JP5346714B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a ball game machine (pachinko machine).

  A ball ball game machine (a so-called pachinko machine) installed in a game machine installation store (hall) or the like uses a game ball (also called a game medium) to play a game. The borrowed game balls are launched to the board surface provided on the game board of the ball game machine, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out each time the game balls enter a predetermined winning opening. The game balls to be paid out are called prize balls.

  In recent years, pachinko machines are known that generate special benefits for players by the display screen of a variable display device (center accessory) provided in the center of the game board. For example, when the symbol displayed on the variable display device (center accessory) fluctuates and stops, an operation called “winning” starts, and a large winning device provided below the game board surface continues. In some cases, a large number of prize balls are paid out to the player because a large number of winnings are obtained during that time. Such a pachinko machine is provided with a random number generating means for determining hits, and when a game ball falls into the start winning device, the random number of the random number generating means is extracted and the pattern of the variable display device (center accessory) The variation is started, and when the extracted random number value meets a predetermined condition, the display variation of the variable display device (center accessory) is stopped at the winning symbol and the winning operation is started. As the random number generating means, there are one constituted by hardware such as a counter and a register, or one realized by a counter executed by software.

  In order to perform game processing including paying out a prize ball, lottery and winning determination, etc., the gaming machine displays an image on a lighting, sound, or liquid crystal display device based on a command from the control unit and the control unit. A sub-control unit for performing an effect such as display. In gaming machines, lottery, winning, payout, and production control are realized by a program. The program of the control unit and the sub-control unit performs important control related to the game.

  The sub-control unit is mainly responsible for effect processing related to games. For production, in addition to the liquid crystal display device, a so-called 7-segment LED may be used. The 7-segment LED consists of seven rod-shaped light emitting elements (LEDs, segments) arranged in the shape of a Japanese character (eight character), and generally digitally displays one-digit numbers from 0 to 9. It is. Since it has seven elements (segments), it is called a 7-segment LED or 7-segment display.

JP 2009-17957 A JP 2001-87453 A

  In a ball game machine, an effect using a 7-segment LED is performed together with a liquid crystal display device. The production varies depending on the model. For example, when the big hit is won, by checking the 7-segment LED provided on the front of the board of the ball game machine, how the jackpot changes thereafter (for example, promotion) , Whether it is sudden probability change, sudden time reduction, or fake). Based on the change of the 7-segment LED, the player can predict the end of the jackpot in advance. Therefore, the display of the 7-segment LED should be taken care of for the player, and a game full of interest can be provided by performing various effects.

The 7-segment LED is widely used in electronic devices, but in gaming machines, a display method different from that of general electronic devices is used. That is, in a general electronic device, the 7-segment LED only displays numbers from 0 to 9, but the gaming machine displays the following.
(1) Light any one or a combination of seven segments. What is displayed is a pattern and may not mean 0-9.
(2) Eventually, any specific numerical value from 0 to 9 is displayed. Even after the numerical value to be displayed is determined, another numerical value is displayed between the start of display and the display of the numerical value. May be displayed sequentially. That is, the numerical value display varies (variable display is performed).

  In the above (1), each segment of the 7-segment LED is used in the same manner as other illuminations or LEDs provided in the gaming machine to emit light, so to speak, it is used for the effect of changing illumination. In general electronic equipment, a 7-segment LED is rarely used in this way.

  The above (2) is the same in the production of the liquid crystal display device, but it is difficult to predict the result by changing before the display of the numbers is determined, and the time until the numbers are determined Earning a sense of tension and raising interest in the meantime.

  As described in (1) above, since the display method of the 7-segment LED in the gaming machine is different from the method used in general electronic devices, the general-purpose IC used for display control in the 7-segment LED of the gaming machine (7-segment decoder) cannot be used. Therefore, in the gaming machine, the 7-segment LED is directly controlled through the I / O of the sub-control unit.

  When the 7-segment LED is directly controlled by the CPU of the sub-control unit, the problems are the relationship with the processing capability of the CPU, the data for display, especially the capacity of the memory for storing the data. It is a relationship.

  As described in (1) and (2) above, various displays are performed with the 7-segment LED. If display data related to the 7-segment LED display and its display effects are prepared individually, the variations are enormous (eight data are required when displaying 8 types of symbols, and the data For each effect), the capacity of the display data may increase and cannot be stored in the memory. Even if it can be stored, there may be adverse effects such as not being able to use a lot of data in other productions (because the gaming machine hardware can only use those that have passed the certification beforehand due to legal restrictions, the memory capacity is limited. It is not easy to expand). Corresponding to this, display data including production can be created each time display control is performed by the CPU, but this method places a burden on the CPU, and processing capacity There is a problem in terms of. For the reasons described above, there is a restriction on the CPU that can be used in the gaming machine, and the processing capacity cannot be easily increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can be used to produce an effect using a 7-segment LED without imposing an excessive burden on the CPU and without increasing the amount of display data. The purpose is to provide.

