines to start translucent synthesis with coordinate conversion when changing the background image to be displayed on the variable display unit. Thus, for example, when a plurality of background images are switched and displayed on the variable display means in correspondence with a plurality of effect modes, a novel effect display is performed when the background image is switched to enhance the effect of the effect and improve the game entertainment Can be made.

  (4) In any one of the above gaming machines (1) to (3), the image processing determination means is in a stage where the display result of the variable display of the identification information is not yet derived and displayed as the predetermined processing condition. If the identification information that has already been derived and displayed satisfies the condition that satisfies the specific display result, it may be determined to start translucent synthesis with coordinate transformation (for example, CPU 131). However, the portion where Yes is determined in steps S422 and S423).

  In such a configuration, the image processing determination unit determines that the translucent composition with coordinate conversion is started when reaching the reach. Thereby, a novel production | presentation display can be performed in the case of reach, a production effect can be heightened, and a game entertainment interest can be improved.

  (5) In the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (4), the image processing determining unit is accompanied by coordinate conversion when displaying the demonstration image on the variable display unit as the predetermined processing condition. A determination to start translucent composition may be made (for example, a portion where the CPU 131 makes a Yes determination in step S298 or S300).

  In such a configuration, the image processing determining unit determines to start translucent synthesis with coordinate conversion when displaying the demonstration image on the variable display unit. Thereby, when displaying a demonstration image, a novel effect display can be performed and the effect of an effect can be heightened.

  (6) In the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (5), the image data stored in the image data storage means corresponds to a smaller number of pixels than a total number of pixels corresponding to the image display means. Unlike the configured first image data (for example, image data stored in the first sprite image data area 142A-1 for SVGA) and the corresponding number of pixels of the first image data, the image display means Second image data (eg, image data stored in the second sprite image data area 142A-2 for VGA) configured to correspond to a smaller number of pixels than the corresponding total number of pixels, and the image The processor enlarges the effect image corresponding to the display data created by the display data creation means at a predetermined enlargement ratio, and the total number of pixels corresponding to the image display means The display control CPU includes an enlarged display processing means (for example, a display circuit 158) displayed on the image display means as an effect image, and the display control CPU determines a predetermined image switching condition (for example, the end of the big hit gaming state) according to the progress of the game After the transition to the probability changing state or the transition of the probability changing state to the normal state is established, the effect image displayed on the variable display means is the effect image corresponding to the first image data and the first image. Effect image switching determining means (for example, a portion where the CPU 131 executes the processing of steps S291 and S293) for determining to switch between effect images corresponding to two image data, and a determination result by the effect image switching determining means Corresponding to the image switching enlargement rate changing means (for example, CPU 1) for changing the enlargement ratio of the effect image in the enlarged display processing means. 1 is a part for executing the processes of steps S292 and S295), and the image data read from the image data storage means is an effect image corresponding to the first image data in response to the determination result by the effect image switching determination means. Image switching read data changing means for changing the effect image corresponding to the second image data (for example, the part in which the CPU 131 executes the processes of steps S296 and S407 after the CPU 131 executes the processes of steps S292 and S295). May be included.

  In such a configuration, the image data storage means stores the first image data and the second image data configured to have a smaller number of pixels than the total number of pixels corresponding to the image display means. Then, when a predetermined image switching condition is established corresponding to the progress of the game, the effect image switching determining means displays the effect image corresponding to the first image data and the second effect image displayed on the variable display means. A decision is made to switch between effect images corresponding to the image data. Corresponding to this determination result, the image switching enlargement ratio changing means changes the enlargement ratio of the effect image in the enlarged display processing means, and the image data read by the image switching read data changing means is read from the image data storage means as the first image. The effect image corresponding to the data is changed between the effect image corresponding to the second image data. As a result, the data capacity is reduced as compared with the case where image data configured corresponding to the same number of pixels as the total number of pixels corresponding to the image display means is stored in the image data storage means and used to display the effect image. Therefore, the storage capacity in the storage means such as the image data storage means can be reduced. Then, by switching the effect image according to the establishment of the image switching condition and changing the enlargement ratio and the image data, it is possible to display the effect image with an appropriate enlargement ratio and image data according to the progress of the game. It is possible to enhance the entertainment effect of the game by enhancing the production effect.

  (7) In any one of the above gaming machines (1) to (6), the display control CPU sets a data bus width when the image processor reads predetermined image data from the image data storage means. 1st bus width setting means (for example, the part where the CPU 131 transmits the display setting command for starting the probability change from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 in step S292), which is set to 1 bus width (for example, 64 bit width); When a predetermined bus width switching condition (for example, Yes is determined in step S451) is satisfied, the image processor reads out image data other than the predetermined image data from the image data storage unit. Second bus width setting means for setting the data bus width to a second bus width (for example, 32 bit width) different from the first bus width (for example, CPU131 and part for transmitting the moving image display initialization command to VDP141 from the input-output port 135 at step S452) and may contain.

  In such a configuration, the data bus width for reading predetermined image data is set to the first bus width. On the other hand, when a predetermined bus width switching condition is satisfied, the data bus width for reading image data other than the predetermined image data is set to a second bus width different from the first bus width. Thus, the image data can be processed with an optimum configuration and processing speed by changing the bus width according to the image data capacity and processing load.

It is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a decoration design. It is a block diagram which shows the various control boards etc. which were mounted in the pachinko game machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the content of an effect control command. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the microcomputer for game control. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the random number value counted by the side of a main board | substrate. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a special figure display result determination table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a big hit classification determination table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a reach determination table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a variable display pattern table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a pattern determination table. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the data holding area for game control. It is a block diagram which shows the structural examples, such as a production control microcomputer and a display control part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a prior transfer setting table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an effect control pattern table and an effect control pattern. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a depth value setting table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an opacity setting table. FIG. 38 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an effect control data holding area. It is a figure which shows an example of the address map in a temporary memory. It is a figure which shows an example of the address map in VRAM. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a drawing buffer and a display buffer. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an index table. It is a figure which shows an example of the display control command transmitted to VDP from the microcomputer for production control. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an image data memory. It is a figure which shows an example of the address map in an image data memory. It is a figure which illustrates the image data memorize | stored in a sprite image data area. It is a figure which illustrates a plane image. It is a figure which shows the format example of moving image data. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the timer interruption process for game control. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a special symbol process process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a special symbol normal process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a variable display pattern setting process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a special symbol stop process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a jackpot end process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of production control main processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a memory area setting command process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a prior transfer command process. It is a figure which illustrates the processing content performed by command analysis processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a decoration symbol process process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a variable display start waiting process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a decoration design variable display setting process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process during decorative design variable display. It is a flowchart which shows an example of production control command processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a sprite image update command process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a moving image display command process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a synthetic | combination drawing instruction | indication process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a big hit start waiting process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a transfer control process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a storage area setting process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a pre-transfer process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of an automatic transfer control process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the transfer process for projection / combination. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a drawing process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a fixed address designation drawing process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of an automatic transfer drawing process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a projection and synthetic | combination drawing process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a moving image decoding process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the image data processing operation | movement in a display control part. It is a figure for demonstrating arrangement | positioning operation | movement of the plane image in virtual three-dimensional space. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement of the translucent composition accompanied by coordinate transformation. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the rotation amount setting table in a modification, and a projection and synthetic | combination drawing command. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the synthetic | combination drawing instruction | command process in a modification. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the projection and synthetic | combination drawing process in a modification. It is a figure for demonstrating arrangement | positioning operation | movement of the plane image in a modification. It is a front view of the slot machine to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the various control boards etc. which are mounted in a slot machine.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, and shows an arrangement layout of main members. The pachinko gaming machine (gaming machine) 1 is roughly composed of a gaming board (gauge board) 2 constituting a gaming board surface and a gaming machine frame (base frame) 3 for supporting and fixing the gaming board 2. The game board 2 is formed with a substantially circular game area surrounded by guide rails. In this game area, a game ball as a game medium is launched from a predetermined hitting ball launching device and driven.

  A special symbol display device 4 is provided at a predetermined position of the game board 2 (on the right side of the game area in the example shown in FIG. 1). The special symbol display device 4 is composed of, for example, 7 segment or dot matrix LEDs (light emitting diodes) and the like. ) Is displayed in a variable manner (variable display). For example, the special symbol display device 4 variably displays a plurality of types of special symbols composed of numbers indicating “0” to “9”, symbols indicating “−”, and the like. The special symbols displayed on the special symbol display device 4 are not limited to those composed of numbers indicating “0” to “9”, symbols indicating “−”, and the like. A plurality of types of lighting patterns in which the combination of the one to be turned on and the one to be turned off are different may be set in advance as a plurality of types of special symbols. A plurality of special symbols are assigned symbol numbers corresponding thereto. As an example, symbol numbers “0” to “9” are assigned to numbers indicating “0” to “9”, and symbol numbers “10” are assigned to symbols indicating “−”. Just do it.

  An image display device 5 is provided near the center of the game area on the game board 2. The image display device 5 is composed of, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display device) or the like, and forms a display area for displaying various images (effect images) used for the effect operation. In this embodiment, the display screen in the image display device 5 has a total number of pixels corresponding to the XGA mode (1024 × 768 pixels). In the display area of the image display device 5, in response to variable display of the special symbol by the special symbol display device 4 in the special symbol game, for example, in a decorative symbol display unit which becomes a variable display unit divided into a plurality of such as three In addition, decorative symbols and the like, which are a plurality of types of identification information (decorative identification information) that can be distinguished from the special symbols, are variably displayed. This variable display of decorative designs is also included in the variable display game.

  As an example, “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R are arranged in the display area of the image display device 5. Then, in response to the start of the change of the special symbol by the special symbol display device 4 in the special symbol game, in the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, 5R The decoration pattern change (for example, scroll display in the vertical direction) is started. Thereafter, when the confirmed special symbol is stopped and displayed as a variable display result in the special symbol game, the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R in the image display device 5 are displayed. Then, the finalized decorative symbol (final stop symbol) that is the variable display result of the decorative symbol is stopped and displayed. The “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R are movable within the display area of the image display device 5, and display the decorative symbols in a reduced or enlarged manner. You may be able to do that.

  The decorative symbols variably displayed on the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R include eight types of symbols (alphanumeric characters “1” to “8” or Chinese Numbers “1” to “8”, English letters “A” to “H”, eight character images related to a predetermined motif, a combination of numbers, characters or symbols and character images, etc. For example, it may be a decoration image indicating a person or an animal, an object other than these, a symbol such as a character, or any other figure). In addition to these eight types of decorative symbols, a blank symbol (a symbol that does not constitute a jackpot combination) may be included. A corresponding symbol number is assigned to each of the decorative symbols. For example, symbol numbers “1” to “8” are assigned to alphanumeric characters indicating “1” to “8”, respectively.

  While the decorative symbols are changing, in the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R, for example, from the smallest to the largest symbol number, sequentially from the top to the bottom. When the scrolling display is performed and the decorative symbol having the largest symbol number (for example, “8”) is displayed, the decorative symbol having the smallest symbol number (for example, “1”) is subsequently displayed. Alternatively, in at least one of the decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R, scroll display is performed from the largest symbol number to the smallest symbol number, and the decorative symbol having the smallest symbol number is displayed. Subsequently, a decorative symbol having the largest symbol number may be displayed. Before the final decorative symbol that is the final stop symbol is displayed, the decorative symbol may be displayed temporarily. When this temporary display is displayed, the displayed decorative symbol may be slightly shaken or stretched. Should be done.

  In addition, in the display area of the image display device 5, a start winning storage display unit may be arranged. In the start winning memory display section, a hold memory display for displaying the variable display hold number (hold storage number) in an identifiable manner is performed. Here, the suspension of the variable display occurs when a game ball enters (starts winning) the first start winning opening formed by the normal winning ball apparatus 6A and the second starting winning opening formed by the normal variable winning ball apparatus 6B. To do. That is, the start condition (also referred to as “execution condition”) for executing a variable display game such as a special figure game or a variable display of decorative symbols has been established, but a variable display game based on the previously established start condition is being executed. Corresponding to the established start condition when the start condition for starting the variable display game is not established due to the fact that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is controlled to the big hit game state or the small hit game state, etc. Variable display is held.

  As an example, the start winning memory display section is provided with a plurality of display parts whose display colors are changed from left to right in order from the variable display game in which the start condition is established based on the occurrence of the start winning. . Then, based on the fact that the game ball has entered the first start winning opening and the second starting winning opening, the start condition is established for the special display game on the special symbol display device 4 and the variable display of the decorative symbol on the image display device 5. Sometimes, one of the display parts that are normally transmissive color display (for example, the leftmost display part of the display part that is transmissive color) is displayed in a predetermined opaque color (for example, white display, red display, yellow Display, blue display, etc.). Thereafter, when the start condition for starting the variable display of the special game or the decorative design is satisfied, for example, the display at the leftmost display part is removed and the display at each display part is moved to the left one by one. At this time, one of the display parts that have changed to the predetermined opaque color display (for example, the display part at the right end of the display part that has become opaque) returns to the transparent color display.

  Note that a display for displaying the number of reserved memories may be provided together with the start winning memory display unit or instead of the start winning memory display unit. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a special figure holding display device 25 </ b> A is provided on the upper part of the special symbol display device 4. The special figure hold indicator 25A displays the number of hold memories as the number of effective start winning balls that have entered the first start winning opening and the second starting winning opening in an identifiable manner. For example, the special figure hold indicator 25A may be configured to include a number (for example, four) of LEDs corresponding to the upper limit value (for example, “4”) of the number of reserved memories.

  Below the image display device 5, an ordinary winning ball device 6A and an ordinary variable winning ball device 6B are provided. The normal winning ball device 6A forms a first start winning opening that is always kept in a certain open state by a predetermined ball receiving member, for example. The normally variable winning ball apparatus 6B is an electric tulip having a pair of movable wing pieces that are changed between a normal open state in a vertical position and an expanded open state in a tilted position by a solenoid 81 (FIG. 3) for a normal electric accessory. A mold accessory (ordinary electric accessory) is provided to form a second start winning opening. As an example, in the normally variable winning ball apparatus 6B, the movable wing piece is in the vertical position when the solenoid 81 is in the off state, so that the game ball is in a normally open state in which it is difficult for the game ball to enter the second starting winning hole. On the other hand, in the normal variable winning ball apparatus 6B, the movable wing piece is in the tilted position when the solenoid 81 is in the on state, so that the game ball is in an expanded and open state in which the game ball can easily enter the second start winning opening. In the normal variable winning ball apparatus 6B, although the game ball can enter the second start winning opening even in the normal open state, there is a possibility that the game ball may enter more than in the expanded open state. You may comprise so that it may become low. Alternatively, the normally variable winning ball apparatus 6B may be configured such that the game ball does not enter the second starting winning opening in the normally open state, for example, by closing the second starting winning opening.

  A game ball that has entered the first start winning opening formed in the normal winning ball apparatus 6A and a game ball that has entered the second start winning opening formed in the normal variable winning ball apparatus 6B are illustrated in FIG. Detected by switch 22. In addition, you may make it provide separately the start port switch which detects the game ball which approached the 1st start winning opening, and the start port switch which detects the game ball which entered the 2nd start winning port. Based on the detection of the game ball by the start switch 22, a predetermined number (for example, three) of game balls are paid out as prize balls, and the reserved memory number is less than a predetermined upper limit value (for example, “4”). In this case, a variable display start condition is satisfied. The number of prize balls to be paid out based on the detection of the game balls that have entered the first start prize opening, and the prize balls to be paid out based on the detection of the game balls that have entered the second start prize opening May be the same number or different numbers.

  A special variable winning ball device 7 is provided below the normal winning ball device 6A and the normal variable winning ball device 6B. The special variable winning ball apparatus 7 includes a large winning opening door (opening / closing plate) that is opened and closed by a solenoid 82 (FIG. 3) for the large winning opening door, and is opened and closed by the large winning opening door. Form a changing winning prize opening. As an example, in the special variable winning ball apparatus 7, when the solenoid 82 is in the off state, the special winning opening door closes the large winning opening. On the other hand, in the special variable winning ball apparatus 7, when the solenoid 82 is in the ON state, the special winning opening door opens the large winning opening. The game ball that has entered the special winning opening formed in the special variable winning ball apparatus 7 is detected by, for example, the count switch 23 shown in FIG. Based on the detection of the game balls by the count switch 23, a predetermined number (for example, 15) of game balls are paid out as prize balls. In this way, the special prize winning device 7 in the special variable winning ball apparatus 7 has an open state as a first state advantageous to the player by the special prize opening door and a closed state as a second state disadvantageous to the player. Change.

  A normal symbol display 20 is provided at a predetermined position of the game board 2 (on the left side of the game area in the example shown in FIG. 1). As an example, the normal symbol display 20 is composed of 7 segments, dot matrix LEDs, and the like, as in the special symbol display device 4 and the like. Alternatively, it is also displayed (variable display) in a variable manner. Such variable display of normal symbols is called a general game (also referred to as “normal game”). The normal symbol display 20 variably displays, for example, a plurality of types of normal symbols composed of numbers indicating “0” to “9”, symbols indicating “−”, and the like. A plurality of types of normal symbols are assigned symbol numbers corresponding thereto. As an example, symbol numbers “0” to “9” are assigned to numbers indicating “0” to “9”, and symbol numbers “10” are assigned to symbols indicating “−”. Just do it. The normal symbol display 20 is not limited to the one that variably displays the numbers indicating “0” to “9” or the symbols indicating “−” as normal symbols. For example, “O” and “X” are displayed. Ordinary symbols are variably displayed by alternately illuminating decorative lamps (or LEDs) to be displayed, or by lighting a plurality of decorative lamps (or LEDs) such as “left”, “middle”, and “right” in a predetermined order. It may be a thing. Above the normal symbol display 20, a universal figure holding display 25 </ b> C is provided. The general-purpose hold indicator 25C includes, for example, four LEDs, and displays the general-purpose hold storage number as the number of effective passing balls that have passed through the passing gate 41.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the surface of the game board 2 is provided with a windmill for changing the flow direction and speed of the game ball and a number of obstacle nails. In addition, as a winning opening different from the first starting winning opening, the second starting winning opening, and the large winning opening, for example, one or a plurality of general winning openings that are always kept open by a predetermined ball receiving member are provided. May be. In this case, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls may be paid out as a prize ball based on the fact that a game ball that has entered one of the general prize openings is detected by a predetermined general prize ball switch. In the lowermost part of the game area, there is provided an out port through which game balls that have not entered any winning port are taken. Speakers 8L and 8R for reproducing and outputting sound effects and the like are provided at the left and right upper positions of the gaming machine frame 3, and a game effect lamp 9 is provided at the periphery of the game area. A decorative LED may be arranged around each structure (for example, the normal winning ball device 6A, the normal variable winning ball device 6B, the special variable winning ball device 7, etc.) in the game area of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  A hitting operation handle (operation knob) 30 that is operated by a player or the like to launch a game ball as a game medium toward the game area is provided at the lower right position of the gaming machine frame 3. For example, the hitting operation handle 30 adjusts the resilience of the game ball according to the operation amount (rotation amount) by the player or the like. The hitting operation handle 30 only needs to be provided with a single shot switch for stopping the driving of a shooting motor included in the hitting ball shooting device and a touch ring (touch sensor). At a predetermined position of the gaming machine frame 3 below the gaming area, a game ball paid out as a prize ball or a game ball lent out by a predetermined ball lending machine is held (stored) so as to be supplied to a ball hitting device. ) Is provided. For example, at a predetermined position on the front side of the upper surface of the upper plate, an operation button 40 that can be operated by the player for a predetermined operation (for example, a pressing operation) is provided.

  In the normal game by the normal symbol display 20, the normal symbol display 20 shows that the game ball that has passed through the passing gate 41 provided in the game area is detected by the gate switch 21 shown in FIG. After the general chart start condition for executing variable display is established, based on the fact that the general chart start condition for starting variable display of normal symbols, such as the end of the previous general chart game, is established, Be started. In this ordinary game, when a predetermined time elapses after starting the change of the normal symbol, the fixed normal symbol that is the variable display result of the normal symbol is stopped and displayed (derived display). At this time, if a specific normal symbol (a symbol per ordinary symbol), such as a number indicating “7”, is stopped and displayed as the fixed ordinary symbol, the variable symbol display result of the ordinary symbol becomes “per ordinary symbol”. On the other hand, if a normal symbol other than the symbol per symbol such as a number or symbol other than the number indicating “7” is stopped and displayed as the fixed ordinary symbol, the variable symbol display result of the normal symbol is “ordinary loss”. Become. Corresponding to the fact that the variable symbol display result of the normal symbol is “per normal symbol”, the expansion / release control is performed in which the movable wing piece of the electric tulip constituting the normal variable winning ball apparatus 6B is tilted, for a predetermined time. When elapses, normal opening control is performed to return to the vertical position.

  FIG. 3 shows a special game by the special symbol display device 4 in which a game ball that has entered the first start winning opening formed in the normal winning ball apparatus 6A and the second starting winning opening formed in the normal variable winning ball apparatus 6B is shown in FIG. Based on the fact that the start condition is satisfied after the start condition is satisfied, for example, by being detected by the start opening switch 22 shown in FIG. Be started. In this special game, when a predetermined time elapses after the variable symbol special display is started, the fixed special symbol that is the special symbol variable display result is stopped and displayed (derived display). At this time, if a specific special symbol (big hit symbol) is stopped and displayed as a confirmed special symbol, “big hit” is obtained as a specific display result, and if a special symbol other than the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed, “lost” is displayed. After the variable display result in the special figure game becomes “big hit”, the game is controlled to the big hit gaming state as the specific gaming state. In the pachinko gaming machine 1 in this embodiment, as an example, the numbers indicating “1”, “3”, and “7” are jackpot symbols, and the symbol indicating “−” is a lost symbol.

  In this embodiment, among the special symbols indicating the numbers “1”, “3”, and “7” that are jackpot symbols, the special symbols indicating the numbers “3” and “7” are 15 round jackpot symbols, A special symbol indicating the number “1” is a two-round jackpot symbol. In the big hit gaming state (15 round big hit state) as the first specific gaming state controlled after the 15 round big hit symbol is stopped and displayed as a confirmed special symbol in the special figure game, the special winning prize opening device 7 of the special variable winning ball apparatus 7 is controlled. However, the special variable winning ball apparatus 7 is opened by opening the large winning opening in a predetermined period (for example, 29 seconds) which is the first period or a period until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winning balls are generated. A round is executed to change to the first state advantageous to the player. In this way, the special prize opening door that has opened the special prize opening during the round receives the game ball falling on the surface of the game board 2 and then closes the special prize opening, thereby enabling the special variable winning ball apparatus 7. Is changed to the second state, which is disadvantageous to the player, and one round is completed. In the 15 round big hit state, the number of executions of the round, which is the opening cycle of the big winning opening, is the first number (for example, “15”). A game in the 15 round big hit state in which the number of round executions is “15” is also referred to as a 15-time open game.

  In the big hit gaming state (two round big hit state) as the second specific gaming state controlled after the two round big hit symbol is stopped and displayed as the confirmed special symbol in the special figure game, the special variable winning ball apparatus 7 is played in each round. The second period (for example, 0.5 seconds) in which the period for changing to the first state advantageous to the player (the period in which the grand prize opening is opened by the grand prize opening door) is shorter than the first period in the 15 round big hit state It becomes. In the 2 round big hit state, the number of executions of the round is a second number (for example, “2”) which is smaller than the first number in the 15 round big hit state. In the two round big hit state, at least one of the period in which the big winning opening is opened in each round is the second period and the number of executions of the round is the second number is performed. Control other than that may be performed, and other control may be performed in the same manner as in the 15 round big hit state. A game in the round two big hit state in which the number of round executions is “2” is also referred to as a two-time open game. In the two-round big hit state, the predetermined winning ball device provided separately from the special variable winning ball device 7 in each round is changed from the second state which is disadvantageous to the player to the first state which is advantageous to the player. It is possible to return to the second state after a predetermined period (first period or second period) has elapsed.

  Out of the special symbols that indicate the numbers of “3” and “7” that will be the 15-round jackpot symbol, the 15-round jackpot is based on the special symbol that indicates the number of “3” being stopped and displayed as a confirmed special symbol in the special game. After the state is over, as one of the special gaming states, the state is controlled so that the variable display time of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is shortened compared to the normal state. Here, the normal state is a game state other than a special game state such as a big hit game state or a special game state such as a short-time state, and an initial setting state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (for example, when a system reset is performed) Thus, the same control as in the state in which the initialization process is executed after power-on is performed. If the time-short state is terminated when any of the conditions of the special game is executed a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times) and the variable display result is “big hit” is satisfied first, Good. In addition, after the 15 round big hit state based on the fact that the special symbol indicating the number “3” out of the 15 round big hit symbols is stopped and displayed as a confirmed special symbol in the special figure game, it does not become the short-time state. You may make it be in a normal state. Like the special symbol indicating the number “3”, the 15 round jackpot symbol controlled to the short-time state or the normal state after the jackpot gaming state based on being stopped and displayed as the confirmed special symbol in the special symbol game is This is usually referred to as a big hit symbol (also referred to as a “non-probable big hit symbol”).

  Out of the special symbols showing the numbers “3” and “7” that will be the 15-round jackpot symbol, the 15-round jackpot is based on the special symbol showing the number “7” being stopped and displayed as a confirmed special symbol in the special game. After the state is over, or after the two round jackpot state is over based on the fact that the special symbol indicating the number “1” that becomes the two-round jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed as the confirmed special symbol in the special figure game, As one of the special game states different from the normal state, for example, the variable display time of special symbols and decorative symbols is shortened compared to the normal state, and the probability variation state (high probability control) in which probability variation control (probability variation control) is continuously performed. (Gaming state). In this probability change state, the variable display result of each special figure game and the decorative symbol variable display is improved so that the probability that the variable display result becomes “big hit” and is further controlled to the big hit gaming state is higher than in the normal state. In this embodiment, after the certainty change state is reached, one of the conditions of the predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times) that the special game is executed and the variable display result is “big hit” is first. When the condition is satisfied, the probability variation state ends. On the other hand, after entering the probability variation state, the probability variation state may continue until the next variable display result is “big hit” regardless of the number of executions of the special figure game. In addition, even if the special figure game is executed a predetermined number of times in the probability change state or before the variable display result is “big hit”, the probability change state ends at a predetermined rate when the special figure game is started. There may be. In this embodiment, the variable display time of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is shortened in the probability variation state as compared with the normal state as in the time reduction state. On the other hand, in the probability variation state, the probability that the variable display result becomes “big hit” in the variable display of each special symbol game or decorative symbol and the game state is further controlled to the big bonus game state is improved. The symbol variable display time may include one set in the same manner as in the normal state. Like the special symbol indicating the number “7”, the 15-round jackpot symbol controlled to the probable change state after the jackpot gaming state based on being stopped and displayed as the confirmed special symbol in the special symbol game is a probabilistic big hit symbol. It is called. In addition, like the special symbol indicating the number “1”, the two-round big-hit symbol that is controlled to the probable state after the big-hit gaming state based on being stopped and displayed as the confirmed special symbol in the special-figure game is also probable. Included in the jackpot symbol.

  In the probabilistic state and the short time state, the normal symbol display unit 20 controls the normal symbol variable display time in the normal symbol game to be shorter than that in the normal state, and the normal symbol variable display result of each time the normal symbol game is “normal”. Control for improving the probability of “per figure” than in the normal state, when the tilt time of the movable blade piece in the normal variable winning ball apparatus 6B based on the fact that the variable display result is “per normal figure” is in the normal state It is advantageous for the player because the start condition is more easily established by increasing the possibility that the game ball enters the second start winning opening, such as a control for making the control longer and a control for increasing the number of tilts than in the normal state. The following control is performed. It should be noted that any one of these controls may be performed in the probability variation state or the short time state, or a plurality of controls may be performed in combination. The control to be performed may be different between the probability variation state and the time-short state, or the combination of the controls to be performed (which may or may not include the same control) may be different. In addition, in the probability variation state, the variable display result in the variable display of each special figure game or decoration pattern becomes “big hit”, and the probability of being further controlled to the big hit gaming state is improved, while starting conditions are easily established. Thus, there may be included a control that is not advantageous to the player.

  In the display area of the image display device 5, variable display of decorative symbols is performed corresponding to variable display of special symbols by the special symbol display device 4. That is, in the display area of the image display device 5, based on the establishment of the start condition, the decorative symbols are changed in the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R. For example, a fixed decorative pattern that is a variable display result of the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed (derived display) in a predetermined order such as “left” → “right” → “middle”. Note that the procedure for stopping and displaying the fixed decorative symbols is not limited to the procedure for stopping and displaying the decorative symbols in the predetermined order in the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R. In each of the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R, there may be included one that stops and displays a decorative symbol that becomes a confirmed decorative symbol at the same time.

  In the period from the start of the variable display of the decorative symbols to the end of the variable display by the stop display of the fixed decorative symbols in the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol displays 5L, 5C, and 5R, The decorative display variable display state may be a predetermined reach state. Here, the reach state means a decorative symbol (“reach variation symbol” which has not been stopped yet when the decorative symbol stopped and displayed in the display area of the image display device 5 forms part of the jackpot combination. Is also a display state in which the variation continues, or a display state in which all or part of the decorative symbols change synchronously while constituting all or part of the jackpot combination. Specifically, some of the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R (for example, “left” and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L and 5R, etc.) The remaining decorative symbol display part (for example, “medium”) which has not been stopped yet when the decorative symbol (for example, the decorative symbol indicating the alphanumeric character “7”) constituting the determined jackpot combination is stopped is displayed. In the symbol display portion 5C, etc., the decorative symbols are changing, or the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, 5R are all or part of the decorative symbols. This is a display state that changes synchronously while constituting all or part of the combination. Corresponding to the reach state, a character image (effect image simulating a person) different from the decorative design is displayed in the display area of the image display device 5, or the display mode of the background image is changed. Or changing the decorative pattern variation mode (for example, a decorative symbol that has not yet been stopped and displayed changes at a slower speed than before reaching the reach state). Such changes in the character image display, the background image display mode, and the decorative pattern change mode are referred to as reach effect display (or simply reach effect).

  If a special symbol that will be a lost symbol is stopped and displayed as a special symbol to be confirmed in the special symbol game, the decorative symbol variable display state will not reach the reach state after the variable symbol variable display starts. There are cases in which a fixed decorative symbol that is a non-reach combination is stopped and displayed. Such a decorative display variable display mode is referred to as a “non-reach” (also referred to as “normal loss”) variable display mode when the variable display result is “losing”.

  When a special symbol that becomes a losing symbol is stopped and displayed as a confirmed special symbol in the special symbol game, it corresponds to the fact that the decorative symbol variable display state has reached the reach state after the decorative symbol variable display has started. Then, after the reach effect is executed, or when the reach effect is not executed, a confirmed decorative pattern that becomes a predetermined reach-losing combination may be stopped and displayed. Such a variable display result of the decorative design is referred to as a variable display mode of “reach” (also referred to as “reach lose”) when the variable display result is “losing”.

  When the special symbol indicating the number “3”, which is a normal big hit symbol, is stopped and displayed as a special symbol to be confirmed in the special figure game as the 15 round big hit symbol, the variable symbol display state of the decorative symbol is reached. Corresponding to the state, after a predetermined reach effect is executed, a fixed decorative symbol that is a predetermined normal jackpot combination is stopped and displayed. Here, for example, the symbol numbers that are variably displayed on the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R in the image display device 5 are the determined decorative symbols that are usually the big hit combinations. Among the decorative symbols “1” to “8”, any one of the decorative symbols whose symbol numbers are an even number “2”, “4”, “6”, “8” is “left”, “middle”, What is necessary is just to be stopped and displayed on the predetermined effective line in each of the “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R. In this way, the decorative symbols having the even number “2”, “4”, “6”, “8” constituting the normal jackpot combination are referred to as normal symbols (also referred to as “non-probable variation symbols”). In response to the fixed special symbol in the special figure game becoming the normal jackpot symbol, after the predetermined reach effect is executed, the variable symbol display mode of the decorative symbol in which the fixed decorative symbol of the normal jackpot combination is stopped is displayed. This is referred to as a “normal” (also referred to as “normal jackpot”) variable display mode (also referred to as a jackpot type) when the variable display result is “big hit”. In this way, after the variable display result is “big hit” by the “normal” variable display mode, the game is controlled to the 15 round big hit gaming state, and when the 15 round big hit state is finished, it is controlled to the short time state or the normal state. become.

  When the special symbol indicating the number “7”, which is the probability variable big hit symbol, is stopped and displayed as a special symbol to be confirmed in the special figure game as a 15-round big hit symbol, the variable display state of the decorative symbol is reached. In response to the situation, a reach effect similar to the case where the jackpot type is “normal” is executed, or a reach effect different from the case where the jackpot type is “normal” is executed. Thereafter, a fixed decorative symbol that is a predetermined probability variation jackpot combination may be stopped and displayed. Here, the confirmed decorative symbols that are the probable big hit combinations are, for example, symbol numbers that are variably displayed on the decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R of “left”, “middle”, and “right” in the image display device 5. Among the decorative symbols “1” to “8”, any one of the decorative symbols whose symbol numbers are odd numbers “1”, “3”, “5”, “7” are “left”, “middle”, What is necessary is just to be stopped and displayed on the predetermined effective line in each of the “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R. In this way, the decorative symbols having odd numbers “1”, “3”, “5”, and “7” constituting the probability variation big hit combination are referred to as probability variation symbols. Then, in response to the confirmed special symbol in the special figure game becoming a probable big hit symbol, after the reach effect is executed, the fixed decorative symbol of the probable big hit combination is stopped and displayed. This is referred to as a variable display mode (also referred to as a jackpot type) of “probability change” (also referred to as “probability change jackpot”) when the display result is “big hit”. Thus, after the variable display result becomes “big hit” by the variable display mode of “probability change”, it is controlled to the 15 round big hit state, and when the 15 round big hit state ends, it is controlled to the positive change state.

  In addition, when the confirmed special symbol in the special figure game becomes a probable big hit symbol, after the fixed decorative symbol that is normally a big hit combination is stopped and displayed, at the start of the big hit gaming state or during the round in the big hit gaming state, Alternatively, at the end of the big hit gaming state, an effect operation for notifying that it is controlled to be in a probable variation state may be performed.

