JP5351666B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an image quality displayed on a liquid crystal display device of a game machine. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine repeatedly operates by a frame time period determined by an image update rate of the liquid crystal display device and executes the first process to store drawing data, the second process to execute drawing based on the stored drawing data, and the third process to display the drawn image on the liquid crystal display device at a time during one of the frame time periods. The game machine changes the image update rate when it is predetermined, for example, based on winning a bonus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly to improving the quality of an image displayed on the gaming machine.

  A ball ball game machine (a so-called pachinko machine) installed in a game machine installation store 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.

  A bullet ball game machine has a variable display device (one or a plurality of variable display devices such as an effect display lamp and a liquid crystal display device (LCD)) provided at the center or above the game area of a game board provided on the front surface ( Center role) is provided. The effect display lamp and LCD of the variable display device are controlled by a control device inside the gaming machine. The LCD of the variable display device variably displays a specific symbol (such as “777”) related to the big hit state, and displays a background image and various characters in an animated manner. When it is detected that the game ball has passed through the start chucker (start winning device) as the predetermined condition is satisfied, the displayed pattern fluctuates for a predetermined time, and when the game ball passes the start chucker (start winning device) The stop symbol determined by the random number for lottery selected in is displayed on the LCD and stopped. When the symbol after the LCD fluctuation is stopped is a winning symbol such as “777”, a special game called “big hit” is started, and the opening / closing plate of the attacker is opened a predetermined number of times.

JP, 2003-236171, A When displaying the production group of different fps on the same liquid crystal, it divides into groups by the unit of fps of the same rate, and it processes, changing the buffer used for display and drawing processing in this group alternately. As a result, the processing omission is not caused in the effect display with different rates. In a traveling toy system configured to display and output a shadow image from a train toy equipped with a video camera, the video frame rate is changed when it is detected that the train toy is faster than a predetermined speed. To do.

  The gaming machine includes a graphic display processor (VDP) for drawing an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device. The VDP performs drawing and display in units of frames related to image update, and executes a high-speed image processing function. Although the processing capability of VDP is sufficiently high, in rare cases, it takes time to save or execute drawing data, and processing may not be completed within a frame. When this phenomenon occurs, the image related to the processing is not displayed, and the image is not smoothly connected and becomes a discontinuous image. This phenomenon is called “skip”. Skipping can reduce the quality of the image and distract players.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can provide a high-quality image without requiring an excessive processing load on the CPU or VDP. .

The present invention relates to a control unit that executes control related to a game including an internal lottery process, a sub-control unit that executes predetermined processing based on information generated by the control unit, and a display device connected to the sub-control unit In a gaming machine comprising
The sub-control unit includes a CPU, a video display processor that displays an image at a predetermined image update rate on the display device based on the control of the CPU, and drawing data for drawing an image to be displayed on the display device And a memory for storing in advance,
The video display processor repeatedly operates in units of a frame time determined by the image update rate, and in one of the frame times, a first process of storing the drawing data in the video display processor, the stored drawing data A second process for executing drawing based on the image data and a third process for displaying the drawn image on the display device at the same time;
The sub-control unit
Measure the time required for the first process or the time required for the second process,
Compare the measured time with the frame time,
When at least one of the time required for the first process and the time required for the second process exceeds the frame time, a predetermined first count value is increased,
When the first count value exceeds a predetermined first threshold, the image update rate is lowered.

The sub-control unit increases a predetermined second count value when both the time required for the first process and the time required for the second process do not exceed the frame time,
The image update rate may be increased when the second count value exceeds a predetermined second threshold value.