The present invention includes a control unit that executes a control process related to a game, a sub-control unit that executes a process related to a game effect based on a signal from the control unit, and a plurality of light emitting elements, and includes at least a number A game comprising a display capable of displaying symbols and a display control unit for receiving lighting data consisting of a plurality of bits from the sub-control unit and individually controlling lighting or extinction of the plurality of light emitting elements of the display In the machine
The lighting data includes a first plurality of bits and a second plurality of bits,
The display control unit
Value converting means for converting the data of the first plurality of bits into a predetermined value;
Offset means for generating an offset value by performing addition, subtraction or a predetermined logical operation based on the data of the second plurality of bits with respect to the value converted by the value conversion means;
A value-display data conversion means for converting the offset value into display data for displaying a predetermined symbol on the display;
A gaming machine, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting elements is turned on based on the display data converted by the value-display data conversion means.

The display control unit receives identification information for determining whether to display a symbol on the display from the sub-control unit,
When the identification information is to display a design, the value conversion means, the offset means, and the value-display data conversion means convert the lighting data into the display data, and the plurality of the display data based on the display data. Each of the light emitting elements is turned on to display the predetermined pattern,
When the identification information does not display a symbol, the plurality of light emitting elements of the indicator may be turned on based on the plurality of bits of the lighting data.

The sub-control unit generates a plurality of timer data each specifying a time for displaying a predetermined symbol on the display unit based on the lighting data together with the lighting data,
The display control unit further includes:
A lighting data timer data storage unit for storing a plurality of the lighting data and the timer data;
A lighting data timer data reading unit for reading the lighting data and the timer data one by one;
A timer for measuring time based on the timer data,
The lighting data timer data reading unit converts the lighting data into the display data by the value conversion unit, the offset unit, and the value-display data conversion unit, and displays the predetermined symbol on the light emitting element. , Set the timer data in the timer,
The timer may cause the lighting data timer data reading unit to read the next lighting data and the timer data when the timing based on the set timer data is finished.

  According to this invention, a value storage memory (value conversion means), an adder (offset means), and an output data table (value-display data conversion means) are provided, and numerical data to be displayed is stored in the value storage memory. Then, the data of the production related to the change of the number that is output is added and converted to display data in the output data table, so the data for variable display of the number can be shared, and the memory capacity Can be reduced, the processing is simplified, and the processing load on the CPU can be reduced. Therefore, even in the current gaming machine, it is possible to easily produce an effect using a 7-segment LED (or an equivalent display device such as a liquid crystal display device). Even when performing a complicated performance, work such as replacing the CPU with a high-performance CPU or adding memory is unnecessary.

It is a perspective view which shows the surface structure of a game machine. It is a perspective view which shows the back surface structure of a game machine. It is a figure (front view) which shows the mode of the board surface seen from the player. It is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. It is explanatory drawing of the hardware constitutions of a sub-control part. It is a block diagram of a 7-segment LED control circuit according to an embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart of 7 segment LED control processing concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is explanatory drawing of 7 segment LED control processing which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is explanatory drawing of 7 segment LED control processing which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the value storage memory (value conversion means) which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the output data table (value-display data conversion means) which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a block diagram of a 7-segment LED display control circuit according to an embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart of 7 segment LED display control processing concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is explanatory drawing of the lighting data and timer data which concern on embodiment of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the fluctuation | variation process of 7 segment LED which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is another explanatory drawing of the value storage memory (value conversion means) which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is other explanatory drawing of the fluctuation | variation process of 7 segment LED which concerns on embodiment of invention.

An outline of the structure of the ball game machine will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
First, the external structure of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The outer frame 50 is a wooden frame member having a vertical rectangular shape for fixing to an installation location (island facilities or the like) provided in a gaming machine installation sales shop.
The main body member 51 is a member that is provided inside the outer frame 50 and serves as a longitudinal rectangular gaming machine base body that is rotatably attached to the outer frame via a hinge portion 51a. The main body member 51 is formed in a frame shape and has a space portion inside thereof.
The opening frame door 52 is mounted on the front surface of the main body member 51 on the front side of the gaming machine so as to be openable and closable, and is configured in a frame shape so that the inside is an opening. It is a door member.
A transparent plate member made of glass or resin is provided at the opening of the opening frame door 52, and an electrical decoration 52a, a speaker 52b, and the like are attached in the vicinity of the opening.
A game board (not shown in FIG. 1), which will be described later, is detachably attached to the main body member 51 using a predetermined fixing member so as to face the space of the main body member 51. After the game board is mounted on the main body member 51, the game area can be observed from the opening.