  When a special symbol indicating the number “1” that is a two-round jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed as a special symbol to be confirmed in the special symbol game, the decorative symbol variable display state does not reach the reach state, for example, a chance of accuracy. There is a case where a fixed decorative symbol predetermined as an eye is stopped and displayed. In addition, when the special symbol indicating the number “1”, which is a two-round jackpot symbol, is stopped and displayed as a confirmed special symbol in the special symbol game, the variable symbol display state of the decorative symbol is changed to the reach state. Then, after a predetermined reach effect is executed, a fixed decorative symbol that becomes a predetermined reach combination may be stopped and displayed. In this way, in response to the confirmed special symbol in the special symbol game becoming a special symbol indicating the number “1”, which is a two-round jackpot symbol, various decorative decorative variable display modes in which various confirmed decorative symbols are stopped and displayed. Is referred to as a variable display mode (also referred to as a jackpot type) of “surprise accuracy” (also referred to as “sudden probability big hit” or “sudden probability change big hit”) when the variable display result is “big hit”. Thus, after the variable display result is “big hit” by the variable display mode of “surprise accuracy”, it is controlled to the two round big hit state, and when the two round big hit state is finished, the probability change state is controlled.

  In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 2A, an effective line on which a fixed decorative pattern that is a variable display result of a decorative pattern is stopped and displayed on the image display device 5 in a normal state or a time-shortened state. In addition, the horizontal direction consisting of only the upper stage, only the middle stage, and only the lower stage in the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R, and the upper portion in the “left” decorative symbol display portion 5L. And a middle direction in the “middle” decorative symbol display portion 5C and a lower direction in the “right” decorative symbol display portion 5R, or the lower tier and the “middle” decorative symbol in the “left” decorative symbol display portion 5L. An oblique direction including a middle stage in the display unit 5C and an upper stage in the “right” decorative symbol display unit 5R is defined. On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the effective lines in the probability variation state are displayed on the decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R of “left”, “middle”, and “right”. Only one decorative symbol is defined in the horizontal direction by stopping and displaying the decorative symbols one by one. At this time, the decorative symbols on the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R are displayed larger than those in the normal state and the short time state.

  When the big hit type is “normal” or “probable change” when the variable display result is “big hit”, the changing promotion effect may be executed during the variable display of the decorative symbols. In the fluctuating promotion effect, a decorative symbol that is normally a big hit combination is temporarily displayed on the effective lines of the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R on the image display device 5. After that, for example, the decorative pattern display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R of “left”, “middle”, and “right” are changed again in a state where the same decorative pattern is aligned, and the decorative symbol that becomes a probable big hit combination, Any of the decorative symbols that are normally a big hit combination is stopped and displayed as a finalized decorative symbol (final stop display). Here, if the promotion effect during fluctuation is executed in response to the fact that the jackpot type is “normal”, the normal bonus game is performed after the decorative pattern displayed temporarily stopped is changed again as the promotion effect during fluctuation. A change promotion promotion effect is performed in which the fixed decorative symbols that are the combination are stopped and displayed. On the other hand, when the changing promotion effect is executed in response to the jackpot type being “probable change”, as the changing promotion effect, after the decorative pattern displayed temporarily stopped is changed again A changing promotion success effect that stops and displays a confirmed decorative symbol that becomes a probable big hit combination may be performed, or a changing promotion failure effect may be executed.

  When the variable display result is “big hit” and the big hit type is “normal” or “probable change”, the probability change state is the period from when the variable display result is stopped to the end of the round 15 big hit state. A jackpot promotion effect may be executed as a notification effect as to whether or not to control. Here, the timing at which the jackpot promotion effect is executed may be a period before the start of the first round in the 15 round big hit state after the variable display result is stopped and displayed, or the 15 round big hit state May be a period during which any one of the rounds is being executed, or may be a period from the end of any round to the start of the next round in the 15 round big hit state, or 15 rounds. It may be a period from the end of the last round in the big hit state to the start of the next variable display game. Alternatively, an effect operation corresponding to the promotion effect during the big hit may be performed during the fluctuation of the first special symbol or decorative design after the end of the 15th round big hit state. The jackpot promotion effect executed after the final round in the 15 round jackpot state is sometimes referred to as “ending promotion effect” in particular. When the variable display result is “big hit” and the big hit type is “probable change”, if the definite decorative symbol that is a probable big hit combination is stopped, the promotion effect during the big hit is not executed. do it.

  The jackpot promotion effect includes a jackpot promotion promotion effect that informs that there is a promotion that the game state becomes a probable change state even though the confirmed decorative pattern is a normal jackpot combination, and that there is no promotion that becomes a probable change state There is a promotion promotion failure during the jackpot to be notified. As an example, in the jackpot promotion effect, the decorative symbol is variably displayed in the display area of the image display device 5 and either the normal symbol or the probability variation symbol is stopped and displayed as the effect display result. At this time, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as the effect display result in the jackpot promotion promotion effect, while the probable change symbol may be stopped and displayed as the effect display result in the jackpot promotion promotion effect. As another example, in the jackpot promotion effect, the effect image indicating the roulette game is displayed in the display area of the image display device 5. At this time, the ball thrown into the rotating roulette entered the “even number” in the jackpot promotion failure production and displayed the effect image “Sorry!”, While the jackpot promotion promotion production was thrown into the rotating roulette. The ball enters “odd number” and the effect image “probability!” Is displayed. If the big hit type is “probable change”, but the fixed design symbol of the normal jackpot combination is stopped and displayed, the promotion will be in the probable change state by executing the success promotion effect during the big hit before the big hit gaming state ends. What is necessary is just to alert | report that there exists. When the jackpot type is “normal”, it is only necessary not to execute the success promotion effect during the jackpot and not to notify that there is a promotion that is in a probable change state until the jackpot gaming state ends. .

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, various control boards such as a main board 11 and an effect control board 12 as shown in FIG. The pachinko gaming machine 1 is also equipped with a signal relay board 13 for relaying various control signals transmitted between the main board 11 and the effect control board 12. In addition, various boards such as a payout control board, an information terminal board, a launch control board, and an interface board are disposed on the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  The main board 11 is a main-side control board, and various circuits for controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are mounted. The main board 11 is mainly addressed to a sub-side control board composed of a random number setting function used in a special game, a function of inputting a signal from a switch or the like disposed at a predetermined position, and an effect control board 12. A function of outputting and transmitting a control command as an example of command information as a control signal, a function of outputting various information to a hall management computer, and the like are provided. In addition, the main board 11 performs lighting / extinguishing control of each segment constituting the special symbol display device 4 to control the special symbol variable display by the special symbol display device 4, and to turn on / off the normal symbol display 0. It also has a function of controlling variable display of a predetermined display symbol, such as controlling the variable symbol display by the normal symbol indicator 20 by performing the light-off / coloring control. The main board 11 includes, for example, a game control microcomputer 100, a switch circuit 110 that receives detection signals from various switches for game ball detection and transmits the detection signals to the game control microcomputer 100, and the game control microcomputer 100. A solenoid circuit 111 for transmitting a solenoid drive signal to the solenoids 81 and 82 is mounted.

  The effect control board 12 is a sub-side control board independent of the main board 11, receives the control signal transmitted from the main board 11 via the signal relay board 13, and receives the image display device 5, the speaker 8L, Various circuits for controlling the rendering operation by electrical components for rendering such as 8R and game effect lamp 9 are mounted. That is, the effect control board 12 provides effects such as the display operation in the image display device 5, all or part of the sound output operation from the speakers 8 </ b> L and 8 </ b> R, and all or part of the on / off operation in the game effect lamp 9. A function of determining the control content for causing the electrical component to execute a predetermined performance operation is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, wiring for transmitting detection signals from the gate switch 21, the start port switch 22, and the count switch 23 is connected to the main board 11. The gate switch 21, the start port switch 22, and the count switch 23 may have any configuration that can detect a game ball as a game medium, such as a sensor. Further, on the main board 11, wiring for transmitting a command signal for performing tilt control of the movable blade piece in the normal variable winning ball apparatus 6B to the solenoid 81, and opening / closing control of the large winning opening door in the special variable winning ball apparatus 7 are provided. The wiring which transmits the command signal for performing to the solenoid 82 is connected. Further, the main board 11 is connected to a wiring for transmitting a command signal for performing display control of the special symbol display device 4 and the normal symbol display 20.

  A control signal output from the main board 11 toward the effect control board 12 is relayed by the signal relay board 13. The main board 11 is provided with a main board side connector corresponding to, for example, the signal relay board 13, and an output buffer circuit is connected between the main board side connector and the game control microcomputer 100. The output buffer circuit can pass a signal only in the direction from the main board 11 to the effect control board 12 via the signal relay board 13 and prevents the signal from being input from the signal relay board 13 to the main board 11. Therefore, there is no room for signals to be transmitted from the production control board 12 or the signal relay board 13 side to the main board 11 side.

  For example, the signal relay board 13 may be provided with a transmission direction regulating circuit for each wiring for transmitting a control signal output from the main board 11 to the effect control board 12. Each transmission direction regulation circuit includes a diode having an anode connected to the main board connector corresponding to the main board 11 and a cathode connected to the presentation control board connector corresponding to the presentation control board 12, and one end connected to the cathode of the diode. And a resistor having the other end connected to the ground (GND). With this configuration, each transmission direction regulating circuit can prevent signals from being input from the effect control board 12 to the signal relay board 13 and pass signals only in the direction from the main board 11 to the effect control board 12. . Therefore, there is no room for signals to be transmitted from the production control board 12 side to the main board 11 side. In this embodiment, a transmission direction regulating circuit is provided for each wiring for transmitting a control signal in the signal relay board 13, and an output buffer is provided between the game control microcomputer 100 and the main board side connector on the main board 11. By providing the circuit, it is possible to prevent an illegal signal from being input to the main board 11 from the outside.

  The control command transmitted from the main board 11 to the effect control board 12 via the signal relay board 13 is an effect control command transmitted as an electric signal, for example. The effect control command includes, for example, a display control command used for controlling an image display operation in the image display device 5, a voice control command used for controlling sound output from the speakers 8L and 8R, and a game effect lamp 9. And a lamp control command used for controlling the lighting operation of the decoration LED and the like. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the effect control command used in this embodiment. The effect control command has, for example, a 2-byte structure, and the first byte indicates MODE (command classification), and the second byte indicates EXT (command type). The first bit (bit 7) of the MODE data is always “1”, and the first bit of the EXT data is “0”. The command form shown in FIG. 4 is an example, and other command forms may be used. In this example, the control command is composed of two control signals. However, the number of control signals constituting the control command may be one or a plurality of three or more.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the command 80XXH is a variable display start command transmitted when starting the variable display of the special symbol in the special symbol game by the special symbol display device 4. XXH indicates an unspecified hexadecimal number and may be a value arbitrarily set according to the instruction content by the effect control command. The variable display start command is variably displayed on the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R in the image display device 5 in response to the variable display of the special symbols in the special symbol game. Different EXT data is set according to the variable display pattern of the decorative design.

  A command 90XXH shown in FIG. 4 is a variable display result notification command for designating a variable display result such as a special symbol or a decorative symbol. In the variable display result notification command, for example, when the start condition is satisfied, the variable display result is determined in advance as to whether the variable display result is “lost” or “big hit”, and the variable display result is “big hit” Different EXT data is set corresponding to the big hit type determination result of whether the big hit type is “normal”, “probability change”, or “surprise accuracy”. As a specific example, the command 9000H is a first variable display result notification command indicating a prior determination result that the variable display result is “lost”, and the command 9001H is a big hit when the variable display result is “big hit”. This is a second variable display result notification command indicating a pre-determination result indicating that the type is “normal” and a big hit type determination result. The command 9002H indicates that the big hit type is “probable change” when the variable display result is “big hit”. This is a third variable display result notification command indicating the prior determination result and the big hit type determination result, and the command 8C03H is a preliminary determination result that the big hit type is “surprise” when the variable display result is “big hit”. The fourth variable display result notification command indicating the big hit type determination result may be used.

  A command 9F00H shown in FIG. 4 is a demonstration display command for displaying a demonstration (displaying a demo image) by displaying a predetermined effect image on the image display device 5. The command A0XXH is a jackpot start command (also referred to as “fanfare command”) for instructing notification that the jackpot gaming state is started. In the big hit start command, different EXT data may be set according to the big hit type when the pre-determination result is “big hit”. The command A1XXH is a jackpot round number notification command indicating the number of rounds started in the jackpot gaming state. In the jackpot round number notification command, different EXT data may be set in accordance with the number of rounds started in the jackpot game state.

  A command B0XXH shown in FIG. 4 is a jackpot end command for instructing that the jackpot gaming state ends. In the jackpot end command, for example, EXT data similar to the jackpot start command is set, so that different EXT data may be set depending on the jackpot type when the pre-determination result is “big hit”. Alternatively, in the jackpot end command, the correspondence relationship between the jackpot type and the EXT data may be different from the correspondence relationship in the jackpot start command. The command C000H is a probability change start command indicating that control (probability change control) that sets the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 to be a probability change state is started. The command C001H is a probability change end command indicating that the control for changing the game state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the probability change state is ended. The command D0XXH is formed by the first start winning opening formed by the normal winning ball device 6A or the ordinary variable winning ball device 6B in order to perform a winning display on the start winning memory display unit provided in the image display device 5. This is a reserved memory number notification command for notifying the special figure reserved memory number that is the number of effective winning balls won in the second start winning opening. In the reserved memory count notification command, different EXT data may be set corresponding to the special figure reserved memory count.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the game control microcomputer 100 mounted on the main board 11. A game control microcomputer 100 shown in FIG. 5 is, for example, a one-chip microcomputer, and includes a clock circuit 111, a reset / interrupt controller 112, a random number circuit 113, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 114, and a ROM (Read Only). Memory (RAM) 115, RAM (Random Access Memory) 116, timer circuit (PIT) 117, serial communication circuit (SCI) 118, and input / output port 119. In the game control microcomputer 100, the CPU 114 executes a program read from the ROM 115, thereby executing a process for controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1. At this time, the CPU 114 reads fixed data from the ROM 115, the CPU 114 writes various fluctuation data to the RAM 116 and temporarily stores them, and the CPU 114 temporarily stores various fluctuation data temporarily stored in the RAM 116. The CPU 114 receives the input of various signals from the outside of the game control microcomputer 100 via the input / output port 119, and the CPU 114 receives the input of various signals from the game control microcomputer 100 via the input / output port 119. A transmission operation for outputting various signals to the outside is also performed.

  The clock circuit 111 is a circuit that generates a clock signal to be supplied to each circuit in the game control microcomputer 100 such as the CPU 114. As a specific example, the clock circuit 111 divides an external clock input to a predetermined clock input terminal by 4 to generate an internal system clock CLK, and the generated internal system clock CLK is used for a game control micro, such as the CPU 114. This is supplied to each circuit in the computer 100.

  The reset / interrupt controller 112 is for controlling various reset and interrupt requests generated in the game control microcomputer 100. The reset controlled by the reset / interrupt controller 112 includes a system reset and a user reset. The system reset is a reset that occurs when a low level signal is input to a predetermined SRST terminal for a certain period. A user reset has occurred when a low-level signal is input to a predetermined URST terminal for a certain period of time, a watchdog timer (WDT) time-out signal is generated, or an out-of-designated area prohibition (IAT) signal is generated. Or a reset caused by a predetermined factor such as the occurrence of an interval reset signal.

  The interrupts controlled by the reset / interrupt controller 112 include four types of interrupts such as an X class interrupt (XIRQ), an I class interrupt (IRQ), a software interrupt (SWI), and an illegal opcode trap (ILGOP). . The X class interrupt is an interrupt that occurs when a low level signal is input to a predetermined XIRQ terminal for a certain period. The I-class interrupt is an interrupt that can permit / prohibit acceptance of an interrupt request by a user program. A low-level signal is input to a predetermined IRQ terminal for a certain period of time, or an interrupt request signal from the timer circuit 117 is received. This is an interrupt generated by various predetermined interrupt factors such as the occurrence of an interrupt request signal from the serial communication circuit 118.

  The random number circuit 113 is a circuit that generates all or part of various random numbers used on the main board 11 side. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a random number value used on the main board 11 side. As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, on the main board 11 side, a random value MR1 for determining a special figure display result, a random value MR2 for determining a big hit type, a random value MR3 for determining a reach, a variable display A random number value MR4 for pattern determination is used, and control is performed so that numerical data indicating these random number values can be counted. In order to enhance the gaming effect, random values other than the random number values MR1 to MR4 may be used on the main board 11 side. The random number circuit 113 only needs to count numerical data indicating all or part of the random number values MR1 to MR4. Further, the numerical data indicating a part of the random number values MR1 to MR4 may be counted by the CPU 114 using a random counter different from the random number circuit 113 by updating with software.

  The random value MR1 for determining the special figure display result is a random value used for determining whether or not to control the jackpot gaming state with the variable symbol display result of the special symbol as “big hit”. For example, the random number value MR1 for determining the special figure display result takes a value in the range of “1” to “65535”. The random number MR2 for determining the big hit type is a random value used to determine the big hit type as one of a plurality of types such as “normal”, “probability change”, and “surprising probability” when the variable display result is “big hit”. It is a numerical value. For example, the random value MR2 for determining the jackpot type takes a value in the range of “1” to “100”.

  The reach determination random number value MR3 is a random value used for determining whether or not the variable display state of the decorative symbol is set to the reach state when the variable display result of the special symbol or the decorative symbol is “losing”. For example, it takes a value in the range of “1” to “239”. The random value MR4 for determining the variable display pattern is a random value used to determine the variable display pattern of the decorative design as one of a plurality of types prepared in advance. Takes the value of

  The ROM 115 provided in the game control microcomputer 100 stores a game control user program and various data tables used for controlling the progress of the game. For example, the ROM 115 stores table data respectively constituting a plurality of determination tables, determination tables, and setting tables prepared for the CPU 114 to perform various determinations, determinations, and settings. The ROM 115 also stores table data that constitutes a plurality of command tables used by the CPU 114 to transmit control signals serving as various control commands from the main board 11.

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the special figure display result determination table 200 stored in the ROM 115. The special figure display result determination table 200 is a big hit with the variable display result as “big hit” before the fixed special symbol that becomes the variable display result is derived and displayed in the special figure game using the special symbol by the special symbol display device 4. It is a table referred in order to determine whether to control to a gaming state based on the random number value MR1 for special figure display result determination. The special figure display result determination table 200 stores the random value MR1 for determining the special figure display result according to whether the probability change flag provided in the game control flag setting unit 162 shown in FIG. 12 is on or off. It consists of setting data (determination data) associated with (assigned) big hit decision value data and lost decision value data.

  Here, in the setting of the special figure display result determination table 200 shown in FIG. 7, depending on whether the probability variation flag is on or off, the random value MR1 for determining the special figure display result is assigned to the jackpot decision value data. Is different. More specifically, when the probability variation flag is off, a value in the range of “8001” to “8190” among the random value MR1 for determining the special figure display result is assigned to the jackpot decision value data, while the probability variation is determined. When the flag is on, a value in the range of “8001” to “9900” is assigned to the big hit decision value data among the random value MR1 for determining the special figure display result. With such a setting, when the probability variation flag is on, the random hit value MR1 for determining the special figure display result matches the jackpot decision value data with a higher probability than when the probability variation flag is off. The decision to control to the state will be made.

  FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the jackpot type determination table 201 stored in the ROM 115. The jackpot type determination table 201 has a plurality of jackpot types such as “normal”, “probability change”, and “surprise” based on the random value MR2 for determining the jackpot type when it is determined to control the jackpot game state. It is a table that is referred to in order to determine any of the above. The jackpot type determination table 201 is made up of determination data that assigns the random number MR2 for determining the jackpot type to the jackpot types of “normal”, “probability change”, and “surprise”. Also, the jackpot type determination table 201 is determined based on the value of the jackpot type buffer provided in the game control buffer setting unit 165 shown in FIG. 12 (the jackpot type buffer value) based on the random number MR2 for determining the jackpot type. Table data (setting data) for setting to any one of “0” to “2” corresponding to the big hit type may be included.

  FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of the reach determination table 202 stored in the ROM 115. The reach determination table 202 determines, based on the reach determination random value MR3, whether or not to change the variable display state of the decorative symbols to the reach state when it is determined not to control the jackpot gaming state. It is a table that is referred to. The reach determination table 202 is composed of determination data for assigning a random number MR3 for reach determination to each reach determination result of “non-reach” or “reach”.

  Here, in the setting of the reach determination table 202 shown in FIG. 9, a value in the range of “1” to “204” of the reach determination random number MR3 corresponding to the case where the number of reserved storage is “0”. Are assigned to the determination result of “non-reach”, while values in the range of “205” to “239” are assigned to the determination result of “reach”. Corresponding to the case where the number of stored storage is “1”, a value in the range of “1” to “217” among the random number MR3 for reach determination is assigned to the determination result of “non-reach”. Further, corresponding to the case where the number of reserved memories is “2”, a value in the range of “1” to “220” among the random number MR3 for reach determination is assigned to the determination result of “non-reach”. Corresponding to the case where the number of reserved memories is “3”, a value in the range of “1” to “230” is assigned to the determination result of “non-reach” among the random numbers MR3 for reach determination. Corresponding to the case where the reserved storage number is “4”, a value in the range of “1” to “235” is assigned to the determination result of “non-reach” among the random value MR3 for reach determination. With such a setting, when the number of reserved memories is large, the proportion of the decision to change the decorative symbol variable display state to the reach state is lower than when the number of reserved memories is small. The average variable display time in the variable display pattern corresponding to “non-reach” is set to be shorter than the average variable display time in the variable display pattern corresponding to “reach”. As a result, when the number of reserved memories is large, the average variable display time can be shortened compared to when the number of reserved memories is small. It should be noted that the determination result of “non-reach” and the assignment of the random value MR3 for determination of reach to the determination result of “reach” are not limited to the number of reserved memories but, for example, the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is normal, It may be made different depending on whether the state or the short time state. As an example, when the probability variation flag is on corresponding to the probability variation state, more reach determination random number values MR3 are assigned to the determination result of “non-reach” than when the probability variation flag is off. It may be set so that According to such a setting, when the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is a probable change state, the proportion that the variable display state of the decorative symbols is determined to be the reach state is larger than that in the normal state. Can be lowered.

  FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of the variable display pattern table 203 stored in the ROM 115. The variable display pattern table 203 includes table data including information on a plurality of types of variable display patterns used for variable display of special symbols and decorative symbols. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 10, the name of each variable display pattern, the variable display time (seconds), and the like are stored in association with each other depending on whether the special figure display result is “lost” or “big hit”. Has been. Here, the special figure display result is obtained by referring to the special figure display result determination table 200 shown in FIG. 7 when the numerical data indicating the random value MR1 for determining the special figure display result matches the jackpot decision value data. Becomes “big hit”, and when it matches the loss determination value data, it becomes “lost”.

  In this embodiment, as a variable display pattern corresponding to a case where the special figure display result is “losing”, a non-reach loss pattern in which the variable display mode is “non-reach” and a reach loss in which the variable display mode is “reach”. Patterns are prepared. The non-reach loss pattern includes variable display patterns of non-reach A to non-reach D shown in FIG. The reach lose pattern includes variable display patterns of normal, super A to super D shown in FIG. Here, in the normal variable display pattern, after the decorative symbol variable display state has reached the reach state, for example, the decorative symbol display portion 5C of “medium” displays the decorative symbol at a reduced speed, and then the final stop symbol. The finalized decorative symbol is stopped and displayed. In the variable display patterns of Super A to Super D, after the decorative display variable display state becomes the reach state, for example, a special reach effect different from the normal variable display pattern is performed, and then the final stop pattern is determined. The decorative design is stopped and displayed. In the variable display patterns of super A to super D, different reach effects are performed.

  As a variable display pattern according to the case where the special figure display result is “big hit”, the 15 round big hit pattern corresponding to the case where the big hit type is “normal” or “probable change”, and the big hit type is “surprise” A 2-round big hit pattern corresponding to the case is prepared. The 15 round jackpot pattern and the 2 round jackpot pattern are also called jackpot patterns. The 15 round big hit pattern includes the normal, super A to super D variable display patterns shown in FIG. These variable display patterns are prepared as variable display patterns in common with the variable display pattern when the variable display result is “losing” and the variable display mode is “reach”. May be different, or may be prepared as a variable display pattern separate from the variable display pattern when the variable display result is “lost”. The two round big hit pattern includes variable display patterns of specific A to specific C shown in FIG. In the variable display patterns of Singular A to Singular C, in response to the variable display result being “big hit” and the big hit type being “surprising”, for example, a special presentation operation such as a special presentation is performed, or special The confirmed decorative symbol that is the final stop symbol is stopped and displayed without performing the production operation. In any one of the variable display patterns of singular A to singular C (for example, the variable display pattern of singular A), the variable display state of the decorative pattern does not reach the reach state, and the fixed decorative pattern predetermined as the chance of randomness stops. It only has to be displayed. In addition, in a part of the variable display patterns of Singular A to Singular C (for example, the variable display pattern of Singular C), after the variable display state of the decorative symbol becomes the reach state, a predetermined reach effect is executed. A fixed decorative pattern that is a predetermined reach combination may be stopped and displayed.

  FIG. 11A shows a configuration example of the jackpot pattern determination table 204A stored in the ROM 115. FIG. 11B shows a configuration example of the reach loss pattern determination table 204B stored in the ROM 115. FIG. 11C shows a configuration example of the non-reach loss pattern determination table 204 </ b> C stored in the ROM 115. The jackpot pattern determination table 204A is a table that is referred to in order to determine the variable display pattern as one of a plurality of types of jackpot patterns based on the determination result that the variable display result is “big hit”. The reach loss pattern determination table 204B is referred to in order to determine the variable display pattern as one of a plurality of types of reach loss patterns based on the determination result that the variable display result is “loss” and the variable display mode is “reach”. It is a table. The non-reach loss pattern determination table 204C is used to determine the variable display pattern as one of a plurality of types of non-reach loss patterns based on the determination result that the variable display result is “loss” and the variable display mode is “non-reach”. It is a table to be referenced.

  The jackpot pattern determination table 204A is a random value for determining a variable display pattern depending on whether the jackpot type buffer value stored in the game control buffer setting unit 165 shown in FIG. 12 is “0” to “2”. MR4 is composed of data for determination that is assigned to a plurality of types of variable display patterns that are big hit patterns. The reach loss pattern determination table 204B is composed of determination data and the like for assigning the random display pattern MR4 for determining the variable display pattern to a plurality of types of variable display patterns serving as reach loss patterns. The non-reach lose pattern determination table 204C is variable depending on whether the probability change flag and the time reduction flag provided in the game control flag setting unit 162 shown in FIG. 12 are off or on, and also depending on the number of reserved storage. The display pattern determination random number MR4 is composed of determination data assigned to a plurality of types of variable display patterns that are non-reach loss patterns.

  In the non-reach loss pattern determination table 204C shown in FIG. 11C, when the probability variation flag or the time reduction flag is off, if the number of reserved storage reaches a predetermined number (for example, “4”), the non-reach A variable. While the random number MR4 for determining the variable display pattern is not assigned to the display pattern, the random value MR4 is assigned to the non-reach C variable display pattern. On the other hand, if the reserved storage number does not reach the predetermined number, the random value MR4 is assigned to the non-reach A variable display pattern, while the non-reach C variable display pattern is disturbed. The numerical value MR4 is not assigned. As shown in FIG. 10, the non-reach C variable display pattern is set so that the variable display time is shorter than the non-reach A variable display pattern. Thus, the average variable display time of special symbols and decorative symbols is shortened when the number of reserved memories reaches a predetermined number, compared to when the predetermined number is not reached. As a result, when a game ball enters the first start winning opening and the second starting winning opening and a start winning is generated, there is a possibility that the starting condition may not be satisfied because the reserved memory number has reached the upper limit value. It can reduce and can promote the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  In the RAM 116 provided in the game control microcomputer 100 shown in FIG. 5, for example, game control as shown in FIG. 12 is provided as an area for holding various data used for controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1. A data holding area 160 is provided. The game control data holding area 160 shown in FIG. 12 includes a special figure hold storage unit 161, a game control flag setting unit 162, a game control timer setting unit 163, a game control counter setting unit 164, and a game control buffer setting unit. 165.

  The special figure holding storage unit 161 starts when the game condition is established when the game ball wins at the first start winning opening formed by the normal winning ball apparatus 6A and the second starting winning opening formed by the normal variable winning ball apparatus 6B. The hold data of the special figure game in which the condition is not satisfied is stored. As an example, the special figure holding storage unit 161 associates with the holding numbers in the order of winning in the first start winning opening and the second starting winning opening, and is extracted from the random number circuit 113 or the like by the CPU 114 based on the establishment of the starting condition by the winning. The numerical data indicating the random number value MR1 for determining the special figure display result and the numerical data indicating the random value MR2 for determining the big hit type are reserved data, and the number reaches a predetermined upper limit value (for example, “4”). Remember.

  The game control flag setting unit 162 is provided with a plurality of types of flags that can be updated in accordance with the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1. For example, the game control flag setting unit 162 stores data indicating the value of the flag and data indicating the on state or the off state for each of the plurality of types of flags. In this embodiment, the game control flag setting unit 162 is provided with a special symbol process flag, a demo display flag, a big hit flag, a probability change flag, a time reduction flag, a probability change confirmation flag, a probability change completion confirmation flag, and the like.

  The special symbol process flag is used to control the progress of the special symbol game by the special symbol display device 4, the opening / closing operation of the special prize winning device formed by the special variable winning ball device 7 in the big hit gaming state, etc. In the special symbol process as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The demonstration display flag is set to an on state when a demonstration display command is transmitted from the main board 11 to the effect control board 12. On the other hand, the demo display flag is cleared and turned off when the special figure game ends when the special symbol or decorative symbol variable display result is “losing”, or when the big hit gaming state ends. It becomes.

  The jackpot flag is set to ON when a decision is made to control the jackpot gaming state with the variable symbol display result of the special symbol or decoration symbol as “big hit”, while the special figure game based on the decision is ended. When it is done, it is cleared and turned off. The probability variation flag is set to the on state when the control for changing the gaming state to the probability variation state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is started, and is cleared to the off state when the control for the probability variation state is ended. . The time reduction flag is set to the on state when the control for setting the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is started, and is cleared to the off state when the control for the time reduction state is ended. .

  The probability change confirmation flag is set to the on state when the jackpot type is determined to be “probable change” or “surprise” when the variable symbol display result of special symbols and decorative symbols is “big hit”. When the big hit gaming state ends following the special figure game based, it is cleared and turned off. The probability variation end confirmation flag is cleared when the variable symbol display result of the special symbol or decoration symbol is “big hit” and the control to the big hit gaming state is started, and the probability variation flag is cleared and the control to the probability changed state is ended. If so, it is set to the on state. On the other hand, the probability change completion confirmation flag is cleared and turned off if it is on when the big hit gaming state is finished. The probability change completion confirmation flag is displayed in the variable display result when the variable display result is “big hit” and the big hit type is “normal” when the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is controlled to the probability changed state. This is used to transmit a probability change end command for notifying the effect control board 12 of the end of the probability change state after the end of the big hit game state.

  Game control timer setting unit 163 Various timers used for controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are provided. For example, the game control timer setting unit 163 stores data indicating timer values in various timers. In this embodiment, the game control timer setting unit 163 is provided with a special symbol process timer.

  The special symbol process timer mainly includes a time for controlling the progress of the special symbol game such as a special symbol variable display time which is the execution time of the special symbol game, and a time for controlling the progress of the big hit gaming state. This is for measuring on the substrate 11 side. For example, the special symbol process timer stores the timer value data corresponding to the time measured to control the progress of the special symbol game or the big hit gaming state as a special symbol process timer value, and periodically counts down. Used as a counter. In this case, when the special symbol game is started by the special symbol display device 4, the special symbol process timer is set with a timer initial value determined according to the variable display pattern, and the special variable winning ball in the big hit gaming state. When the special winning opening formed by the device 7 is opened, a timer initial value corresponding to the longest duration of one round (for example, 29 seconds) is set. Alternatively, the special symbol process timer stores data indicating a timer value corresponding to the elapsed time from the start time of the special figure game and the elapsed time from the start time of the big hit gaming state, and periodically counts up. May be used as

  The game control counter setting unit 164 is provided with a plurality of types of counters for counting the count values used for controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1. For example, the game control counter setting unit 164 stores data indicating the count value in each of a plurality of types of counters. In this embodiment, the game control counter setting unit 164 is provided with a random counter, a special figure holding memory number counter, a round number counter, a probability variation number counter, a short time number counter, and the like.

  In the random counter of the game control counter setting unit 164, the CPU 114 can update a part of numerical data indicating a random number value used for controlling the progress of the game by software unlike the hardware update in the random number circuit 113. It is for counting. As an example, in the random counter of the game control counter setting unit 164, numerical data indicating the random number values MR2 to MR4 is stored as a random count value, which is periodically or irregularly set according to the execution of software by the CPU 114. The numerical data indicating the random value is updated.

  The special figure reserved memory number counter is for counting the number of reserved memories as the number of reserved data in the special figure reserved memory unit 151. For example, in the special figure reserved memory number counter, the count value data corresponding to the reserved memory number is stored as the reserved memory number count value, and updated (for example, 1 addition or 1 subtraction) in accordance with the increase or decrease of the reserved memory number. The The round number counter is for counting the number of rounds executed in the big hit gaming state. For example, in the round number counter, data indicating the initial count value “1” at the start of the big hit gaming state is set as the round number count value. When one round is completed and the next round is started, the round count value is incremented by 1 and updated.

  The probability variation counter is for counting the remaining number of special figure games that can be executed in the probability variation state in which probability variation control is performed. For example, the probability variation counter displays a probability variation state when the jackpot gaming state ends when the variable symbol display result of special symbol or decoration symbol is “big hit” and the big hit type is “probable variation” or “surprise”. Thus, data indicating the upper limit number (for example, “100”) of the special figure game predetermined as executable is set as the count initial value. Then, when a special game in which the variable display result is “losing” is executed in the probability variation state, the count value in the probability variation counter is updated (for example, 1 is subtracted). Note that the probability variation count counter may not be provided if the probability variation state continues until the next variable display result becomes “big hit” regardless of the number of executions of the special game after entering the probability variation state. .

