JP5354513B2 - Image generating apparatus, game machine, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize varied texture animations with limited texture data. <P>SOLUTION: The image generator for generating animation images is provided with a texture data memory part 302 for storing a plurality of texture data, a texture animation control parameter memory part 303 which stores offset values which are feeding counts of textures from a texture as reference for specifying the texture data, a step value indicating feeding counts of textures per frame being matched with prescribed frames, a texture data selection part 304 which selects texture data per frame from an offset value and a step value and an image data generation part 305 for generating frame images using the texture data selected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image generation device, a game machine, and a program.

  A gaming machine (slot machine) that includes a change display section (hereinafter referred to as a reel) that changes a symbol in accordance with a lottery performed for each game, and determines the success or failure of a winning combination by a combination of symbols displayed by rotation and stop of each reel Etc.) are known.

In such a gaming machine, the production on the game board that makes the player feel the expectation and the thrill of the big hit is an important factor. In particular, since an image effect using a liquid crystal display device has a high effect, a variety of animation effects are being used. There is the use of texture animation as a method for more realistic video expression. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for realizing a CG animation having a texture animation with an emphasis on art.
JP-A-7-110873

  In the conventional texture animation, as many textures as the number of frames of animation are prepared, the necessary number of images must be prepared even if they are exactly the same image, and the data capacity is increased.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to realize various texture animations by reducing the capacity of the texture data.

  An image generation apparatus according to the present invention is an image generation apparatus that generates an animation image, and includes a texture data storage unit that stores a plurality of texture data, and the number of feeds from a reference texture that identifies the texture data. A texture animation control parameter storage unit that stores a certain offset value and a step value representing the number of texture feeds per frame in correspondence with a predetermined frame, and based on the offset value and the step value, A texture data selection unit that selects the texture data, and an image data generation unit that generates a frame image using the selected texture data.

According to the present invention, by setting an offset value or a step value for a predetermined frame, the same texture data can be reused any number of times, so there is no need to prepare as many texture data as the number of frames. The capacity of texture data can be reduced.
Moreover, it is possible to cope with various animation expressions such as slow motion and fast-forward images only by setting an offset value or a step value.

  Here, the texture data is not limited to data representing a pattern / color mapped to the model surface of the 3D image, and may include image data such as an object if it is a 3D image and sprite if it is a 2D image. .

When the offset value is set, the texture data selection unit preferably selects texture data specified by the offset value as the texture data of the corresponding frame.
When the step value is N (N is an arbitrary natural number), the texture data selection unit advances the texture by N in the next frame. When the step value is −N, the texture data selection unit The part preferably returns the texture by N in the next frame.
Furthermore, when the step value is 1 / N, it is preferable that the texture data selection unit selects the same texture data continuously for N frames.

  According to the present invention, not only positive and negative integers but also decimal numbers can be specified as step values. For example, when the step value = 0.5, the texture is incremented by 1 every two frames. That is, since the same texture is used in succession for two frames, it can be used to express slow motion or the like.

In addition, it is desirable that one or both of the offset value and the step value can be specified at random.
Thereby, for example, it is possible to effectively express how the flame flickers.

  Further, the offset value and the step value may be changed randomly without being set in advance. This is suitable for expressing, for example, how the flame flickers.

  When neither the offset value nor the step value is set, it is preferable that the texture data selection unit applies the step value specified in the previous frame.

  The texture animation control parameter storage unit may include a parameter for designating a texture display position.

The image generation apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to a gaming machine.
Here, the gaming machine is not limited, but includes, for example, pachinko machines (including first-class pachinko machines and second-class pachinko machines), rotary gaming machines (hereinafter referred to as “slot machines”), and the like.

  A program according to the present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute a function of generating an animation image, and is configured to send an offset value for specifying texture data set for a predetermined frame and a texture for each frame. Based on the step value representing the number, a function of selecting texture data for each frame and a function of generating a frame image using the selected texture data are executed.

  The program of the present invention is stored in a storage medium and distributed. Such a storage medium is a computer-readable medium such as various ROMs, USB memories equipped with flash memories, SD memories, memory sticks, memory cards, FDs, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, etc. A typical storage medium. In addition, the broad recording medium includes a transmission medium such as the Internet capable of transmitting the program. This is because the program transmitted (downloaded) through the transmission medium is stored in the memory as it is and executed by the computer.