The door 53 with a ball tray is a door member provided at least with a ball tray for storing a game ball attached to the lower part of the main body member 51 on the front surface of the gaming machine so as to have a lock function and be openable and closable. In addition, the following members are attached to the door with a ball tray in the present embodiment.
(1) A ball tray in which a plurality of game balls can be stored and a passage for guiding the game balls to the firing drive device 48 is provided.
(2) A rotary operation handle 48b for performing an operation of launching the stored game ball guided to the launch drive device 48 to a game area provided on the board surface 11 of the game board 10.
(3) A ball lending-related operation unit provided with buttons for instructing a read-in related to reading a paid card and a lending process related to a borrowed game ball.
(4) A storage ball discharge operation button for a ball tray for releasing the game ball stored in the ball tray into a game ball collecting container (common name, dollar box).

Next, an internal configuration of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As described above, reference numeral 40 denotes a control unit that is provided via the main body member 51 or the game board 11 or a support member attached thereto, and performs electrical game control processing to generate main processing information.
40b is provided through the main body member 51 or the game board 11 or a support member provided to the main body member 51, or a sub member that performs control to perform predetermined output mode processing by obtaining processing information generated by the control unit 40. It is a control unit.
A payout control unit 42 performs payout control of prize balls.
43 is a game ball payout device for paying out game balls.
Reference numeral 44 denotes an electric decoration control unit that controls a lamp and electric decoration 52a (not shown).
An acoustic control unit 46 generates sound by controlling and driving the speaker 52b.
49 is a control device for controlling the firing drive device 48, and is a launch control device for controlling the launch of a game ball to a game area provided on the board surface via a rotary operation handle 48b.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the game board of the gaming machine.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 11 denotes a board surface of the game board 10. The board surface 11 changes the direction of the guide rail 12, the discharge port (out port) 13 that guides the game ball that has fallen through the substantially circular game area defined by the guide rail 12, and the direction of the game ball that moves in the game area. It is a rectangular board surface provided with a plurality of obstacles such as the nailing 14 and the windmill 14a.

  The game area of the board surface 11 described above is partitioned and formed into a substantially circular shape by the guide rail 12 (including a sliding part for sliding the game ball and a regulation part for regulating the game ball), and the movement of the game ball that has been launched It is an area that regulates the range. A restricting portion is provided to follow the sliding portion. The sliding portion is arranged on the board surface 11 in a spiral as a whole.

  The discharge port (out port) 13 is a collection opening provided at a position where the game balls thrown into the game area converge.

  The game nails as the obstacles 14 are a plurality of rod-shaped members that are driven into appropriate positions on the board surface 11 in order to make the movement direction irregular by contacting with the game ball or to restrict the movement direction.

Reference numeral 30a denotes a variable display device (center accessory) that is provided at the center or slightly above the game area and has one or more variable display sections such as an effect display lamp and an LCD (liquid crystal display device).
In FIG. 3, three 7-segment LEDs (7-segment display) 55-1 to 55-3 are provided on the lower side of the variable display device 30a.
30b is a through chucker (winning chucker).
30c is a normal winning device having a normal winning opening.
30d is a start chucker (start winning device) having a start winning opening.
30e is an attacker having a big prize opening.
In the following description, 30b to 30d may be collectively referred to as a winning opening 30 or the like.
Although not shown, the ball passage detectors 20b, 20c, and 20d are provided inside the 30b, 30c, and 30d (the reference numerals in parentheses in the figure mean that).

The start winning device of the start chucker 30d is also called a specific winning device, and the big winning device of the attacker 30e is also called a special winning device.
The start chucker (start winning device) 30d is provided with movable pieces on both sides for expanding and contracting the opening range of the winning opening, making a variable display by winning a game ball and winning a prize for a player. Device.
The attacker (large winning device) 30e is driven and controlled by a movable door that exposes the winning port and closes the winning port, and is compared with other winning devices by winning game balls. This is a winning device that allows more prize balls to be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Reference numeral 40 denotes a control unit (also referred to as a “main board”) that performs electrical game control processing and generates main processing information. The control unit 40 moves (flows down) the game area and receives signals from the ball passage detectors 20b to 20d that detect the game balls that have passed through the winning holes 30b to 30d, respectively, and passes the gaming balls through the winning holes 30b to 30d. A winning determination unit 40a for performing a lottery / determination in accordance with the selection.

  Reference numeral 41 denotes a display control unit that turns on an effect display lamp of the variable display device (center accessory) 30a and displays an image related to the effect on an LCD (liquid crystal display device). The display control unit 41, in accordance with the result of the electronic winning / losing lottery based on establishment of a predetermined condition in the winning determination unit 40a provided in the control unit 40 (for example, winning of a game ball to the start winning device 30d, etc.) It is also a display control device that performs stop display after variably displaying the identification display information (effect display on the LCD of the variable display device (center accessory) 30a). Furthermore, the display control unit 41 determines the identification lighting information (in accordance with the result of electronic determination of lottery based on the establishment of a predetermined condition in the winning determination unit 40a (for example, the passing of a game ball to a predetermined passing port). This is a display control device that performs stop display after variable display of the variable display device (center accessory) 30a is lit and displayed on the effect display lamp.