The present invention relates to a control unit that executes control related to a game including an internal lottery process, a sub-control unit that executes predetermined processing based on information generated by the control unit, and a display device connected to the sub-control unit In a gaming machine comprising
The sub-control unit includes a CPU, a video display processor that displays an image at a predetermined image update rate on the display device based on the control of the CPU, and drawing data for drawing an image to be displayed on the display device And a memory for storing in advance,
The video display processor repeatedly operates in units of a frame time determined by the image update rate, and in one of the frame times, a first process of storing the drawing data in the video display processor, the stored drawing data A second process for executing drawing based on the image data and a third process for displaying the drawn image on the display device at the same time;
When the video display processor does not switch the image when moving from one frame to the next in the third process, the video display processor interrupts the CPU,
When receiving the interrupt, the CPU increases a predetermined first count value,
When the first count value exceeds a predetermined first threshold, the image update rate is lowered.

When the CPU does not receive the interrupt, the CPU increments a predetermined second count value in units of the frame time,
The image update rate may be increased when the second count value exceeds a predetermined second threshold value.

The memory stores data of an image update rate associated with the drawing data together with the drawing data,
When the video display processor receives the drawing data and the image update rate data from the memory, the video display processor changes the image update rate based on the image update rate data, and the video display processor changes the image update rate based on the changed image update rate. The first to third processes may be executed in units of frame time corresponding to the image update rate.

  The CPU may determine whether a predetermined combination is won in the internal lottery process based on information received from the control unit, and when the combination is won, the image update rate may be increased. .

Has a production button that is pressed by the player,
The CPU may change the aspect of the effect image displayed on the display device when the effect button is pressed, and increase the image update rate.

  According to the present invention, when the skip occurs, the image update rate is lowered, so that the recurrence of the skip can be prevented. As a result, a high-quality image can be provided without requiring an excessive processing load on the CPU or VDP.

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 a functional block diagram of VDP (video display processor). It is explanatory drawing (timing chart) of each process of drawing data preservation | save in VDP, drawing execution, and a display. It is explanatory drawing (timing chart) of the skip generation | occurrence | production in VDP. It is an image update rate setting process flowchart which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is another image update rate setting process flowchart which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is explanatory drawing (timing chart) of the change of the image update rate by the image update rate setting process which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is explanatory drawing (timing chart) of skip generation | occurrence | production prevention by the image update rate setting process which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is another image update rate setting process flowchart which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the drawing data which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is explanatory drawing (timing chart) of each process of drawing data preservation | save, drawing execution, and a display which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a comparison figure of drawing data concerning an embodiment of the invention, and conventional drawing data. It is another image update rate setting process flowchart which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is another image update rate setting process flowchart 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 units such as an effect display lamp and a liquid crystal display device LCD.
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 the effect display lamp of the variable display device (center accessory) 30a. The display control unit 41 determines the identification lighting information (variable display) according to the result of electronic determination of whether or not the winning condition determination unit 40a satisfies the predetermined condition (for example, the passing of a game ball to a predetermined passing port). This is a display control device that performs stop display after variably displaying (displayed on the effect display lamp of the device (center accessory) 30a).

  It should be noted that the liquid crystal display device LCD is selected according to the result of the electronic winning / losing lottery based on the 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). The identification display information is variably displayed (the contents of the effect change according to the lottery result). This is because the lottery result is sent from the control unit 40 to the sub-control unit 40b, and the sub-control unit 40b receiving the lottery result generates an image corresponding to the lottery result and displays it on the liquid crystal display device LCD. Executed. 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. .

  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.

  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 CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a VDP (video display processor) that generates an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD. An output signal from the sub-control unit 40b is sent to peripheral boards such as the lamp control unit 44, the acoustic control unit 46, and the movable body control unit 47. Further, the sub-control unit 40b receives a signal from the effect button ESW operated by the player (in FIG. 1, the display of the effect button ESW is omitted).

  Reference numeral 44 denotes an electric decoration control unit for controlling lighting of the lamp / electric decoration 52a and the like provided on the game 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.