  Hereinafter, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one applied to a gaming machine (slot machine) installed in a game hall or the like will be exemplified. The following embodiments are merely examples of application of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and can be applied in various modifications.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
The present embodiment relates to a gaming machine provided with an image generation device according to the basic configuration of the present invention.
First, the case configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, a front panel 20 is attached to a front surface portion of a housing of the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment so as to be freely opened and closed. The upper part of the front panel 20 is a display area in which an effect display device 40 having a display function is provided, and an operation unit is provided in the center.

  An effect display device 40 having a display function is provided in the upper part of the housing. The effect display device 40 is configured to include, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and is configured to be able to display images for various effects and information necessary for a game in a display area. The effect display device 40 is provided with one transparent display window 21. The area of the display window 21 is not provided with a liquid crystal for displaying an image, a member constituting the liquid crystal (such as a polarizing plate), or a circuit for controlling the liquid crystal, and transmits light. It is an area that cannot physically display an image.

  Three reels (rotating drums) are arranged in a position inside the housing and visible through the display window 21. From the left side when viewed from the front, the left reel 31L, the middle reel 31C, and the right reel 31R are arranged in this order.

  The reels 31L, 31C and 31R are formed in a ring-shaped hollow structure. The outer periphery of the reel is formed in the width of the reel tape that is affixed to the outer peripheral surface, and a plurality of openings are provided on the outer peripheral surface in accordance with the shape of the pattern printed on the reel tape. The inside of the reel is hollow, and the rotating shaft is supported by a frame extending from the outer peripheral surface.

  Each reel tape on which a winning symbol (a symbol constituting a winning combination) is printed is affixed to the outer peripheral surface of the reel. On each reel tape, for example, 21 symbols are printed at regular intervals. The arrangement of the symbols is different for each reel tape. The design of the reel tape corresponds to the opening provided on the outer peripheral surface of the reel. From the display window 21, the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are observed through the display window. The size of the display window 21 is such that three consecutive symbols in the vertical direction of the outer peripheral surface of each reel can be seen. Is set. In FIG. 1, a circle shown on the reel group 31 (meaning a group of reels 31L, 31C, and 31R) represents one symbol.

  Stepping motors (not shown) are connected to the respective rotation shafts of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R. This stepping motor is capable of rotating the reels 31L, 31C and 31R at an arbitrary speed or stopping at an arbitrary angle (position). When each reel rotates, the symbols of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are visually recognized as moving up and down in the display window 21.

  A back lamp (not shown) is provided inside the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R. Three back lamps are arranged for each reel, and light is emitted through the openings on the outer peripheral surface of the reel for a total of nine symbols visible from the display window 21 when the reels are stopped.

  A broken line on the display window 21 shown in FIG. 1 indicates an effective line group 22 including effective lines 22a, 22b, and 22c. The effective line group 22 includes a horizontal effective line 22a in the horizontal direction, two effective lines 22b in the upper and lower horizontal directions, and two effective lines 22c in the diagonally downward and leftward directions. ing. The symbols attached to the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are spaced so that all nine symbols visible from the display window 21 are positioned on these effective line groups 22 when the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are stopped. Is arranged in.

  A medal slot 23 is provided at a position corresponding to the lower right side of the effect display device 40 in the center of the casing of the slot machine 10. When medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 23, one to five lines of the effective lines 22a, 22b and 22c are activated according to the number of inserted medals. That is, the inserted medals are collected as a consideration for the game. When one inserted medal is used, one effective line 22a is effective. When two medals are inserted, three effective lines 22a and 22b in the horizontal direction are effective. Is effective, and in addition to three, in addition to the two effective lines 22c in the diagonal direction, a total of five effective lines 22a to 22c become effective. These controls are performed by a later-described main CPU (central processing unit) 51 (see FIG. 2). For example, when three medals are inserted, if a combination of specific symbols is stopped on at least one of the effective lines 22a to 22c when the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are stopped, the combination is selected. It will be a prize for the corresponding role.