  The time reduction counter is for counting the number of remaining special game that can be executed in the time reduction state. For example, the hourly number counter can be executed in the time-shortened state when the big hit gaming state based on the fact that the variable symbol display result of special symbols and decorative symbols is “big hit” and the big hit type is “normal”. Data indicating a predetermined upper limit number of special figure games (for example, “100”) is set as the initial count value. Then, when a special game in which the variable display result is “losing” is executed in the time reduction state, the count value in the time reduction counter is updated (for example, 1 is subtracted). In addition, if the variable display result is “big hit” and the big hit type is “normal” and the normal hit state is entered after the big hit gaming state ends, a short time counter is provided. It does not have to be.

  The game control buffer setting unit 165 is provided with various buffers that temporarily store data used for controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1. For example, the game control buffer setting unit 165 stores data indicating buffer values in each of a plurality of types of buffers. In this embodiment, the game control buffer setting unit 165 is provided with a transmission command buffer, a jackpot type buffer, a main checksum buffer, and the like.

  The transmission command buffer is used to temporarily store setting data for transmitting a control command from the main board 11 to the sub-side control board. As an example, the transmission command buffer may include an effect control command buffer that temporarily stores setting data for transmitting an effect control command from the main board 11 to the effect control board 12. The transmission command buffer includes a plurality of (for example, “12”) buffer areas, and setting data indicating storage addresses in the ROM 115 of the command table corresponding to the control command to be transmitted is stored in each buffer area. The In addition, a buffer area where setting data is written and read in the transmission command buffer may be specified by a transmission command pointer or the like, and a plurality of buffer areas may be used as a ring buffer.

  The jackpot type buffer corresponds to a decision result in which the decorative display variable display mode when the variable display result is “big hit” is one of a plurality of types of jackpot types such as “normal”, “probability change”, and “probability” Stored buffer value is stored. As an example, based on the setting in the jackpot type determination table 201 as shown in FIG. 8, when the jackpot type is “normal”, the value of the jackpot type buffer (big hit type buffer value) is set to “0”, and the jackpot type When the type is “probable change”, the big hit type buffer value is set to “1”, and when the big hit type is “surprise”, the big hit type buffer value is set to “2”. The main checksum buffer is for storing a checksum calculated using stored data in a specific area of the RAM 116 when power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is stopped.

  The timer circuit 117 provided in the game control microcomputer 100 shown in FIG. 5 is configured by, for example, four channels (CH0 to CH3) of built-in 8-bit programmable counters, and can generate a real-time interrupt and measure time. is there. For example, the timer circuit 117 starts counting down at a predetermined cycle from a preset count value for each channel, and when there is a channel whose count value is “00”, the interrupt flag corresponding to the channel is turned on. set. At this time, if the interrupt is permitted, the timer circuit 117 generates an interrupt request to the CPU 114.

  The serial communication circuit 118 included in the game control microcomputer 100 is transmitted to and received from a predetermined sub-side control board such as a payout control board in a full duplex, asynchronous, standard NRZ (Non Return to Zero) format, for example. This circuit handles communication data. If all data transmission / reception between the main board 11 and the sub control board is performed by parallel communication via the input / output port 119, the game control microcomputer 100 uses the serial communication circuit 118. It does not have to be provided. The input / output port 119 includes an input port for taking in various signals transmitted to the game control microcomputer 100 and an output port for transmitting various signals to the outside of the game control microcomputer 100. Has been.

  The effect control board 12 shown in FIG. 3 receives the effect control command transmitted from the main board 11 via the signal relay board 13, and receives the image display device 5, the speakers 8L and 8R, the game effect lamp 9, and the like. Various circuits for controlling the rendering operation by various electrical components for rendering such as an accessory are mounted. That is, the effect control board 12 includes a display operation in the image display device 5, a sound output operation from the speakers 8L and 8R, a lamp turn-on operation and a turn-off operation in the game effect lamp 9, and a predetermined accessory driving operation. It has a function of determining the control content for causing the electrical component for production to execute a predetermined production operation. For example, the effect control board 12 includes an effect control microcomputer 120, a display control unit 121, a sound control unit 122, and a lamp control unit 123. The effect control board 12 is connected to wiring for transmitting a video signal to the image display device 5 and wiring for transmitting a driving signal to the speakers 8L and 8R and the game effect lamp 9.

  FIG. 13 shows a configuration example of the effect control microcomputer 120 and the display control unit 121 mounted on the effect control board 12. The production control microcomputer 120 shown in FIG. 13 is configured using, for example, a one-chip microcomputer, and the CPU 131 performs control operations according to a program. The ROM 132 stores the production control program, fixed data, and the like. A RAM 133 providing a work area, a random number circuit 134 for updating numerical data indicating a random number value independently of the CPU 131, and an input / output port 135 are provided.

  In the effect control microcomputer 120, the CPU 131 executes a program read from the ROM 132, thereby executing a process for controlling the effect operation by the effect electrical component. At this time, the CPU 131 reads the fixed data from the ROM 132, the CPU 131 writes the various data to the RAM 133 and temporarily stores the data, and the CPU 131 stores the various data temporarily stored in the RAM 133. The CPU 131 receives the input of various signals from the outside of the effect control microcomputer 120 via the input / output port 135, and the CPU 131 operates the effect control microcomputer 120 via the input / output port 135. A transmission operation for outputting various signals to the outside is also performed. In this embodiment, the CPU 131 outputs and transmits a display control command serving as a display control command (electric signal) from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121. In addition, the CPU 131 outputs audio data from the input / output port 135 to the sound control unit 122 for transmission. Further, the CPU 131 outputs lamp data from the input / output port 135 to the lamp control unit 123 for transmission.

  In the effect control board 12, the random number circuit 134 generates all or part of various random numbers used on the effect control board 12 side. For example, on the side of the effect control board 12, a random number value for determining a definite decorative symbol, a random number value for determining a reach announcement, a random value for determining a big hit announcement, or the like is used. In addition, in order to enhance the effect, random numbers other than these may be used on the effect control board 12 side. Numerical data indicating each random number value may be counted so that the random number circuit 134 can be updated by hardware, or the CPU 131 can be updated by software using a random counter different from the random number circuit 134. It may be counted as follows.

  The random number value for determining the fixed decorative symbol is a decorative symbol that is stopped and displayed as a fixed decorative symbol in each of the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R in the image display device 5. A random value used to determine. For example, the random number value for determining the determined decorative design includes a random number value for determining the jackpot symbol / left determined symbol, a random value for determining the middle determined symbol, a random value for determining the right determined symbol, and the like. The random value for determining the reach notice determines whether or not to execute a notice effect for notifying that the variable display state of the decorative symbol may reach the reach state. It is a random value used to determine the aspect. The random value for determining the jackpot notice determines whether or not to execute a notice effect informing that there is a possibility that the fixed figure combination of the jackpot combination may be stopped and displayed as a variable display result of the decoration symbol, and decides to execute it. In this case, it is a random value used to determine the mode of the notice effect.

  The ROM 132 included in the effect control microcomputer 120 includes, for example, a plurality of types of decorative symbol determination tables, a notice determination table, a pre-transfer setting table, an effect control pattern table, and the like as data for determining the control operation by the CPU 131. Data to be stored is stored. The decorative symbol determination table is a table used to determine a fixed decorative symbol that is stopped and displayed as a variable display result of decorative symbols in the image display device 5. The notice determination table determines whether or not to execute a notice effect such as a reach notice or a jackpot notice based on a random number value for a notice decision such as a random value for a reach notice decision or a random value for a jackpot notice decision. It is a table used in order to determine the notice pattern etc. which show the aspect of notice effect.

  The pre-transfer setting table stored in the ROM 132 has a higher display frequency on the image display device 5 than the required effect image among image data indicating various effect images such as decorative design images and background images. The image data indicating the effect image set as described above is displayed from the image data memory 142 (FIG. 13) provided in advance in the display control unit 121 before the effect image is displayed on the display screen of the image display device 5. It is a table used to instruct transfer to the temporary storage memory 156 (FIG. 13) in the VDP 141. Here, the effect image is an image of a predetermined part (entire or part of the display screen) that can be displayed on the display screen of the image display device 5, and the image data is the display screen of the image display device 5. The data prepared for displaying an image of a predetermined part (entire or part of the display screen).

  As a specific example of the advance transfer setting table, the advance transfer setting table 210 as shown in FIG. 14A is used in this embodiment. The advance transfer setting table 210 shown in FIG. 14A is composed of 3N + 1 (N is an arbitrary natural number) table data. The table data read from the advance transfer setting table 210 is determined by the advance transfer count value that is a count value in the advance transfer counter.

  The advance transfer setting table 210 includes the number of processes, read addresses # 1 to #N, and write address # as table data for specifying image data to be transferred from the image data memory 142 to the temporary storage memory 156 in advance. 1 to #N, transfer data amounts # 1 to #N, and the like are stored. Here, the usage frequency of the image data indicating each effect image displayed on the display screen of the image display device 5 differs depending on whether the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is a normal state, a short-time state, or a probable state. Arise. For example, in the normal state or in the short time state, as shown in FIG. 2A, the VGA mode is used as image data for displaying the decorative design in order to display the decorative design smaller than in the probability changing state. Image data configured corresponding to the number of pixels (640 × 480 pixels) is used. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, the image data for displaying the decorative pattern is larger than the normal state or the short-time state as shown in FIG. , Image data configured corresponding to the number of pixels in the SVGA mode (800 × 600 pixels) is used. Here, when using image data configured corresponding to the number of pixels in the SVGA mode, the enlargement ratio of the effect image displayed on the image display device 5 is configured corresponding to the number of pixels in the VGA mode. It is set to have a smaller enlargement ratio than when using image data. Therefore, if the image data configured to correspond to the number of pixels in the SVGA mode is used, a finer effect image can be displayed compared to the case where image data configured to correspond to the number of pixels in the VGA mode is used. Thus, even when a large effect image is displayed, the roughness of the image quality can be made inconspicuous.

  In such a setting, even if the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in the normal state or the short time state, the image data indicating the decorative design corresponding to the SVGA mode is used even if it is stored in the temporary storage memory 156. The use efficiency of the temporary storage memory 156 is reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14B, the normal / short-time state pre-transfer setting table 210A corresponding to the normal state and the short-time state, and the pre-transfer for the probability change state corresponding to the probability change state. The setting table 210B is prepared in advance, and image data indicating the effect image set so that the display frequency is higher than the required effect image corresponding to the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is stored in advance in the image data memory. 142 to the temporary storage memory 156.

  As a specific example of the effect control pattern table, an effect control pattern table 211 as shown in FIG. 15A is used in this embodiment. The effect control pattern table 211 stores a plurality of types of effect control patterns that can be selected in accordance with a special symbol, a decorative symbol variable display pattern, and the like. In addition, the effect control pattern table 211 corresponds to various effect controls such as a plurality of types of effect control patterns corresponding to various effect controls during the period in which the game is controlled to the big hit gaming state, background image switching, and demonstration image display. A plurality of types of effect control patterns may be stored.

  FIG. 15B shows a configuration example of each effect control pattern shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15B, the effect control pattern includes, for example, data indicating an effect control process timer initial value, pattern data constituting a display control pattern, a sound control pattern, and a lamp control pattern. Here, the effect control process timer initial value is set in an effect control process timer provided in, for example, the effect control timer setting unit 192 shown in FIG. 18 when the control of the effect operation corresponding to each effect control pattern is started. This is the timer initial value. The display control pattern is a control pattern of an operation for displaying various effect images on the display screen of the image display device 5, and includes control data such as a display control timer determination value and display control data. The sound control pattern is a control pattern for outputting the production sound from the speakers 8L and 8R, and includes control data such as a sound control timer determination value and sound control data. The lamp control pattern is a control pattern for turning on, turning off, and blinking the game effect lamp 9, and includes control data such as a lamp control timer determination value and lamp control data, for example.

  Further, the ROM 132 stores depth value data for setting the depth value (z coordinate) corresponding to each display element when a plurality of types of display elements are arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space. . In addition, in ROM 132, when a display element arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space is drawn by being converted into a screen coordinate system by coordinate transformation such as perspective projection transformation, rendering is performed with an already drawn image. Opacity data for setting the opacity when performing is stored. The depth value data and the opacity data constitute a depth value setting table and an opacity setting table, respectively.

  As a specific example of the depth value setting table, in this embodiment, the depth value setting table 212A shown in FIG. 16A and the depth value setting table 212B shown in FIG. Is remembered. As a specific example of the opacity setting table, in this embodiment, the opacity setting table 213 shown in FIG. 17 is stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 132. In the depth value setting tables 212A and 212B, elapsed time and depth value data as data indicating the depth value are stored in association with each other. In the opacity setting table 213, depth value data and opacity data as data indicating opacity are stored in association with each other.

  The depth value setting table 212A indicates the depth value of the planar image P1 (see FIG. 27A) serving as the first display element among the plurality of types of display elements arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space. The table data for setting to move in the decreasing direction according to the table. In this embodiment, the depth value (z coordinate) at the arrangement position where the display element can be arranged closest to the screen plane including the drawing area in the virtual three-dimensional space is set to “00H”. It is assumed that the depth value is set so as to increase far away. The depth value at the arrangement position where the display element can be arranged farthest from the screen plane is “FFH”. The arrangement position where the display element can be arranged closest to the screen plane including the drawing area may be set to be on the same plane as the screen plane.

  The depth value setting table 212B displays the depth value of the planar image P2 (see FIG. 27B) serving as the second display element among the plurality of types of display elements arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space. The table data is set to a value different from the depth value of P1, and is configured to be set so as to be moved in a decreasing direction according to the elapsed time.

  In the opacity setting table 213, the transparency of the display elements arranged on the near side (neighboring) from the predetermined viewpoint (virtual camera) among the plurality of types of display elements arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space is set to the back side ( It is composed of table data or the like for setting the opacity of each display element so as to be lower than the transparency of the display element arranged far away.

  The RAM 133 provided in the effect control microcomputer 120 shown in FIG. 13 is provided with an effect control data holding area 190 as shown in FIG. 18, for example, as an area for holding various data used for controlling the effect operation. ing. The effect control data holding area 190 shown in FIG. 18 includes an effect control flag setting unit 191, an effect control timer setting unit 192, an effect control counter setting unit 193, and an effect control buffer setting unit 194.

  In the effect control flag setting unit 191, for example, a plurality of types of states whose states can be updated according to an effect operation state such as an effect image display state in the display area of the image display device 5, an effect control command transmitted from the main board 11, and the like. A flag is provided. For example, the effect control flag setting unit 191 stores data indicating the value of the flag and data indicating the on state or the off state for each of the plurality of types of flags. The effect control timer setting unit 192 is provided with a plurality of types of timers that are used to control the progress of various effect operations such as an effect image display operation in the display area of the image display device 5, for example. For example, the production control timer setting unit 192 stores data indicating timer values in each of a plurality of types of timers. The effect control counter setting unit 193 is provided with a plurality of types of counters used for controlling the progress of various effect operations. For example, the production control counter setting unit 193 stores data indicating the count value in each of a plurality of types of counters. The circuit used for flag setting and counter / timer may be constituted by a register circuit provided separately from the RAM 133.

  The effect control buffer setting unit 194 is provided with various buffers that temporarily store data used for controlling the progress of various effect operations. For example, the effect control buffer setting unit 194 stores data indicating buffer values in each of a plurality of types of buffers.

  The input / output port 135 included in the effect control microcomputer 120 is an input port for taking in various signals transmitted to the effect control microcomputer 120 and to transmit various signals to the outside of the effect control microcomputer 120. Output port. For example, from the output port of the input / output port 135, a display control command transmitted to the display control unit 121, audio data transmitted to the sound control unit 122, lamp data transmitted to the lamp control unit 123, etc. Is output. In addition, a control signal or the like as an effect control command transmitted from the main board 11 is input to the input port of the input / output port 135.

  The display control unit 121 shown in FIG. 13 includes a VDP (Video Display Processor) 141 and an image data memory 142. The VDP 141 has an image data processing function such as a high-speed drawing function and a moving image decoding function for displaying various images on the screen of the image display device 5, for example, and follows a display control command from the effect control microcomputer 120. An image processor that executes image data processing. The image data memory 142 is configured using a non-volatile recording medium such as a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a magnetic memory, or an optical memory, and stores various image data indicating a display image on the image display device 5. For example, the image data stored in the image data memory 142 includes a plurality of types of image data corresponding to a plurality of types of effect images, such as a plurality of types of decorative symbols variably displayed on the image display device 5.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the VDP 141 includes a host interface 151, a transfer control circuit 152, an image data memory interface 153, a moving picture decoder 154, a drawing circuit 155, a temporary storage memory 156, a VRAM 157, a display Circuit 158.

  The host interface 151 includes an address input terminal and a data input / output terminal for exchanging various data with the production control microcomputer 120. The transfer control circuit 152 is between the VDP 141 and an external circuit, such as an operation of transferring the image data read from the image data memory 142 to the temporary storage memory 156 based on a display control command from the effect control microcomputer 120. Control the data transfer operation. For example, the transfer control circuit 152 may include a DMA device for performing data transfer from the image data memory 142 to the temporary storage memory 156 using DMA (Direct Memory Access) transfer.

  The image data memory interface 153 includes an address bus connection terminal for reading image data stored in the image data memory 142, a data bus connection terminal, a chip selection signal output terminal, and the like. The moving picture decoder 154 reads out the moving picture data stored in the picture data memory 142 in a state where the data is compressed by, for example, motion compensation predictive coding, and executes predetermined decompression processing. Perform decoding. Here, the moving picture decoder 154 only needs to be able to decode the moving picture data frame by frame in response to the display control command from the effect control microcomputer 120.

  The drawing circuit 155 executes a drawing process in which display data is generated in order to display an image on the image display device 5 based on the image data stored in the temporary storage memory 156. For example, the drawing circuit 155 writes the image data read from the read address of the temporary storage memory 156 to the write address of the VRAM 157 in response to the display control command from the effect control microcomputer 120, thereby storing the image data. Display data for displaying various images at predetermined coordinates on the screen of the display device 5 is created. As an example, the drawing circuit 155 has a space coordinate system that is a virtual three-dimensional space in which display elements are virtually arranged, a screen coordinate system that matches the display screen of the image display device 5, and the like. It is only necessary to be able to execute geometry processing such as coordinate conversion processing in which the coordinates of the arranged display elements are made into screen coordinates by perspective projection, processing such as translucent synthesis and hidden surface removal. In this way, the drawing circuit 155 displays an image that can be seen from a predetermined viewpoint (virtual camera) on the image display device 5 when a plurality of types of display elements are arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space, for example, by translucent synthesis with coordinate transformation. Display data to be generated can be generated.

  The temporary storage memory 156 is configured using, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory (RAM or the like), and temporarily stores the image data read from the image data memory 142. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of an address map in the temporary storage memory 156. As shown in FIG. 19, the temporary storage memory 156 can be provided with a fixed address area 156A and a variable address area 156B.

  The fixed address area 156A is stored in the advance transfer setting table 210 as image data indicating a display image set to have a high display frequency among a plurality of types of display images displayed on the screen of the image display device 5. This is an area for temporarily storing registered image data. For example, image data indicating an effect image serving as a decorative design is used for performing variable display on the screen of the image display device 5 at least once in a period in which variable display is executed each time. On the other hand, the image data indicating the effect image used in the reach effect display is a predetermined variable based on the determination that the variable display state of the decorative symbol is set to the reach state at the start of the variable display. Only when the display pattern is determined, it is used to display the effect image on the screen of the image display device 5 within a predetermined period during the variable display of the decorative design corresponding to the variable display pattern. That is, the display image forming the decorative design is set so that the display frequency on the image display device 5 is higher than the display image for performing the reach effect display. For example, among display images for performing reach effect display, a display image for performing reach effect display with low reliability of effect is a display image for performing reach effect display with higher reliability of effect. As compared with the above, the display frequency in the image display device 5 is set to be higher.

  The variable address area 156B is not registered in the advance transfer setting table 210 as image data indicating a display image that is displayed less frequently in the image display device 5 than the display image in which the image data is stored in the fixed address area 156A. This is an area for temporarily storing image data. The variable address area 156B can temporarily store various data that is not stored in the fixed address area 156A, such as moving image data decoded by the moving image decoder 154, for example. The start address STADD and the end address ENADD of the variable address area 156B are notified to the VDP 141 by a display control command from the effect control microcomputer 120 and set.

  The VRAM 157 provided in the VDP 141 shown in FIG. 13 is configured by using, for example, a separate semiconductor memory physically separated from the temporary storage memory 156, and image display data created by a drawing process by the drawing circuit 155 or the like. Is expanded and stored. Note that the temporary storage memory 156 and the VRAM 157 are not limited to physically separated ones. For example, one semiconductor memory or the like logically (functionally) separated according to a predetermined address setting is used. May be configured. The display data expanded and stored in the VRAM 157 may be pixel data (raster data) created by the drawing circuit 155 based on vector data (vector data) such as points, lines, and polygons. FIG. 20 shows an example of an address map in the VRAM 157. As shown in FIG. 20, the VRAM 157 is provided with a drawing buffer 157A, a display buffer 157B, and a Z buffer 157C.

  The drawing buffer 157A is set corresponding to display color data of R, G, and B, which are display colors of pixels constituting each display element such as a decorative pattern and background, and display color data of each pixel. Alpha value data as opacity data is stored. Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21A as an example, each of the R, G, B, and α values is pixel data consisting of 6 bits corresponding to each pixel, that is, 24 bits in total. It is stored in the drawing buffer 157A as PD1. For example, the drawing circuit 155 executes geometry processing using the image data read from the temporary storage memory 156, and the writing position of the drawing buffer 157A determined in accordance with the display position of the display element in the image display device 5. The display color data and alpha value data are written and stored in. The area from the address RESTA to the address RVEND in the VRAM 157 is the size of the VGA mode (640 × 480) based on the image data corresponding to the VGA mode, for example, when the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is a normal state or a short time state. When display data having a pixel) is created, it is used as the drawing buffer 157A. Further, the area from the address RESTA to the address RSEND in the VRAM 157 is the size of the SVGA mode (800 × 600 pixels) based on the image data corresponding to the SVGA mode, for example, when the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is a probabilistic state. ) Is used as the drawing buffer 157A.

  The display buffer 157B stores display color data of each pixel, which is display data for effect images in the image display device 5. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21B as an example, R, G, and B values are displayed as pixel data PD2 consisting of 8 bits corresponding to each pixel, that is, 24 bits in total. It is stored in the buffer 157B. The display data stored in the display buffer 157B is read by the display circuit 158. The area from the address DISA to the address DVEND in the VRAM 157 is based on the image data corresponding to the VGA mode (640 × 480, for example) when the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is a normal state or a short time state. When display data having a pixel) is created, it is used as the display buffer 157B. Further, the area from the address DISTA to the address DSEND in the VRAM 157 is the size of the SVGA mode (800 × 600 pixels) based on the image data corresponding to the SVGA mode, for example, when the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is a probabilistic state. ) Is used as the display buffer 157B. The display buffer 157B may store display data corresponding to a certain image size regardless of whether the image data size corresponds to the VGA mode or the SVGA mode. As an example, the display buffer 157B may be configured to store display data having an SVGA mode size (800 × 600 pixels). In this case, when drawing using image data corresponding to the VGA mode is performed, the data stored in the drawing buffer 157A is enlarged at a constant magnification (1.25 times both vertically and horizontally). Display data having a size may be stored in the display buffer 157B. On the other hand, when drawing using image data corresponding to the SVGA mode is performed, the data stored in the drawing buffer 157A may be stored in the display buffer 157B without being enlarged / reduced.

  The Z buffer 157C stores and holds Z value data indicating a Z value as a depth value for each pixel in which display color data and alpha value data are written in the drawing buffer 157A. The Z value data stored in the Z buffer 157C is compared with the depth value (z coordinate) of the image data written in the drawing buffer 157A. Then, processing such as hidden surface removal is performed by permitting / rejecting writing of image data to the drawing buffer 157A according to the comparison result. The area from the address ZBSTA to the address ZVEND in the VRAM 157 is the size of the VGA mode (640 × 480) based on the image data corresponding to the VGA mode, for example, when the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is a normal state or a short time state. When the display data having (pixel) is created, it is used as the Z buffer 157C. In addition, the area from the address ZBSTA to the address ZSEND in the VRAM 157 is the size of the SVGA mode (800 × 600 pixels) based on the image data corresponding to the SVGA mode, for example, when the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is a probabilistic state. Is used as the Z buffer 157C.

  The display circuit 158 reads display data from the display buffer 157B of the VRAM 157, generates gradation data of each pixel constituting the display screen of the image display device 5, and generates a scanning signal based on a predetermined clock signal. Then, it is a circuit for displaying various images on the screen of the image display device 5 by outputting it to the image display device 5. The display circuit 158 has a scaler circuit that converts the number of pixels of display data read from the display buffer 157B and generates gradation data of each pixel that constitutes the display screen of the image display device 5. Display data read from the display buffer 157B is input to the scaler circuit, and the pixel is enlarged (or reduced) at a predetermined enlargement ratio in one or both of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Convert the number of pixels of data. For example, the scaler circuit can convert the number of pixels of the pixel data by using bilinear filtering that obtains the pixel values after enlargement from the four pixel values before enlargement by linear interpolation. The vertical and horizontal enlargement ratios in the scaler circuit can be individually set by a display control command from the effect control microcomputer 120, for example.

  The VDP 141 has a table for managing the image data read from the image data memory 142 and temporarily stored in the fixed address area 156A or the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156, for example, as shown in FIG. Such an index table 220 is provided. The index table 220 shown in FIG. 22 is composed of table data in which data indicating “start address”, “horizontal size”, “reading completion flag” and the like is associated with data indicating “index number”, for example. . Here, “start address” indicates the head address of the image data stored in the image data memory 142. The “horizontal size” indicates the size in the horizontal direction of the effect image indicated by the image data. The “reading completion flag” indicates “ON” when the transfer of the image data read from the image data memory 142 to the temporary storage memory 156 is completed, and when the transfer is not completed or is read from the variable address area 156B. When the writing to the VRAM 157 is completed, “OFF” is indicated.

  FIG. 23 shows specific examples of a plurality of types of display control commands that the CPU 131 transmits from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 in the effect control microcomputer 120. As shown in FIG. 23, in this embodiment, a storage area setting command, an image display initial setting command, a prior transfer command, an automatic transfer command, a fixed address designation transfer command, a probability change start display setting command, and a probability change end display setting. Display control commands such as a command, a moving image display initial setting command, a moving image display start setting command, a moving image decoding command, a moving image display end setting command, a projection / composite drawing command, and the like are sent from the production control microcomputer 120 to the VDP 141. Sent. These display control commands are composed of data indicating the classification of commands and data indicating the types of commands, as with the effect control commands transmitted from the main board 11 to the effect control board 12. But you can. Alternatively, control data corresponding to each display control command may be written by the CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120 into various registers provided in the VDP 141 via the input / output port 135. For example, an address bus and a data bus having a predetermined bus width are connected between the input / output port 135 of the effect control microcomputer 120 and the host interface 151 of the VDP 141. Addresses are assigned to various registers included in the VDP 141, and the CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120 designates and accesses the registers of the VDP 141 by an address signal output from the input / output port 135 to the address bus. If you can.

  The storage area setting command indicates setting of a storage area in the temporary storage memory 156. For example, the storage area setting command includes data for notifying the VDP 141 of the start address STADD of the variable address area 156B, the final address ENADD of the variable address area 156B, and the like.

  The image display initial setting command indicates an initial setting for displaying various images on the screen of the image display device 5. For example, the image display initial setting command sets the bus width of the data bus connected between the VDP 141 and the image data memory 142 to 64 bits predetermined as the first bus width corresponding to the display of the sprite image. Contains data that indicates what to do. In addition, the image display initial setting command indicates that a chip to be read out of the memory chips 142-1 to 142-3 (FIG. 24) included in the image data memory 142 is a memory chip 142-1, 142-2 for sprite images. Therefore, data indicating that the chip select setting is CS # 0 is included.

  The pre-transfer command is the image data indicating the display image set so that the display frequency in the image display device 5 is higher than the required display image among the image data stored in the image data memory 142. This indicates that the data is transferred to the fixed address area 156A of the temporary storage memory 156 and stored in advance. For example, the advance transfer instruction includes data for notifying the VDP 141 of the read position of the image data in the image data memory 142 and the image size after being expanded and stored in the fixed address area 156A. Here, the reading position of the image data in the image data memory 142 may be a reading address in the image data memory 142, or specific information (for example, the image data is attached to the display image indicated by the image data to be read). It may be specified using arbitrary information such as a character number assigned to the character image shown. Further, the advance transfer instruction may include data for updating the stored contents of the index table 220 provided corresponding to the fixed address area 156A.

  The automatic transfer command is based on the automatic transfer setting in the VDP 141 for image data stored in the image data memory 142 that has not been transferred to the fixed address area 156A of the temporary storage memory 156 in advance. , It is written in the VRAM 157 to indicate that the display image indicated by the image data is displayed on the screen of the image display device 5. For example, the automatic transfer command includes the reading position of the image data in the image data memory 142, the writing position of the image data in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157, the data amount of the image data read and transferred from the image data memory 142, and the like. Data for notifying the VDP 141 is included. Here, the writing position of the image data in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157 may be a one-dimensional writing address in the VRAM 157. For example, the display image layout (for example, the display image) on the screen of the image display device 5 may be used. May be specified using arbitrary information such as a two-dimensional address corresponding to the upper left display coordinates).

  The fixed address designation transfer command causes the image data transferred in advance from the image data memory 142 to the fixed address area 156A of the temporary storage memory 156 to be written in the VRAM 157, and the display image indicated by the image data is displayed in the image display device 5. To be displayed on the screen. For example, the fixed address designation transfer command is a read position of image data in the fixed address area 156A, a write position of image data in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157, a data amount of image data read out and transferred from the fixed address area 156A, etc. Is included for notifying the VDP 141 of the above. Here, the reading position of the image data in the fixed address area 156A is read from the fixed address area 156A such as an “index number” in the index table 220 provided corresponding to the fixed address area 156A or a storage address of the table data. Any device that can specify the read address of the image data may be used.

  The probability change start display setting command indicates the setting of the display operation corresponding to the case where the control to the probability variation state is started in the pachinko gaming machine 1. For example, the probability change start display setting command corresponds to the total number of pixels on the display screen of the image display device 5 from the display data having the size of the SVGA mode stored in the display buffer 157B of the VRAM 157 when in the probability variation state. Data indicating the setting of the enlargement ratio in the scaler circuit provided in the display circuit 158 is included so that the pixel data having the size of the XGA mode can be converted. The probability change start display setting command includes data indicating that the bus width of the data bus connected between the VDP 141 and the image data memory 142 is set to 64 bits which is the first bus width. . In addition, the probability change start display setting command sets the chip select setting for selecting a chip to be read out of the memory chips 142-1 to 142-3 (FIG. 24) included in the image data memory 142 as CS #. Data indicating zero is included.

  The probability change end display setting command indicates the setting of the display operation corresponding to the case where the control to the probability change state ends in the pachinko gaming machine 1. For example, the probability setting end display setting command is obtained from the display data having the size of the VGA mode stored in the display buffer 157B of the VRAM 157 in the normal state or the short time state, and the total number of pixels on the display screen of the image display device 5 Data indicating the setting of the enlargement ratio in the scaler circuit provided in the display circuit 158 is included so that conversion to pixel data having the size of the XGA mode corresponding to is possible. When display data corresponding to a certain image size (for example, the size of the SVGA mode) is stored in the display buffer 157B, a drawing buffer is generated by a probability change start display setting command or a probability change end display setting command. What is necessary is just to make it set the expansion rate at the time of storing the memory | storage data of 157A in the buffer 157B for a display. In this case, regardless of whether the probability change start display setting command or the probability change end display setting command is transmitted, the scaler circuit provided in the display circuit 158 has a fixed image size (for example, SVGA) in the display buffer 157B. The mode size may be set to an enlargement factor for setting the size to a size corresponding to the total number of pixels on the display screen of the image display device 5 (for example, the size of the XGA mode). The probability change end display setting command includes data indicating that the bus width of the data bus connected between the VDP 141 and the image data memory 142 is set to 64 bits as the first bus width. . In addition, the probability change end display setting command sets the chip select setting for selecting a chip to be read out of the memory chips 142-1 to 142-3 (FIG. 24) included in the image data memory 142 as CS #. Data indicating zero is included.

  The moving image display initial setting command indicates an initial setting for displaying a moving image on the screen of the image display device 5. For example, the moving image display initial setting command is obtained from the display data having the size of the VGA mode stored in the display buffer 157B of the VRAM 157 when the moving image is reproduced and displayed, and the total number of pixels on the display screen of the image display device 5. Data indicating the setting of the enlargement ratio in the scaler circuit provided in the display circuit 158 is included so that conversion to pixel data having the size of the XGA mode corresponding to is possible. In addition, the moving image display initial setting command sets the bus width of the data bus connected between the VDP 141 and the image data memory 142 to 32 bits predetermined as the second bus width corresponding to the moving image display. It contains data indicating that it is set. In addition, in the moving image display initial setting command, a chip to be read out of the memory chips 142-1 to 142-3 (FIG. 24) included in the image data memory 142 is set as a moving image memory chip 142-3. Therefore, data indicating that the chip select setting is CS # 1 is included.

  The moving image display start setting command indicates a setting for starting reproduction display of a moving image on the screen of the image display device 5. For example, the moving image display start setting command includes data indicating the setting of the index table 220 corresponding to a moving image, such as an index number or an image size (horizontal size, etc.) given to the moving image in the index table 220. include. The moving image display start setting command includes data for notifying the VDP 141 of the moving image data reading position in the image data memory 142, the moving image data writing position in the temporary storage memory 156, and the like.

  The moving image decoding command indicates that moving image data for one frame is decoded by the moving image decoder 154. For example, the moving image decoding command includes data indicating identification information of a moving image to be decoded, such as an index number assigned to the moving image in the index table 220. The moving image decoding command includes data for instructing execution of decoding.