Reference numeral 47 denotes a movable body control unit that controls the movable body 52 c provided in the game board 10.
The movable body 52c is an obstacle that changes the falling action of the game ball launched on the game board 10, and the state is changed by the processing of the sub-control unit 40b (the movable body 52c in FIG. 3). Is omitted). The movable body 52c, for example, moves back and forth between a normal state and a different state. The movable body is, for example, a flat plate shape, a cylindrical shape, a disk shape, a gear shape having irregularities, or the like. Although not shown, a power unit for driving the movable body 52c is provided. The movable body control unit 47 actually drives the power unit. The power unit is, for example, a driving device using electric power or magnetic force such as a motor or a solenoid, or a control device including a driving source.

  The effect button ESW is pressed by the player, and when pressed, changes the aspect of the effect image displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD to increase the player's participation in the game, It is designed to enhance interest. For example, an effect image displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD can be selected in conjunction with the operation of the effect button ESW.

  The sub control unit 40b includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a VDP as described above. A CPU (processing unit), ROM (nonvolatile storage unit, memory), RAM (readable and writable storage unit, memory), VDP, and I / O (not shown) are connected to a BUS (not shown) composed of a plurality of bits (wiring). I / O device) is connected. Processing related to the game executed by the sub-control unit 40b is executed by the CPU operating in accordance with a program stored in advance in the ROM. When performing processing, the CPU stores various data in the RAM, reads as necessary, performs processing, and stores it again as necessary. The RAM may have received a battery backup, and in this case, the stored contents are retained even during power-off.

  The sub-control unit 40b receives the command signal from the main control unit 40, and based on the command signal, controls the production devices such as the liquid crystal display device LCD, the lamp / electric decoration 52a, the speaker 52b, the movable body 52c, and the production button ESW. Is.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the VDP. The VDP includes an interface I / F with the CPU, a drawing engine E1 that draws an image according to a command from the CPU, a video memory VRAM that stores the drawn image, and an image stored in the video memory VRAM to read the liquid crystal display device A display engine E2 for sending to the LCD is provided. Each of these elements is connected to an internal bus BUS so that data can be read from and written to each other. The interface I / F can receive data such as commands from the CPU and can also output an interrupt signal from the display engine E2 or the like to the CPU. This VDP can draw and display 60 frames per second at an XGA size resolution (1024 × 768 pixel resolution), for example.

  When drawing and displaying at 60 frames per second (= 60 fps), the time for one frame is 16.67 ms. This is referred to as frame time. Two consecutive frames are referred to as V frames. Frame × 2 = V frame × 1. The time of the V frame is 33.33 ms, and the image update rate (update frequency) is 30 fps. The frame and the V frame are a display unit and a processing unit. In the following description, the data in the frame and the V frame, the processing result (drawn image), and the image displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD are displayed. It may mean. For example, when a number (symbol) is added, such as V frame 1, it indicates a specific V frame and may mean drawing data, image data, and display data corresponding to the specific V frame.

  The liquid crystal display device LCD is controlled in three stages: drawing data (including commands for the liquid crystal display device, moving image decoding information, etc.), drawing execution based on the drawing data, and display execution of the drawn image. That is, the CPU sends drawing data to the VDP, the drawing engine E1 of the VDP executes drawing, and the display engine E2 displays an image on the liquid crystal display device LDC. These three stages of processing are executed in parallel (independently). Since three stages are required until the image is displayed, at the timing when a certain image is displayed (V frame), the drawing execution draws an image to be displayed in the next V frame, and the storage of the drawing data is performed next. The image to be displayed in the V frame is saved. This is shown in FIG.

  Whether to save drawing data, execute drawing, and execute display is determined in one cycle for one V frame. In other words, drawing data storage (first processing), drawing execution (second processing), and display execution (third processing) are each performed in units of V frames (more precisely, frames included in the V frames). Processing is performed in units. For example, when there is data input during V frame update, drawing data related to data input in one of the two frames of V frame is saved, drawn, and displayed) . Therefore, the update frequency of the liquid crystal display device LCD of this gaming machine is 30 fps. This is a principle, and fps can change depending on the processing status. This point will be described later.