  Various operation switches operated by the player are provided at the center of the housing. For example, in this embodiment, a start switch 41, a stop switch group 42, and a bet switch group 43 are provided.

  The start switch 41 is configured as a switch operated by the player when starting the rotation of the reels 31L, 31C and 31R, for example, a lever. The stop switch group 42 includes a left stop switch 42L that is operated when stopping the left reel 31L, a middle stop switch 42C that is operated when stopping the middle reel 31C, and a right stop that is operated when stopping the right reel 31R. Switch 42R. These stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R are juxtaposed as buttons, for example.

  The bet switch group 43 is a switch group for designating the number of bets (the number of bets) when the player inserts a medal in the credit. The bet switch group 43 includes a 1-bet / 2-bet switch 43a and a MAX bet switch (3-bet switch) 43b. It is configured. These bet switches 43a and 43b are also arranged as buttons, for example. When the 1-bet / 2-bet switch 43a is operated, one or two medals are bet (collected as a consideration for the game), and when the MAX bet switch 43b is operated, the maximum bet number of three A medal is bet. That is, the number of bets designated by operating the bet switch group 43 is collected from the number of medals that are credited, and the credit is subtracted by the number of bets.

  Further, a medal payout opening 90 is provided in the lower central portion of the housing, and speakers 71 are provided on both sides of the medal payout opening 90. During the game (game), various effects, for example, lighting of a back lamp, image display using the effect display device 40, output of sound from the speaker 71, and the like are performed. Further, as such an effect, there is a case where a notification effect of the possibility of winning is performed.

An outline of the normal game executed in the slot machine having these configurations will be briefly described.
In the slot machine 10, when a player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 23 or operates the bet switch group 43, the effective lines 22a to 22c are activated according to the number of bets.

  When the player who has designated the bet number operates the start switch 41, a winning combination according to the bet number is performed and the reels 31L, 31C and 31R start to rotate. When the player operates the stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R, the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R stop rotating according to the operated button. At this time, if the lottery result of the combination being performed simultaneously with the operation of the start switch 41 is a winning combination, the combination of symbols arranged on the activated effective line group 22 is a predetermined combination of combinations. The reels are controlled so as to match the combination of symbols, and medals are paid out according to the winning combination.

(System configuration)
Next, a system configuration such as an internal configuration of the slot machine 10 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the slot machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Inside the casing of the slot machine 10, a main control board 50, a sub control board 60, a reel board 11, a central display board 12, and a power supply board 13 connected to the main control board 50 are arranged.

(Main control board 50)
The main control board 50 is provided with a main CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, and interface circuit (I / F circuit) 54, which are connected to each other via a bus 55.

  The main CPU 51 reads (fetches), interprets (decodes), and executes instructions constituting the program. The main CPU 51 reads out programs, data, and the like stored in the ROM 52, and controls the entire slot machine 10 based on these.

  The ROM 52 stores software programs and data necessary for lottery processing and other game controls based on operations as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The RAM 53 is used when the main CPU 51 performs various controls, and is configured to be able to temporarily store data and the like.

  The I / F circuit 54 performs timing control and the like when signals are transmitted and received between the main control board 50, the sub control board 60, the reel board 11, the central display board 12, and the power supply board 13. It is like that. However, transmission of signals from the main control board 50 to the sub control board 60 is performed between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 60, but transmission of signals from the sub control board 60 to the main control board 50 is not performed. It is configured not to be performed.

(Sub control board 60)
The sub control board 60 includes a sub CPU 61, ROM 62, RAM 63, interface circuit (I / F circuit) 69, image control unit 64, image data ROM 65a, RAM 65b, video RAM 66, tone generator circuit 67a, sound ROM 67b, amplifier 68, and the like. Is provided. The image control unit 64 includes a CPU 64a and a VDP (Video Display Processor) 64b.
The sub CPU 61 and the CPU 64 a of the image control unit 64 are connected to each other via the bus 70. The image data ROM 65a and the RAM 65b are connected to the CPU 64a, the video RAM 66 is connected to the VDP 64b, and the amplifier 68 is connected to the sound source circuit 67a.