  The moving image display end setting command indicates a setting for ending reproduction display of a moving image on the screen of the image display device 5. For example, in the moving image display end setting command, the bus width of the data bus connected between the VDP 141 and the image data memory 142 is set to 64 bits that are predetermined as the first bus width corresponding to the display of the sprite image. Data indicating that it is set to be included. In addition, in the moving image display end setting command, a chip to be read out of the memory chips 142-1 to 142-3 (FIG. 24) included in the image data memory 142 is selected as the memory chip 142-1, 142 for the sprite image. -2 includes data indicating that the chip select setting is CS # 0.

  The projection / synthesis drawing command indicates a setting for executing drawing processing by perspective projection conversion, translucent synthesis, and the like. For example, the projection / composite drawing command includes data for specifying a drawing target image to be drawn, depth value setting data for specifying the depth value of the drawing target image, and opacity setting for specifying the opacity of the drawing target image. Data etc. are included. Here, the data designating the drawing target image may be data indicating image designation information given to the drawing target image, such as an index number given to the drawing target image in the index table 220, for example. Alternatively, it may be data indicating the storage address of the image data in the image data memory 142 or the temporary storage memory 156. The data specifying the drawing target image may include data amount information indicating the data amount in the image data of the drawing target image.

  The image data memory 142 included in the display control unit 121 illustrated in FIG. 13 includes a plurality of (three in the example illustrated in FIG. 24) memory chips 142-1 to 142-3, for example, as illustrated in FIG. . In the example illustrated in FIG. 24, sprite image data used for displaying a sprite image is stored in the memory chip 142-1 and the memory chip 142-2. The sprite image data stored in the memory chip 142-1 and the memory chip 142-2 is read in units of 64 bits that are predetermined as the first bus width. Data stored in the memory chip 142-1 and the memory chip 142-2 can be read when the chip select signal CS # 0 output from the VDP 141 is on. The chip select signal CS # 0 is turned on in response to, for example, setting the chip select to CS # 0 by a display control command transmitted from the effect control microcomputer 120 to the VDP 141. When the chip select signal CS # 0 is in the on state, a data signal corresponding to the read data from the memory chip 142-1 is transmitted to the image data memory interface 153 via the data buses # 0 to # 31. Data signals corresponding to the read data from the memory chip 142-2 are transmitted to the image data memory interface 153 via the data buses # 32 to # 63.

  The memory chip 142-3 shown in FIG. 24 stores moving image data used for reproducing and displaying moving images. The moving image data stored in the memory chip 142-3 is read in units of 32 bits predetermined as the second bus width. Data stored in the memory chip 142-3 can be read when the chip select signal CS # 1 output from the VDP 141 is in an ON state. The chip select signal CS # 1 is turned on in response to the setting of the chip select being CS # 1 by a display control command transmitted from the production control microcomputer 120 to the VDP 141, for example. When the chip select signal CS # 1 is on, a data signal corresponding to read data from the memory chip 142-3 is transmitted to the image data memory interface 153 via the data buses # 0 to # 31. . At this time, the data buses # 32 to # 63 are not used.

  FIG. 25 shows an example of an address map in the image data memory 142. As shown in FIG. 25, the image data memory 142 is provided with a sprite image data area 142A and a moving image data area 142B.

  The sprite image data area 142A stores sprite image data used for displaying a sprite image (still image) on the screen of the image display device 5. In this embodiment, the area from the address SPSTA to the address SPEND in the image data memory 142 is set in the sprite image data area 142A, and memory chips 142-1 and 142-2 for the sprite image shown in FIG. 24 are assigned. Yes. For example, in the sprite image data area 142A, addresses are given in units of 64 bits, and upper 32 bits of data are stored in the memory chip 142-1, while lower 32 bits of data are stored in the memory chip 142-2. Remembered.

  FIG. 26A shows an example of an address map in the sprite image data area 142A. As shown in FIG. 26A, in the sprite image data area 142A, sprite image data indicating numbers “1” to “8” as decorative symbols, sprite image data indicating planar images P1 and P2, and background Sprite image data indicating the images B1 and B2 and the like are stored. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26B, the first sprite image data area 142A-1 for SVGA corresponding to the SVGA mode and the second sprite image data area 142A for VGA corresponding to the VGA mode. -2 is provided in the sprite image data area 142A. In the first sprite image data area 142A-1, image data for sprite image display corresponding to the SVGA mode is stored. In the second sprite image data area 142A-2, image data for sprite image display corresponding to the VGA mode is stored.

  FIG. 27A shows an example of a planar image P1 formed by image data stored in the sprite image data area 142A. FIG. 27B shows an example of a planar image P2 formed by image data stored in the sprite image data area 142A. As shown in FIG. 27A, the planar image P1 includes a white display object CL1 having a cloud shape. As shown in FIG. 27B, the planar image P2 includes a white display object CL2 having a cloud shape different from that of the display object CL2. Note that the display object included in the planar image P1 and the display object included in the planar image P2 may be different from each other in all or part of the display color and size, the number of objects, and the like.

  The moving image data area 142B shown in FIG. 25 stores moving image data used for reproducing and displaying moving images on the screen of the image display device 5. In this embodiment, an area from the address MBSTA to the address MBEND in the image data memory 142 is set in the moving image data area 142B, and the moving image memory chip 142-3 shown in FIG. 24 is allocated. For example, in the moving image data area 142B, an address is given in units of 32 bits, and all data is stored in the memory chip 142-3. The format of the moving image data stored in the moving image data area 142B is arbitrary, and it may be composed of predetermined image data compressed by performing intra-frame coding or inter-frame coding. For example, a predictive encoding format such as an MPEG-2 format having a data configuration as shown in FIG. 28 may be adopted as the moving image data format. In the MPEG-2 video stream shown in FIG. 28, a sequence, a GOP, a picture, a slice, and a macroblock are hierarchically configured for each layer of the block. A sequence means an encoded signal of an entire video program. A sequence begins with a sequence header and ends with a sequence end. The sequence header includes information indicating the size of the image, the number of frames to be encoded per second, the communication speed, and the like. The sequence is composed of one or more “GOP”. A GOP (Group Of Picture) is composed of “GOP header” and “picture” (one or more), and the GOP header includes time stamp information for enabling time adjustment with audio or the like at the time of image restoration. It is.

  A picture corresponds to each of the screens that make up a moving picture signal. The picture is a key frame that can be decoded by intra-frame coding and can be decoded independently, and forward using only past frames. A P picture that is a forward prediction frame for decoding an image by performing motion compensation prediction of the image, and a B picture that is a bidirectional prediction frame that performs bidirectional motion compensation using both past and future frames Is done. Each picture is composed of “picture header” and “slice” (one or more). The picture header includes information for identifying I, P, and B pictures, information for specifying the display order of each picture, and the like. The slice is composed of “slice information” and “macroblock” (one or more), and the slice information includes coding information used in the slice, for example, information indicating quantization characteristics. The macro block is composed of “macro block information” and “block” (one or more), and is composed of four Y signals and one block each of Cr and Cb. The macro block information includes information for performing coding control in units of macro blocks. The block is composed of DTC coefficient data of any one of Y signal, Cr signal, and Cb signal. Note that the video itself may be a live-action video or a CG (computer graphic) video.

  The sound control unit 122 mounted on the effect control board 12 shown in FIG. 3 generates a sound signal by performing digital / analog conversion on the sound data received from the effect control microcomputer 120, for example, and the speakers 8L and 8R. Includes a circuit for outputting sound by supplying the signal. The lamp control unit 123 mounted on the effect control board 12 generates, for example, a lamp drive signal corresponding to the lamp data received from the effect control microcomputer 120, and the game effect lamp 9, various decorative lamps, LEDs, etc. It includes a circuit that switches on / off by supplying the electric decoration member. Note that the sound control unit 122 and the lamp control unit 123 may be configured by a circuit or the like installed outside the effect control board 12.

  Next, the operation (action) of the pachinko gaming machine 1 in this embodiment will be described. In the main board 11, when power supply from a predetermined power supply board is started, the game control microcomputer 100 is activated, and the CPU 114 executes a predetermined process as a game control main process. When the game control main process is started, the CPU 114 performs necessary initial settings after setting the interrupt prohibition. In this initial setting, for example, it is determined whether or not a clear switch mounted on a power supply board or the like has been pressed, and if pressed, the RAM 116 is cleared and an initial value is set in a predetermined work area Initial setting processing such as enabling is executed. On the other hand, when the clear switch is not pressed, the main checksum buffer content matches the result of the checksum calculation based on the storage contents of the RAM 116 backup area. A recovery process for returning the internal state of the substrate 11 to the state before the power interruption occurs in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is executed. In the initial setting, the sprite image data read from the image data memory 142 of the display control unit 121 on the side of the effect control board 12 is transferred to the fixed address area 156A in the temporary storage memory 156 of the VDP 141 and stored. Alternatively, a predetermined delay process may be executed to wait. This delay process may be executed before the CPU 114 performs the register setting of the timer circuit 117 in order to periodically execute the timer interrupt process. As a result, it is possible to prevent a special symbol or a decorative symbol from being started to be displayed in a state in which image data transfer is incomplete, and to perform an appropriate decorative symbol variable display on the screen of the image display device 5. Can do.

  In the game control main process, the registers of the timer circuit 117 provided in the game control microcomputer 100 are set. Thereby, thereafter, an interrupt request signal from the timer circuit 117 is sent to the CPU 114 every predetermined time (for example, 2 milliseconds), and the CPU 114 can periodically execute the timer interrupt process. When the initial setting process and the recovery process are completed, an interrupt is permitted and then a loop process is started. When the CPU 114 that has executed such a game control main process receives the interrupt request signal from the timer circuit 117 and accepts the interrupt request, it executes the game control timer interrupt process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  When the game control timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 29 is started, the CPU 114 first executes a predetermined switch process to change the state of the detection signals input from the switches 21 to 23 and the like via the switch circuit 101. Determination is made (step S11). Subsequently, by executing predetermined error processing, abnormality diagnosis of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is performed, and if necessary, warning can be generated according to the diagnosis result (step S12). After that, by executing a predetermined information output process, for example, data such as jackpot information, starting information, probability variation information supplied to a hall management computer installed outside the pachinko gaming machine 1 is output (step) S13).

  Subsequent to the information output process, a main random number value update process for updating a part of the random number values MR1 to MR4 used on the main board 11 side by software is executed (step S14). Thereafter, the CPU 114 executes special symbol process processing (step S15). In the special symbol process, the value of the special symbol process flag provided in the game control flag setting unit 162 is updated according to the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the display operation control or special in the special symbol display device 4 is performed. Various processes are selected and executed in order to set the special winning opening / closing operation in the variable winning ball apparatus 7 in a predetermined procedure.

  Following the special symbol process, the normal symbol process is executed (step S16). The CPU 114 controls the display operation (for example, lighting and extinguishing of LED) of the normal symbol display 20 by executing the normal symbol process process, so that variable display of normal symbols (for example, lighting / flashing display) and the like It is possible to set the tilt control of the movable blade piece in the normal variable winning ball apparatus 6B. After executing the normal symbol process, the CPU 114 transmits a control command from the main board 11 to a sub-side control board such as the effect control board 12 by executing a command control process (step S17).

  In the command control process executed in step S17, for example, the CPU 114 reads the stored data in the buffer area in the transmission command buffer provided in the game control buffer setting unit 165, and sets the data for transmitting an effective effect control command. The presence / absence of a transmission command is determined by determining whether or not it exists. As an example, if the read data is data corresponding to null data “00H” or a predetermined end code, it is determined that the data is not setting data for transmitting a valid effect control command. On the other hand, for example, when the first bit (bit 7) of the read data is “1”, if the data can be set as MODE data in the effect control command, an effective effect control command is transmitted. It is determined that the setting data is for this purpose. When it is determined that there is no transmission command in this way, the command control process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when there is a transmission command, the stored data in the buffer area in the transmission command buffer is read to read the setting data stored in the designated command table. When the read setting data is transmitted as MODE data of the effect control command, an output port (effect control command) for transmitting the effect control command to the effect control board 12 among the output ports included in the input / output port 119. Output port). Subsequently, the data indicating the on state is set in the output port for transmitting the effect control INT signal to the effect control board 12 among the output ports included in the input / output port 119, etc. Start output. Then, after waiting for a predetermined time (for example, about 1 microsecond), the output of the effect control INT signal is stopped, and waiting for a predetermined time (for example, about 2.5 microsecond).

  Thereafter, the value of the transmission command pointer is incremented by 1 and updated, and the stored data in the buffer area designated by the updated transmission command pointer is read, thereby reading the next setting data stored in the designated command table. At this time, various extension data may be referred to based on the read setting data. When referring to the extended data, the extended data may be read as EXT data in the effect control command from a predetermined buffer provided in the game control buffer setting unit 165 or the like. When the extended data is not referred to, the setting data read from the command table is set as EXT data in the effect control command. The EXT data of the effect control command acquired in this way is set in the output port for the effect control command included in the input / output port 119. Thereafter, in the same manner as when MODE data is transmitted, an effect control INT signal is output until a predetermined time elapses, and then processing for stopping the output is executed. Then, the value of the transmission command pointer is incremented by 1 and updated, and then the command control process is terminated. After executing the command control process in this way, the game control timer interrupt process is terminated.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed in step S15 shown in FIG. 29 as the special symbol process. When the special symbol process shown in FIG. 30 is started, the CPU 114 first checks, for example, whether or not the detection signal from the start port switch 22 is turned on, thereby forming the first winning ball apparatus 6A formed by the normal winning ball device 6A. It is determined whether or not a game ball has won a winning prize opening or a second starting prize opening formed by the ordinary variable winning ball apparatus 6B (step S101). When the game ball wins one of the first start winning opening and the second starting winning opening and the detection signal from the start opening switch 22 is turned on (step S101; Yes), the start winning process is executed. (Step S102). After the start winning process is executed, for example, the head address of the reserved memory number notification command table corresponding to the special figure reserved memory number count value which is a count value in the special figure reserved memory number counter provided in the game control counter setting unit 164 Is set in a transmission command buffer provided in the game control buffer setting unit 165, etc., to make a setting for transmitting the pending storage number notification command to the effect control board 12 (step S103). When the setting in step S103 is performed, the command control process in step S17 shown in FIG. A pending storage number notification command is transmitted. When the detection signal from the start port switch 22 is OFF in step S101 (step S101; No), the processing of steps S102 and S103 is skipped.

  In the start winning process executed in step S102, first, the special figure hold storage number, which is the number of hold data stored in the special figure hold storage unit 161, becomes a predetermined upper limit (for example, “4”). It is determined whether or not. At this time, if the special figure holding storage number is the upper limit value, the start detection by the current winning is invalid and the starting condition is not established, and the start winning process is ended as it is. On the other hand, when the special figure pending storage number is less than the upper limit value, for example, the stored value in the random value register of the random number circuit 113 is read as numerical data indicating the random value MR1 for determining the special figure display result. For example, the CPU 114 sets the output control signal transmitted to the random number circuit 113 to the ON state, and then reads the random value output signal transmitted from the random number circuit 113 to read out the random number value register included in the random number circuit 113. The obtained numerical data may be acquired as the random value MR1. In the same manner or from a random counter provided in the game control counter setting unit 164, numerical data indicating the jackpot type determination random number value MR2 is read. After reading the random number value MR1 for determining the special figure display result and the random number value MR2 for determining the big hit type in this way, the numerical data indicating the random number values MR1 and MR2 are stored in the empty entry in the special figure storage unit 161. Set to the beginning. At this time, for example, by adding 1 to the special figure reservation storage number count value, the special figure reservation storage number in the special figure reservation storage unit 161 is added and updated.

  After executing the process of step S103 or after determining that the detection signal from the start port switch 22 is in the OFF state in step S101, the value of the special symbol process flag provided in the game control flag setting unit 162 In response to this, the CPU 114 executes steps S110 to S117 as shown in FIG.

  The special symbol normal process of step S110 is executed when the value of the special symbol process flag is “0”. In this special symbol normal process, whether or not to start the special symbol game by the special symbol display device 4 based on the numerical data indicating the random value MR1 for determining the special symbol display result stored in the special symbol storage unit 161. The process etc. which determine are included. The variable display pattern setting process in step S111 is executed when the value of the special symbol process flag is “1”. This variable display pattern setting process includes a process for determining a variable display pattern for special symbols and decorative patterns, a process for determining a variable display time corresponding to the variable display pattern, and the like.

  The special symbol variable display process in step S112 is executed when the value of the special symbol process flag is “2”. In the special symbol variable display process, the control for changing the special symbol by performing the lighting / extinguishing control of each segment constituting the special symbol display device 4 is performed. In the special symbol variable display process, the remaining time of variable display in the special symbol game by the special symbol display device 4 is determined by a special symbol process timer value which is a value of a special symbol process timer provided in the game control timer setting unit 163. It includes a process of measuring, a process of stopping and displaying the confirmed special symbol in response to the passage of the variable display time in the special figure game. The special symbol stop process in step S113 is executed when the value of the special symbol process flag is “3”. This special symbol stop process includes a process for performing a setting for transmitting a jackpot start command in response to the end of the special symbol game by the special symbol display device 4.

  The pre-opening process for the special winning opening in step S114 is executed when the value of the special symbol process flag is “4”. In the pre-opening process for the big prize opening, the execution of the round is started in the big hit gaming state based on the fact that the variable display result is “big hit”, and the special prize winning device formed by the special variable winning ball apparatus 7 is opened. This includes a process for setting the status. At this time, for example, an upper limit of a period during which the big prize opening is in an open state may be set corresponding to the setting of the maximum number of big prize opening times. As an example, if the maximum value of the number of times of winning the big winning opening is set to “15” corresponding to the 15 round big hit state, the upper limit of the period during which the big winning opening is opened is set to “29 seconds”. On the other hand, if the maximum value of the number of times that the big winning opening is opened is set to “2” corresponding to the big hit state for two rounds, the upper limit of the period during which the big winning opening is opened is set to “0.5 seconds”. Set. Then, in order to open the special winning opening, a process for supplying a solenoid drive signal from the solenoid circuit 102 to the solenoid 82 may be executed.

  The special winning opening opening process in step S115 is executed when the value of the special symbol process flag is “5”. This process during opening of the big prize opening is a process of measuring the remaining time for which the big prize opening is opened every round executed in the big hit gaming state by updating a special symbol process timer value, and the measurement. This includes a process for determining whether or not it is time to return the special winning opening from the open state to the closed state based on the elapsed time and the number of game balls detected by the count switch 23. Then, when returning the special winning opening to the closed state, a process for stopping the supply of the solenoid drive signal from the solenoid circuit 102 to the solenoid 82 may be executed.

  The special winning opening opening post-processing in step S116 is executed when the value of the special symbol process flag is “6”. In the post-opening process for the big prize opening, it is determined whether or not the number of rounds executed by setting the big prize opening to the open state has reached the maximum number of open big opening numbers (for example, “2” or “15”). Processing, and processing for performing a setting for transmitting a jackpot end command when the maximum number of times of winning the big prize opening is reached. The jackpot end process in step S117 is executed when the value of the special symbol process flag is “7”. In the jackpot ending process, a waiting time corresponding to a period in which a stage action for informing the end of the jackpot gaming state is performed by the electrical components for the stage such as the image display device 5, the speakers 8L and 8R, and the game effect lamp 9 elapses. And a process for performing various settings corresponding to the end of the big hit gaming state.

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an example of the special symbol normal process executed in step S110 of FIG. In the special symbol normal process shown in FIG. 30, the CPU 114 first reads the special figure reserved memory number count value held in the game control counter setting unit 164, for example, so that the special figure reserved memory number is “0”. Whether or not (step S201).

  In step S201, when the special figure hold storage number is other than “0” (step S201; No), the special figure display result stored in correspondence with the hold number “1” from the special figure hold storage unit 161. Data indicating the random number value MR1 for determination and data indicating the random value MR2 for determining the jackpot type are read (step S202). At this time, for example, the special figure reserved memory number is updated by subtracting 1 from the special figure reserved memory number count value (step S203). Further, in the process of step S203, a random number value as the hold data stored in the entry lower than the hold number “1” (for example, the entry corresponding to the hold numbers “2” to “4”) in the special figure hold storage unit 161 Data indicating MR1 and MR2 is shifted upward by one entry.

  Following the processing in step S203, the numerical value indicating the random value MR1 read in step S203 depending on whether or not the probability variation flag is on by referring to the special figure display result determination table 200 shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the data matches the big hit decision value data (step S204). As a result, it is determined whether or not the special symbol or the decorative symbol variable display result is set to “big hit” and the game state is controlled to the big hit gaming state. If the random value MR1 matches the big hit decision value data (step S204; Yes), the big hit flag provided in the game control flag setting unit 162 is set to the on state (step S205). At this time, the big hit types are referred to as “normal”, “probability change”, and “surprise” by referring to the big hit type determination table 201 shown in FIG. 8 based on the numerical data indicating the random value MR2 read in step S203. Of the multiple types, one of the big hit types is determined (step S206). In the process of step S206, based on the setting data in the jackpot type determination table 201, the jackpot type buffer value indicating the determined jackpot type is set to any one of “0” to “2”. For example, when the jackpot type is determined to be “normal”, the jackpot type buffer value is set to “0”, and when the jackpot type is determined to be “probable”, the jackpot type buffer value is set to “1”. When the big hit type is determined to be “surprising”, the big hit type buffer value is set to “2”.

  After executing the processing of step S206, it is determined whether or not the big hit type is “normal” and the variable display mode is “normal big hit” in step S206 (step S207). At this time, if it is determined that the variable display mode is not “normal big hit” (step S207; No), the big hit type is determined to be “probable change” or “surprise accuracy” in step S206, and variable display is performed. Corresponding to the mode being “probability big hit” or “surprise big hit”, the probability change confirmation flag provided in the game control flag setting unit 162 is set to the on state (step S208). Then, the special symbol, which is a probable variation jackpot symbol corresponding to the jackpot type, is determined as a confirmed special symbol that is a variable symbol display result of the special symbol game executed this time based on the establishment of the start condition (step S209). For example, when the jackpot type determined in step S206 is “probable change”, the 15-round big hit symbol as the probability variable big hit symbol indicating the number “7” is determined as the confirmed special symbol, and it is “surprise” The 2 round big hit symbol as the probability variation big hit symbol indicating the number “1” is determined as the confirmed special symbol. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S207 that the variable display mode is “normal big hit” (step S207; Yes), the 15 round big hit indicating the number “3” which is the normal big hit symbol. The symbol is determined as a confirmed special symbol (step S210).

  After performing either of the processes of steps S209 and S210, the maximum winning opening opening number is set (step S211). At this time, for example, based on the jackpot type buffer value set in step S206, the maximum value of the number of times of winning the winning a prize opening for controlling either the 15 round big hit state or the 2 round big hit state may be set. As an example, if the jackpot type buffer value set in step S206 is either “0” or “1”, the maximum value of the number of winning prize openings is set to “15” corresponding to the 15 round jackpot state. . The jackpot type buffer value is set to “0” when the jackpot type determined in step S206 is “normal”, and “1” when the jackpot type determined in step S206 is “probable change”. Set to On the other hand, if the jackpot type buffer value set in step S206 is “2”, the maximum value of the number of winning prize openings is set to “2” corresponding to the two-round jackpot state. The jackpot type buffer value is set to “2” when the jackpot type determined in step S206 is “surprise”.

  If the numerical data indicating the random value MR1 does not match the big hit decision value data in step S204 (step S204; No), the variable display result is set as “lost” and the decision result that the big hit gaming state is not controlled is handled. Then, the special symbol indicating the symbol “-” that becomes the lost symbol is determined as the confirmed special symbol (step S212). After executing one of the processes of steps S211 and S212, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to “1” corresponding to the variable display pattern setting process (step S213), and then the special symbol normal process is performed. finish.

  If the special figure hold storage number is “0” in step S201 (step S201; Yes), it is determined whether or not the demonstration display flag provided in the game control flag setting unit 162 is on (step S201). S214). At this time, if the demonstration display flag is on (step S214; Yes), the special symbol normal process is terminated. On the other hand, when the demonstration display flag is OFF in step S214 (step S214; No), for example, the leading address in the ROM 115 of the demonstration display command table prepared in advance is provided in the game control buffer setting unit 165. The setting for transmitting the demonstration display command to the effect control board 12 is performed by setting it in the buffer area designated by the transmission command pointer in the transmitted command buffer (S215). When the setting in step S215 is performed, the command control process in step S17 shown in FIG. 29 is executed after the special symbol process process is completed, so that the main board 11 performs the effect control board 12. A demo display command will be sent. After executing the process of step S215, the demo display flag is set to the on state (step S216), and then the special symbol normal process is terminated.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an example of the variable display pattern setting process executed in step S111 of FIG. In the variable display pattern setting process shown in FIG. 32, the CPU 114 first determines whether or not the big hit flag is on (step S221). At this time, if the big hit flag is on (step S221; Yes), the big hit pattern determination table 204A shown in FIG. 11A is set as a use table for determining the variable display pattern (step S222). As an example, the CPU 114 may set the head address of the table data constituting the jackpot pattern determination table 204A stored in the ROM 115 in a predetermined table pointer provided in the RAM 116 in the process of step S222.

  If the big hit flag is off in step S221 (step S221; No), the random number circuit 113 or the game control counter setting unit 164 is provided with numerical data indicating the reach determination random value MR3. Obtained by reading from a counter or the like (step S223). Subsequently, referring to the reach determination table 202 shown in FIG. 9 based on the numerical data indicating the random value MR3 acquired in step S223, the decorative symbol variable display mode can be set to “reach” or “non-reach”. Is determined (step S224). At this time, it is determined whether or not the variable display mode determined in step S224 is “reach” (step S225).

  If it is determined in step S225 that the variable display mode is “reach” (step S225; Yes), the reach loss pattern determination table shown in FIG. 204B is set (step S226). As an example, in step S226, the CPU 114 sets the head address of the table data constituting the reach / losing pattern determination table 204B stored in the ROM 115 in the table pointer.

  When it is determined in step S225 that the variable display mode is not “reach” but “non-reach” (step S225; No), FIG. 11C shows a use table for determining the variable display pattern. Is set (step S227). As an example, the CPU 114 sets the head address of the table data constituting the non-reach loss pattern determination table 204C stored in the ROM 115 in the process of step S227 in the table pointer.

  After executing any of the processes of steps S222, S226, and S227, numerical data indicating the random display pattern MR4 for determining the variable display pattern is sent to the random number circuit 113 or the random counter provided in the game control counter setting unit 164. From the above, it is obtained by reading (step S228). Then, based on the random value MR4 acquired in step S228, by referring to any of the pattern determination tables 204A to 204C set in any of the processes in steps S222, S226, and S227, the random number MR4 and the like can be handled. The determined variable display pattern is determined (step S229). Thereafter, a variable display time corresponding to the variable display pattern determined in step S229 is determined (step S230). In the process of step S230, a timer initial value corresponding to the determined variable display time may be set in a special symbol process timer provided in the game control timer setting unit 163.

  Following the processing in step S230, for example, settings for transmitting various commands in response to the start of variable display of special symbols and decorative symbols corresponding to the variable display pattern determined in step S229, etc. Is performed (step S231). For example, in the process of step S231, the CPU 114 sets the start address in the ROM 115 of the table data constituting the command table corresponding to the variable display pattern, etc., among the plurality of types of variable display start command tables prepared in advance. Set to. Further, in the process of step S231, the head address in the ROM 115 of the table data constituting the command table corresponding to the confirmed special symbol among the plural types of display result notification command tables prepared in advance is set in the transmission command buffer. . In addition, in the process of step S231, the head address in the ROM 115 of the table data constituting the command table corresponding to the special figure reserved memory number among the plural types of reserved memory number notification command tables prepared in advance is set as the transmission command buffer. Set to. Alternatively, the variable display start command table may include control data for transmitting a display result notification command and a pending storage number notification command in addition to control data for transmitting the variable display start command. In this case, in the process of step S231, the start address of the variable display start command table may be set in the transmission command buffer. After the setting in step S231 is performed in this way, each time the command control process in step S17 shown in FIG. The variable display start command, the display result notification command, and the pending storage number notification command are sequentially transmitted. Note that the transmission order of the effect control commands transmitted at this time may be set arbitrarily.

  Subsequent to the setting in step S231, for example, the CPU 114 starts the variable symbol display in the special symbol display device 4, such as starting the lighting / extinguishing operation of each segment or each dot in the special symbol display device 4. Setting is performed (step S232). At this time, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to “2” which is a value corresponding to the special symbol variable display process (step S233), and then the variable display pattern setting process is ended.

  FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing an example of the special symbol stop process executed in step S113 of FIG. In the special symbol stop process shown in FIG. 33, the CPU 114 first determines whether or not the big hit flag is on (step S241). At this time, if the big hit flag is on (step S241; Yes), the big hit start time effect waiting time is set (step S242). As an example, in the process of step S242, the CPU 114 sets a predetermined timer initial value corresponding to the big hit start time production waiting time in the special symbol process timer.

  Subsequent to the processing in step S242, setting for transmitting a big hit start command is performed (step S243). For example, in the process of step S243, the CPU 111 sets the head address of the table data constituting the jackpot start command table stored in the ROM 115 in the transmission command buffer. When the setting in step S243 is performed, the command control process in step S17 shown in FIG. 29 is executed after the special symbol process is completed, so that the main board 11 hits the effect control board 12 in a big hit. A start command is sent.

  After executing the process of step S243, the big hit flag is cleared and turned off (step S244). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the probability variation flag is on (step S245). If the probability variation flag is on (step S245; Yes), the probability variation flag is cleared and turned off (step S246). The probability variation counter provided in the control counter setting unit 164 is cleared and its value is initialized to “0” (step S247). At this time, the probability change end confirmation flag provided in the game control flag setting unit 162 is set to the on state (step S248).

  When the probability variation flag is off in step S245 (step S245; No), or after executing the process of step S248, it is determined whether or not the time reduction flag is on (step S249). (Step S249; Yes), the time flag is cleared and turned off (Step S250), and the time counter counter provided in the game control counter setting unit 164 is cleared and its value is set to “0”. Initialization is performed (step S251). When the time flag is off in step S249 (step S249; No), after the process of step S251 is executed, the value of the special symbol process flag is a value corresponding to the pre-opening process for the big prize opening “4”. "" (Step S252), the special symbol stop process is terminated.

  When the big hit flag is off in step S241 (step S241; No), it is determined whether or not the probability variation flag is on (step S253). At this time, if the probability variation flag is on (step S253; Yes), the probability variation count value is decremented by 1 and updated (step S254). Then, it is determined whether or not the probability variation count value after the update in step S254 is “0” (step S255).

  If it is determined in step S255 that the probability variation count value is “0” (step S255; Yes), for example, the head address of the probability variation end command table stored in the ROM 115 is set in the transmission command pointer. Thus, the setting for transmitting the probability variation end command to the effect control board 12 is performed (step S256). When the setting in step S256 is performed, the command control process in step S17 shown in FIG. 29 is executed after the special symbol process process is completed, so that the main board 11 performs the effect control board 12. Probability end command is sent. After the process of step S256 is executed, the probability variation flag is cleared and turned off (step S257).

  When the probability variation flag is OFF in step S253 (step S253; No), when the probability variation count value is a value other than “0” in step S255 (step S255; No), or the processing of step S257 is performed. After the execution, it is determined whether or not the time reduction flag is on (step S258). At this time, if the time reduction flag is on (step S258; Yes), the time reduction count value is decremented by 1 and updated (step S259). Then, it is determined whether or not the time reduction count value after the update in step S259 is “0” (step S260). If it is determined in step S260 that the time reduction count value is “0” (step S260; Yes), the time reduction flag is cleared and turned off (step S261).

  If the time reduction flag is off in step S258 (step S258; No), or if the time reduction count value is a value other than “0” in step S260 (step S260; No), or the processing of step S261 is performed. After the execution, the demo display flag is cleared and turned off (step S262), the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to “0” (step S263), and the special symbol stop process is terminated.

  FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing an example of the big hit end process executed in step S117 of FIG. In the jackpot end process shown in FIG. 34, first, the CPU 114 determines whether or not a predetermined jackpot end time effect waiting time has elapsed (step S271). Here, the effect waiting time at the end of the big hit is the special symbol process timer when the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to “7” in the post-hit opening process executed in step S116 of FIG. What is necessary is just to measure based on the set timer initial value. For example, the CPU 114 updates the timer value in the special symbol process timer by 1 in the process of step S271 and updates the updated timer value with predetermined waiting time elapsed determination value data (for example, data indicating “0”). ) And the like, it may be determined whether or not the effect waiting time at the end of the big hit has elapsed. When the big hit end presentation waiting time has not elapsed in step S271 (step S271; No), the big hit end processing is ended as it is.

  If the big hit end time waiting time has elapsed in step S271 (step S271; Yes), it is determined whether or not the probability variation confirmation flag is on (step S272). At this time, if the probability variation confirmation flag is on (step S272; Yes), the probability variation flag is set to an on state (step S273), and the probability variation confirmation flag is cleared to an off state (step S274). Further, a predetermined initial count value (for example, “100”) is set in the probability variation counter (step S275). In this embodiment, after the probability variation flag is set to ON in step S273, the non-reach loss pattern determination table 204C shown in FIG. 11C set in step S227 is referred to in step S229 in FIG. When the variable display pattern is determined, the non-reach loss pattern is determined in response to the probability variation flag being on. As a result, when in the probability changing state, the variable display time of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is shortened compared to the normal state, as in the time-short state in which the time-short flag is on. Then, for example, by setting the head address of the probability variation start command table stored in the ROM 115 to the transmission command pointer, setting for transmitting the probability variation start command to the effect control board 12 is performed (step S276). When the setting in step S276 is performed, the command control process in step S17 shown in FIG. 29 is executed after the special symbol process process is completed, so that the main board 11 performs the effect control board 12. A probability change start command is sent. After executing the process of step S276, it is determined whether or not the probability variation end confirmation flag is ON (step S277).

  If the probability variation confirmation flag is off in step S272 (step S272; No), the time reduction flag is set to the on state (step S278), and a predetermined initial count value (eg, “100”) is set in the time reduction counter. Is set (step S279). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the probability variation end confirmation flag is on (step S280). At this time, if the probability change end confirmation flag is on (step S280; Yes), for example, the head address of the probability change end command table stored in the ROM 115 is set in the transmission command pointer, and the effect control board 12 is thus instructed. Settings for transmitting the probability change end command are performed (step S281). When the setting in step S281 is performed, the command control process of step S17 shown in FIG. 29 is executed after the special symbol process process is completed, so that the main board 11 performs the effect control board 12 Probability end command is sent.