  The LCD of the variable display device (center accessory) 30a is a device that variably displays a specific symbol related to the big hit state and also displays a background image, various characters, and the like in an animated manner. When it is detected that the game ball has passed through the start chucker (start winning device) 30d, the displayed symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time, and the lottery is drawn when the game ball start chucker (start winning device) 30d passes. The stop symbol determined by the random number for lottery is displayed on the LCD and stopped. The attacker 30e includes an opening / closing plate that can be opened forward. When the symbol after the LCD fluctuation stops is a winning symbol such as “777”, a special game called “big hit” is started, and the opening / closing plate of the attacker 30e is opened a predetermined number of times. After the opening / closing plate of the attacker 30e is opened, the opening / closing plate is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number of game balls are won.

42 is a payout control unit that receives the signal of the winning determination unit 40a and controls the game ball payout device 43 according to the game balls passing through the winning holes 30b to 30d and / or according to the lottery / determination result. .
43 is a game ball payout device provided with a driving source for paying out a predetermined number of game balls according to the result of the lottery / determination according to the game balls passing through the winning openings 30b to 30d and / or as the game profits. .

  40b is a sub-control unit (also referred to as “sub-board”) that performs control to perform predetermined output mode processing including effects such as blinking of light and generation of sound by obtaining processing information generated by the control unit 40. It is. The sub-control unit 40b includes a 7-segment LED display control unit 47 that performs display control of the three 7-segment LEDs 55-1 to 55-3.

Reference numeral 44 denotes a lamp control unit for controlling lighting of the lamp / electric decoration 52a and the like provided on the gaming board 10 or the gaming machine casing.
An acoustic control unit 46 generates sound effects / sounds through a speaker 52b provided in the gaming board 10 or the gaming machine casing.

  PS is a power supply unit that supplies a DC voltage such as +5 V to the control unit 40, the sub-control unit 40b, and other units. The power supply unit PS includes a memory clear switch MCLR as well as a power switch PW for turning on and off the power. When the power switch PW is turned on, the memory clear switch MCLR is operated to clear the memory and start the gaming machine from the initial state.

  The winning devices 30b to 30d in which the game balls are provided in the game area are respectively provided with ball passage detectors (for example, switches) 20b to 20d so that the passage of the game balls can be detected. When the position of any of the winning devices 30b to 30d passes, the ball passage detectors 20b to 20d detect this, and the winning determination unit 40a performs a predetermined lottery / determination process. For example, when the ball passage detector 20b detects a game ball that has passed through the through chucker (winning chucker) 30b, a predetermined lottery is performed, and when winning, the start chucker (starting winning device) 30d is released for a predetermined time. That is, a pair of movable pieces provided opposite to each other on both the left and right sides of the start chucker (start winning device) 30d are opened outward. At the same time, the effect of winning is displayed on the variable display device (center accessory) 30a. Then, when it is detected that the game ball has passed the start chucker (starting winning device) 30d, a predetermined lottery is performed, and when winning, the big winning device of the attacker 30e is released.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the hardware configuration of the sub-control unit 40b. The sub-control unit 40b shown in FIG. 4 is actually realized by the hardware configuration shown in FIG. That is, a CPU (processing device), a ROM (nonvolatile storage unit), a memory M (a readable and writable memory, RWM), and an I / O (input / output device) are connected to a bus BUS composed of a plurality of bits (wirings). It is connected. Note that the CPU, I / O, and the like may be formed on one chip and grouped as one unit (IC).

  Three 7-segment LEDs 55-1 to 55-3 are connected to the I / O in FIG. The I / O is directly connected to the seven segments of the 7-segment LED, and each segment can be turned on or off independently. Thereby, it is possible to display other than numerical values by the program. Here, “directly connected” means that the seven segments of the 7-segment LED are connected from the CPU so that they can be turned on or off independently. Therefore, even if a drive circuit (buffer) is provided between the I / O and the 7-segment LED, it is “directly connected” if it can be turned on or off as described above. On the other hand, when a decoder IC (74LS47, 4511, etc. as general-purpose ICs) is provided between the I / O and the 7-segment LED, it is not “direct connection”.

  The effect process related to the game executed by the sub-control unit 40b in FIG. 4 is executed by the CPU operating in accordance with a program stored in advance in the ROM in FIG. The CPU performs processing such as storing various data in the memory M when performing processing, reading out processing as necessary, performing processing, and storing again as necessary. The memory M may have received a battery backup, and in this case, the stored contents are retained even during power-off. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the memory means the rewritable memory M (RWM) in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the 7-segment LED display control unit 47 according to the embodiment of the invention. As described above, the 7-segment LED display control unit 47 is realized by the circuit in FIG. 5 executing a predetermined program. FIG. 6 is a block diagram in which the processing is associated with hardware. . It should be noted that the 7-segment LED display control unit 47 can also be configured by hardware in accordance with FIG.