  The sub CPU 61 reads (fetches), interprets (decodes) and executes instructions constituting the program. Then, the sub CPU 61 reads a program, data, and the like stored in the ROM 62, and controls the sub control board 60 as a whole, particularly selecting an effect pattern for the player, sending a command to the CPU 64a of the image control unit 64, and the like. It is like that. Note that there are no restrictions on the processing capability or development language of the sub CPU 61.

  In the ROM 62, the sub CPU 61 stores software programs and data necessary for effects during the game. The RAM 63 is used when the sub CPU 61 performs various controls, and is configured to be able to temporarily store data and the like.

  The sub CPU 61, ROM 62, and RAM 63 have the same functions as the main CPU 51, ROM 52, and RAM 53 provided on the main control board 50, respectively. Note that the ROM 62 and the RAM 63 may be the same as the ROM 52 and the RAM 53, respectively, but those having a larger capacity may be used.

  The I / F circuit 69 performs timing control and the like when receiving a signal from the main control board 50. As described above, the signal is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the sub control board 60, but the signal is not transmitted from the sub control board 60 to the main control board 50. That is, only one-way transmission is possible.

  The CPU 64a of the image control unit 64 reads (fetches), interprets (decodes), and executes instructions constituting the program. Then, the CPU 64a reads a program, data, and the like stored in the image data ROM 65a in accordance with a command given from the sub CPU 61, and performs control for displaying an image according to the effect. The image data ROM 65a stores original image data for generating image data such as characters, characters, and backgrounds displayed on the effect display device 40.

  The VDP 64b is responsible for overall video output to the effect display device 40, and under the control of the CPU 64a, generates frame image data based on the original image data transferred from the image data ROM 65a and develops it in the video RAM 66. I do.

  The video RAM 66 is a memory used when the VDP 64b creates an image to be displayed on the effect display device 107, and can store a plurality of frame image data.

  The sound source circuit 67a includes a sound generation circuit for a predetermined number of channels, for example, eight sound source channels, and can simultaneously reproduce frames for the number of sound source channels. The sound source circuit 67a is controlled by an effect pattern selection command output from the CPU 64a. When the tone generator circuit 67a receives an effect pattern selection command or the like output from the CPU 64a, the tone generator circuit 67a reads the tone generator data of the tone generator channel corresponding to this command from the sound ROM 67b and synthesizes them, and generates them separately for the R channel and L channel. Then, D / A conversion is performed and an analog sound signal is output. The amplifier 68 amplifies the analog sound signals of the R and L channels and outputs them from the speaker 71 as musical sounds.

  Here, between the sub CPU 61 and the CPU 64a of the image control unit 64, not only transmission of signals from the sub CPU 61 to the CPU 64a but also transmission of signals from the CPU 64a to the sub CPU 61 are performed. Specifically, various commands and data are transmitted from the sub CPU 61 to the CPU 64a, and detection results of various check errors (parity error, check sum error, etc.) are transmitted from the CPU 64a to the sub CPU 61.

(Reel board 11)
A stepping motor (not shown) for driving the left reel 31L, the middle reel 31C, and the right reel 31R is connected to the reel substrate 11. Each stepping motor is further connected to the rotation shafts of these reels 31L, 31C and 31R. Control signals for controlling the operations of the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are supplied from the main CPU 51 to the reel substrate 11.

(Central display board 12)
The central display substrate 12 is attached to, for example, a central portion on the back side of the front panel 20.
The central display board 12 includes a selector 81, a 1-bet / 2-bet switch 43a, a MAX bet switch (3-bet switch) 43b, a start switch (lever) 41, a left stop switch (button) 42L, and a middle stop switch (button) 42C. A right stop switch (button) 42R, a setting display section 82, and a setting change switch 83 are connected.

  The selector 81 is configured to identify whether or not the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 23 is a genuine one, and to eliminate an illegal medal. The setting display unit 82 is arranged so as to be visible from the back side of the front panel 20, and displays settings relating to probability and payout (for example, settings 1 to 6). The setting change switch 83 is a switch operated when changing the setting related to the probability and the payout.