  It takes a time corresponding to two V frames from saving the drawing data to executing the display. For example, in FIG. 6, the drawing data written with the code T1 is displayed with the code T3 delayed by two V frames. However, since storage of drawing data, execution of drawing, and execution of display are executed in parallel, the image on the liquid crystal display device LCD is updated in units of V frames. In the example of FIG. 6, regarding the display, the symbols T3, T4,... Are updated as V frame 1, V frame 2,.

  When the processing time required to save or execute drawing data is longer than V frames, that is, 33.33 ms or more in the above example, it is said that “processing failure” has occurred. The process failure means that the image related to the process could not be displayed because the process could not be completed within a predetermined time. When a process drop occurs, the V frame related to the process is skipped. “Skip” means that drawing is not performed or display is not performed for the V frame related to the processing failure. If display is not performed at all for one V frame, the liquid crystal display device LCD is completely white or black and unnatural, so in the skip, the image of the immediately preceding V frame is also displayed in the V frame related to the skip. It shall be.

  An example of skip will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7A shows an example in which drawing execution and display are skipped because it took time to save drawing data. In FIG. 7A, it takes time to save the drawing data of the V frame 2 of the code T2, and as a result, the process cannot be completed within the V frame of the code T2, and the process extends beyond the V frame of the code T3. For this reason, drawing cannot be performed at the start of the V frame of the code T3, and the VDC stops the drawing process based on the data of the V frame 2 at the code T3. As a result, since the image related to V frame 2 was not generated, the image of V frame 1 is also displayed at symbol T4 (the image of V frame 1 is displayed at symbol T3).

  FIG. 7B shows an example in which display is skipped because it takes time to execute drawing. In FIG. 7B, it takes time to execute the drawing of the V frame 2 of the code T3. As a result, the processing cannot be completed within the V frame of the code T3, and the V frame of the code T4 protrudes. For this reason, the image cannot be displayed at the start of the V frame of the code T4, and the VDC displays the image of the V frame 1 instead of the image of the V frame 2 at the code T4 (the image of the V frame 1 at the code T3). Is displayed).

  By the way, the skip is not preferable. Since an image that should originally be displayed (V frame 2 in the example of FIG. 7) is not displayed, a moving image is not displayed smoothly. This is particularly noticeable for images with intense motion.

  In the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, in order to improve the above-mentioned drawbacks, if a skip occurs, the image update rate (frame rate, fps) is lowered so that the subsequent skip does not occur. On the other hand, in a general gaming machine, the frame rate (fps) of the liquid crystal screen is usually constant. If fps is small, the processing load is reduced and the drawing data is also reduced. As a result, the occurrence of skip can be suppressed (skip occurs when VDP performs processing exceeding the processing capability). On the other hand, when the image update rate is lowered, the smoothness of the image is lowered. However, compared to the case where the V frame itself is lost as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of image update rate setting processing in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is for monitoring the presence / absence of skip for saving drawing data. Hereinafter, description will be added according to this figure.

S1: A standard image update rate is set.
For example, when VDP is set by the CPU, the standard image update rate = 30 fps (fps: Frame Per Second). The time required for image update at this time is Tref = 33.33 ms = 1/60.

S2: The skip count (first count value) and the non-skip count (second count value) are set to initial values (= 0), respectively.
The number of skips is a parameter for counting the number of skips. The number of non-skips is a parameter for counting the number of V frames for which skipping has not occurred. This process is performed by the CPU, for example.

S3: Save the drawing data.
This processing is performed by VDP. Since it is the same process as before, detailed description is omitted.

S4: The time Ts required for storing the drawing data is measured.

S5: The time Ts required to save the drawing data is compared with the time Tref required to update the image.
If Ts ≦ Tref, no skip occurs, so 1 is added to the non-skip count (S6). This corresponds to the state of FIG. Then, S7 and S8 are executed.
If Ts> Tref, skipping has occurred, so 1 is added to the skip count (S9). This corresponds to the state of FIG. Then, S10 and S11 are executed.