  The processing selection unit 471, the value storage memory (value conversion unit) 472, the adder (offset unit) 473 and the output data table (value-data conversion unit) 474 constitute the 7-segment LED display control unit 47. FIG. 6 shows one of three 7-segment LEDs 55-1 to 55-3. Since the configuration and processing of the 7-segment LED display control unit 47 are the same for the other two, the following description will be given by taking an arbitrary 7-segment LED 55 as an example.

  The process selection unit 471 distributes the other bits d7 to d1 of the lighting bits based on the numeric flag (identification information) F that is the most significant bit (MSB) of the 8-bit lighting data. Details of the lighting data will be described later. When the numeric flag is off (= 0), the data of bits d7 to d1 are sent as they are to the seven segments 551 to 557 of the 7-segment LED 55. In other words, the segments 551 to 557 are turned on / off according to 0/1 of the bits d7 to d1, respectively. The arrangement of the seven segments 551 to 557 of the 7-segment LED 55 is as shown in FIG. 6 (this is an arrangement for convenience and other arrangements are possible). When the numeric flag is off (= 1), the data of bits d6 to d1 is sent to the value storage memory (value conversion means) 472 and the adder (offset means) 473. Bit d7 is not used (discarded). That is, the data of bits d3 to d1 is sent to a value storage memory (value conversion means) 472, and the data of bits d6 to d4 is sent to an adder (offset means) 473.

  The value storage memory (value conversion means) 472 stores a corresponding value in advance for each of the eight types of patterns that the bits d3 to d1 can take. In other words, the corresponding values are read using bits d3 to d1 as address inputs. An example of the contents is shown in FIG. The value storage memory (value conversion means) 472 is stored in advance in the ROM of FIG. 5, for example. Alternatively, it is written into the memory (RWM) by the CPU according to the program. If the contents of the value storage memory (value conversion means) 472 are sometimes changed during operation of the gaming machine, the latter is adopted.

  The adder (offset means) 473 adds the data (value) output from the value storage memory (value conversion means) 472 to the data of bits d6 to d4. Assuming that the value output from the value storage memory (value conversion means) 472 is a fixed value (number) that should be displayed, the bits d6 to d4 are changed until the value (number) is fixedly displayed. The adder (offset means) 473 can be said to be a means for variably displaying the 7-segment LED 55 based on the offset value. The fluctuation display will be described in detail later. Bits d6 to d4 are treated as 3-bit binary data. For bits d6 to d4, when (d6, d5, d4) = 000,001,..., 111, value storage memory (value conversion means) 472 0, 1,..., 7 are added to the output values. Note that the adder (offset means) 473 displays numerical fluctuations, so that subtraction may be performed instead of addition. Alternatively, other operations (for example, bit inversion, an operation for obtaining a logical sum / logical product / exclusive logical sum with binary data prepared in advance) may be performed.

  The output data table (value-data conversion means) 474 converts the output data of the adder (offset means) 473 into display data for displaying numbers on the 7-segment LED 55. An example of the contents is shown in FIG. The output data table (value-data conversion means) 474 is stored in advance in the ROM of FIG. 5, for example. Alternatively, it is written into the memory (RWM) by the CPU shown in FIG. If the contents of the value storage memory (value conversion means) 472 are sometimes changed during operation of the gaming machine, the latter is adopted. The output data table (value-data conversion means) 474 functions in the same manner as the conventional decoder IC, but the input (offset value) is 4 bits and increases by 1 bit. It differs in the point which memorizes a group. This is because it is necessary to perform a numerical change display based on the bits d6 to d4. In other words, the output data table (value-data conversion means) 474 has a capacity and data sufficient to cover a numerical variation range.

  The display data s1 to s7 are input to the segments 551 to 557, and turn them on or off. That is, the segments 551 to 557 are turned on / off according to 0/1 of the bits s1 to s7 of the display data. This combination is an example, and other combinations may be employed.

  As can be seen from FIG. 6, the outputs d1 to d7 of the processing selection unit 471 and the outputs s1 to s7 of the output data table 474 are combined. The combined signals become the drive signals L1 to L7 of the segments 551 to 557. Here, when either one becomes 1, the corresponding segment is lit. The segment goes out when both are zero. That is, the outputs d1 to d7 of the process selection unit 471 and the outputs s1 to s7 of the output data table 474 are combined as a logical sum. In other words, the bond is wired or. In FIG. 6, OR1 to OR7 mean that.