(Power supply board 13)
A setting change enabling switch 91, a power switch 92, a hopper device 93, and a power device 94 are connected to the power device board 13.
The setting change enable switch 91 is a switch that is operated when a setting change using the setting change switch 83 is enabled. That is, the setting change using the setting change switch 83 can be performed only when the setting change enable switch 91 is in the ON state. The power switch 92 is a switch for switching on / off the power supply device 94. The hopper device 93 is a device for storing and paying out medals. Based on an instruction from the main CPU 51 via the power supply device board 13, a predetermined number of medals are stored in the medal payout opening 90 from medals stored in advance. It comes to pay out.

(Function block on main control board)
Next, a functional configuration of the main control board 50 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the main control board 50.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, for example, the main CPU 51 executes a program recorded in the ROM 52, whereby the following control unit 101, role lottery unit 103, reel control unit 106, winning determination unit 107. The gaming state control unit 108 and the payout control unit 109 are functionally realized. For example, the RAM 53 functions as the following flag information storage unit 105, and the following lottery table 102 data is stored in the ROM 52, for example.

(Role lottery section 103)
The role lottery unit 103 is a functional block for performing lottery of a role (special role, small role, replay, etc.). The combination lottery unit 103 obtains one random number after generating a random number internally for each game, refers to the lottery table 102 stored in the ROM 52, and determines the combination of the combination based on the area to which the acquired random number belongs. The presence / absence of winning and the winning combination are determined.

  For example, the role lottery unit 103 performs a lottery when the start switch 41 is operated, and determines whether the “game” is “winning” or “losing” and “winning” when it is “winning”. decide. That is, the role lottery unit 103 generates a random number within a predetermined range (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal notation) when the start switch 41 is pressed, and the predetermined lot is selected when the predetermined condition is satisfied. Get a random value. In the lottery table 102, a special role winning area, a small role winning area, a replay winning area, a non-winning area (losing) area, and the like are set at a predetermined ratio with respect to random numbers that can be acquired by the role lottery unit 103. ing.

  Furthermore, if the winning lottery unit 103 “wins” the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R after having pressed each of the stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R, an arrangement of symbols representing the winning combination. The stop is controlled so that the winning combination is won. Further, when the lottery result is “losing” (non-winning), stop control is performed so that the symbol arrangement does not represent any combination. In any case, the stop symbol does not change even if the pressing timing of the stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R is changed.

The lottery performed by the combination lottery unit 103 may determine the winning combination by performing one lottery for one game, but may be configured to perform multiple lotteries. Good.
In addition to the configuration led by the role lottery unit 103 in which a lottery is performed at the timing of pressing the start switch 41 or the stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R and the lottery result is determined, the reels can be operated without any special pull-in operation. The group 31 may be stopped, and as a result, the winning determination unit 107 may detect the positions where the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are stopped, and determine whether there is a winning or a winning combination. In this case, there is no concept of lottery or winning combination, and the combination lottery unit 103 may not exist. Further, depending on the type of game, whether or not the role lottery unit 103 is led, that is, whether to make a lottery or make a winning determination by reel may be switched.

(Control unit 101)
The control unit 101 is a central functional block that controls the operation timing of the combination lottery unit 103, the reel control unit 106 and the winning determination unit 107, which will be described later.
For example, on the condition that the start switch 41 is operated, the control unit 101 causes the combination lottery unit 103 to perform combination lottery, causes the reel control unit 106 to start the rotation of the reel group 31, and the stop switch. The reel control unit 106 is controlled to stop the reel group 31 on the condition that the group 42 has been operated, and further, the winning determination unit 107 performs the winning determination on the condition that the reel group 31 has stopped. It is.
Note that the operation of the control unit 101 is not limited to these, and governs general control required for the main control board 50.

(Flag information storage unit 105)
The flag information storage unit 105 is configured to be able to store the type of the winning combination and the fact that the flag is turned on when a flag for a certain combination is turned on by the lottery result of the combination lottery unit 103.