  If the probability variation end confirmation flag is on in step S277 (step S277; Yes), or after the processing of step S281 is executed, the probability variation end confirmation flag is cleared and turned off (step S282). If the probability change end confirmation flag is off in step S277 (step S277; No), if the probability change end confirmation flag is off in step S280 (step S280; No), or after executing the processing of step S272 Clears the demo display flag to turn it off (step S283), updates the value of the special symbol process flag to “0” (step S284), and then ends the jackpot end processing.

  Next, the operation in the effect control board 12 will be described. In the effect control board 12, when the power supply voltage is supplied from the power supply board, the effect control microcomputer 120 is activated, and the CPU 131 executes an effect control main process as shown in the flowchart of FIG. When the effect control main process shown in FIG. 35 is started, the CPU 131 first executes a predetermined initialization process (step S51), clears the RAM 133, sets various initial values, and is mounted on the effect control board 12. Register setting of a CTC (counter / timer circuit) (not shown) is performed. Subsequently, the CPU 131 executes a storage area setting command process to set the storage areas in the temporary storage memory 156 included in the VDP 141 to the fixed address area 156A and the variable address area 156B as shown in FIG. A command is issued (step S52).

  FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an example of the storage area setting command process executed in step S52 of FIG. In this storage area setting command process, the CPU 131 reads out the STADD setting data and the ENADD setting data from the ROM 132 as data for setting a storage area to be the variable address area 156B as shown in FIG. Steps S131 and S132). Then, based on the setting data read in steps S131 and S132, a storage area setting command is created and transmitted to the VDP 141 provided in the display control unit 121 (step S133). For example, in the process of step S133, the CPU 131 sets control data corresponding to the storage area setting command in the output port for display control command transmission to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 among the output ports included in the input / output port 135. To do. As a result, the CPU 131 transmits a storage area setting command from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121. The storage area setting command transmitted from the input / output port 135 of the effect control microcomputer 120 is fetched by the host interface 151 of the VDP 141.

  After executing the storage area setting command processing as described above, the advance transfer command processing is executed, so that the display frequency in the image display device 5 is required in the storage area to be the fixed address area 156A of the temporary storage memory 156. A command for temporarily storing image data corresponding to the effect image set to be higher than the effect image is issued (step S53 in FIG. 35).

  FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing an example of a pre-transfer command process executed in step S53 of FIG. In this advance transfer command process, the CPU 131 first determines whether or not a probability change start flag provided in, for example, the effect control flag setting unit 191 is on (step S141). Here, as shown in FIG. 38, the probability variation start flag is set to the ON state when the reception command transmitted from the main board 11 is the probability variation start command. If the probability variation flag is OFF in step S141 (step S141; No), the normal / short time state shown in FIG. 14 (B) corresponds to the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 being the normal state or the short time state. The advance transfer setting table 210A for use is set as a use table (step S142). As a specific example, the CPU 131 sets the leading address of the pre-transfer setting table 210A stored in the ROM 132 to the pre-transfer pointer provided in the RAM 133 as a work area in the process of step S142.

  When the probability change start flag is ON in step S141 (step S141; Yes), the probability change state shown in FIG. 14B corresponds to the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 being the probability change gaming state. Is set as a use table (step S143). At this time, the probability variation start flag is cleared and turned off (step S144).

  When the advance transfer command process is executed in step S53 of FIG. 35, a predetermined effect control command (for example, the same command as the probability change start command) is received from the main board 11 in the process of step S141. For example, it may be determined whether or not the fact that the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in a probable state is notified when the power supply is stopped. If it is notified that the state has been changed to a certain probability, the process proceeds to step S143 to set the advance transfer setting table 210B for the state of certain change, while there is no notification that the state has been changed. In this case, the process proceeds to step S142 to set the pre-transfer setting table 210A for the normal / short time state. A background designation command, a variable display start command (a command for designating a variable display pattern), or the like may be used as an effect control command for notifying that the state of certainty has been changed when power supply is stopped. Here, the background designation command only needs to include EXT data indicating the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  After executing one of the processes of steps S142 and S144, the advance transfer counter provided in the effect control counter setting unit 193 is cleared, and the advance transfer count value that is the count value is initialized to “0”. (Step S145). A table corresponding to the pre-transfer count value being “0” from the pre-transfer setting table 210 (the pre-transfer setting tables 210A and 210B having the head address set in the pre-transfer pointer, the same applies hereinafter). The number of processes is set by reading the data (step S146).

  Thereafter, the CPU 131 updates the advance transfer count value, for example, by adding 1 (step S147). Then, by reading the table data of the advance transfer setting table 210 corresponding to the advance transfer count value updated in step S147, a read address indicating the read position of the image data in the image data memory 142 is specified (step S148). Further, the CPU 131 updates the advance transfer count value, for example, by adding 1 (step S149), and reads the table data of the advance transfer setting table 210 corresponding to the updated count value, thereby temporarily storing the memory 156. The write address indicating the write position where the image data is temporarily stored is specified in the storage area to be the fixed address area 156A (step S150).

  Further, the CPU 131 updates the advance transfer count value, for example, by adding 1 (step S151), and reads the table data of the advance transfer setting table 210 corresponding to the updated count value, thereby reducing the transfer data amount. Specify (step S152). Based on the read address, write address, and transfer data amount thus specified, the CPU 131 creates a pre-transfer command and transmits it to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 from the input / output port 135 (step S153). Here, in the advance transfer setting tables 210A and 210B shown in FIG. 14B, the effect images differ depending on whether the game state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is the normal state, the time-short state, or the probability variation state. Table data corresponding to a plurality of types of image data to be displayed in the display mode is included. Therefore, by repeatedly executing the process of step S153, the advance transfer command corresponding to the image data for displaying the effect image can be sequentially transmitted to the VDP 141. In response to the advance transfer command, the display control unit 121 sequentially reads out a plurality of types of image data for displaying the effect image in different display modes from the image data memory 142, and the temporary storage memory 156 provided in the VDP 141. The fixed address area 156A is temporarily stored. When the process of step S153 is executed, the number of processes is updated by, for example, subtracting 1 (step S154).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the number of processes updated in step S154 has reached a predetermined end determination value (eg, “0”) (step S155). At this time, if the number of processes does not reach the end determination value (step S155; No), the process returns to step S147. On the other hand, if the number of processes reaches the end determination value (step S155; Yes), the pre-transfer counter is cleared, the count value is initialized to “0” (step S156), and the pre-transfer command process Exit. In step S156, the advance transfer pointer may be cleared and the pointer value may be initialized.

  After executing the advance transfer instruction process as described above in step S53 of FIG. 35, the initial setting of the display on the screen of the image display device 5 is performed in response to the power supply in the pachinko gaming machine 1 being turned on. An initial display setting process for performing is executed (step S54). For example, in the initial display setting process in step S54, the CPU 131 creates an image display initial setting command and transmits it to the VDP 141 from the input / output port 135. Thus, the bus width of the data bus when reading image data from the image data memory 142 to the VDP 141 is set to 64 bits predetermined as the first bus width, and the chip select setting is set to CS # 0. Of the memory chips 142-1 to 142-3 included in the image data memory 142, the sprite image data is set to be read from the memory chips 142-1 and 142-2 for the sprite image.

  After executing the initial display setting process in step S54, the timer interrupt flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit 191 is monitored to determine whether or not the flag is turned on (step S55). The timer interrupt flag is set to the ON state every time a predetermined time (for example, 2 milliseconds) elapses based on, for example, the CTC register setting. If the timer interrupt flag is off in step S55 (step S55; No), loop processing is executed until a timer interrupt occurs.

  In addition, in the effect control microcomputer 120, an interrupt for receiving the effect control command from the main board 11 is generated separately from the timer interrupt that occurs every time a predetermined time elapses. This interruption is generated when, for example, an effect control INT signal from the main board 11 is turned on. When an interrupt due to the turn-on of the effect control INT signal occurs, the CPU 131 automatically sets the interrupt prohibition, but when using a CPU that does not automatically enter the interrupt prohibition state, the interrupt prohibition instruction ( It is desirable to issue a DI command. The CPU 131 executes a predetermined command reception interrupt process, for example, in response to an interrupt due to the effect control INT signal being turned on. In this command reception interrupt process, a predetermined input for receiving a control signal transmitted from the main board 11 via the signal relay board 13 among the input ports included in the input / output port 135 provided in the production control microcomputer 120. A control signal as an effect control command is taken from the port. The effect control command captured at this time is stored in a reception command buffer provided in the effect control buffer setting unit 194, for example. As an example, when the production control command has a 2-byte configuration, the first byte (MODE) and the second byte (EXT) are sequentially received and stored in the reception command buffer. Thereafter, the CPU 131 sets the interrupt permission, and then ends the command reception interrupt process.

  If the timer interrupt flag is on in step S55 (step S55; Yes), the timer interrupt flag is cleared and turned off (step S56), and the effect control command transmitted from the main board 11 is analyzed. Command analysis processing is executed (step S57). FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of processing contents executed in the command analysis processing in step S57 of FIG. In the command analysis processing in step S57, first, the reception command buffer is checked to determine whether or not there is an effect control command transmitted from the main board 11. When it is determined that there is a received command, the command is read from the received command buffer. Subsequently, various processes corresponding to the read reception command are executed.

  For example, when the received command is a variable display start command (receive command; variable display start), the lower byte of the received command is stored as variable display designation data in the variable display start buffer provided in the effect control buffer setting unit 194. Save it. At this time, the variable display start flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit 191 is set to the on state. When the reception command is a display result notification command (reception command; display result notification), the lower byte of the reception command is stored as display result designation data in a display result buffer provided in the effect control buffer setting unit 194. Save. When the received command is a demonstration display command (reception command; demonstration display), the demonstration display setting flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit 191 is set to an on state. When the received command is a jackpot start command (receive command; jackpot start), the jackpot start flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit 191 is set to an on state.

  When the received command is a big hit round number notification command (receive command; big hit round number notice), for example, the lower byte of the received command is used as round number designation data in the round number buffer provided in the effect control buffer setting unit 194. Save it by memorizing it. At this time, the round number notified flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit 191 is set to the on state. When the received command is a jackpot end command (receive command; jackpot end), the jackpot end flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit 191 is set to an on state. When the reception command is a probability change start command (reception command; probability change start), the probability change start flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit 191 is set to an on state. When the received command is a probability change end command (reception command; probability change end), the probability change end flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit 191 is set to an on state.

  When the received command is a pending storage count notification command (reception command; pending storage count notification), a predetermined pending storage count display setting process is executed. In this reserved memory number display setting process, for example, the special figure reserved memory number notified by the reserved memory number notification command is specified, and setting or control corresponding to the specified special figure reserved memory number is performed, whereby the image display device The number of special figure reservation storage is displayed in the start winning storage display section provided in the display area 5. When the received command is another command (received command; other command), for example, the command received flag corresponding to the effect control command received by the effect control flag setting unit 191 is set to the on state. Process is executed.

  After executing the command analysis process as described above in step S57 of FIG. 35, the decorative symbol process process is executed (step S58). In this decorative symbol process, in accordance with the progress of variable display of decorative symbols performed on the display screen of the image display device 5, the display output of the image display device 5, the sound output from the speakers 8L and 8R, the game effect lamp Settings for executing various effects are performed by the lighting operation 9. Then, by performing the effect-side random value update process (step S59), various random values counted by the random number circuit 134 and the like are updated on the effect control board 12 side. After performing the production-side random value update process in step S59, the process returns to step S55.

  FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing an example of the decorative symbol process executed in step S58 of FIG. In the decorative symbol process shown in FIG. 39, for example, the CPU 131 selects and executes the following processes in steps S170 to S175 in accordance with the value of the effect control process flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit 191. .

  The variable display start waiting process in step S170 is a process executed when the value of the effect control process flag is “0”. The variable display start waiting process includes a process of determining whether or not to start variable display of decorative symbols on the image display device 5 based on whether or not a variable display start command from the main board 11 is received. It is out. The decorative symbol variable display setting process in step S171 is executed when the value of the effect control process flag is “1”. This decoration symbol variable display setting processing corresponds to the start of variable display of special symbols in the special symbol game by the special symbol display device 4, for example, an image including variable display of ornament symbols in the image display device 5. In order to perform various effect operations such as a display operation of effect images on the display device 5, for example, a variable display is selected from among a plurality of types of effect control patterns stored in the effect control pattern table 211 shown in FIG. This includes processing for selecting a pattern or a type corresponding to the type of variable display result.

  The decorative symbol variable display process in step S172 is executed when the value of the effect control process flag is “2”. In this decorative symbol variable display process, the CPU 131 corresponds to the timer value in the effect control process timer provided in the effect control timer setting unit 192 based on the setting of the already selected effect control pattern, for example, the display control unit. Various presentation control during variable display of decorative symbols, such as transmission of display control commands to the VDP 141 of 121, transmission of audio data to the sound control unit 122, transmission of lamp data to the lamp control unit 123, etc. Do. Then, a predetermined timer initial value corresponding to the big hit start command reception waiting time is set in the effect control process timer based on, for example, reading an end code corresponding to the end of the variable display of the decorative design from the effect control pattern. Thereafter, the value of the decorative symbol process flag is updated to “3” which is a value corresponding to the big hit start waiting process.

  The big hit start waiting process in step S173 is executed when the value of the effect control process flag is “3”. In this jackpot start waiting process, the CPU 131 determines whether or not a jackpot start command transmitted from the main board 11 has been received. When the big hit start command is received, the value of the effect control process flag is updated to “4” corresponding to the big hit effect processing based on the determination that the decorative symbol variable display result is a big hit. To do. On the other hand, when the effect control process timer times out without receiving the jackpot start command from the main board 11, the effect control process flag is determined based on the determination that the decorative symbol variable display result is lost. Is updated to “0” which is an initial value.

  The big hit effect process in step S174 is a process executed when the value of the effect control process flag is “4”. In this jackpot effect processing, for example, the CPU 131 controls the display operation in the image display device 5 to display an image corresponding to the jackpot gaming state, or controls the sound output operation in the speakers 8L and 8R to enter the jackpot gaming state. Various effect control in the jackpot gaming state is performed, such as outputting a sound according to the game, and controlling the lighting / turning-off operation of the gaming effect lamp 9 to turn on / off / flashing according to the jackpot gaming state. . This corresponds to the fact that the round game executed in the jackpot game state has reached the end of the final round (for example, the second round or the fifteenth round), or the jackpot end command transmitted from the main board 11 has been received. Thus, the value of the effect control process flag is updated to “5” which is a value corresponding to the ending effect process.

  The ending effect process in step S175 is a process executed when the value of the effect control process flag is “5”. In this ending effect process, for example, a predetermined effect image is displayed on the image display device 5, sound is output from the speakers 8L and 8R, or the game effect lamp 9 is turned on to end the big hit gaming state. It includes a process for controlling the production operation for notification.

  FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing an example of the variable display start waiting process executed in step S170 of FIG. In this variable display start waiting process, the CPU 131 first determines whether or not the probability change start flag is on (step S291). At this time, if the probability variation start flag is on (step S291; Yes), display setting for probability variation start corresponding to the start of the control to be in the probability variation state is performed (step S292). For example, in the probability variation state, as shown in FIG. 2B, one decorative symbol is displayed on each of the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R in the image display device 5. By the stop display, only one effective line is determined in the horizontal direction, and the decorative symbols in each decorative symbol display section are displayed larger than those in the normal state or the short time state. Therefore, the CPU 131 creates a probability change start display setting command as shown in FIG. 23 in the process of step S292, and transmits it to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 from the input / output port 135. In accordance with this probability change start display setting command, the VDP 141 adjusts the enlargement ratio in the scaler circuit of the display circuit 158, and from the display data having the size of the SVGA mode (800 × 600 pixels), the display screen of the image display device 5 The enlargement ratio is set so that conversion to pixel data having a size (1024 × 768 pixels) in the XGA mode corresponding to the total number of pixels in can be performed. Further, according to the probability change start display setting command, the bus width of the data bus when the VDP 141 reads the image data from the image data memory 142 is set to 64 bits which is the first bus width.

  If the probability variation start flag is off in step S291 (step S291; No), it is determined whether or not the probability variation end flag is on (step S293). At this time, if the probability variation end flag is on (step S293; Yes), the probability variation end flag is cleared and turned off (step S294). Then, display setting for probability variation end corresponding to when the probability variation state ends and the control to the normal state or the time reduction state is started is performed (step S295). For example, in the normal state and the short time state, as shown in FIG. 2A, decorative symbols are displayed on the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R in the image display device 5, respectively. It is possible to stop display three by three, define five effective lines, and display the decorative symbols in the decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R smaller than when they are in a certain change state. In view of this, the CPU 131 creates a probability change end display setting command as shown in FIG. In accordance with the display setting command for end of probability change, the VDP 141 adjusts the enlargement ratio in the scaler circuit of the display circuit 158, and the display screen of the image display device 5 is obtained from the display data having the size of the VGA mode (640 × 480 pixels). The enlargement ratio is set so that conversion to pixel data having a size (1024 × 768 pixels) in the XGA mode corresponding to the total number of pixels in can be performed. Further, according to the probability change end display setting command, the bus width of the data bus when the VDP 141 reads the image data from the image data memory 142 is set to 64 bits which is the first bus width.

  After executing one of the processes in steps S292 and S295, the pre-transfer command process is executed in the same manner as in step S53 in FIG. 35 (step S296). When the probability change end flag is off in step S293 (step S293; No), or after executing the advance transfer command process in step S296, it is determined whether or not the variable display start flag is on (step S297).

  If the variable display start flag is off in step S297 (step S297; No), it is determined whether the demonstration display flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit 191 is on (step S298). . The demonstration display flag is set to an on state when a process of step S302 described later is executed, and is cleared to an off state when any of the processes of steps S307 and S311 is executed. Become. If the demonstration display flag is off in step S298 (step S298; No), it is determined whether the demonstration display setting flag is on (step S299). At this time, if the demonstration display setting flag is off (step S299; No), the variable display start waiting process is terminated.

  If the demonstration display setting flag is ON in step S299 (step S299; Yes), it is determined whether a predetermined demonstration display waiting time has elapsed (step S300). Here, the demonstration display waiting time is determined from the demonstration image from the timing when the variable display of the decorative symbol whose variable display result is “losing” is completed, or the timing when the presentation operation for notifying the end of the big hit gaming state is completed. A time set in advance as a waiting time until the display of the demonstration screen is started by the image display device 5 may be used. At this time, if the demonstration display waiting time has not elapsed (step S300; No), the variable display start waiting process is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S300 that the demo display waiting time has elapsed (step S300; Yes), the demo display setting flag is cleared and turned off (step S301), while the demo display flag is displayed. Is set to the on state (step S302). Subsequently, setting for starting display of the demonstration screen is performed (step S303). As an example, the CPU 131 initializes display on the image display device 5 by transmitting a predetermined display control command to the VDP 141. In addition, the CPU 131 selects a demonstration display effect control pattern from among a plurality of types of effect control patterns stored in the effect control pattern table 211, and provides an effect control pattern for controlling the effect operation during the demonstration screen display. Set as. When the demonstration display flag is on in step S298 (step S298; Yes), or after the setting in step S303 is performed, a composite drawing command process is executed (step S304). The composite drawing command process executed in step S304 will be described later.

  After executing the composite drawing command process in step S304, it is determined whether or not the demo display period has ended (step S305). At this time, if the demonstration display period has not ended (step S305; No), the variable display start waiting process ends. On the other hand, when the demonstration display period ends (step S305; Yes), settings for ending the demonstration screen display are performed (step S306). As an example, the CPU 131 initializes display on the image display device 5 by transmitting a predetermined display control command to the VDP 141. Further, the CPU 131 may set a timer initial value corresponding to the demonstration display waiting time in the effect control process timer. At this time, the demonstration display flag is cleared and turned off (step S307), the demonstration display setting flag is set to on (step S308), and the variable display start waiting process is terminated.

  If the variable display start flag is on in step S297 (step S298; Yes), it is determined whether the demo display flag is on (step S309). At this time, if the demonstration display flag is on (step S309; Yes), a setting for terminating the demonstration screen display is performed (step S309). As an example, in the process of step S309, the CPU 131 initializes the display on the image display device 5 by transmitting a predetermined display control command to the VDP 141 similarly to the process of step S306. On the other hand, in the process of step S309, unlike the process of step S306, it is not necessary to set the timer initial value corresponding to the demonstration display waiting time in the effect control process timer. At this time, the demonstration display flag is cleared and turned off (step S311).

  When the demonstration display flag is off in step S309 (step S309; No), after executing the process of step S311, it is determined whether or not the demonstration display setting flag is on (step S312). At this time, if the demo display setting flag is on (step S312; Yes), the demo display setting flag is cleared and turned off (step S313). When the demonstration display setting flag is off in step S312 (step S312; No), after executing the process of step S313, the value of the effect control process flag is a value corresponding to the decorative symbol variable display setting process. After updating to “1” (step S314), the variable display start waiting process is terminated.

  FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing an example of the decorative symbol variable display setting process executed in step S171 of FIG. In the decorative symbol variable display setting process, the CPU 131 first displays the display result indicated in the display result notification command transmitted from the main board 11 by reading the display result specifying data saved in the display result buffer, for example. Is determined to be included in the “big hit” (step S321). At this time, if the type of the display result is “big hit” (step S321; Yes), for example, a combination of predetermined types of big hit combinations such as a normal big hit combination, a probable variation big hit combination, or an odd chance combination. The combination of the decorative symbols to be the final decorative symbols is determined from the inside (step S322). As an example, when the jackpot type specified from the display result designation data is “probable change”, the CPU 131 extracts numerical data indicating a random number value for determining the jackpot symbol updated by the random number circuit 134 or the like, and the ROM 132 or the like. By referring to the probability variation jackpot symbol determination table included in the ornament symbol determination table stored in advance, a decision symbol to be determined among a plurality of types of probability variation symbols is determined. As another example, when the jackpot type is “normal”, numerical data indicating random numbers for determining the jackpot symbol updated by the random number circuit 134 or the like is extracted, and the decorative symbol determination stored in advance in the ROM 132 or the like is extracted. By referring to the normal jackpot symbol determination table included in the table, etc., one of a plurality of types of normal symbols to be determined as a decorative symbol is determined. As yet another example, when the big hit type is “surprising”, numerical data indicating a random value for determining the big hit symbol updated by the random number circuit 134 or the like is extracted, and the decorative symbol stored in advance in the ROM 132 or the like is extracted. By referring to the accuracy chance item determination table included in the determination table, one of the plurality of types of accuracy chance items to be determined as a decorative pattern is determined.

  If the type of the display result is not “big hit” in step S321 (step S321; No), for example, the variable display designation data saved in the variable display start buffer is read and transmitted from the main board 11. It is determined whether or not the variable display pattern indicated in the variable display start command is a reach loss pattern (step S323). At this time, if the variable display pattern is a reach-losing pattern (step S323; Yes), a final decorative symbol for the reach-losing combination is determined (step S324). As an example, the CPU 131 extracts numerical data indicating a random number value for determining the left determined symbol updated by the random number circuit 134 and the like, and uses the left determined symbol determination table included in the decorative symbol determination table stored in advance in the ROM 132 or the like. By referring to this, the left determined decorative symbol to be stopped and displayed on the “left” decorative symbol display unit 5L in the image display device 5 is determined among the determined decorative symbols. Also, the decorative symbol having the same symbol number as the left determined decorative symbol is determined as the right determined decorative symbol that is stopped and displayed on the “right” decorative symbol display unit 5R in the image display device 5 among the determined decorative symbols. Furthermore, numerical data indicating a random number value for determining the medium fixed symbol updated by the random number circuit 134 or the like is extracted, and the medium fixed symbol determination table included in the decorative symbol determination table stored in advance in the ROM 132 or the like is referred to. Thus, among the determined decorative symbols, the medium determined decorative symbol that is stopped and displayed on the “middle” decorative symbol display unit 5C in the image display device 5 is determined. Here, for example, when the confirmed decorative symbol is a jackpot combination, such as when the symbol number of the middle confirmed decorative symbol is the same as the symbol number of the left confirmed decorative symbol and the right confirmed decorative symbol, an arbitrary value (For example, “1”) may be added to or subtracted from the symbol number of the medium-decorated decorative symbol so that the finalized decorative symbol does not become a jackpot combination but a reach-losing combination.

  If the variable display pattern is not a reach lose pattern in step S323 (step S323; No), a determined decorative symbol for the non-reach lose combination is determined (step S325). As an example, the CPU 131 extracts numerical data indicating a random number value for determining the left determined symbol updated by the random number circuit 134 and the like, and uses the left determined symbol determination table included in the decorative symbol determination table stored in advance in the ROM 132 or the like. The left fixed decorative design is determined by referring to it. In addition, numerical data indicating a random number value for determining the medium fixed symbol updated by the random number circuit 134 or the like is extracted, and the medium fixed symbol determination table included in the decorative symbol determination table stored in advance in the ROM 132 or the like is referred to. To determine the medium finalized decorative symbol. Further, numerical data indicating a random number value for determining the right determined symbol updated by the random number circuit 134 or the like is extracted, and the right determined symbol determination table included in the decorative symbol determination table stored in advance in the ROM 132 or the like is referred to. To determine the right determined decorative design. Here, when the confirmed decorative symbol becomes a big hit combination or reach lose combination, for example, when the symbol number of the right determined decorative symbol is the same as the symbol number of the left fixed decorative symbol, an arbitrary value (for example, By adding or subtracting “1”) to / from the symbol number of the right determined decorative symbol, the determined decorative symbol may be a normal lost combination instead of a big hit combination or reach lost combination. Further, the table data in the decorative symbol determination table may be configured so that the fixed decorative symbol of the non-reach lose combination is not the same as the chance of winning.

  After executing any of the processes of steps S322, S324, and S325, the data indicating the determined confirmed design is stored in the stop design buffer provided in the effect control buffer setting unit 194, etc. Is saved (step S326). Subsequently, an effect control pattern corresponding to the variable display pattern is selected from a plurality of types of effect control patterns stored in the effect control pattern table 211, and the effect operation during the variable display of the decorative design is controlled. The effect control pattern is set (step S327).

  Following the process of step S327, the presence / absence of the effect mode change is determined (step S328). As an example, the CPU 131 extracts numerical data indicating a random number value for effect mode change determination updated by the random number circuit 134 or the like, and refers to an effect mode change determination table stored in advance in the ROM 132 or the like. It is determined whether or not to change the effect mode in the gaming machine 1. As another example, the CPU 131 corresponds to whether or not the variable display pattern specified by the variable display start command transmitted from the main board 11 is a variable display pattern prepared in advance for changing the effect mode. It may be determined whether or not to change the production mode. At this time, it is determined whether or not the determination result in step S328 is that the effect mode has been changed (step S329).

  If it is determined in step S329 that there is a change in the effect mode (step S329; Yes), an effect control pattern for background switching is selected from a plurality of types of effect control patterns stored in the effect control pattern table 211. This is selected and set as an effect control pattern for controlling the effect operation when the background image is switched (step S330). When it is determined in step S329 that there is no change in the effect mode (step S329; No), after the process of step S330 is executed, the effect control is performed from the start address of the effect control pattern set in the process of step S327, for example. The initial value of the process timer is read and set to the production control process timer provided in the production control timer setting unit 192, for example, to set the timer initial value (step S331).

  Thereafter, for example, by transmitting a display control command corresponding to the display control data included in the display control pattern of the effect control pattern from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121, the decorative pattern in the image display device 5 is displayed. Is set to start the variable display (step S332). Thereafter, the value of the effect control process flag is updated to “2”, which is a value corresponding to the decorative symbol variable display processing (step S333), and the decorative symbol variable display setting process is terminated.

  FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing an example of the decorative symbol variable display process executed in step S172 of FIG. In the decorative symbol variable display process, the CPU 131 first updates the effect control process timer value, for example, by subtracting 1 (step S341). At this time, it is determined whether or not it matches any of the timer determination values by comparing the updated effect control process timer value with various timer determination values indicated by the effect control pattern (step S342). ). If it does not match any of the timer determination values (step S342; No), the decorative symbol variable display in-process is terminated.

  If the timer determination value is matched in step S342 (step S342; Yes), various control data (display control data, sound control data, lamp control data) stored in the effect control pattern in association with the timer determination value. , One of the end codes) is read (step S343). Here, when the plurality of timer determination values indicated in the effect control pattern in the process of step S342 match the effect control process timer value, the plurality of stored timer determination values are associated with each other and stored. What is necessary is just to read control data by the process of step S343. Then, it is determined whether or not the control data read in step S343 is an end code (step S344). At this time, if the end code is determined (step S344; Yes), the big hit start command reception waiting time is set, for example, by setting a predetermined timer initial value in the effect control process timer (step S345). ). Then, after the value of the effect control process flag is updated to “3” which is a value corresponding to the big hit start waiting process (step S346), the decorative symbol variable display in-process is terminated.

  When it is determined in step S344 that the code is not an end code (step S344; No), an effect control command process is performed to perform a command or setting according to the control data read in step S343. (Step S347), the decorative symbol variable display processing is terminated.

  FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing an example of the effect control command process executed in step S347 of FIG. In this effect control command process, the CPU 131 first specifies the type of control data read out in the process of step S343 shown in FIG. 42 from display control data, audio control data, and lamp control data (step S401). ). Then, it is determined whether or not the type of control data specified in the process of step S401 is voice control data (step S402).

  When it is determined in step S402 that the data is voice control data (step S402; Yes), the voice data created according to the read voice control data is transmitted from the input / output port 135 to the sound control unit 122 ( Step S403). When it is determined in step S402 that it is not voice control data (step S402; No), after executing the process of step S403, the type of control data specified in the process of step S401 is lamp control data. Is determined (step S404).

  If it is determined in step S404 that the data is lamp control data (step S404; Yes), the lamp data created according to the read lamp control data is transmitted from the input / output port 135 to the lamp control unit 123 ( Step S405). When it is determined in step S404 that the data is not lamp control data (step S404; No), after executing the process of step S405, it is determined whether or not it is the display period of the sprite image (step S406). As an example, when the type of the control data specified in step S401 is display control data, the CPU 131 determines whether or not it is a sprite image display period by reading the display control data. As the display period of the sprite image, for example, when the variable display state of the decorative symbol is in the reach state, the period from the start of variable display of the decorative symbol to the reach state is included in the display control included in the effect control pattern What is necessary is just to be predetermined by data etc. For example, when the decorative display variable display state does not reach the reach state, the period from when the decorative display variable display is started until the fixed decorative display that is the variable display result is stopped is displayed for the sprite image display. The period may be determined in advance by display control data included in the effect control pattern. As described above, the display control data only needs to include image display period designation information indicating whether it is a sprite image display period or a moving image display period.

  If it is the display period of the sprite image in step S406 (step S406; Yes), the sprite image update command process is executed (step S407). If it is not the sprite image display period in step S406 (step S406; No), or after executing the sprite image update command processing in step S407, it is determined whether or not it is the moving image display period (step S406). S408). As an example, when the type of control data specified in step S401 is display control data, the CPU 131 determines whether or not it is a moving image display period by reading the display control data.

  If it is the moving image display period in step S408 (step S408; Yes), moving image display command processing is executed (step S409). If it is not the moving image display period in step S408 (step S408; No), or after executing the moving image display command processing in step S409, the effect control command processing is terminated.

  FIG. 44 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sprite image update command process executed in step S407 of FIG. In this sprite image update command processing, the CPU 131 first determines whether or not it is the background switching period, for example, by reading display control data read from the background switching effect control pattern (step S421). Here, the display control data included in the background switching effect control pattern only needs to include background switching period designation information indicating whether or not it is the background switching period.

  If it is determined in step S421 that it is not the background switching period (step S421; No), for example, the display control data read from the effect control pattern for controlling the effect operation during variable display of the decorative symbol is obtained. By reading or the like, it is determined whether or not it is a reach display period (step S422). At this time, if it is a reach display period (step S422; Yes), for example, the variable display designation data stored in the variable display start buffer is read, the type of the effect control pattern is specified, etc. It is determined whether or not the decorative display variable display pattern is the super A variable display pattern (step S423).

  If it is the background switching period in step S421 (step S421; Yes), or if it is the super A variable display pattern in step S423 (step S423; Yes), the composite drawing command process is executed (step S424). ). When it is not the reach display period at step S422 (step S422; No), when it is not the variable display pattern of super A at step S423 (step S423; No), or the composite drawing command process is executed at step S424. After that, for example, an image part whose display is to be updated is specified from display control data read from the effect control pattern (step S425).

  Subsequent to the processing of step S425, it is determined whether the reading position of the image data corresponding to the specified image part is the fixed address area 156A provided in the temporary storage memory 156 of the VDP 141 or the image data memory 142. This is performed (step S426). That is, it is determined whether or not the image part specified in step S425 is an image indicated by the image data transferred to the fixed address area 156A of the temporary storage memory 156. For example, in the process of step 426, it may be determined whether or not the pre-transfer setting table 210 includes table data specifying image data indicating the image part specified in the process of step S425. Alternatively, in the process of step S426, the image data indicating the image part specified in the process of step S425 is obtained by referring to the index table 220 that manages the image data temporarily stored in the fixed address area 156A of the temporary storage memory 156. It may be determined whether it is temporarily stored in fixed address area 156A.

  If it is determined in step S426 that the reading position of the image data is the fixed address area 156A (step S426; Yes), the fixed address of the temporary storage memory 156 is determined by, for example, display control data read from the effect control pattern. The reading address of the image data in the area 156A is specified (step S427). Also, the writing address of the image data in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157 corresponding to the display position (display coordinates) of the image part specified in the process of step S425 is specified by the display control data similar to step S427 ( Step S428). Then, the transfer data amount of the image data indicating the image part to be updated is specified (step S429). Thereafter, based on the read address, the write address, and the transfer data amount specified in the processing of steps S427 to S429, a fixed address designation transfer command is created and transmitted from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121. (Step S430).