  The circuit in FIG. 6 distributes lighting data into a direct connection display and a numerical display (variation display) on the entrance side of the 7-segment LED display control unit 47. Different configurations can also be employed. For example, a selector is arranged in front of the 7-segment LED 55, and according to the number flag F, either the lighting data d1 to d7 or the output data table outputs s1 to s7 is selected and sent to the 7-segment LED 55. Good. In this case, the output of the selector (not shown) becomes the drive signals L1 to L7 of the segments 551 to 557.

  FIG. 7 is a process flowchart of the 7-segment LED display control unit 47 according to the embodiment of the invention. The CPU in FIG. 5 executes processing as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

S1: Accept lighting data.
Accepts lighting data created by another process and starts processing.

S2: Check the number flag.
The number flag F of the lighting data is checked, and if it is on (F = 1), the processing after S3 is executed. If the number flag F is off (F = 0), the process of S7 is executed.

S3: Referring to the value conversion table (value conversion means), 3 bits (d3 to d1) of the lighting data are converted into values.
The value conversion table (value conversion means) is prepared in the memory in advance before the 7-segment LED control process of FIG.

S4: 3 bits (d6 to d4) of lighting data are added to the converted value.
It has already been mentioned that operations other than addition can be employed.

S5: Refer to the output data table (value-display data conversion means) and convert the data obtained by the addition into 7-segment display data.
The output data table (value-display data conversion means) is prepared in the memory in advance before the 7-segment LED control process of FIG. The 7-segment display data corresponds to s1 to s7 in FIG.

S6: 7-segment display data is set as 7-segment drive data.
The 7-segment drive data corresponds to L1 to L7 in FIG.

S7: The lighting data is set as 7-segment drive data.
The lighting data d7 to d1 in FIG. 6 are directly used as 7-segment drive data L1 to L7.

S8: The 7-segment LED 55 is turned on based on the 7-segment drive data.

  Details of processing of the 7-segment LED display control unit 47 according to the embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 shows the structure of lighting data.
The lighting data is 8-bit binary data, the most significant bit is the numeric flag F, and the other bits are data bits d7 to d1. d7 to d1 differ depending on the number flag F.

  When F = 0 (numerical flag = off), d7 to d1 are display data of the 7-segment LED 55 itself. That is, d7 to d1 directly control lighting and extinguishing of the seven segments 551 to 557 of the 7-segment LED 55.

  When F = 1 (numerical flag = on), d7 is unused, d6 to d4 are added values, and d3 to d1 are reference memory numbers (data for providing an offset).

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of processing when the number flag is off.
If the number flag is off (F = 0), the remaining 7 bits (d7 to d1) are output as they are.

  For example, when the lighting data is 01111111B (B indicates binary data. B may be omitted and decimal notation may be indicated in parentheses after binary display), the 7-segment LED 55 All of the seven segments 551 to 557 are lit (seen as the numeral 8).

  When the lighting data is 00000000B, all of the seven segments 551 to 557 of the 7-segment LED 55 are turned off (looks like the number 0).

  When the lighting data is 00101010B, the seven segments 552, 554, and 556 of the 7-segment LED 55 are turned on, and the rest are turned off (not visible in numbers).

  When the lighting data is 01010101B, the seven segments 551, 553, 555, and 557 of the 7-segment LED 55 are turned on, and the rest are turned off (not visible in numbers).

  The display in FIG. 9 is performed by a signal propagating from the output A of the processing selection unit 471 to the 7-segment LED 55 in FIG.

  The display of FIG. 9 is performed by executing the processes of S1, S2 (F = 0), S7, and S8 in FIG.

  When the number flag is on (F = 1), d6 to d4 are used for variable display to convert d3 to d1 into values for the remaining 7 bits d7 to d1 (specifically, , And used as an additional value to specify the number of frames you want to shift from the acquired value).

  FIG. 10 shows the contents of the value storage memory. The data corresponding to each of the bits d3 to d1 is stored in advance as memory numbers. In the example of FIG. 10, the values corresponding to bits 010 to (2) of the bits d3 to d1 are 5, and all other values are 0 (this is an example and is a table for explanation only). An arbitrary number can be displayed by rewriting this value.

  For example, when the lighting data F and d7 to d1 are 10001010B, F = 1, d3 to d1 are 010 (2), and d6 to d4 are 001 (1).

  Assuming that d3 to d1 are 010 (2), the value storage memory is searched to obtain a numerical value = 5.

  001 (1) of d6 to d4 is added to the obtained numerical value = 5. Since 5 + 1 = 6, 6 is obtained. Lighting data is acquired using this value as an offset.

  FIG. 11 shows the contents of the output data table. Data for displaying the numbers 1 to 7 is associated with the offset values 0 to 6, respectively, and the drive signal for displaying the numbers 1 to 7 with respect to the offset values 7 to 13 Are associated with each other.

  Based on the offset value 6 obtained by the addition, the output data table is referenced to obtain data 00100111B. By driving the 7-segment LED 55 based on this, 7 is displayed on the 7-segment LED 55.