(Reel control unit 106)
The reel control unit 106 is a functional block that controls the rotation and stop of the reel group 31 (reels 31L, 31C, and 31R) based on an instruction from the control unit 101.
More specifically, the reel control unit 106 has a gaming state (for example, a normal gaming state, a special gaming state, etc.), a lottery result by the combination lottery unit 103, and a stop switch group 42 (stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R). Based on the operated timing, etc., the stop positions of the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are determined, and the driving of the stepping motor is controlled to stop the rotation of the reels 31L, 31C and 31R at the determined positions. It has become.

  For example, if the winning lottery unit 103 results in “losing” and no winning combination is won, each reel is set so that the combination of symbols of any winning combination is not stopped on the activated effective line. The stop positions of 31L, 31C and 31R are determined, and each reel is stopped at the determined position. On the other hand, if a winning combination is selected for a certain role, the symbol combination is determined so that the winning symbol combination is stopped on the active line that is active, and the symbol combination is valid at that time. The stop positions of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are determined so as to appear in the effective lines, and each reel is stopped at the determined position.

In particular, when the special combination is “winned”, the stop combinations of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are controlled so that the combination of the special combination symbols is stopped on the active line that is enabled (for example, (Within 4 symbols), pull-in control is performed so that the symbols related to the special role are aligned as much as possible. However, even if the special role is “winned”, the combination of symbols of the special role will not stop on the activated active line when “winning” for a small role or replay. Then, stop positions of the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are determined, and stop control is performed.
Such control when stopping the reels 31L, 31C and 31R may be performed using a reel control table.

(Winning determination unit 107)
The winning determination unit 107 is a functional block for determining the final winning state.
The winning determination unit 107 determines whether or not a combination of symbols in the active line group 22 is arranged in any of the active lines that are active, and if there is an in-line combination, it is determined in the game. It is determined that the winning combination has been won. The lottery of the combination is determined in advance by the combination lottery unit 103. However, when a mechanical reel is used, the reel may not be stopped as scheduled, so the position of the finally stopped reel is detected. Because you have to do it.

  The winning determination unit 107 determines a symbol positioned on the active line by detecting, for example, an angle at the time when the stepping motor is stopped, the number of steps, and the like, and based on this, determines the presence / absence of a winning combination.

  Instead of pre-determining a combination by the combination lottery unit 103 and stopping the reels 31L, 31C and 31R together, the reels are stopped one after another at a retractable position, and finally the actual reels 31L, The positions of 31C and 31R may be detected, and the winning determination unit 107 may determine the combination of symbols and determine the combination.

(Game state control unit 108)
The gaming state control unit 108 is a functional block for controlling the special game from the next game until the predetermined end condition is satisfied when the winning determination unit 107 has won a special role as a result of the determination. It is.

  For example, the game state control unit 108 causes the reel control unit 106 to perform reel control for special games according to the lottery result of the role lottery unit 103 during the special game, or causes the sub control board 60 to perform special game effects. Or let it be done.

(Payout control unit 109)
The payout control unit 109 is a functional block for causing the hopper device 93 to pay out medals according to the winning combination as a result of the determination by the winning determination unit 107.

(Functional block on sub control board)
Next, a functional configuration of the sub control board 60 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the sub control board 60.
The sub-control board 60 includes an effect control unit 201, an effect pattern storage unit 202, and an image control unit 260.

  The effects implemented by the sub-control board 60 are effects by an image displayed in the image display area around the display window 21 by the effect display device 40 and effects by sound generated from the speaker 71. Unlike the operations on the main control board 50, these effects do not change the direction of the game itself, such as a lottery of a role. However, the effects of the images and sounds give the player a stimulus and win the prize. It plays an important role in raising expectations and eliminating monotony.

(Production control unit 201)
The effect control unit 201 is functionally realized by the sub CPU 61 executing a computer readable program recorded in the ROM 62. The effect control unit 201 is a command that represents a lottery result (such as a small role winning or a big win) that is output from the role lottery unit 103 of the main control board 50, or a player's operation content (an operation of hitting a lever or an operation of pressing a stop switch). And the like, and an effect pattern corresponding to the received command is selected from the effect pattern storage unit 202 and transferred to the image control unit 260, or the received command is transferred to the image control unit 260 as it is. Or
Specifically, when a command representing the lottery result of the winning combination is received from the main control board 50, the lottery result (such as small winning combination) is selected from the effect pattern storage unit 202 in which a plurality of effect patterns are stored. The selected effect pattern is selected, and the selected effect pattern is sent to the image control unit 260.
On the other hand, when a command representing the pressing operation of each stop switch is received from the main control board 50, the type of the stop switch (left, middle, right, etc.) and the operation content (stop operation) are sent to the image control unit 260. .