  The processes in S4 and S5 are performed in units of V frames. For example, when processing is performed for 100 V frames, if skipping occurs in one V frame and does not occur in 99 V frames, the number of skips = 1 and the number of non-skip times = 99. In short, the processing of S4 and S5 is processing for counting the occurrence of skipping, and if it is possible, there is no need to directly measure the time Ts (an example will be described later).

  The processes of S4 and S5 are performed by VDP or CPU. For example, when the skip of FIG. 7A occurs, this is detected by the VDP, and an interrupt signal is sent to the CPU, thereby causing the CPU to execute the processes of S6 to S11. Alternatively, VDP processing may be monitored by the CPU.

S7: When no skip occurs, the non-skip count is compared with a predetermined threshold (second threshold).
This process is performed by the CPU, for example.
When the non-skip count> the threshold value, the image update rate is increased (S8). Otherwise, return to S3. When the image update rate is increased, the process returns to S2, and the skip count and the non-skip count are reset to the initial values.

  The threshold value is a large value such as 1000, 10,000,. If no skip occurs for a long time, it tries to gradually increase the image update rate once lowered. With this process, the image update rate that has been lowered due to the temporary occurrence of the skip can be increased within the range where the skip does not recur (finally return to the standard image update rate).

  Furthermore, it is possible to make it higher than the standard image update rate. In S8 of FIG. 8, “60 fps, Tref = 16.67 ms is the upper limit” means that an attempt is made to increase to a preset upper limit value. Increasing the image update rate increases the possibility of skipping. When the skip occurs, the image update rate is lowered, so that the image update rate increases and decreases around the place where the skip occurs.

  S6 to S8 are so-called processing for raising the image update rate to the limit at which skipping does not occur, and dynamic image update rate changing processing. Note that S6 to S8 may not be provided, and may return to S3 when Ts ≦ Tref in S5. In this case, the image update rate once lowered due to the occurrence of skipping does not return. In order to avoid this, a timer may be started at a timing when the image update rate is lowered, and the image update rate may be returned to the standard value after measurement for a predetermined time by the timer.

S10: When skipping occurs, the skip count is compared with a predetermined threshold (first threshold).
This process is performed by the CPU, for example.
When skip count> threshold, the image update rate is lowered (S11). Otherwise, return to S3.

  The threshold is a small value of about 1, 10, 100, for example. If skipping occurs frequently, the image quality of the liquid crystal display device LCD deteriorates, so the image update rate is lowered as soon as possible. For example, in S11, the image update rate is reduced by, for example, about 10% or 20% (for example, 30 fps is reduced to 25 fps). Or you may make it reduce at a stretch to the minimum (for example, 15 fps) accept | permitted at a stretch. The former has a merit that the image update rate is lowered little by little, so that the change in image quality can be made small. On the other hand, there is a demerit that the skip may occur again. In the latter case, since the image update rate is lowered at a stretch, the possibility of skip recurrence is low, but the image quality may be greatly deteriorated.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of another image update rate setting process in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is for monitoring the presence / absence of skipping for drawing execution. FIG. 9 is almost the same as FIG. Hereinafter, the difference will be described.

S3 ': Drawing is executed.
This processing is performed by VDP. Since it is the same process as before, detailed description is omitted.

S4 ': Time Te required for drawing execution is measured.

S5 ′: The time Te required for drawing execution is compared with the time Tref required for image update.
If Te ≦ Tref, no skip has occurred, so 1 is added to the non-skip count (S6). This corresponds to the state of FIG. Then, S7 and S8 are executed.
If Te> Tref, skipping has occurred, so 1 is added to the number of skips (S9). This corresponds to the state of FIG. Then, S10 and S11 are executed.

  The processes of S4 'and S5' are performed in units of V frames. In short, the processing of S4 'and S5' is processing for counting the occurrence of skipping, and if it is possible, it is not necessary to directly measure the time Te.