  The above process is performed by the output B of the process selection unit 471, the value storage memory 472, the adder 473, and the output data table 474 in FIG.

  In addition, the above processing corresponds to the processing of S1, S2 (F = 1), S3 to S6, and S8 in FIG.

  By the circuit of FIG. 6 or the processing of FIG. 7, it is possible to display an arbitrary number (numerical value defined in FIG. 10) and its fluctuation display (offset values are directly specified by d6 to d4). In the 7-segment LED 55, when the numerical display is actually changed, a plurality of lighting data F, d7 to d1 having different offset values may be sequentially given.

  The specific processing will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a circuit for performing numerical variation display. As described above, the 7-segment LED display control unit 47 is realized by the circuit of FIG. 5 executing a predetermined program. Like FIG. 6, FIG. 12 is a block diagram that associates the processing with hardware. It is illustrated. It should be noted that the 7-segment LED display control unit 47 can be configured by hardware in accordance with FIG.

  The 7-segment LED control circuit of FIG. 12 includes the processing selection unit 471, the value storage memory (value conversion means) 472, the adder (offset means) 473, and the output data table (value-data conversion means) 474 of FIG. .

  The lighting data timer data buffer 475 is used to set a series of lighting data to be variably displayed and how long each of these lighting data is lit (in other words, how many time intervals the numerical display is changed). The timer data is stored. Examples of lighting data and timer data are shown in FIG. In the example of the figure, seven lighting data and timer data of P to V are prepared. All the timer data are 500 ms, and the numbers fluctuate at regular intervals. If the timer value of the V data is very large, the fluctuation stops when the V data is displayed, and the number at that time is displayed deterministically. The lighting data d3 to d1 are all the same, and the specified value is thereby displayed deterministically. The lighting data d6 to d4 are different from P to V, respectively. This data specifies the variation pattern. In the example of FIG. 14, the value decreases by 1 from P to V. This means that from P to V, it approaches one by one toward the numbers that are definitely displayed. This point will be further explained later.

  The lighting data timer data reading circuit 476 reads out the data stored in the lighting data timer data buffer 475 in order and supplies it to the 7-segment LED control circuit. In the example of FIG. 14, the lighting data timer data reading circuit 476 reads lighting data and timer data one by one in the order of P to V.

  The timer 477 sets the timer data read by the lighting data timer data reading circuit 476 and causes the lighting data timer data reading circuit 476 to hold the lighting data at that time until the set time elapses. When the set time has elapsed (timeout), the timer 477 outputs a data read signal to cause the lighting data timer data read circuit 476 to read the next data.

  FIG. 13 is a process flowchart for displaying a change in numbers. The CPU in FIG. 5 executes processing as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

S10: A plurality of sets of lighting data and timer data are created.
For example, a series of data P to V as shown in FIG. 14 is created.

S11: A set of lighting data and timer data is read.
For example, the data P in FIG. 14 is read. When the processing of S12 to S16 is performed (NO in S16), the next data Q is read. Thereafter, the same processing is performed.

S12: A timer is set based on the timer data.
For example, the timer is set to 500 ms.

S13: Set lighting data.
For example, lighting data 10110010B of data P in FIG. 14 is set.

S14: A 7-segment LED control process is performed.
The process of FIG. 7 is executed.

S15: It is determined whether a timeout has occurred.
If a time-out (for example, 500 ms elapses), the process proceeds to S16. If not, wait until timeout.

S16: It is determined whether all data has been read.
When all the data has been read (YES in S16), the process ends. When there is data that has not been read (NO in S16), the processes in and after S11 are repeated.

  A display example of the 7-segment LED will be described based on the lighting data and timer data of FIG.

  Since d3 to d1 of the lighting data P to V in FIG. 14 are all 010 (2), a value = 5 is obtained with reference to FIG.

  7-segment LED drive data is obtained with reference to FIG. 11 using the obtained value = 5 plus d6 to d4 of lighting data P to V as an offset value. Since d6 to d4 of the lighting data P to V are 110 (6), 101 (5), 100 (4), 011 (3), 010 (2), 001 (1), and 000 (0), respectively. The offset values based on the lighting data P to V are 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, and 5, respectively. The display data s7 to s1 corresponding to these offset values are respectively shown in FIG. 1), 00101111B (number 7), and 01111101B (number 6).

  That is, in the example of FIG. 14, since the offset value changes from 11,..., 5 every 500 ms, the 7-segment LED is displayed every 500 ms from the number 5 to the number 6 as shown in FIG. Changes by -1.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, the entire variable display of the 7-segment LED can be easily changed by changing the contents of the value storage memory. For example, when the contents of the value storage memory are changed as shown in FIG. 16, the value = 0 for 010 (2), and the offset values based on the lighting data P to V are 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, respectively. 1, 0. The display data s7 to s1 corresponding to these offset values are shown in FIG. 3), 01011011B (number 2), and 00000110B (number 1).