  If it is determined in step S426 that the read position of the image data is not the fixed address area 156A (step S426; No), the sprite image in the image data memory 142 is displayed based on, for example, display control data read from the effect control pattern. The reading address of the image data in the data area 142A is specified (step S431). Further, for example, the writing address of the image data in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157 corresponding to the display position (display coordinate) of the image part is specified from the display control data (step S432). Furthermore, the transfer data amount of the image data indicating the image part to be updated is specified (step S433). Thereafter, an automatic transfer command is created based on the read address, write address, and transfer data amount specified in the processing of steps S431 to S433, and transmitted from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 (step S1). S434).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the command for all the image parts to be updated has been completed (step S435). If the command is not completed (step S435; No), the process returns to step S425. On the other hand, when the command is completed for all the image parts to be updated, the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 forms a display image for one frame by combining processing using a plurality of types of image data. The display color data to be stored is stored in the drawing buffer 157A. If the moving image is reproduced and displayed in parallel, the display color data forming the display image for one frame is combined with the transmission of the moving image decoding command in step S455 shown in FIG. And the like are stored in the drawing buffer 157A. When the command is completed in step S435 (step S435; Yes), the display data is updated by, for example, transferring the storage contents of the drawing buffer 157A in the VRAM 157 provided in the VDP 141 to the display buffer 157B ( Step S436). As a specific example, in the process of step S436, the CPU 131 transmits a predetermined display control command from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141, and the like, thereby storing R, G, B stored in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157. The display color data is expanded from 6 bits to 8 bits, and then transferred to the display buffer 157B. Alternatively, the storage contents of the drawing buffer 157A may be set as the storage contents of the display buffer 157B by switching between the drawing buffer 157A and the display buffer 157B in the VRAM 157.

  FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the moving image display command process executed in step S409 of FIG. In this moving image display command processing, the CPU 131 first determines whether or not to start reproduction display of a moving image on the display screen of the image display device 5 based on, for example, display control data read from the effect control pattern. (Step S451). At this time, if it is determined to start reproduction display of the moving image (step S451; Yes), for example, a moving image display initial setting command created according to the display control data is transmitted from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121. (Step S452). As a result, the bus width of the data bus connected between the VDP 141 and the image data memory 142 is set to 32 bits predetermined as the second bus width corresponding to the playback and display of moving images. In addition, by setting the chip select in the image data memory interface 153 to CS # 1, the moving image memory chip 142-3 is set as a read target chip. Subsequently, for example, a moving image display start setting command created according to the display control data is transmitted from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 (step S453). As a result, moving image data that is read from the moving image data area 142B of the image data memory 142 and used for reproducing and displaying the moving image is specified, and the moving image data is set as a management target by the index table 220.

  When it is determined in step S451 that it is not the start of moving image reproduction display (step S451; No), after executing the process of step S453, for example, display control data is referred to or the display control unit 121 By determining whether or not the event interrupt signal transmitted from the VDP 141 is turned on, it is determined whether or not it is the decoding timing of the moving image data (step S454). As the decoding timing of the moving image data, for example, in the display control data included in any of the super A to super D effect control patterns, the reach effect is started based on the fact that the variable display state of the decorative symbols has reached the reach state. It is sufficient that the timing to be determined is determined in advance. At this time, when it is determined that it is the decoding timing of the moving image data (step S454; Yes), for example, a moving image decoding command according to the display control data is created, and the display control unit 121 is input from the input / output port 135. Are transmitted to the VDP 141 (step S455).

  If it is determined in step S454 that it is not the decoding timing of the moving image data (step S454; No), or after executing the processing of step S455, the image display device 5 is referred to by referring to the display control data, for example. It is determined whether or not to end the reproduction display of the moving image on the display screen (step S456). At this time, if it is determined to end the playback and display of the moving image (step S456; Yes), for example, a moving image display end setting command created according to the display control data is sent from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121. (Step S457). As a result, the bus width of the data bus connected between the VDP 141 and the image data memory 142 is set to 64 bits predetermined as the first bus width corresponding to the display of the sprite image. Also, by setting the chip select in the image data memory interface 153 to CS # 0, the sprite image memory chips 142-1 and 142-2 are set as the reading target chips. After executing the processing in step S457 as described above, the moving image display command processing is terminated. If it is determined in step S456 that the playback / display of the moving image has not ended (step S456; No), the moving image display command processing is ended without executing the processing in step S457.

  FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing an example of the composite drawing command process executed in step S304 of FIG. 40 or step S424 of FIG. In this composite drawing command process, the CPU 131 first determines whether or not the compositing flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit 191 is on (step S471). Here, the in-composition flag is set to an on state when a process of step S474 described later is executed, and is cleared to an off state when the process of step S485 is executed.

  If the compositing flag is off in step S471 (step S471; No), the elapsed time is set by setting the timer initial value “0” in the elapsed time timer provided in the effect control timer setting unit 192, or the like. The elapsed time measurement by the timer is started (step S472). Then, for example, setting for starting composite display is performed such as specifying image data indicating an image to be combined and displayed in accordance with display control data (step S473). In the process of step S473, for example, when the images to be combined and displayed are the flat images P1 and P2, the depth value setting table 212A for the flat image P1 shown in FIG. 16A and FIG. The depth value setting table 212B for the flat image P2 shown in FIG. 5 is set in accordance with the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time timer when the flat images P1 and P2 are arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space. Set as used table. In addition, the opacity setting table 213 shown in FIG. 17 is used to set the opacity of the planar images P1 and P2 arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space according to the depth values of the planar images P1 and P2. Set as. Thereafter, the compositing flag is set to the on state (step S474). If the compositing flag is on in step S471 (step S471; Yes), the elapsed time timer value, which is the timer value in the elapsed time timer, is updated by, for example, adding 1 (step S475). .

  After executing either of the processes in steps S474 and S475, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time timer value has become larger than the maximum value “100” (step S476). At this time, if the elapsed time timer value is larger than “100” (step S476; Yes), the elapsed time timer is reset and set to the timer initial value “0” (step S477). On the other hand, if the elapsed time timer value is “100” or less (step S476; No), the process of step S477 is skipped.

  Subsequently, the CPU 131 specifies a drawing target image based on display control data read from the effect control pattern, an elapsed time timer value, and the like (step S478). As an example, if the images to be combined and displayed are the plane images P1 and P2, any one of the plane images P1 and P2 that has not been drawn is displayed in step S478. Identified as The display control data of the effect control pattern only needs to include data that predetermines a procedure for specifying an image to be combined and displayed as a drawing target image. For example, a plurality of types of images to be combined and displayed may be added with numbers indicating the order of specification as drawing target images in advance, and specified as drawing target images according to the numbers. Alternatively, the display control data of the effect control pattern is set so that the image is specified as the drawing target image in order from the image with the largest depth value or the image with the smallest depth value based on the elapsed time timer value or the settings of the depth setting tables 212A and 212B. It may be. Then, the depth value corresponding to the elapsed time timer value is determined (step S479). For example, when the drawing target image is specified as the planar image P1 in step S478, the depth value setting table 212A for the planar image P1 shown in FIG. By reading out the depth value data indicating the depth value, the depth value when the planar image P1 is arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space is determined. At this time, if the elapsed time timer value is “0”, the depth value data indicating the depth value associated with the elapsed time “T0” in the depth value setting table 212A is read. Similarly, if the elapsed time timer value is “1”, “2”,..., “100”, it is associated with the elapsed times “T1”, “T2”,. Depth value data indicating the depth value being read is read. If the drawing target image is specified as the plane image P2 in step S478, the depth value setting table 212B for the plane image P2 shown in FIG. By reading out the depth value data indicating the depth value, the depth value when the planar image P2 is arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space is determined. At this time, if the elapsed time timer value is “0”, the depth value data associated with the elapsed time “T0” in the depth value setting table 212B is read. Similarly, if the elapsed time timer value is “1”, “2”,..., “100”, it is associated with the elapsed times “T1”, “T2”,. Depth value data indicating the depth value being read is read. Thereby, for example, the depth value when the display elements such as the planar images P1 and P2 are arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space is set so as to move each display element in a direction that decreases according to the elapsed time.

  After the depth value is determined in step S479, the opacity corresponding to the depth value is determined (step S480). For example, referring to the opacity setting table 213 shown in FIG. 17, the opacity data indicating the opacity corresponding to the depth value determined in step S480 is read to place the drawing target image in the virtual three-dimensional space. After that, the opacity in the drawing target image when performing semi-transparent synthesis with coordinate transformation is determined. At this time, by setting the opacity data in the opacity setting table 213, the transparency when arranged on the front side (neighboring) from the viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space is the transparency when arranged on the back side (far). The opacity of the drawing target image is set so as to be lower than. As a result, the opacity (transparency) of the drawing target image is set so that the image of the display element placed near the viewpoint is displayed darker than the image of the display element placed far from the viewpoint. The Then, a projection / synthesis drawing command is created based on the drawing target image specified in step S478, the depth value determined in step S479, and the opacity determined in step S480 (step S481). Further, the projection / composition drawing command created in step S481 is transmitted from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 (step S482).

  Following the processing in step S482, it is determined whether or not the command has been completed for all the images to be combined and displayed based on, for example, display control data read from the effect control pattern (step S483). If the command is not completed (step S483; No), the process returns to step S478. On the other hand, if the command is completed for all the images to be combined and displayed (step S483; Yes), for example, based on the display control data read from the effect control pattern, the effect control process timer value, etc. It is determined whether or not the composite display end timing has come (step S484). At this time, if it is the composite display end timing (step S484; Yes), the compositing flag is cleared and turned off (step S485). In addition, for example, a setting for ending the composite display, such as ending the elapsed time measurement by the elapsed time timer, is performed (step S486). If it is not the end timing of the composite display in step S484 (step S484; No), or after the setting in step S486 is performed, the composite drawing command process is ended.

  FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing an example of the big hit start waiting process executed in step S173 of FIG. In the jackpot start waiting process, the CPU 131 first determines whether or not the jackpot start command reception waiting time has elapsed (step S361). For example, in the process of step S361, the presentation control process timer value is updated by subtracting 1 or the like, and by determining whether or not the updated value is “0”, the big hit start command reception waiting time has elapsed. What is necessary is just to determine whether it did. The timer initial value in the effect control process timer updated at this time may be set in the process of step S345 shown in FIG.

  When the big hit start command reception waiting time has not elapsed in step S361 (step S361; No), it is determined whether or not the big hit start flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit 191 is on (step S361). S362). At this time, if the big hit start flag is off (step S362; No), it is determined that the big hit start command has not been received yet, and the big hit start waiting process is terminated. On the other hand, when the big hit start flag is on (step S362; Yes), after the big hit start flag is cleared and turned off (step S363), a pre-transfer command process is executed (step S364). . As a result, it is registered in the advance transfer setting table 210 in response to the fact that the definite decorative symbol of the jackpot combination is derived and displayed as the variable symbol display result of the decorative symbol, or the effect display in the big hit gaming state is started. A command to read the image data from the image data memory 142 and transfer it to the fixed address area 156A in the temporary storage memory 156 of the VDP 141 is issued. After executing the pre-transfer command process in step S364, the value of the effect control process flag is updated to “4” that is a value corresponding to the effect process during the big hit (step S365), and then the big hit start waiting process is terminated. To do. If the big hit start command reception waiting time has passed in step S361 (step S361; Yes), the value of the effect control process flag is updated to “0” (step S366), and the big hit start waiting process is performed. finish.

  FIG. 48 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a transfer control process executed by the transfer control circuit 152 included in the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121. In this transfer control process, the transfer control circuit 152 first determines whether or not there is a display control command transmitted from the presentation control microcomputer 120 and received via the host interface 151 (step S601). If there is no reception command from the production control microcomputer 120 (step S601; No), the process of step S601 is repeatedly executed and awaits.

  If there is a reception command in step S601 (step S601; Yes), it is determined whether or not the reception command is a storage area setting command (step S602). If it is a storage area setting command (step S602; Yes), a storage area setting process is executed (step S603). On the other hand, if it is not a storage area setting command (step S602; No), it is determined whether the reception command is a pre-transfer command (step S604).

  If the reception command is a pre-transfer command in step S604 (step S604; Yes), pre-transfer processing is executed (step S605). On the other hand, when the reception command is not the advance transfer command (step S604; No), it is determined whether or not the reception command is an automatic transfer command (step S606). At this time, if the reception command is an automatic transfer command (step S606; Yes), an automatic transfer control process is executed (step S607). If the reception command is not an automatic transfer command (step S606; No), it is determined whether or not the reception command is a projection / composition drawing command (step S608). At this time, if it is a projection / combination drawing command (step S608; Yes), a transfer process for projection / combination is executed (step S609). If the reception command is not a projection / combination drawing command in step S608 (step S608; No), or after executing any of the processes in steps S603, S605, S607, and S609, the process returns to step S601.

  FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing an example of the storage area setting process executed in step S603 of FIG. In this storage area setting process, the transfer control circuit 152 first clears the temporary storage memory 156 and initializes the stored contents (step S611). Subsequently, the head address STADD of the variable address area 156B is specified from the data included in the storage area setting command (step S612). Then, the address STADD specified at this time is set and stored in a predetermined register built in the VDP 141 (step S613). Further, the transfer control circuit 152 specifies the end address ENADD of the variable address area 156B from the data included in the storage area setting command (step S614). Then, the address ENADD specified at this time is set and stored in a predetermined register built in the VDP 141 (step S615), and the storage area setting process is terminated. Thus, by storing the start address STADD and end address ENADD of the variable address area 156B in the internal register of the VDP 141, a storage area to be the variable address area 156B is secured in the temporary storage memory 156.

  FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing an example of the advance transfer process executed in step S605 of FIG. In this advance transfer process, the transfer control circuit 152 first specifies the read address of the image data in the image data memory 142 from the data included in the advance transfer command (step S621). Subsequently, the writing address of the image data in the fixed address area 156A of the temporary storage memory 156 is specified from the data included in the advance transfer command (step S622). Further, the data amount of the image data to be transferred is specified from the data included in the advance transfer command (step S623). Then, based on the read address, write address, and transfer data amount of the image data specified in the processes of steps S621 to S623, the data transfer is performed so that the image data read from the image data memory 142 is transferred to the fixed address area 156A. Start setting is performed (step S624). For example, in the process of step S624, the transfer control circuit 152 sets the read address of the image data memory 142, the write address of the temporary storage memory 156, and the data amount of image data to be transferred to a predetermined DMA device. Instructs start of transfer of image data by transfer.

  Thereafter, the transfer control circuit 152 determines whether or not the transfer of the image data has been completed (step S625), and if not completed (step S625; No), the process of step S625 is repeated and waits. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S625 that the transfer of the image data has been completed based on, for example, a predetermined transfer completion signal output from the DMA device (step S625; Yes), the index table 220 provided in the VDP 141 is stored. After registering completion of image data transfer (step S626), the pre-transfer process is terminated. In the processing of step S626, the transfer control circuit 152, for example, “start address”, “horizontal size”, etc. that can identify the image data transferred to the fixed address area 156A based on the data included in the advance transfer command, etc. Are written into the index table 220 provided corresponding to the fixed address area 156A, and the corresponding “reading completion flag” is set to “ON”.

  FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing an example of the automatic transfer control process executed in step S607 of FIG. In this automatic transfer control process, the transfer control circuit 152 first specifies the read address of the image data in the image data memory 142 from the data included in the automatic transfer command (step S631). Subsequently, the writing address of the image data in the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 is specified (step S632). For example, in the process of step S632, the transfer control circuit 152 refers to the index table 220, and in the variable address area 156B, the “transfer completion flag” is set to “on” and valid image data or the like is stored. Identify free areas other than areas. Of the vacant areas thus identified, an area for storing the image data to be transferred this time is determined, and the head address thereof is identified as the write address.

  Further, the transfer control circuit 152 specifies the data amount of the image data to be transferred from the data included in the automatic transfer command (step S633). Then, based on the read address, write address, and transfer data amount of the image data specified in the processes of steps S631 to S633, the data transfer is performed so that the image data read from the image data memory 142 is transferred to the variable address area 156B. Start setting is performed (step S634). For example, in step S634, the transfer control circuit 152 sets the read address of the image data memory 142, the write address of the temporary storage memory 156, and the data amount of image data to be transferred to a predetermined DMA device. Instructs start of transfer of image data by transfer.

  Thereafter, the transfer control circuit 152 determines whether or not the transfer of the image data has been completed (step S635). If the transfer has not been completed (step S635; No), the process of step S635 is repeated and waits. On the other hand, for example, if it is determined in step S635 that the transfer of the image data has been completed based on the output of a predetermined transfer completion signal from the DMA device (step S635; Yes), the index table 220 included in the VDP 141 is stored. After registering the completion of image data transfer (step S636), the automatic transfer control process is terminated. In the process of step S636, the transfer control circuit 152 specifies the table data in which the “transfer completion flag” is “off” in the index table 220 provided corresponding to the variable address area 156B, for example. The table data is updated to the one indicating “start address” and “horizontal size” that makes it possible to specify the image data transferred to the variable address area 156B, and the corresponding “transfer completion flag” is set to “on”. To do.

  Further, when transferring image data by this automatic transfer control processing, after transferring the image data to the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156, for example, the index table 220 provided corresponding to the variable address area 156B. The drawing circuit 155 may be notified of information for specifying the transferred image data, such as “index number” in FIG. 1, so that the drawing circuit 155 can read the image data.

  FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing an example of the projection / combination transfer process executed in step S609 of FIG. In the transfer process for projection / combination, the transfer control circuit 152 first specifies a drawing target image from data included in the projection / combination drawing command (step S651). At this time, the image designation information given to the drawing target image, such as the index number given to the drawing target image in the index table 220, and the storage address of the image data in the image data memory 142 or the temporary storage memory 156 are displayed. The drawing target image may be specified from the data shown. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the drawing target image specified in step S651 is registered in the index table 220 provided corresponding to the fixed address area 156A and the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 (step S651). S652). At this time, if there is registration of the drawing target image (step S652; Yes), it is not necessary to read out the image data indicating the drawing target image from the image data memory 142, and thus the projection / combination transfer process is terminated.

  If no drawing target image is registered in step S652 (step S652; No), the writing address of the image data in the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 is specified (step S653). For example, the transfer control circuit 152 may specify an empty area in the variable address area 156B in the process of step S653 in the same manner as the process of step S632 shown in FIG. Then, the transfer control circuit 152 sets the transfer data amount of the image data corresponding to the drawing target image specified in step S651 (step S654). Then, the read address of the image data memory 142 corresponding to the drawing target image specified in step S651, the write address of the image data specified in step S653, and the transfer data of the image data set in step S654 Based on the amount, the data transfer start setting is performed so that the image data read from the image data memory 142 is transferred to the variable address area 156B (step S655).

  After the data transfer start setting is performed in step S655, it is determined whether or not the image data transfer is completed (step S656). If not completed (step S656; No), the process of step S656 is performed. Wait repeatedly. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S656 that the transfer of the image data has been completed (step S656; Yes), the completion of the transfer of the image data is registered in the index table 220 provided in the VDP 141 (step S657), and then projection / combination is performed. The transfer process is terminated. In the process of step S657, the drawing circuit 155 is notified of information for specifying the transferred image data, such as “index number” in the index table 220 provided corresponding to the variable address area 156B, for example. Image data may be read by the circuit 155.

  FIG. 53 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a drawing process executed by the drawing circuit 155 provided in the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121. In this drawing process, the drawing circuit 155 first determines whether or not there is a display control command transmitted from the presentation control microcomputer 120 via the host interface 151 and received (step S701). If there is no reception command from the production control microcomputer 120 (step S701; No), the process of step S701 is repeatedly executed and waits.

  If there is a reception command in step S701 (step S701; Yes), it is determined whether or not the reception command is a fixed address designation transfer command (step S702). If it is a fixed address designation transfer command (step S702; Yes), a fixed address designation drawing process is executed (step S703). On the other hand, when it is not a fixed address designation transfer command (step S702; No), it is determined whether or not the reception command is an automatic transfer command (step S704).

  If the reception command is an automatic transfer command in step S704 (step S704; Yes), an automatic transfer drawing process is executed (step S705). On the other hand, when the reception command is not an automatic transfer command (step S704; No), it is determined whether or not the reception command is a projection / composition drawing command (step S706). If the reception command is a projection / combination drawing command (step S706; Yes), a projection / combination drawing process is executed (step S707). If the reception command is not a projection / combination drawing command in step S706 (step S706; No), or after performing any of the processing in steps S703, S705, and S707, the process returns to step S701.

  FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing an example of the fixed address designation drawing process executed in step S703 of FIG. In this fixed address designation drawing process, the drawing circuit 155 first specifies the read address of the image data in the fixed address area 156A of the temporary storage memory 156 from the data included in the fixed address designation transfer command (step S711). Subsequently, the index table 220 is referred to based on the read address specified in step S711, and it is determined whether or not the “transfer completion flag” associated with the image data to be read is “ON” ( Step S712).

  If the “transfer completion flag” is “ON” in step S712 (step S712; Yes), the image data write address in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157 is determined from the data included in the fixed address designation transfer command. Specify (step S713). Thereafter, the drawing circuit 155 performs a reading operation of image data from the reading address specified in step S711 and a writing operation of image data to the writing address specified in step S713. The image data is expanded and stored in the buffer 157A (step S714). At this time, if the image data read from the fixed address area 156A of the temporary storage memory 156 is pixel data, the image data read from the fixed address area 156A may be directly written into the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157. . On the other hand, when the image data read from the fixed address area 156A of the temporary storage memory 156 is vector data such as points, lines, and polygons, pixel data is created based on the vector data read from the fixed address area 156A. The pixel data may be written into the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157. If the image data read from the fixed address area 156A of the temporary storage memory 156 is subjected to predetermined compression encoding such as discrete cosine transform (DCT) or Hadamard transform, a fixed address is used. Pixel data obtained by performing a predetermined decoding process on the image data read from the area 156A may be written in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157. When the image data read from the fixed address area 156A of the temporary storage memory 156 is image data for 3D display or vector data such as polygons, the VDP 141 does not access the image data memory 142 and does not access the predetermined data. A CPU (for example, the CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120) may access the image data memory 142 to read out image data. In this case, data obtained as a result of executing a predetermined calculation process based on the image data read by the CPU may be transferred to the VDP 141. In this case, in the VDP 141, for example, the drawing circuit 155 may create pixel data based on the data transferred from the CPU and develop and store the pixel data in the drawing buffer 157A.

  Further, the drawing circuit 155 may develop the drawing data as one-dimensional data corresponding to the address assigned in the VRAM 157 when the drawing buffer 157A develops and stores the pixel data. Alternatively, the drawing circuit 155 may be developed as two-dimensional data corresponding to the display coordinates of the image on the screen of the image display device 5. Here, if the pixel data is expanded as one-dimensional data corresponding to the address attached in the VRAM 157, the pixel data is continuously addressed in the VRAM 157 without being restricted by the horizontal size or vertical size of the image. Since data can be written, the usage efficiency of the VRAM 157 can be improved. On the other hand, when the pixel data is expanded as two-dimensional data corresponding to the display coordinates of the effect image on the display screen of the image display device 5, the reading position of the display data read from the VRAM 157 and the display coordinates on the display screen are obtained. One-to-one correspondence can be made, and for example, the processing load required for converting the storage address of the VRAM 157 into the display coordinates of the effect image on the display screen of the image display device 5 can be reduced. Here, whether the pixel data developed and stored in the drawing buffer 157A is one-dimensional data or two-dimensional data is determined on the screen of the image display device 5 such as a liquid crystal driver included in the display circuit 158. It may be designed as appropriate in accordance with the performance of the circuit for displaying.

  In addition, in the process of step S714, image data (write side data) to be written to the drawing buffer 157A and image data (storage side data) already stored in the drawing buffer 157A corresponding to each pixel. ) And image data is written for pixels with high write data priority, while image data is written for pixels with high memory data priority. May not be performed. As a specific example, the image data read from the temporary storage memory 156 by the drawing circuit 155 includes data indicating a Z value corresponding to the priority of each pixel. The Z buffer 157C of the VRAM 157 stores a Z value corresponding to the priority assigned to the storage side data of each pixel. Then, the drawing circuit 155 determines which of the writing side data and the storage side data has the higher priority by performing a Z value comparison operation on the writing side data and the storage side data of each pixel. That's fine. For example, in image data indicating a predetermined character, the priority in each pixel is set in advance so as to be higher than image data indicating a background image. Thus, the image data can be written into the drawing buffer 157A so that the character image appears in front of the background image. At this time, since the write side data has higher priority than the storage side data, for the pixels to which the image data is written, the Z value of the write side data is written in the Z buffer 157C. The Z value storage may be updated.

  After executing the processing of step S714, it is determined whether or not drawing by writing image data to the drawing buffer 157A is completed (step S715). If not completed (step S715; No), the read address And the write address are updated (step S716), and the process returns to step S714. On the other hand, when the drawing is completed in step S715 (step S715; Yes), the fixed address designation drawing process is terminated.

  If the “transfer completion flag” is “OFF” in step S712 (step S712; No), it is determined whether or not a predetermined transfer completion waiting time has elapsed (step S717). At this time, if the transfer completion waiting time has not elapsed (step S717; No), the process returns to step S712 and waits. On the other hand, when the transfer completion waiting time has elapsed in step S717 (step S717; Yes), for example, predetermined error information is transmitted to the production control microcomputer 120 via the host interface 151. After notifying that an error has occurred (step S718), the fixed address designation drawing process is terminated. In the effect control microcomputer 120 that has received the error information transmitted by the drawing circuit 155 executing step S718, for example, the CPU 131 sends a predetermined control command to the sound control unit 122 or the lamp control unit 123. Thus, the occurrence of an error may be notified by outputting sound from the speakers 8L and 8R, lighting or blinking a predetermined lamp or LED, or the like. At this time, the sound output from the speakers 8L and 8R and the occurrence of an error are notified by lighting or blinking predetermined lamps or LEDs, etc., so that the display operation in the image display device 5 is abnormal and cannot be displayed correctly. Even in this case, it is possible to appropriately notify the occurrence of an error.

  FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing an example of the automatic transfer drawing process executed in step S705 of FIG. In this automatic transfer drawing process, the drawing circuit 155 first specifies the read address of the image data in the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 based on, for example, a notification from the transfer control circuit 152 (step S731). Subsequently, the index table 220 is referred to based on the read address specified in step S731, and it is determined whether or not the “transfer completion flag” associated with the image data to be read is “ON” ( Step S732).

  If the “transfer completion flag” is “ON” in step S732 (step S732; Yes), the writing address of the image data in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157 is specified from the data included in the automatic transfer command. (Step S733). Thereafter, the drawing circuit 155 performs an image data read operation from the read address specified in step S731 and an image data write operation to the write address specified in step S733 (step S734). At this time, if the image data read from the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 is pixel data, the image data read from the variable address area 156B may be directly written into the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157. . On the other hand, when the image data read from the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 is vector data such as points, lines, and polygons, pixel data is created based on the vector data read from the variable address area 156B. The pixel data may be written into the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157. Further, when the image data read from the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 is subjected to predetermined compression encoding such as discrete cosine transform (DCT) or Hadamard transform, a variable address Pixel data obtained by performing a predetermined decoding process on the image data read from the area 156B may be written in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157. When the image data read from the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 is image data for 3D display or vector data such as polygons, the VDP 141 does not access the image data memory 142 and does not access the predetermined data. A CPU (for example, the CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120) may access the image data memory 142 to read out image data. In this case, data obtained as a result of executing a predetermined calculation process based on the image data read by the CPU may be transferred to the VDP 141. In this case, in the VDP 141, for example, the drawing circuit 155 may create pixel data based on the data transferred from the CPU and develop and store the pixel data in the drawing buffer 157A. Data obtained by executing predetermined arithmetic processing by a predetermined CPU may be directly written into the drawing buffer 157A as pixel data.

  After executing the processing of step S734, it is determined whether or not drawing by writing image data to the drawing buffer 157A is completed (step S735). If not completed (step S735; No), the read address And the write address are updated (step S736), the process returns to step S734. On the other hand, if the drawing is completed in step S735 (step S735; Yes), the “transfer completion flag” registered in the index table 220 in association with the image data used for drawing is cleared and set to “off”. (Step S737), the automatic transfer drawing process is terminated. When the image data temporarily stored in the variable address area 156B is reused, the automatic transfer drawing process is terminated without executing the process of step S737, thereby corresponding to the image data used for drawing. In addition, the “transfer completion flag” registered in the index table 220 may be kept “on”.

  If the “transfer completion flag” is “off” in step S732 (step S732; No), it is determined whether a predetermined transfer completion waiting time has elapsed (step S738). At this time, if the transfer completion waiting time has not elapsed (step S738; No), the process returns to step S732 and waits. On the other hand, when the transfer completion waiting time has elapsed in step S738 (step S738; Yes), for example, predetermined error information is transmitted to the effect control microcomputer 120 via the host interface 151. After notifying that an error has occurred (step S739), the automatic transfer drawing process is terminated. When the rendering control microcomputer 120 receives the error information transmitted by the drawing circuit 155 executing the process of step S739, the CPU 131, for example, receives the error information transmitted by the process of step S718. Notification of the occurrence of an error by sending a predetermined control command to the sound control unit 122 or the lamp control unit 123, or by turning on or flashing a predetermined lamp or LED, etc. do it.

  FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing an example of the projection / combination drawing process executed in step S707 of FIG. In this projection / combination drawing process, the drawing circuit 155 first calculates image data indicating a drawing target image in the fixed address area 156A or the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 from the data included in the projection / combination drawing command. A read address is specified (step S751). Subsequently, the depth value when the drawing target image is arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space is set from the depth value setting data included in the projection / synthesis drawing command (step S752). Also, the opacity when the drawing target image is translucently combined is set from the opacity setting data included in the projection / combination drawing command (step S753). At this time, the opacity corresponding to the opacity data included in the projection / composite drawing command is set for the portion of the display object that is included in the drawing target image and is actually displayed, but other than the display object. In this part, opacity (for example, “0”) for making it non-display as complete transparency may be set. For example, when the plane image P1 shown in FIG. 27A or the plane image P2 shown in FIG. 27B is specified as the drawing target image, the pixels corresponding to the display object CL1 and the display object CL2 are projected and projected. While the opacity corresponding to the opacity data included in the composite drawing command is set, the opacity may be set to “0” for pixels corresponding to portions other than the display objects CL1 and CL2. Then, coordinate conversion by perspective projection conversion is performed using the image data of the drawing target image whose reading address is specified in step S751, the depth information indicating the depth value set in step S752, and the like (step S754). .

  For example, in the process of step S754, the drawing circuit 155 adds the depth value indicated by the depth information to the image data of the drawing target image read from the temporary storage memory 156, so that the drawing target image in the virtual three-dimensional space is added. Specify the location. Subsequently, for each pixel of the drawing target image, perspective projection conversion is performed to convert from spatial coordinates to screen coordinates by perspective projection. At this time, by executing a comparison operation between the depth value of the drawing target image and the Z value of each pixel stored in the Z buffer 157C, the depth value of the drawing target image is greater than the Z value in the Z buffer 157C. For larger pixels, image data may not be written to the drawing buffer 157A (write rejection). On the other hand, image data is written into the drawing buffer 157A for pixels whose depth value of the drawing target image is equal to or smaller than the Z value in the Z buffer 157C (write permission). In this way, for the pixel in the portion where the drawing target image and the image for which the corresponding image data has already been stored in the drawing buffer 157A overlap, the image arranged on the near side from the viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space (neighboring). Hidden surface erasure can be executed with priority (overwriting) on the image arranged on the far side (far).

Further, hidden surface erasure may not be executed for pixels whose Z value stored in the Z buffer 157C is a predetermined synthesis execution value. As an example, hidden surface removal is not executed for pixels whose Z value stored in the Z buffer 157C is “FFH”. Alternatively, hidden surface removal may not be executed for all pixels. For the pixels for which hidden surface removal is not performed in this way, translucent synthesis such as alpha blending is performed using image data of the drawing target image, opacity information indicating the opacity value set in step S753, and the like. . At this time, based on the opacity α of the drawing target image, R1, G1, and B1 of the display colors in the drawing target image, and the display color in the image already drawn in the drawing buffer 157A The R, G, and B components R2, G2, and B2, and the RD that is the R, G, and B components of the display color indicated by the pixel data written to the drawing buffer 157A as a result of the translucent composition , GD, and BD may be specified by the following (Formula 1) to (Formula 3).
RD = α × R1 + (1−α) × R2 (Formula 1)
GD = α × G1 + (1−α) × G2 (Formula 2)
BD = α × B1 + (1−α) × B2 (Formula 3)

  Pixel data obtained by executing hidden surface removal or translucent synthesis with coordinate transformation as described above is written to the drawing buffer 157A, so that display elements arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space can be viewed from a predetermined viewpoint. The viewed image is drawn. For the pixels for which pixel data has been written to the drawing buffer 157A by such drawing, the Z value stored in the Z buffer 157C is updated by writing the depth value attached to the drawing target image to the Z buffer 157C (step S1). S755). After the process of step S755 is executed, the projection / combination drawing process ends.

  FIG. 57 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a moving image decoding process executed by the moving image decoder 154 included in the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121. In response to receiving the moving image decoding command transmitted from the effect control microcomputer 120, the moving image decoder 154 starts execution of the moving image decoding process as shown in FIG. In this moving image decoding process, the moving image decoder 154 first reads out picture data indicating a picture for one frame from moving image data used for effect display stored in the image data memory 142 (step S801). . When the moving image decoder 154 reads moving image data stored in the image data memory 142, for example, a moving image display initial setting command transmitted from the effect control microcomputer 120 in advance is used. In response to the initial setting command for performing playback display, the transfer control circuit 152 reads the sprite image data from the image data memory 142 such that the bus width of the data bus for reading moving image data from the image data memory 142 is 32 bits wide. The bus width is set differently from when reading. Also, the picture data is read out in an order that can be reproduced according to the order arranged in the moving image data. Note that the playback order and the decoding order do not necessarily match. For example, a B picture is decoded after an I picture or a P picture arranged thereafter is decoded. In the processing of step S801, the moving picture decoder 154 responds to a setting command for starting reproduction display of moving images, such as a moving image display start setting command transmitted from the effect control microcomputer 120 in advance. A read pointer value (read pointer value) for designating a read position (for example, read address) of moving image data in the image data memory 142, or a write position for writing the decoded image data in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157 ( For example, a write pointer value (write pointer value) for designating a write address), a picture buffer position for temporarily storing decoded image data corresponding to individual moving images in the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 The value of the picture buffer pointer that specifies (eg storage address) May be performed setting the picture buffer pointer value).