  The processing of S4 'and S5' is performed by VDP or CPU. For example, when the skip of FIG. 7B occurs, this is detected by the VDP, and an interrupt signal is sent to the CPU, thereby causing the CPU to execute the processes of S6 to S11.

  Note that the processes of FIGS. 8 and 9 may be combined into one. That is, both S4 and S4 'and S5 and S5' are executed. When Ts> Tref in S5 or Te> Tref in S5 ', S9 is executed. When Ts ≦ Tref in S5 and Te ≦ Tref in S5 ′, S6 is executed.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of changes in the image update rate due to the processing of FIG. 8 or FIG.

  Assume that skipping occurs at times t1 and t2. At time t2, the number of skips = 2. If the threshold value = 1, S11 of FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 is executed, and the image update rate decreases at time t3 (in the example of FIG. 10, it becomes 15 fps).

  When no skip occurs for a long time (when the number of non-skip times exceeds a predetermined threshold), S8 of FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 is executed, and the image update rate increases at time t4 (in the example of FIG. 10). Return to 30 fps). When skipping does not occur for a longer time, the image update rate may be set higher than the standard (same as about 45 fps).

  FIG. 11 shows drawing data storage, drawing execution, and display in units of V frames in the processing of FIG. 8 or FIG. FIGS. 11A and 11B should be compared with FIGS. 7A and 7B, respectively.

  11 (a) and 11 (b), the image update rate is decreased (time Tref is increased by ΔT (> 0)). For this reason, in the case of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the processing that did not end within the V frame has been completed. Therefore, no skip occurs.

  In the image data storage of FIG. 11 (a), the amount by which the image update rate is lowered, in other words, ΔT is the amount of time required to write V frame 2 (from the time required to write V frame 2 to the V frame It may be determined based on (subtracting time). The same applies to FIG. 11B.

  According to the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention, since the process of FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 is executed, the occurrence of skip can be suppressed. In addition, when the skip does not occur, the image update rate can be increased (returned to the original). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of skip while minimizing the degradation of image quality. By reducing fps when frame skipping occurs, the processing load on the CPU can be reduced. Since the change in the image update rate can be reduced compared to skipping, the video display is not hindered.

  When the occurrence of skip can be detected by VDP, the image update rate may be lowered based on the occurrence of skip by VDP, instead of the processing of FIG. 8 or FIG. For example, it is assumed that a skip occurs when the same image is displayed in two or more V frames in VDP, in other words, when an image is not switched when moving from one V frame to the next V frame. When a skip occurs, for example, an interrupt is issued from the VDP to the CPU to notify the occurrence of the skip. In response to this, the CPU performs a process of adding 1 to the skip count. That is, instead of S4 and S5 in FIG. 8, a process of determining the occurrence of skip by the VDP and the CPU is performed. The same applies to FIG.

  8 or 9 changes the image update rate triggered by the occurrence of a skip, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 12 shows processing for setting an image update rate associated with drawing data in advance. FIG. 13 shows an example of drawing data applied to the processing of FIG.

  A description will be added to the processing of FIG.

S20: The CPU reads drawing data from the memory.
For example, data is stored in the memory in advance as shown in FIG.

S21: The image update rate associated with the read drawing data is read.
Drawing data A to G in FIG. 13 are drawing data. These consist of a plurality of frames of drawing data. For example, the drawing data A to G each include n drawing data. For example, the drawing data A is composed of n pieces of drawing data of (A (1), A (2),..., A (n)). An image update rate is associated with each of the drawing data A to G in advance. For example, image update rate data is stored at the beginning of the drawing data or following the last address of the drawing data. For example, image update rate data Afps is stored as (Afps, A (1), A (2),..., A (n)).

  For example, when drawing data A is read, 15 fps data is read as the image update rate. Similarly, data of 30 fps to 60 fps is read for the drawing data B to G.

S22: The image update rate read by the CPU is set to the VDP image update rate.
As a result, the update rate of the image displayed by the drawing data A is 15 fps, and the image data is written and drawn during 66.66 ms (the length of the V frame of the image is 66.66 ms). . Similarly, the update rate of the images of the drawing data B to G is 30 fps to 60 fps.