  That is, in the example of FIG. 16, since the offset value changes from 6,..., 0 every 500 ms, the 7-segment LED is displayed every 500 ms from the number 7 to the number 1 as shown in FIG. Changes by -1.

  If the 3-bit data of d6 to d4 of the lighting data P to V is prepared in advance, the same variation display can be performed for any value specified by d3 to d1. It is only necessary to prepare one pattern as the mode of the variable display. In other words, the data d6 to d4 for designating what kind of variation display is to be applied can be applied to any number display. Therefore, if at least one kind of the data (variation pattern) is prepared, the variation display can be performed. . It is not necessary to generate a variation pattern for each variation display. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a variation pattern for each numerical value, so that the memory capacity for that can be reduced, the processing is simplified, and the processing load on the CPU can be reduced.

  That is, according to the embodiment of the present invention, a value storage memory 472, an adder 473, and an output data table 474 are provided, and numerical data to be displayed is stored in the value storage memory 472, and the change of the number output therefrom is changed. Since the output data table 474 is added to the display data of the 7-segment LED in the output data table 474, the data for variably displaying the numbers on the 7-segment LED can be shared, The memory capacity can be reduced, the processing is simplified, and the processing load on the CPU can be reduced.

  In addition, the number to be displayed can be replaced simply by rewriting a specific value in the value storage memory 472, and the contents of the 7-segment LED effect can be easily corrected. Even if the 7-segment LED effect is corrected, the CPU is not burdened.

  If all the patterns of the 7-segment LED number display effect data are prepared in advance, the data becomes enormous, but according to the embodiment of the present invention, the data amount can be greatly reduced. For example, if there are 8 symbols (numerical values to be displayed), 8 groups of data are required to produce an effect (for example, numeric data 0 to 7 (8 types) × variable data (8 types) = 64). Seed), in the embodiment of the present invention, it is only necessary to prepare a group of data and eight symbols for production (for example, numeric data 0 to 7 (eight kinds) + fluctuation data (8 Species) = 16 species). Moreover, in the embodiment of the present invention, the numerical data and the fluctuation data are stored in one byte, so that the fluctuation display of the symbols can be performed with the data of 8 bytes at most.

  In the above description, a ball game machine is taken as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to other game machines such as a slot machine.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

47 7-segment LED display controller (display)
471 Process selection unit (selector)
472 Value storage memory (value conversion means)
473 Adder (offset means)
474 Output data table (value-display data conversion means)
475 Lighting data timer data buffer 476 Lighting data timer data reading circuit 477 Timer 55-1 to 55-3 7 segment LED
551-557 segment (light emitting element, individual light emitting part)
F Numeric flag (identification information)
d7 to d1 7-segment LED display data d6 to d4 Addition value (second plurality of bits)
d3 to d1 Reference memory number (first plurality of bits)
s7 to s1 display data L7 to L1 7 segment LED drive signal

Claims (3)

A control unit that executes a control process related to a game, a sub-control unit that executes a process related to a game effect based on a signal from the control unit, and a plurality of light emitting elements, and displays at least symbols such as numbers In a gaming machine comprising a possible display, and a display control unit that individually controls lighting or extinction of the plurality of light emitting elements of the display by receiving lighting data consisting of a plurality of bits from the sub-control unit,
The lighting data includes a first plurality of bits and a second plurality of bits,
The display control unit
Value converting means for converting the data of the first plurality of bits into a predetermined value;
Offset means for generating an offset value by performing addition, subtraction or a predetermined logical operation based on the data of the second plurality of bits with respect to the value converted by the value conversion means;
A value-display data conversion means for converting the offset value into display data for displaying a predetermined symbol on the display;
A gaming machine, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting elements is turned on based on the display data converted by the value-display data conversion means. The display control unit receives identification information for determining whether to display a symbol on the display from the sub-control unit,
When the identification information is to display a design, the value conversion means, the offset means, and the value-display data conversion means convert the lighting data into the display data, and the plurality of the display data based on the display data. Each of the light emitting elements is turned on to display the predetermined pattern,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when the identification information does not display a symbol, each of the plurality of light emitting elements of the display is turned on based on a plurality of bits of the lighting data. The sub-control unit generates a plurality of timer data each specifying a time for displaying a predetermined symbol on the display unit based on the lighting data together with the lighting data,
The display control unit further includes:
A lighting data timer data storage unit for storing a plurality of the lighting data and the timer data;
A lighting data timer data reading unit for reading the lighting data and the timer data one by one;
A timer for measuring time based on the timer data,
The lighting data timer data reading unit converts the lighting data into the display data by the value conversion unit, the offset unit, and the value-display data conversion unit, and displays the predetermined symbol on the light emitting element. , Set the timer data in the timer,
The timer is configured to cause the lighting data timer data reading unit to read the next lighting data and the timer data when the timer based on the set timer data is finished. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

Images