  When moving image data composed of image data compressed by intraframe coding or interframe coding or the like is read, the VDP 141 does not access the image data memory 142 and does not access the image data memory 142. CPU 131 of the microcomputer 120 for use may access the image data memory 142 to read out the moving image data. In this case, the moving image data read by the CPU may be transferred to the VDP 141 as it is. In this case, in the VDP 141, for example, the moving image decoder 154 may receive the transferred moving image data via an external interface such as the host interface 151 in the process of step S801.

  After reading the picture data in step S801, the moving picture decoder 154 decodes the read data (step S802), and the decoded picture data is stored in the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 as a picture buffer pointer value. Is temporarily stored in the picture buffer corresponding to, and then written and stored in the writing address of the drawing buffer 157A corresponding to the writing pointer value, thereby moving the moving image at a predetermined position in the screen of the image display device 5. Reproduction display is possible (step S803). Note that the drawing circuit 155 may execute the process of reading the picture data temporarily stored in the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 and writing it into the drawing buffer 157A.

  Following the processing in step S803, the read pointer value is updated (step S804). Here, when a plurality of picture buffers provided in the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 are used to reproduce and display one moving image, the picture buffer pointer value is also updated in the process of step S804. You can do it. When the decoding of picture data for one frame is completed in this way, the moving picture decoder 154 causes the host interface 151 to output an event interrupt signal to the effect control microcomputer 120 (step S805). As a result, the completion of decoding of the picture data for one frame is notified from the VDP 141 to the CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120. Then, for example, the timer for measuring the output period of the event interrupt signal is started, and the signal output period is ended by determining whether or not the timer value has reached a predetermined signal output period determination value. It is determined whether or not (step S806). Alternatively, it may be determined whether or not the signal output period has ended by determining whether or not a response signal for receiving the event interrupt signal from the effect control microcomputer 120 has been received.

  If the signal output period does not end in step S806 (step S806; No), the process of step S806 is repeatedly executed and waited. On the other hand, when the signal output period ends (step S806; Yes), the output of the event interrupt signal is stopped (step S807), and then the moving image decoding process ends.

  Hereinafter, an example of specific control in the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on and the supply of the power supply voltage is started from a predetermined power supply board, the effect control microcomputer 120 is activated on the effect control board 12, and the CPU 131 executes the initialization process. (Step S51 in FIG. 35), a storage area setting command process is executed (Step S52). In the storage area setting command process, in the effect control microcomputer 120, the CPU 131 causes the input / output port 135 to transmit a storage area setting command to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 (step S133 in FIG. 36).

  In the VDP 141, for example, in response to receiving the storage area setting command (step S602 in FIG. 48; Yes), the transfer control circuit 152 executes a storage area setting process (step S603). In this storage area setting process, the address STADD and the address ENADD notified by the storage area setting command are stored in the internal register of the VDP 141 (steps S613 and S615 in FIG. 49). A fixed address area 156A and a variable address area 156B are arranged.

  FIG. 58 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the image data processing operation in the display control unit 121 mounted on the effect control board 12. In response to the activation of the effect control microcomputer 120, the CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120 executes a pre-transfer command process (step S53 in FIG. 35). And in the advance transfer command process, for example, it corresponds to whether or not the control for changing the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 from the advance transfer setting tables 210A and 210B shown in FIG. A thing is set (steps S141 to S144 in FIG. 37). Subsequently, a pre-transfer command is created and transmitted to the VDP 141 based on the read address, write address, and transfer data amount of the image data specified from the table data read according to the number of processes and the pre-transfer count value (step S1). S147 to S153). Thereby, among a plurality of types of image data stored in the image data memory 142, the execution frequency of the image display by the effect image corresponding to each image data is the execution frequency of the image display by the effect image corresponding to the required image data. A command is issued to read image data higher than the image data from the image data memory 142 and transfer it to the fixed address area 156A in the temporary storage memory 156.

  In the VDP 141, for example, the transfer control circuit 152 executes the pre-transfer process in response to receiving the pre-transfer command (step S604 in FIG. 48; Yes) (step S605). In this advance transfer process, image data is read from the image data memory 142 based on the read address, write address, transfer data amount, etc. of the image data notified by the advance transfer instruction, and the fixed address area 156A of the temporary storage memory 156 is read. (Steps S621 to S625 in FIG. 50). Thereby, among a plurality of types of image data stored in the image data memory 142, the execution frequency of the image display by the effect image corresponding to each image data is the execution frequency of the image display by the effect image corresponding to the required image data. Higher image data than can be read from the image data memory 142 and transferred to the fixed address area 156A in the temporary storage memory 156.

  Thereafter, based on the fact that the game ball driven into the game area has entered the first start winning opening formed in the normal winning ball apparatus 6A and the second starting winning opening formed in the normal variable winning ball apparatus 6B, The starting condition for executing the special symbol game by the special symbol display device 4 and the variable display of the decorative symbol in the image display device 5 is established. Based on the fact that the start condition is satisfied after the start condition is satisfied, for example, in the image display device 5, the decorative symbols can be changed in the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R. Display starts. At this time, in the effect control microcomputer 120, for example, the CPU 131 displays the variable display indicated by the variable display start command from among a plurality of types of effect control patterns stored in the effect control pattern table 211 shown in FIG. An effect control pattern corresponding to the pattern or the like is set (step S327 in FIG. 41). If it is determined in step S329 that the effect mode has been changed, a background switching effect control pattern is also set (step S330). Thereafter, the effect control process timer value is periodically updated (step S341 in FIG. 42), and the control data read from the effect control pattern corresponding to the updated effect control process timer value is not an end code (step S344; No) By executing the effect control command process (step S347), commands and settings for controlling various effect operations are performed.

  For example, as a process for updating the display of the sprite image on the display screen of the image display device 5 in accordance with the display control data read from the display control pattern included in the effect control pattern, the CPU 131 performs steps shown in FIG. In step S407, a sprite image update command process is executed. In this sprite image update command process, it is determined whether or not the reading position of the image data indicating the image part to be updated is in the fixed address area 156A (step S422 in FIG. 44).

  As an example, when the effect image to be updated shows a decorative design, the effect image is a target to which image data is transferred in advance to the fixed address area 156A, and the corresponding image data is read out. It is determined that the position is fixed address area 156A. Based on the determination result that the reading position is the fixed address area 156A (step S422; Yes), the CPU 131 reads the image data reading position in the fixed address area 156A based on, for example, display control data read from the effect control pattern, The writing position of the image data in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157, the data amount of the image data to be transferred, etc. are specified, a fixed address designation transfer command is created, and the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 is sent from the input / output port 135 Transmit (steps S427 to S430).

  In the VDP 141, for example, in response to the reception of the fixed address designation transfer command (step S702 in FIG. 53; Yes), the drawing circuit 155 executes the fixed address designation drawing process (step S703). In this fixed address designation drawing process, when the “transfer completion flag” associated with the image data to be read from the fixed address area 156A in the index table 220 is “ON” (step S712 in FIG. 54; Yes). The image data read from the fixed address area 156A is stored in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157 based on the read address, write address, transfer data amount, etc. of the image data specified from the data included in the fixed address designation transfer command. Write and store (steps S713 to S716).

  Further, when the CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120 determines that the reading position of the image data corresponding to the effect image to be updated is not the fixed address area 156A (step S426 in FIG. 44; No), For example, by the display control data read from the effect control pattern, the reading position of the image data in the image data memory 142, the writing position of the image data in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157, the data amount of the image data to be transferred, etc. are specified. An automatic transfer command is created and transmitted from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 (steps S431 to S434).

  In the VDP 141, first, the transfer control circuit 152 executes an automatic transfer control process in response to receiving the automatic transfer command (step S606 in FIG. 48; Yes) (step S607). In the automatic transfer control process, the read address of the image data in the image data memory 142 is specified from the data included in the automatic transfer command (step S631 in FIG. 51). On the other hand, the write address of the image data in the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 is selected to store the image data from the empty area specified by referring to the index table 220, for example. The start address of the area is automatically specified by the transfer control circuit 152 (step S632). Then, based on the data amount of image data to be transferred notified by the automatic transfer command (step S633), the image data read from the image data memory 142 is written and stored in the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 (step S633). S634, S635).

  Subsequently, in the VDP 141, for example, the drawing circuit 155 executes the automatic transfer drawing process in response to receiving the automatic transfer command (step S704 in FIG. 53; Yes) (step S705). In this automatic transfer drawing process, when the “transfer completion flag” associated with the image data to be read from the variable address area 156B in the index table 220 is “ON” (step S732 in FIG. 55; Yes). For example, the read address of the image data in the variable address area 156B notified from the transfer control circuit 152, the write address of the image data specified from the data included in the automatic transfer command, the data amount of the image data to be transferred, etc. Based on this, the image data read from the variable address area 156B is written and stored in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157 (steps S733 to S736).

  When the transfer of the image data by writing the image data read from the image data memory 142 to the fixed address area 156A or the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 is completed, the transfer control circuit 152 is an index provided in the VDP 141. The table 220 is updated.

  For example, when the data transfer from the image data memory 142 to the fixed address area 156A of the temporary storage memory 156 is completed according to the advance transfer command (step S625 in FIG. 50; Yes), the data is transferred to the fixed address area 156A. In addition to writing data such as “start address” and “horizontal size” that can identify the image data to the index table 220 and setting the corresponding “reading completion flag” to “on”, the index table 220 The completion of image data transfer is registered (step S626).

  Further, for example, when the data transfer from the image data memory 142 to the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 is completed in response to the automatic transfer command (step S635 in FIG. 51; Yes), the process proceeds to the variable address area 156B. By writing data such as “start address” and “horizontal size” that can specify the transferred image data to the index table 220 and setting the corresponding “read completion flag” to “on”, the index table The image data transfer completion is registered in 220 (step S636).

  Based on the registered contents of the index table 220, the drawing circuit 155 determines whether or not the display data can be created by reading out the image data from the temporary storage memory 156. For example, in response to receiving the fixed address designation transfer command, the drawing circuit 155 displays a “transfer completion flag” associated with the image data to be read from the fixed address area 156A as “ON” in the index table 220. Is determined (step S712 in FIG. 54). At this time, if the “reading completion flag” is “ON” (step S712; Yes), based on the determination that the drawing circuit 155 can read the image data from the fixed address area 156A and create display data. Processing for creating display data is performed by writing the image data read from the fixed address area 156A into the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157 and storing it (steps S713 to S716). On the other hand, if the “reading completion flag” is “off” (step S712; No), it is determined that the drawing circuit 155 cannot read the image data from the fixed address area 156A and create display data. Based on the above, it waits until the transfer completion waiting time elapses (step S717; No). During this standby, display data creation using image data read from the fixed address area 156A is not executed.

  In addition, for example, in response to receiving the automatic transfer command, the drawing circuit 155 displays a “transfer completion flag” associated with image data to be read from the variable address area 156B in the index table 220 as “ON”. ] Is determined (step S732 in FIG. 55). At this time, if the “reading completion flag” is “ON” (step S732; Yes), based on the determination that the drawing circuit 155 can read the image data from the variable address area 156B and create display data. Processing for creating display data is performed by writing and storing the image data read from the variable address area 156B in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157 (steps S733 to S737). On the other hand, if the “transfer completion flag” is “off” (step S732; No), it is determined that the drawing circuit 155 cannot read the image data from the variable address area 156B and create display data. Based on the above, it waits until the transfer completion waiting time elapses (step S738; No). During this standby, display data creation using image data read from the variable address area 156B is not executed.

  The CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120 executes a composite drawing command process when a predetermined processing condition is satisfied in order to execute translucent synthesis with coordinate transformation. For example, when the demonstration display flag is turned on in step S298 of FIG. 40 or when the demonstration display waiting time has elapsed in step S300, the composite drawing command process is executed in step S304. As a result, when the image display device 5 executes the demonstration image display, a determination is made to start translucent synthesis with coordinate conversion. Also, when it is determined in step S421 in FIG. 44 that it is the background switching period, or when it is determined in step S423 that the display pattern is a super A variable display pattern, a composite drawing command process is executed in step S424. The Thereby, when the background image to be displayed on the image display device 5 is switched and changed, or when the variable display state of the decorative symbol is reached by the predetermined variable display pattern, the translucent synthesis with coordinate conversion is started. A decision is made.

  In the composite drawing command process executed in step S304 or step S424, if the compositing flag is off in response to the start of translucent composition with coordinate conversion (step S471 in FIG. 46; No). An initial value “0” is set in the elapsed time timer (step S472), and setting for starting composite display is made (step S473), for example, based on display control data read from the effect control pattern. Image data of the display element is specified. On the other hand, if the in-composition flag is on (step S471; Yes), the elapsed time timer value is updated by 1 (step S475). At this time, if the elapsed time timer value is larger than “100” (step S476; Yes), the elapsed time timer is reset and returns to the timer initial value “0” (step S477). That is, the elapsed time timer measures the elapsed time from the timing when translucent composition with coordinate transformation is started, and is reset when the timer value becomes larger than “100” and returns to the timer initial value “0”. . In this way, the elapsed time timer value is periodically updated within a range of values from “0” to “100” during the period from the start to the end of the semi-transparent composition with coordinate transformation.

  Then, the CPU 131 specifies a drawing target image based on, for example, the setting of display control data read from the effect control pattern (step S478), and determines a depth value corresponding to the elapsed time timer value (step S479). The opacity corresponding to the depth value is determined (step S480). Following this, a projection / synthesis drawing command is generated (step S481), and transmitted from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 (step S482).

  In the VDP 141, first, the transfer control circuit 152 executes a projection / synthesis transfer process in response to receiving the projection / synthesis drawing command (step S608 in FIG. 48; Yes) (step S609). In this projection / combination transfer process, it is determined whether or not the drawing target image is registered in the index table 220 (step S652 in FIG. 52), so that the image data of the drawing target image is already fixed in the temporary storage memory 156. It is determined whether it is stored in the address area 156A or the variable address area 156B. At this time, if the image data of the drawing target image is not yet stored in the temporary storage memory 156 (step S652; No), the image data is stored from the free space specified by referring to the index table 220, for example. The transfer control circuit 152 automatically specifies the start address of the area selected to be used as the image data write address in the variable address area 156B (step S653). Then, after setting the amount of data to be transferred as the image data of the drawing target image (step S654), the image data read from the image data memory 142 is written and stored in the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 (step S655, S656).

  Subsequently, in the VDP 141, for example, the drawing circuit 155 responds to the reception of the projection / combination drawing command (step S706 in FIG. 53; Yes), and executes the projection / combination drawing process (step S707). In this projection / combination drawing process, the depth value set in step S752 in FIG. 56 is added to the image data of the drawing target image read from the temporary storage memory 156, thereby arranging the drawing target image in the virtual three-dimensional space. A location is identified. Subsequently, when perspective projection conversion is performed for each pixel of the drawing target image in step S754, pixel data to be written to the drawing buffer 157A is determined by executing hidden surface removal or translucent synthesis. The

  As an example, in the virtual three-dimensional space VS shown in FIG. 59 (A), the screen plane including the drawing region VR is the position of the depth value Z0 (for example, “00H”) as shown in FIGS. 59 (A) and (B). It shall be arranged in. Note that the entire drawing area VR may be, for example, that the basic color (display color before drawing) is “blue”. Further, the Z value stored in the Z buffer 157C only needs to be initially set to “FFH”. Here, the initial setting of the Z value in the Z buffer 157C does not indicate the arrangement of the drawing area VR itself in the virtual three-dimensional space, but indicates that the basic color of “blue” is the background.

  When the plane image P1 is specified as the drawing target image by the projection / combination drawing command, the depth value is set to Z1. When the plane image P2 is specified as the drawing target image by another projection / combination drawing command, the depth value is set to Z2 different from Z1. The depth value set at this time is based on the elapsed time timer value in step S479 depending on whether the drawing target image specified in step S478 shown in FIG. 46 is the flat image P1 or the flat image P2. This is determined by referring to the depth value setting table 212A for the flat image P1 shown in FIG. 16A or the depth value setting table 212B for the flat image P2 shown in FIG. In the example of FIGS. 59A and 59B, the planar image P1 is disposed on the near side (neighboring) and the planar image P2 is disposed on the far side (distant) as viewed from the viewpoint VP in the virtual three-dimensional space VS. Yes. In this case, the opacity determined by referring to the opacity setting table 213 shown in FIG. 17 based on the depth values of the planar images P1 and P2 in step S480 in FIG. 46 is the planar image P1. Higher than P2. In other words, the opacity is set so that the transparency of the planar image P1 is lower than the transparency of the planar image P2.

  After such setting of the depth value and opacity, translucent synthesis is performed with coordinate transformation by perspective projection, for example, as shown in FIG. 60A, the front side (neighboring) as seen from the viewpoint VP. The display object CL1 included in the planar image P1 arranged at is displayed larger and darker than the display object CL2 contained in the planar image P2 arranged on the far side (distant) as viewed from the viewpoint VP. Become. Here, when coordinate conversion by perspective projection conversion is performed in step S754 in FIG. 56, the hidden surface removal is executed, so that the pixel of the display object CL2 that overlaps the display object CL1 is limited in display. Has been.

  In the composite drawing command process executed in step S304 of FIG. 40 or step S424 of FIG. 44, the depth value is determined in step S479 according to the elapsed time timer value updated in step S475 of FIG. Depending on the depth value, opacity is determined in step S480. At this time, the depth values are determined in step S479 with reference to the depth value setting table 212A shown in FIG. 16A and the depth value setting table 212B shown in FIG. However, it changes so that it may move to the direction which approaches from the distance of the viewpoint VP in the virtual three-dimensional space to the vicinity according to elapsed time. Then, the opacity of the display objects CL1 and CL2 included in each of the planar images P1 and P2 is set so as to gradually increase (become darker) as it approaches the vicinity of the viewpoint VP.

  As an example, when the elapsed time timer value is “50”, the depth value “00H” associated with the elapsed time “T50” in the depth value setting table 212A shown in FIG. Set as the depth value. At this time, the opacity “1” associated with the depth value “00H” in the opacity setting table 213 shown in FIG. 17 is set as the opacity of the planar image P1. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 60B, the display object CL1 included in the planar image P1 is displayed larger and darker than that in FIG.

  As another example, when the elapsed time timer value is “60”, the depth value “E5H” associated with the elapsed time “T60” in the depth value setting table 212A illustrated in FIG. Set as the depth value of P1. At this time, the opacity associated with the depth value “E5H” in the opacity setting table 213 shown in FIG. 17 is set as the opacity of the planar image P1. Further, the depth value “66H” associated with the elapsed time “T60” in the depth value setting table 212B illustrated in FIG. 16B is set as the depth value of the planar image P2. At this time, the opacity associated with the depth value “66H” in the opacity setting table 213 shown in FIG. 17 is set as the opacity of the planar image P2. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 60C, the display object CL2 included in the planar image P2 arranged on the near side (neighboring) when viewed from the viewpoint VP is arranged on the far side (far) from the viewpoint VP. The display object CL1 is displayed larger and darker than the display object CL1 included in the planar image P1.

  In the background switching effect control pattern set in step S330 when it is determined in step S329 in FIG. 41 that the effect mode has been changed, background images B1 and B2 are designated as images to be combined and displayed. It only has to be. As a table for setting the depth value, the background image before change that has been displayed so far is moved in a direction away from the vicinity of the viewpoint VP in the virtual three-dimensional space according to the elapsed time. It is sufficient that a device for setting the depth value is prepared in advance. On the other hand, for the background image after change to be displayed, the depth value may be set by referring to the depth value setting table 212B for the planar image P2 shown in FIG. Also, in step S484 in FIG. 46, various control data are set in the background switching effect control pattern so that it is determined that the composition end timing is reached when the elapsed time timer value is “100”. Just do it. Thereby, when the effect mode is changed, the background image before the change that has been displayed is moved away from the vicinity of the viewpoint VP in the virtual three-dimensional space according to the elapsed time, and the background image is not displayed. The transparency gradually decreases, and the display color of the background image becomes lighter. On the other hand, the changed background image to be displayed from now on approaches the vicinity from the far point of the viewpoint VP in the virtual three-dimensional space according to the elapsed time, and the opacity of the background image gradually increases. The display color of becomes darker.

  In the production control microcomputer 120, the CPU 131 performs the process of step S 327 in FIG. 41 in response to the variable display pattern indicated by the variable display start command sent from the main board 11. One of the plurality of types of effect control patterns stored in the effect control pattern table 211 shown in FIG. 5 is selected and used as an effect control pattern for controlling the effect operation during the variable display of decorative symbols. In this case, for example, the initial display setting process is executed in step S54 of FIG. 35, the display setting for starting the probability change is performed in step S292 of FIG. 40, or the probability change end is performed in step S295. The bus width when the VDP 141 reads image data from the image data memory 142 is set to 64 bits that are predetermined as the first bus width based on the display setting of Is CS # 0 that enables reading of sprite image data from the memory chips 142-1 and 142-2 for sprite images.

  Then, the CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120 transmits a predetermined display control command from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121, so that “left” and “middle” in the image display device 5 are achieved. The variable symbols are started to be displayed on the “right” decorative symbol display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R. After that, in response to the elapse of a predetermined time, for example, the decorative symbol display unit 5L for “left” stops and displays the decorative symbol. Then, the decorative symbol is stopped and displayed on the “right” decorative symbol display section 5R.

  At this time, based on the fact that the variable display state of the decorative symbols has reached the reach state or the like, there is a case where an effect operation is performed by reproducing and displaying a moving image using the compressed and encoded moving image data. Based on the display control data read from the effect control pattern, for example, the CPU 131 determines that it is the moving image display period in step S408 of FIG. 43, and then reproduces and displays the moving image in step S451 of FIG. When it is determined to start the moving image, the moving image display initial setting command or the moving image display start setting command is transmitted from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 in steps S452 and S453, thereby reproducing the moving image. Instructs the start of display. At this time, for example, by transmitting a moving image display initial setting command, the bus width when the VDP 141 reads image data from the image data memory 142 is set to 32 bits defined as the second bus width, Various commands and settings are made, such as a setting that enables reading of moving image data from the moving image memory chip 142-3 with the selection setting CS # 1. As a result, when the bus width switching condition of starting playback and display of moving images is satisfied, the data bus width when the VDP 141 reads image data from the image data memory 142 is set to the 64-bit which is the first bus width. Can be set to be changed to 32 bits, which is the second bus width.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S456 in FIG. 45 that the playback / display of the moving image is to be ended, a moving image display end setting command is transmitted from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 in step S457. To instruct the end of the playback and display of the moving image. At this time, the memory width for the sprite image is set such that the bus width when the VDP 141 reads the image data from the image data memory 142 is 64 bits defined as the first bus width, and the chip select setting is CS # 0. Various settings are performed, such as a setting that enables reading of sprite image data from 142-1 and 142-2. As a result, when the bus width switching condition for ending the reproduction and display of moving images is satisfied, the data bus width when the VDP 141 reads image data from the image data memory 142 is set to the second bus width of 32 bits. To 64 bits, which is the first bus width, can be set to be changed.

  In the production control microcomputer 120, when the probability variation start command transmitted from the main board 11 is received, the probability variation start flag is set to the on state (see FIG. 38). Further, in the effect control microcomputer 120, when the probability variation end command transmitted from the main board 11 is received, the probability variation end flag is set to the on state (see FIG. 38). Here, the probability change start command is transmitted from the main board 11 to the effect control board 12 based on the CPU 114 of the game control microcomputer 100 performing transmission setting in step S276 of FIG. Further, the probability change end command is transmitted from the main board 11 to the effect control board 12 based on the fact that the CPU 114 of the game control microcomputer 100 has set transmission in step S256 of FIG. 33 or step S281 of FIG. Is done.

  When the CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120 determines in step S291 in FIG. 40 that the probability variation start flag is on, the CPU 131 creates a probability variation start display setting command as the probability variation start display setting in step S292. The data is transmitted from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121. As a result, the VDP 141 adjusts the enlargement ratio in the scaler circuit of the display circuit 158, and corresponds to the total number of pixels on the display screen of the image display device 5 from the display data having the size of the SVGA mode (800 × 600 pixels). The enlargement ratio is set so that conversion to pixel data having the size of the XGA mode (1024 × 768 pixels) can be performed. Also, when it is determined in step S291 in FIG. 40 that the probability variation start flag is on, the process in step S143 shown in FIG. 37 is executed in the pre-transfer command process executed in step S296. The pre-transfer setting table 210B for probability change state shown in FIG. 14 (B) is set as the use table. Thereafter, by executing the processing of steps S145 to S156, the advance transfer command is transmitted from the production control microcomputer 120 to the VDP 141. In the VDP 141, the transfer control circuit 152, for example, the image data read from the first sprite image data area 142A-1 for SVGA shown in FIG. 26B in response to the advance transfer command transmitted from the effect control microcomputer 120. Is transferred to the fixed address area 156A in the temporary storage memory 156. Thus, when a fine effect image is displayed using image data configured in accordance with the number of pixels in the SVGA mode, the image display frequency of the effect image corresponding to each image data is a required image. Image data that is higher than the execution frequency of the image display by the effect image corresponding to the data can be read from the image data memory 142 and transferred to the fixed address area 156A in the temporary storage memory 156.

  On the other hand, when CPU 131 of effect control microcomputer 120 determines that the probability change start flag is off in step S291 in FIG. 40, it determines that the probability change end flag is on in step S293. As a display setting for the probability change end in step S295, a probability change end display setting command is generated and transmitted from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121. Thus, the VDP 141 adjusts the enlargement ratio in the scaler circuit of the display circuit 158, and corresponds to the total number of pixels on the display screen of the image display device 5 from the display data having the size of the VGA mode (600 × 480 pixels). The enlargement ratio is set so that conversion to pixel data having the size of the XGA mode (1024 × 768 pixels) can be performed. Also, when it is determined in step S291 in FIG. 40 that the probability variation start flag is OFF, the processing in step S142 shown in FIG. 37 is executed in the advance transfer command processing executed in step S296, thereby The pre-transfer setting table 210A for the normal / short-time state shown in FIG. 14B is set as the use table. Thereafter, by executing the processing of steps S145 to S156, the advance transfer command is transmitted from the production control microcomputer 120 to the VDP 141. In the VDP 141, the transfer control circuit 152 receives the image data read from the second sprite image data area 142A-2 for VGA shown in FIG. 26B in response to the advance transfer command transmitted from the effect control microcomputer 120. Then, the data is transferred to the fixed address area 156A in the temporary storage memory 156. Thus, when the effect image is displayed using the image data configured corresponding to the number of pixels in the VGA mode, the execution frequency of the image display by the effect image corresponding to each image data corresponds to the required image data. Image data that is higher than the image display execution frequency by the effect image can be read from the image data memory 142 and transferred to the fixed address area 156A in the temporary storage memory 156.

  As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 in the above-described embodiment, when a predetermined processing condition for executing translucent synthesis with coordinate transformation is satisfied, step S304 in FIG. 40 or FIG. In step S424, a composite drawing command process is executed. In this composite drawing command process, the elapsed time timer value is periodically updated within a range of values from “0” to “100” by executing the processes of steps S471 to S477 shown in FIG. Then, based on the drawing target image specified in step S478, the depth value determined corresponding to the elapsed time timer value in step S479, and the opacity determined corresponding to the depth value in step S480, In step S 481, a projection / combination drawing command is created and transmitted to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121. In the process of step S479, the depth value is determined with reference to the depth value setting table 212A shown in FIG. 16A and the depth value setting table 212B shown in FIG. Depth values for disposing different depth positions in the virtual three-dimensional space VS with respect to the image P1, the planar image P2 serving as the second display element, and the like from a distance from the viewpoint VP according to the elapsed time. Set to change in the direction of movement approaching the neighborhood. Further, in the process of step S480, the transparency of the display element arranged on the near side (neighboring) from the viewpoint VP of the planar image P1 serving as the first display element, the planar image P2 serving as the second display element, or the like is The opacity of each display element is set so as to be lower than the transparency of the display element arranged on the side (far). In the VDP 141, the drawing circuit 155 executes the projection / combination drawing process according to the projection / combination drawing command in step S707 of FIG. 53, and writes pixel data to the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157. Display data for displaying the effect image is created. Thus, for example, image data indicating the planar image P1 serving as the first display element, image data indicating the planar image P2 serving as the second display element, such as the image data stored in the temporary storage memory 156, is not changed. Display data is created by performing translucent composition with coordinate transformation based on the depth value and opacity set according to the elapsed time. As a result, while preventing an increase in data capacity in a storage device such as the image data memory 142, for example, it is possible to display effects such as moving in clouds, fog, smoke, darkness, etc. Can be improved.

  Further, in the period from the start to the end of the translucent composition with coordinate conversion, the processing of steps S471 to S477 shown in FIG. 46 is executed, and the elapsed time timer value is changed from “0” to “100”. By periodically updating in the range of values and setting the depth value, opacity, etc. corresponding to the elapsed time timer value, while preventing an increase in data capacity in the storage device such as the image data memory 142, For example, it is possible to repeatedly execute an effect display that travels in clouds, fog, smoke, darkness, and the like, seamlessly.

  When it is determined in step S421 in FIG. 44 that it is the background switching period, a composite drawing command process is executed in step S424, assuming that a processing condition for executing translucent synthesis with coordinate conversion is satisfied. Thus, for example, when a plurality of background images are switched and displayed on the image display device 5 in correspondence with a plurality of performance modes, a novel effect display is performed in association with the switching of the background images to enhance the effect of the game, Can be improved.

  44. In step S422 in FIG. 44, it is determined that it is the reach display period, and if it is determined in step S423 that it is a variable display pattern of Super A, the translucent composition with coordinate conversion is executed. In step S424, the composite drawing command process is executed. Thereby, as the reach effect display executed when the decorative symbol variable display state becomes the reach state, a novel effect display can be performed to enhance the effect and improve the game entertainment.

  When the demonstration display flag is turned on in step S298 in FIG. 40 or when the demonstration display waiting time has elapsed in step S300, it is assumed that the processing conditions for executing the translucent composition with coordinate conversion are satisfied. In step S304, a composite drawing command process is executed. Thereby, when displaying a demonstration image on the image display apparatus 5, a novel effect display can be performed and the effect effect can be heightened.

  In the sprite image data area 142A of the image data memory 142, the SVGA mode is used as an area for storing image data corresponding to the number of pixels smaller than the number of pixels in the XGA mode corresponding to the total number of pixels on the display screen of the image display device 5. The first sprite image data area 142A-1 for storing image data for sprite image display corresponding to the above and the second sprite image data area 142A-2 for storing image data for sprite image display corresponding to the VGA mode are provided. Is provided. Then, for example, when a predetermined image switching condition is established corresponding to the progress of the game, such as when the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is changed to the probability changing state, the display for starting the probability changing in step S292 in FIG. As a setting, a probability change start display setting command is transmitted from the input / output port 135 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121. The VDP 141 changes the setting of the enlargement ratio in the scaler circuit of the display circuit 158 in response to the probability change start display setting command. As a result, since the image data having the same number of pixels as the total number of pixels on the display screen of the image display device 5 is stored in the image data memory 142 and used for displaying the effect image, the data capacity is reduced. The storage capacity in the memory 142 can be reduced. Further, for example, the data capacity of image data to be written into the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157 by the drawing circuit 155 of the VDP 141 and the data capacity of transfer data when transferring from the drawing buffer 157A to the display buffer 157B are also set to, for example, the XGA mode. Compared with the case of creating corresponding display data, the creation of display data corresponding to the SVGA mode or the VGA mode is smaller, so that it is possible to prevent an increase in the processing load for creating the display data. Then, for example, by changing the setting of the enlargement rate when a predetermined image switching condition such as a probability change state is satisfied, an appropriate enlargement rate and image data according to the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are changed. The effect image can be displayed, and the effect of the image display can be enhanced and the interest of the game can be improved.

  When the moving image display initial setting command is transmitted from the production control microcomputer 120 to the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 by executing the processing of step S452 shown in FIG. 45, the VDP 141 is imaged from the image data memory 142. The bus width for reading data is set to 32 bits, which is the second bus width. On the other hand, when the initial display setting process is executed in step S54 of FIG. 35, or when the display setting for starting the probability change is performed in step S292 of FIG. When display setting is performed, or when a moving image display end setting command is transmitted in step S457 of FIG. 45, the bus width when the VDP 141 reads image data from the image data memory 142 is the first bus. The width is set to 64 bits.

  As described above, when the effect image is displayed on the display screen of the image display device 5 using the sprite image data, the bus width for reading the sprite image data from the image data memory 142 is set to the first bus width. Is set to a predetermined 64 bits. On the other hand, when moving image data is reproduced and displayed as an effect image on the display screen of the image display device 5 using moving image data, the bus width for reading moving image data from the image data memory 142 is set to The second bus width is smaller than 1 bus width (the number of bits is small), and is set to 32 bits. Here, for example, when display data is created using sprite image data, the processing speed of the VDP 141 is higher than that of moving image data because, for example, decoding processing such as moving image data is unnecessary. (Display data creation speed) becomes faster. When reading sprite image data capable of such high-speed processing from the image data memory 142, reading out image data that is relatively low-speed processing due to an increased processing load on the VDP 141, such as moving image data Compared to the above, by enabling reading from the image data memory 142 with a wider data bus width (a larger number of bits), the processing efficiency in the VDP 141 can be improved.