S23: The drawing data read by the CPU is stored in the VDP.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of drawing data applied to the processing of FIG. In this example, fps is changed according to the type of effect. Switching is usually performed according to the effect of displaying the display data updated at 30 fps. For example, a display of about 30 fps is performed when the normal reach is such that a normal player does not pay much attention, and a display of about 60 fps is displayed when a super reach such as a player such as super reach can be seen. Further, an image that a player pays attention to, such as a character, may have a high fps (for example, 30 fps), and a background or the like may have a low fps (for example, 15 fps). Note that the super reach means that an effect is executed in conjunction with the display of the conventional reach state. The super reach state is characterized in that the display time, that is, the variation time of the symbol is longer and the expectation to hit is higher than the display of the conventional reach state.

  FIG. 14 shows a timing chart when the image changes from the drawing data A to the drawing data B in FIG. Since the images T1 to T3 display the image of the drawing data A, the image update rate is 15 fps, and the images T4 to T6 display the image of the drawing data B, so the image update rate is 30 fps. A (n-2), A (n-1), and A (n) indicate the last three data of the drawing data A, and B (1), B (2),. 5) shows the first five pieces of drawing data B. In the example of FIG. 14, storage of each drawing data and drawing execution are completed within 30 fps. However, when time is required for these, there is a possibility of skipping. In order to avoid skipping, the processing in FIG. 12 may be combined with the processing in FIGS.

  The advantage of the processing of FIG. 12 is that the amount of drawing data can be reduced. For example, if the image update rate is halved, the drawing data can be halved. In other words, the period that can be displayed with the drawing data is doubled.

  Further explanation will be added with reference to FIG. FIG. 15A shows drawing data according to the embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 15B shows conventional drawing data. The conventional image update rate is assumed to be fixed at 30 fps. Further, in FIG. 15A, each drawing data displays an image for the same time. When the image update rate is halved (= 15 fps), the image display period is doubled and the drawing data is halved (drawing data A, C, and D in FIG. 15A). In FIG. 15B, if each drawing data displays an image for the same time, the display times of the images in FIGS. 15A and 15B are the same. However, the drawing data A, C, and D in FIG. 15 (a) can be half that of FIG. 15 (b). Therefore, the drawing data can be reduced by the amount of the arrow in FIG. 15 (data for 1.5 pieces of drawing data of 30 fps is reduced). In FIG. 15A, the data amount is increased by an amount corresponding to the data of the image update rate compared to FIG. 15B, but the data is only a few bytes and can be ignored compared to the drawing data. Degree.

  The image update rate may be changed based on the internal winning information of the gaming machine together with or instead of the above process. The quality of the image that the player is interested in is raised by raising the image update rate when winning a bonus or the like, and the data amount is reduced by lowering the image update rate when not winning. This processing flowchart is shown in FIG.

  A description will be added according to FIG.

S30: A standard image rate is set.
This process is the same as S1 in FIG.

S31: Internal winning information or production type information is received from the control unit 40.
Although it is one-way from the control part 40 to the sub-control part 40b, various information is sent with a command. For example, as a result of the internal lottery, a command is sent instructing that a predetermined combination (for example, a big bonus) is won or a predetermined effect is executed. By analyzing these commands or various information, it is possible to know the internal state of the gaming machine (such as winning a big bonus).

S32: It is determined whether or not it is a specific internal winning.
For example, when the big bonus is won (YES), the process of S33 is executed.

S33: Increase the image update rate.
Thereby, the quality of the image that the player is interested in can be improved.
For example, when VDP is set by the CPU, the standard image update rate is set to 60 fps, which is higher than 30 fps.

  By increasing the image update rate, the above-described effects can be achieved.

  Further, when the effect button ESW is pressed, the image update rate may be increased.

  As described above, the effect button ESW changes the aspect of the effect image displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD when pressed, and enhances the interest. The display device LCD is watched. Therefore, when the effect button ESW is pressed, a high quality image can be provided by the player by increasing the image update rate. This processing flowchart is shown in FIG.

  A description will be added according to FIG.

S40: A standard image rate is set.
This process is the same as S1 in FIG.

S41: It is determined whether or not the effect button ESW has been pressed.
When pressed (YES), the processing after S42 is executed.

S42: Increase the image update rate.
Thereby, the quality of the image which a player gazes can be raised.
This process is the same as S33 in FIG.

S43: Start a timer.

S44: It is determined whether the timer has timed out (whether a predetermined time has elapsed).
If it is timed out, the process returns to S40, and the image update rate is returned to the standard.
S43 and S44 limit the time for providing high-quality images. By limiting the time, it is possible to increase the interest of the gaming machine by pressing the effect button ESW, and to reduce the load on the CPU and VDP.

  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.

40 Control Unit 40b Sub Control Unit VDP Video Display Processor LCD Liquid Crystal Display Device ESW Production Switch E1 Drawing Engine E2 Display Engine

Claims (7)

A game comprising a control unit that executes control related to a game including an internal lottery process, a sub-control unit that executes a predetermined process based on information generated by the control unit, and a display device connected to the sub-control unit In the machine
The sub-control unit includes a CPU, a video display processor that displays an image at a predetermined image update rate on the display device based on the control of the CPU, and drawing data for drawing an image to be displayed on the display device And a memory for storing in advance,
The video display processor repeatedly operates in units of a frame time determined by the image update rate, and in one of the frame times, a first process of storing the drawing data in the video display processor, the stored drawing data A second process for executing drawing based on the image data and a third process for displaying the drawn image on the display device at the same time;
The sub-control unit
Measure the time required for the first process or the time required for the second process,
Compare the measured time with the frame time,
When at least one of the time required for the first process and the time required for the second process exceeds the frame time, a predetermined first count value is increased,
A gaming machine, wherein when the first count value exceeds a predetermined first threshold, the image update rate is lowered. The sub-control unit increases a predetermined second count value when both the time required for the first process and the time required for the second process do not exceed the frame time,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the image update rate is increased when the second count value exceeds a predetermined second threshold value. A game comprising a control unit that executes control related to a game including an internal lottery process, a sub-control unit that executes a predetermined process based on information generated by the control unit, and a display device connected to the sub-control unit In the machine
The sub-control unit includes a CPU, a video display processor that displays an image at a predetermined image update rate on the display device based on the control of the CPU, and drawing data for drawing an image to be displayed on the display device And a memory for storing in advance,
The video display processor repeatedly operates in units of a frame time determined by the image update rate, and in one of the frame times, a first process of storing the drawing data in the video display processor, the stored drawing data A second process for executing drawing based on the image data and a third process for displaying the drawn image on the display device at the same time;
When the video display processor does not switch the image when moving from one frame to the next in the third process, the video display processor interrupts the CPU,
When receiving the interrupt, the CPU increases a predetermined first count value,
A gaming machine, wherein when the first count value exceeds a predetermined first threshold, the image update rate is lowered. When the CPU does not receive the interrupt, the CPU increments a predetermined second count value in units of the frame time,
4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the image update rate is increased when the second count value exceeds a predetermined second threshold value. The memory stores data of an image update rate associated with the drawing data together with the drawing data,
When the video display processor receives the drawing data and the image update rate data from the memory, the video display processor changes the image update rate based on the image update rate data, and the video display processor changes the image update rate based on the changed image update rate. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the first process to the third process are executed in units of a frame time corresponding to an image update rate.   The CPU determines whether or not a predetermined combination is won in the internal lottery process based on information received from the control unit, and when the combination is won, the image update rate is increased. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Has a production button that is pressed by the player,
7. The CPU according to claim 1, wherein the CPU changes the aspect of the effect image displayed on the display device when the effect button is pressed, and increases the image update rate. The gaming machine described in 1.

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