  In addition, by making it possible to change the bus width when reading image data, the flexibility in changing the storage capacity of the image data memory 142 can be enhanced as follows. That is, when the bus width cannot be changed, a memory chip corresponding to the bus width must be prepared. For example, even when the storage capacity of the image data memory 142 is increased, the memory capacity can be increased. It becomes difficult to prepare a memory chip, and the manufacturing cost may increase excessively due to, for example, a custom-made product. On the other hand, if the bus width can be changed, a memory chip corresponding to one of the changeable bus widths may be prepared. For example, even when the storage capacity of the image data memory 142 is increased, the increase is possible. It becomes easy to prepare a memory chip corresponding to the storage capacity to be increased, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed. In this way, the bus width of the data bus connected to the image data memory 142 can be set to any one of a plurality of types of bus widths, so that it is prepared when the storage capacity of the image data memory 142 is changed. The flexibility of the memory chip to be increased can be increased, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, for example, it is assumed that the memory chips 142-1 to 142-3 provided in the image data memory 142 as shown in FIG. 24 have the same storage capacity (for example, 1 gigabit). In this case, when the data bus connected to the image data memory 142 is always set to the maximum bus width (for example, 64 bits), for example, the chip chip signal CS # 0 is turned on to turn on the memory chip 142-1. The image data is read from the two memory chips, such as the image data is read from the memory chip 142-2. Therefore, even when the storage capacity of the image data memory 142 is increased, for example, two memory chips having the same storage capacity as each of the memory chips 142-1 to 142-3 must be added. Therefore, even if the data capacity of the image data stored in the image data memory 142 slightly exceeds the storage capacity in the image data memory 142, it is necessary to add at least two memory chips. Lack of flexibility. Here, instead of the memory chips 142-1, 142-2, the data bus has the maximum bus width (for example, 64 bits), and has a storage capacity (for example, a memory chip) larger than the storage capacity of the memory chip 142-3. Even when a single memory chip having a storage capacity twice as large as that of 142-3 is used, it is necessary to add a memory chip having a large storage capacity when the data capacity of the image data is slightly exceeded. Yes, it lacks flexibility when changing storage capacity.

  On the other hand, when the bus width of the data bus connected to the image data memory 142 can be set to a bus width (for example, 32 bits) smaller than the maximum bus width, for example, the chip select signal CS # It is only necessary that the image data can be read from one memory chip such that the image data is read only from the memory chip 142-3 when 1 is turned on. Therefore, even when the storage capacity of the image data memory 142 is increased, for example, memory chips having the same storage capacity as each of the memory chips 142-1 to 142-3 can be added one by one. In this way, by allowing the bus width of the data bus connected to the image data memory 142 to be set to any one of a plurality of types of bus widths, flexibility in changing the storage capacity of the image data memory 142 Can be increased.

  In addition, if the moving image data is stored in the memory chip 142-3 having a bus width smaller than the maximum bus width (for example, 32 bits) and the moving image data is read with the smaller bus width, For example, the storage capacity can be changed more flexibly than when moving image data is stored in both the memory chips 142-1 and 142-2 and read out with the maximum bus width. Can be improved.

  In step S53 of FIG. 35, the CPU 131 executes a pre-transfer command process in response to the storage area setting command process being executed in step S52. In step S296 of FIG. 40, the CPU 131 executes a pre-transfer command process in response to the probability change start flag being turned on in step S291 and the probability change end flag being turned off in step S293. Further, in step S364 in FIG. 47, the CPU 131 executes a pre-transfer command process in response to the jackpot start flag being turned on in step S362. Thus, the stored contents of the temporary storage memory 156 provided in the VDP 141 are initialized, the control to the probability change state is started, the control to the probability change state is completed, and the control to the big hit gaming state is started. In response to the establishment of a predetermined transfer condition such as that, a pre-transfer command process is executed based on the setting of table data in the pre-transfer setting table 210 as shown in FIG. A command is issued to read the image data registered in the advance transfer setting table 210 from the image data memory 142 and transfer it to the fixed address area 156A in the temporary storage memory 156 of the VDP 141. In the VDP 141, for example, the transfer control circuit 152 executes a pre-transfer process in step S605 of FIG. Thus, the image data indicating the effect image set so that the display frequency on the image display device 5 is higher than the required effect image is transferred in advance to the fixed address area 156A of the temporary storage memory 156 and expanded and stored. The As a result, for the image data of the effect image having a high frequency of image display, the data already stored in the fixed address area 156A can be easily reused by designating the address in the fixed address area 156A of the temporary storage memory 156. This eliminates the need to read from the image data memory 142 every time, thereby reducing the control burden on the effect display. Further, with respect to the image data of the effect image that is frequently displayed, even if an error due to noise or the like occurs in the stored content of the temporary storage memory 156A, the stored content can be automatically restored.

  In response to the automatic transfer command transmitted in step S434 in FIG. 44, the transfer control circuit 152 executes automatic transfer control processing in step S607 in FIG. 48, and the drawing circuit 155 performs automatic transfer drawing processing in step S705 in FIG. Execute. At this time, after the transfer control circuit 152 executes the processing of steps S631 to S635 shown in FIG. 51, the image data read from the image data memory 142 is transferred to the variable address area 156B of the temporary storage memory 156 and stored. The drawing circuit 155 executes the processing of steps S731 to S736 shown in FIG. 55, and the image data read from the variable address area 156B is written and stored in the drawing buffer 157A of the VRAM 157. Thus, the image data stored in the variable address area 156B can be displayed without specifying the storage position of the variable address area 156B by specifying the reading position in the image data memory 142 and the writing position in the VRAM 157. Can be used to create data, address management becomes easy, and the burden of program design can be reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. In the above embodiment, the projection / combination drawing command shown in FIG. 23 includes data for specifying a drawing target image, depth value setting data, and opacity setting data, and the drawing target image is arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space. In this case, the description has been made assuming that the screen is arranged in parallel with the screen plane including the drawing area. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the drawing target image may be arranged by being rotated in a predetermined rotation direction by a rotation amount corresponding to the depth value. In this case, for example, a rotation amount setting table 215 as shown in FIG. 61A is stored in a predetermined area in the ROM 132 of the effect control microcomputer 120. In the rotation amount setting table 215, depth value data and rotation amount data as data indicating the rotation amount are stored in association with each other. It should be noted that the rotation amount setting in the plurality of types of images may be made different from each other by providing a plurality of types of rotation amount setting tables corresponding to the plurality of types of images to be combined and displayed. Further, the projection / synthesis drawing command is configured to include rotation amount setting data, for example, as shown in FIG.

  In the composite drawing command process executed in step S304 of FIG. 40 or step S424 of FIG. 44, after determining the opacity in step S480, for example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 62, FIG. The rotation amount corresponding to the depth value determined in step S479 is determined by referring to the rotation amount setting table 215 shown in FIG. (Step S480A). Further, in step S481, the drawing target image specified in step S478, the depth value determined in step S479, the opacity determined in step S480, and the rotation amount determined in step S480A. Based on this, a projection / synthesis drawing command is created.

  In the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121, when the drawing circuit 155 executes the projection / combination drawing process in step S707 of FIG. 53, the opacity of the drawing target image in step S753, for example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Then, the rotation amount when the drawing target image is arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space is set from the rotation amount setting data included in the projection / synthesis drawing command (step S753A). Then, based on the rotation amount set in step S753A, the three-dimensional coordinates (spatial coordinates) of a predetermined point such as each pixel constituting the drawing target image are specified (step S753B).

As an example, when the drawing target image is arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space, the y-axis (x coordinate and z coordinate are “0”) by the rotation amount indicated by the rotation amount setting data included in the projection / synthesis drawing command. )) As a rotation axis. At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 64, the planar image P1 serving as the first display element is arranged in a state of being rotated about the y axis by the rotation amount θ1 [°]. On the other hand, the planar image P2 serving as the second display element is arranged in a state of being rotated by the rotation amount θ2 [°] around the y axis. Here, when the rotation amount is 0 [°], the pixel (X1, Y1, Z1) on the planar image P1 when the rotation amount around the Y axis is θ1 [°] (formula 4) to the coordinates (X1 ′, Y1 ′, Z1 ′) specified by (Expression 6). Here, the specification of the coordinates by (Expression 4) to (Expression 6) may be performed by, for example, the drawing circuit 155 executing a predetermined calculation process in the VDP 141 included in the display control unit 121, or effect control. This may be performed by the CPU 131 of the microcomputer 120 performing predetermined arithmetic processing. When the coordinates are specified by the CPU 131, the projection / synthesis drawing command may include data indicating the three-dimensional coordinates of each pixel instead of the rotation amount setting data.
X1 ′ = X1 × cos θ1 (Formula 4)
Y1 ′ = Y1 (Formula 5)
Z1 ′ = Z1 + X1 × sin θ1 (Expression 6)

  When performing the perspective projection conversion in Step S754, the drawing circuit 155 may convert each pixel for which the three-dimensional coordinates (spatial coordinates) are specified in Step S753B from the spatial coordinates to the screen coordinates by the perspective projection. In addition, after setting the depth value in step S752, the opacity may be set after specifying the three-dimensional coordinates of the predetermined point based on the setting of the rotation amount. At this time, the z coordinate of each point may be set as a depth value, and the opacity of each point may be set corresponding to the depth value. Further, when updating the stored contents of the Z buffer 157C in step S755, the z coordinate of each point may be written as a Z value in the Z buffer 157C. In this way, semi-transparent synthesis with coordinate transformation is executed in consideration of the rotation amount of the drawing target image arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space. Thereby, the effect by the effect display can be further enhanced, and the game entertainment can be improved. Note that the direction in which the drawing target image is rotated is arbitrary, and the three-dimensional coordinates of each pixel on the drawing target image may be specified by a predetermined calculation formula based on the setting of the rotation axis. As an example, by setting the rotation axis of the drawing target image in an oblique direction that is not parallel to any of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, the drawing target image is tilted and arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space. Also good.

  In the above embodiment, it has been described that planar images P1 and P2 including white display objects CL1 and CL2 having a cloud shape and background images B1 and B2 are used as images to be combined and displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any semi-transparent composition involving coordinate transformation using any image may be performed. For example, an image indicating an obstacle such as a building, a tree, or a rock, or a person may be used as an image to be combined and displayed. In this case, for example, by setting the basic color of the drawing area to “white” and setting the opacity corresponding to the depth value when the drawing target image is arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space, Thus, it is possible to perform an effect display such that an obstacle or a person appears. Alternatively, by setting the basic color of the drawing area to “black” and setting the opacity corresponding to the depth value when the drawing target image is arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space, an obstacle or a person can be seen from the dark. An effect display that appears can be performed.

  An effect image showing a decorative design may be used as an image to be combined and displayed. In this case, for example, when an image of a decorative design as a drawing target image is arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space in a decorative design display unit in which a fixed decorative design has not been stopped and displayed after variable display of the decorative design is started. By setting the opacity according to the depth value, a plurality of (for example, two) decorative symbols are arranged with different depth positions in the virtual three-dimensional space, and gradually and darkly displayed. The effect display can be repeatedly executed seamlessly.

  In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the processing conditions for executing translucent synthesis with coordinate transformation are satisfied when the background image is switched, when the reach effect display is performed, or when the demonstration image is displayed. . However, the processing conditions for executing the semi-transparent composition with coordinate transformation only have to be satisfied at a predetermined timing that is predetermined according to the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1. As an example, when the effect display in the big hit gaming state based on the variable display result of the special symbol or the decorative symbol is “big hit”, the translucent composition with coordinate conversion is executed assuming that the processing condition is satisfied. May be. Also, based on the variable display pattern specified by the variable display start command and the type of the variable display result notified by the display result notification command, for example, when executing a special effect corresponding to the case where the jackpot type is “surprise” The translucent synthesis process with coordinate conversion may be executed assuming that the processing condition is satisfied.

  When the display result notification command transmitted from the main board 11 is received by the display control board 12 and the variable display start command transmitted from the main board 11 cannot be received, the coordinates are determined as the processing conditions are satisfied. Translucent synthesis with conversion may be performed. In this case, when the decorative design confirmation command transmitted from the main board 11 is received by the display control board 12, the translucent synthesis with coordinate transformation is continuously executed and the decorative design confirmation command is received. In addition, it is only necessary to stop and display the confirmed decorative pattern that is the variable display result. Here, the decoration symbol confirmation command is an effect control command transmitted to the display control board 12 when it is determined that the variable display time has elapsed on the main board 11. As a result, even when the variable display start command cannot be received and the variable display pattern cannot be specified, the effect image generated by the translucent synthesis with coordinate conversion is displayed as the effect display during the variable display of the decorative design. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an unnatural effect display from being performed, and it is possible to prevent the player from feeling distrust without starting the variable display of decorative symbols.

  The update amount of the elapsed time timer value in step S475 of FIG. 46 may be varied depending on the situation (satisfied processing condition) in which translucent synthesis with coordinate conversion is executed. As an example, when the reach effect display is executed or when the demonstration image is displayed, the elapsed time timer value is updated to be incremented by 1 in step S475, while when the background image is switched, the elapsed time is updated in step S475. The timer value may be updated by adding 10. In step S479 of FIG. 46, the depth value corresponding to the elapsed time timer value is determined, and in step S480, the opacity corresponding to the depth value is determined. Therefore, if the update amount of the elapsed time timer value in step S475 is different, the update amount of the depth value and the update amount of the opacity are also different, and the moving speed and transparency of each image arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space change. Different speeds. Here, when the background image is switched, the background image can be switched quickly by setting the amount of update of the elapsed time timer value larger than when executing the reach effect display or displaying the demonstration image. Thus, it is possible to prevent a decrease in effect due to overlap with other effect displays.

  In the above embodiment, as an example of the gaming machine, the description has been given using the pachinko gaming machine 1 having a function of variably displaying special symbols and decorative symbols and a function of displaying various effect images. However, the present invention is not limited to the pachinko gaming machine 1 in the above embodiment, but can be applied to other gaming machines such as a slot machine. Hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to a slot machine which is an example of another gaming machine will be described.

  FIG. 65 is a front view of a slot machine 500 as an example of a slot machine to which the present invention is applied, and shows a layout of main members. The slot machine 500 is roughly composed of a housing whose front surface is open and a front door pivotally supported at a side end of the housing. Inside the casing of the slot machine 500, there is installed a variable display device 501 in which reels RL, RC, RR having a plurality of kinds of symbols arranged on the outer periphery are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction. An image display device 510 having a display function is provided on the front door of the slot machine 500.

  On the outer periphery of the reels RL, RC, RR, for example, “Red 7”, “White 7”, “BAR”, “JAC”, “Watermelon”, “Cherry”, “Bell”, which can be distinguished from each other Are drawn in a predetermined order. The symbols drawn on the outer periphery of the reels RL, RC, and RR are displayed on the variable display device 501 in upper, middle, and lower three stages, respectively. Each reel RL, RC, RR is rotated by reel motors 651L, 651C, 651R (FIG. 66) provided in correspondence to display the symbols of each reel RL, RC, RR continuously changing. At the same time, by stopping the rotation of the reels RL, RC, RR, three consecutive symbols are derived and displayed so as to be visible as display results.

  Below the image display device 510 at the front door of the slot machine 500 is provided an operation table 520 on which various input switches and the like for the player to perform various operations are arranged. On the far side of the operation table 520, there are a medal insertion slot 502 into which medals can be inserted, a BET switch 503 for setting (BET) the number of bets for one medal, and the maximum number of bets that can be bet in one game ( MAXBET switch 504 for setting the number of bets (three in this example), used for setting the medal and bet number stored as credit (the number of medals stored as a player's own game value) A checkout switch 508 for paying out medals is provided. The medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 502 is detected by a predetermined insertion medal sensor.

  On the front side of the operation table 520, a start lever 505 that is operated when the game is started in the slot machine 500, stop switches 506L and 506C that are operated when the rotation of each of the reels RL, RC, and RR is stopped. 506R is provided. A medal payout exit 507 through which medals are paid out is provided at the bottom of the operation table 520.

  In the upper part of the image display device 510 in the front door of the slot machine 500, a game information display unit for displaying various information related to games in the slot machine 500 is provided. For example, the game information display unit displays a credit indicator that displays the number of medals stored as credits, an auxiliary display that displays the number of medals acquired in the big bonus, an error code indicating the contents when an error occurs, and the like And a payout display for displaying the number of medals paid out by winning. Two speakers 511L and 511R that emit sound effects are provided on the left and right sides of the game information display section. In addition, game effect lamps 512 are provided on the upper part of the image display device 510, and game effect lamps 513 and 514 are provided on the left and right sides of the operation table 520, respectively.

  When a game is played in the slot machine 500, first, medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 502, or credits are used to set the number of bets. To use the credit, the BET switch 503 or the MAXBET switch 504 is operated. When the number of bets is set in this way, one of a plurality of pay lines according to the number of bets becomes valid, the operation of the start lever 505 is valid, that is, the game can be executed, and the variable display The execution condition is met. Even when a re-gamer winning such as replay occurs in the previous game, the next game can be executed continuously, and the variable display execution condition is satisfied.

  When the start lever 505 is operated in such a state that the game can be executed, based on the fact that the operation is detected by the start lever switch 505A (FIG. 66), the variable display start condition is satisfied, The reels RL, RC, RR rotate, and the symbols of the reels RL, RC, RR continuously change. If any one of the stop switches 506L, 506C, 506R is operated in this state, the rotation of the corresponding reels RL, RC, RR is stopped, and the display result is derived and displayed so as to be visible.

  Then, when the rotation of all the reels RL, RC, RR is stopped, one game is finished, and a combination of symbols called a predetermined combination on any activated pay line is assigned to each reel RL, When the display results of RC and RR are stopped, a winning is generated. The types of winning combinations can be broadly divided into small roles with medals, re-players that can start the next game without the need to set bets, and special cases that have a transition in gaming state. There is a role, and the winning combination is determined according to the gaming state. In the slot machine 500, an internal lottery is performed to determine whether or not the winning of each combination determined according to the gaming state is allowed based on the random number value extracted at the timing when the start lever 505 is operated. The fact that winning in this internal lottery and winning is permitted is also referred to as “internal winning”. Of the winning of each role, the winning of the small role and the replaying role is valid only in the game for which the winning is determined, but the winning of the special role has the roles allowed to be generated by the internal lottery. It is effective until. In other words, once the occurrence of a special winning combination is allowed, even if the special winning combination cannot be generated in each game, the winning is carried over to the next game.

  The gaming state in the slot machine 500 includes, for example, a regular bonus, a big bonus, and a normal gaming state. In the regular bonus game state, for example, small roles such as JAC, cherry, watermelon, and bell are defined as winning combinations and are subject to lottery in the internal lottery. In the big bonus, special small roles such as cherry, watermelon, and bell, and special bonuses such as regular bonus (or JACIN) are determined as winning roles in a predetermined small role game. It is a lottery target in the internal lottery. In the normal gaming state, for example, small roles such as cherry, watermelon and bell, replay roles such as replay, special roles such as big bonus, regular bonus, etc. are predetermined as winning roles, It is a lottery target in the lottery.

  When a special role winning that becomes a big bonus occurs in the normal gaming state, the gaming state shifts to the big bonus. With the big bonus, a predetermined game called a small role game can be played. The big bonus is ended when the total number of medals given to the player in the big bonus becomes equal to or more than a prescribed number (for example, 466). When a special role winning that becomes a regular bonus occurs in a small role game in a normal gaming state or a big bonus, the gaming state shifts to a regular bonus. The regular bonus ends when 12 games have been consumed or when 8 games have been won (any kind of combination can be used), whichever comes first. In the regular bonus in the normal gaming state, the regular bonus may be terminated when the total number of medals given to the player exceeds a specified number. If the total number of medals awarded to the player during the big bonus exceeds the specified number with the regular bonus in the big bonus, the regular bonus is terminated together with the big bonus.

  In the slot machine 500, when the gaming state is shifted to a special gaming state such as a regular bonus or a big bonus, the player can acquire more medals than the normal gaming state, which is more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state. It becomes a game state. Note that the special gaming state is not limited to a regular bonus or a big bonus, and it can be expected that the player will win more medals than the normal gaming state, and the gaming state may be more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state. That's fine. As such a gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state, for example, an operation that satisfies the conditions for deriving notification target winnings that occur on condition that reel deriving conditions (for example, stop order and stop timing) are satisfied By limiting the gaming state (so-called assist time) in which the procedure is notified and the pull-in range of at least one of the reels, the symbols displayed when the stop switches 506L, 506C, 506R are operated are stopped. Challenge time (CT) that allows control to be easily controlled and allows players to derive a combination of winning symbols, and allow for specific winnings (such as replay winnings and single bonus winnings) Game state (so-called replay time or concentration state) that increases the probability of being played, and further combining these It may be any such tricks state.

  In the slot machine 500, for example, a main board 600, an effect control board 620, a reel unit 650 and the like as shown in FIG. 66 are mounted. In addition, other boards such as a power supply board and a relay board connected to the main board 600 are also mounted on the slot machine 500. The main board 600 is provided with a game control microcomputer 610. Similar to the game control microcomputer 100 in the above embodiment, the game control microcomputer 610 is a CPU that performs control according to a program, a ROM that stores user programs and data, and a RAM that is used by the CPU as a work area. And so on.

  The reel unit 650 includes reel motors 651L, 651C, 651R, a reel lamp 652, a reel sensor 653, and the like. The reel motors 651L, 651C, 651R are motors for rotating the reels RL, RC, RR. The reel lamp 652 is provided inside each reel RL, RC, RR, and irradiates a symbol that can be visually recognized by the variable display device 501 among the symbols drawn on each reel RL, RC, RR from the inside of the reel. It is a lamp to do. The reel sensor 653 is a sensor for detecting the rotation state, the number of rotations, and the like of each reel RL, RC, RR.

  On the effect control board 620, an effect control microcomputer 630, a display control unit 631, a sound control unit 632, a lamp control unit 633, and the like are mounted. The effect control microcomputer 630 is similar to the effect control microcomputer 120 in the above embodiment, a CPU that performs control according to a program, a ROM that stores user programs and data, and a RAM that is used by the CPU as a work area. And a reset / interrupt controller. The display control unit 631 controls the display operation in the image display device 510, and the image data according to the display control command from the effect control microcomputer 630 is the same as the display control unit 121 in the above embodiment. VDP that executes the above processing and an image data memory that stores various types of image data used for displaying an image on the screen of the image display device 510.

  The VDP included in the display control unit 631 includes a host interface, a transfer control circuit, an image data memory interface, a moving image decoder, a drawing circuit, a temporary storage memory, a VRAM (drawing buffer, display), as in the above embodiment. Buffer, Z buffer), a display circuit, and the like.

  In the effect control microcomputer 630, instructions for controlling the effect operations by the image display device 510, the speakers 511L and 511R, the game effect lamps 512 to 514, and the like according to the effect control pattern based on the effect control command received from the main board 600, Processing is executed by the CPU. In the display control unit 631, processing of image data in accordance with a display control command from the effect control microcomputer 630 is executed by the VDP.

  On the screen of the image display device 510, for example, “left” is performed in the same manner as the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display portions 5 L, 5 C, and 5 R in the image display device 5 in the above embodiment. , “Middle” and “right” variable display portions DL, DC, DR are provided. For example, the CPU of the production control microcomputer 630 is similar to the sprite image update command processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 44 in the above embodiment. By executing the processing, corresponding to variable display of the symbols on the variable display device 501, a plurality of types of decorative symbols that can be distinguished from each other are variably displayed. Then, when a demonstration image is displayed on the image display device 510, when a background image is switched, or when a decorative symbol variable display state becomes a predetermined display state, translucent synthesis with coordinate conversion is performed.

  For example, in response to stopping the rotation of the reel RL by operating the stop switch 506L and subsequently stopping the rotation of the reel RC by operating the stop switch 506C, The decorative design is stopped and displayed on the “left” variable display portion DL, and then the decorative design is stopped and displayed on the “middle” variable display portion DC. At this time, in the variable display device 501, the symbol derived and displayed when the reel RL is stopped and the symbol derived and displayed when the reel RC is stopped receive a special bonus that becomes a big bonus on any of the winning lines. It shall constitute a possible combination. Further, in the image display device 510, the decorative symbols stopped and displayed on the “left” variable display portion DL and the decorative symbols stopped and displayed on the “middle” variable display portion DC are displayed on any winning line. A combination capable of generating a special role winning as a big bonus shall be configured. Thereafter, for example, the CPU of the production control microcomputer 630 executes the same processing as the composite drawing command processing executed in step S424 in FIG. A depth value, opacity, and the like are set when the image is placed in the VDP, and a VDP drawing circuit or the like is caused to perform translucent synthesis with coordinate conversion. As a result, when the decorative display variable display state becomes a predetermined display state such as a display state in which a winning can be generated, semi-transparent synthesis with coordinate conversion is executed, and the image data memory provided in the display control unit 631 While preventing an increase in the data capacity, for example, it is possible to display an effect such as traveling in clouds, fog, smoke, darkness, etc., and the effect of the effect can be improved by improving the effect of the effect.

  The image data memory included in the display control unit 631 has an SVGA mode as an area for storing image data corresponding to the number of pixels smaller than the number of pixels in the XGA mode corresponding to the total number of pixels on the display screen of the image display device 510. A first sprite image data area for storing image data for displaying a corresponding sprite image and a second sprite image data area for storing image data for displaying a sprite image corresponding to the VGA mode are provided. When a predetermined image switching condition is established corresponding to the progress of the game, such as when the gaming state in the slot machine 500 is changed from the normal gaming state to the special gaming state, for example, FIG. 40 in the above embodiment. The processing similar to that in step S292 is executed, and a predetermined display control command is transmitted to the VDP provided in the display control unit 631, thereby changing the setting of the enlargement ratio in the scaler circuit provided in the VDP display circuit. As a result, the data capacity is reduced as compared with the case where image data having the same number of pixels as the total number of pixels on the display screen of the image display device 510 is stored in the image data memory of the display control unit 631 and used for displaying the effect image. Thus, the storage capacity in the image data memory can be reduced. Further, for example, the data capacity of image data written to the VRAM drawing buffer by the VDP drawing circuit and the transfer data capacity when transferring from the drawing buffer to the display buffer are also for display corresponding to the XGA mode, for example. Since the display data corresponding to the SVGA mode or the VGA mode is smaller than the case of creating data, it is possible to prevent an increase in processing load for creating the display data. Then, for example, by changing the setting of the enlargement rate due to the establishment of a predetermined image switching condition such as entering a special gaming state, an appropriate enlargement rate and image data according to the gaming state in the slot machine 500 are changed. The effect image can be displayed, and the effect of the image display can be enhanced and the interest of the game can be improved.

  The CPU of the effect control microcomputer 630 executes the same processing as step S452 shown in FIG. 45 in the above embodiment, and transmits a moving image display initial setting command to the VDP provided in the display control unit 631. The data bus width when reading the image data from the image data memory included in the display control unit 631 to the VDP is changed to 32 bits predetermined as the second bus width. Accordingly, the setting of chip select is CS # 1, and the moving image data is set to be read from the moving image memory chip among the plurality of memory chips included in the image data memory. On the other hand, the same processing as in step S54 in FIG. 35 in the above embodiment, steps S292 and S295 in FIG. 40, or step S457 in FIG. 45 is executed, and the VDP provided in the display control unit 631 is processed. By transmitting a predetermined display control command, the data bus width for reading image data from the image data memory included in the display control unit 631 to the VDP is set to 64 bits predetermined as the first bus width. . Accordingly, the chip select setting is CS # 0, and the sprite image data is set to be read from the sprite image memory chip among the plurality of memory chips included in the image data memory. As described above, when the sprite image data is read from the image data memory, the display control unit can be read with a wider data bus width (a larger number of bits) than when moving image data is read. The processing efficiency of the VDP provided in the 631 can be improved, and the flexibility of the memory chip to be prepared when changing the storage capacity of the image data memory can be increased, thereby suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost. In addition, the use efficiency of the image data memory can be improved.

  The CPU of the effect control microcomputer 630 executes the same processing as step S53 of FIG. 35 in the above embodiment, and in response to the initialization of the storage contents of the temporary storage memory provided in the VDP, the advance transfer command Execute the process. Further, the CPU of the effect control microcomputer 630 executes the same process as step S296 of FIG. 40 in the above embodiment, and executes the advance transfer command process in response to the end of the special gaming state. Further, the CPU of the effect control microcomputer 630 executes the same process as that in step S364 in FIG. 47 in the above embodiment, and executes the advance transfer command process in response to the start of the special game state. . In this way, predetermined transfer conditions such as initialization of the storage contents of the temporary memory provided in the VDP, termination of the control to the special game state, and start of the control to the special game state are set. In response to the establishment, the pre-transfer command processing is executed, and the image data registered in the pre-transfer setting table is read from the image data memory of the display control unit 631 and transferred to the fixed address area in the VDP temporary storage memory. A command to do so is issued. In VDP, for example, the transfer control circuit executes processing similar to the advance transfer processing in step S605 shown in FIG. 48 in the above embodiment, so that the display frequency on the image display device 510 is higher than the required effect image. The image data indicating the effect image set in such a manner is transferred to the fixed address area of the temporary storage memory and developed and stored in advance. As a result, for image data of effect images that are frequently displayed, the data already stored in the fixed address area can be easily reused by designating the address in the fixed address area of the temporary storage memory. This eliminates the need to read from the image data memory every time, thereby reducing the control burden on the effect display. In addition, regarding the image data of the effect image that is frequently displayed, even if an error due to noise or the like occurs in the storage content of the temporary storage memory, the storage content can be automatically restored.

  The CPU of the effect control microcomputer 630 executes the same process as step S434 of FIG. 44 in the above embodiment, and transmits an automatic transfer command to the VDP of the display control unit 631. In VDP, the transfer control circuit executes the same process as the automatic transfer control process in step S607 shown in FIG. 48 in the above embodiment, and the drawing circuit automatically performs the process in step S705 shown in FIG. 53 in the above embodiment. A process similar to the transfer drawing process is executed. At this time, the transfer control circuit executes the same processing as steps S631 to S635 shown in FIG. 51 in the above embodiment, and transfers the image data read from the image data memory to the variable address area of the temporary storage memory to be stored. After that, the drawing circuit executes the same processing as steps S731 to S736 shown in FIG. 55 in the above embodiment, and the image data read from the variable address area is written and stored in the drawing buffer of the VRAM. Thus, for image data stored in the variable address area, if the reading position in the image data memory and the writing position in the VRAM are designated, the display data can be stored without designating the storage position in the variable address area. It can be used for creation, address management becomes easy, and the burden of program design can be reduced.

  In addition, if the gaming machine of the present invention has an image display device in a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine, for example, a general electric machine or a ball game machine with a probability setting function called a Pachi-Con It does not matter. In addition, the present invention is not limited to a payout type gaming machine that pays out a predetermined number of prize balls in response to detection of winning balls, and encloses game balls and gives points in response to detection of winning balls. It can also be applied to an enclosed game machine.

  Furthermore, the gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to a slot machine that can play a game using medals and credits, for example, a slot machine that plays a game using pachinko balls, or credits without medals being discharged to the outside. The present invention can also be applied to a complete credit type slot machine that can be played using the game, an image type slot machine in which a variable display device is displayed as an image, and the like.

  The present invention can also be applied to a game machine that simulates the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the slot machine 500. The program and data for realizing the present invention are not limited to a form distributed and provided to a computer device or the like by a detachable recording medium, but preinstalled in a storage device such as a computer device or the like in advance. You may take the form distributed by keeping it. Furthermore, the program and data for realizing the present invention are distributed by downloading from other devices on a network connected via a communication line or the like by providing a communication processing unit. It doesn't matter.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko machine 2 ... Game board 3 ... Gaming machine frame 4 ... Special symbol display device 5 ... Image display device 6A ... Ordinary winning ball device 6B ... Ordinary variable winning ball device 7 ... Special variable winning ball devices 8L, 8R ... Speaker 9 ... Game effect lamp 11 ... Main board 12 ... Production control board 13 ... Signal relay board 20 ... Normal symbol display 21 ... Gate switch 22 ... Start-up switch 23 ... Count switch 30 ... Hitting ball operation handle 40 ... Operation button 41 ... Passing gates 81, 82 ... Solenoid 100 ... Game control microcomputer 101 ... Switch circuit 102 ... Solenoid circuit 111 ... Clock circuit 112 ... Reset / interrupt controller 113, 134 ... Random number circuits 114, 131 ... CPU
115, 132 ... ROM
116, 133 ... RAM
117 ... Timer circuit 118 ... Serial communication circuit 119, 135 ... I / O port 120 ... Production control microcomputer 121 ... Display control unit 122 ... Sound control unit 123 ... Lamp control unit 141 ... VDP
142 ... image data memory 151 ... host interface 152 ... transfer control circuit 153 ... image data memory interface 154 ... moving picture decoder 155 ... drawing circuit 156 ... temporary storage memory 157 ... frame buffer memory 158 ... display circuit

Claims (1)

Based on the fact that the variable display start condition is satisfied after the variable display execution condition is satisfied, variable display means is provided for variably displaying each of a plurality of types of identification information that can be identified. A gaming machine that is in a specific gaming state that is advantageous to the player after a predetermined specific display result is obtained,
A display control CPU for controlling the display operation of the variable display means;
Image data storage means for storing a plurality of types of image data indicating a plurality of types of display elements;
After creating display data based on the control command from the display control CPU and the image data read from the image data storage means, an effect image is displayed on the variable display means based on the display data. An image processor for displaying,
The image processor is
Temporary storage means capable of temporarily storing image data read from the image data storage means;
Display data storage means for temporarily storing image display data in the variable display means;
Corresponding to activation of the display control CPU, storage area setting means for setting a storage area in the temporary storage means to a plurality of areas including a predetermined storage area;
Display data creation means for creating display data based on image data,
The display control CPU is:
An image processing decision for determining to start translucent synthesis with coordinate transformation using image data read from the image data storage means when a predetermined processing condition is established according to the progress of the game Means,
Timer means for measuring an elapsed time from a predetermined time point based on a determination result to start by the image processing determination means;
Depth information for arranging different depth positions in the virtual three-dimensional space with respect to the first display element and the second display element among the plurality of types of display elements was measured by the timer means. Depth information setting means for setting to change in a predetermined movement direction according to the elapsed time;
Based on the depth information set by the depth information setting means, the transparency of the display element arranged on the near side from the predetermined viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space among the first display element and the second display element is Transparency information setting means for setting transparency information of the first display element and the second display element so as to be lower than the transparency of the display element disposed on the back side;
Effect image update command means for notifying the image processor of the read position and the write position of the image data and instructing the update of the effect image;
The display data creation means includes:
An image indicating the depth information set by the depth information setting unit, the transparency information set by the transparency information setting unit, and the first display element based on the determination result to start by the image processing determination unit Drawing processing means for creating the display data by translucent synthesis with coordinate conversion using data and image data indicating the second display element;
When the read position of the image data notified from the effect image update command means is included in the image data storage means, image data is read from the read position in the image data storage means and the predetermined storage in the temporary storage means Image data processing means for reading the image data from the predetermined storage area and transferring it to the writing position in the display data storage means and storing it after transferring to the area;
A gaming machine characterized by that.