(Production pattern storage unit 202)
The effect pattern storage unit 202 stores a plurality of effect patterns corresponding to each command, and specifically stores a management table in which a lottery result (such as a small role winning or a big hit) and an effect pattern are associated with each other. .

(Image control unit 260)
The image control unit 260 is functionally realized by the CPU 64a or the like of the image control unit 64 executing a computer-readable program recorded in the image data ROM 65a. The image control unit 260 controls an image displayed on the effect display device 40 in accordance with an effect pattern sent from the effect control unit 201 and a state command representing the operation content of the player, and controls a musical sound output from the speaker 71. To do.

FIG. 5 shows functional blocks obtained by dividing the image control unit 260 from functional aspects.
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image control unit 260.
As shown in the figure, the image control unit 260 includes an object data storage unit 301, a texture data storage unit 302, a texture animation control parameter storage unit 303, a texture data selection unit 304, an image data generation unit 305, an image data storage unit 306, A display control unit 307 is provided.

  In the above configuration, the object data storage unit 301, the texture data storage unit 302, and the texture animation control parameter storage unit 303 correspond to the image data ROM 65a. The image data storage unit 306 corresponds to the video RAM 66. The texture data selection unit 304, the image data generation unit 305, and the display control unit 307 are functionally realized by the image control unit 64.

(Object data storage unit 301)
The object data storage unit 301 stores object data that is original data of modeling conversion for generating a stereoscopic image such as a decorative design. The object data includes numerical information that defines the shape and arrangement of each object displayed in the virtual three-dimensional space. The contents of the object data are determined according to the modeling method. For example, when a surface model is used, one object data is a set of vertex coordinates of each polygon constituting the object when the reference coordinates preset for each object are used as the origin. Therefore, if each polygon is arranged at a relative position from the reference coordinates, the outer shape of the object is defined. The relative position (shape, orientation, size) of the polygon in the local coordinate system of each object is three-dimensionally defined by the object data.

(Texture data storage unit 302)
The texture data storage unit 302 stores a plurality of texture data assigned serial numbers.
Texture data is data that defines a texture that is mapped (expanded or pasted) to an object to be displayed. Texture is data relating to a pattern, transparency, and color mapped to the surface of an object or polygon that is a set of vertex coordinates. The texture data is image data created at a predetermined resolution for representing a pattern or the like, for example, bitmap data. In order to paste a texture onto a predetermined polygon, mapping processing is performed on the texture data by performing predetermined image conversion, for example, affine conversion, and expanding (expanding / reducing / deforming) the texture into a polygon shape. By changing the texture data used for each frame, a continuous animation image with a texture is formed.

  In addition to the premise that texture data is mapped to polygons, the texture data includes sprites, that is, bitmap data for images that are directly arranged in a developed two-dimensional image as a single picture. . Such a sprite is suitable for displaying an image that does not require a three-dimensional effect. However, since it can be used as a part of the object, a part of the object described above may be configured by the sprite.

(Texture animation control parameter storage unit 303)
The texture animation control parameter storage unit 303 stores an offset value that is set in correspondence with a predetermined frame and that specifies a sequential number of texture data, and a step value that represents the number of texture feeds per frame. .
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the texture animation control parameter storage unit 303. As shown in the figure, either or both of an offset value and a step value are set for a specific frame number. The offset value and step value need not be set for all frames.

(Texture data selection unit 304)
The texture data selection unit 304 is a functional block that selects texture image data for each frame based on an offset value and a step value set corresponding to the predetermined frame.

(Image data generation unit 305)
The image data generation unit 305 generates frame image data to be displayed on the effect display device 40 based on the effect pattern supplied from the effect control unit 201. More specifically, the image data generation unit 305 first reads out the object data specified according to the effect pattern and the like from the object data storage unit 301 for each frame period, and generates a polygon model corresponding to each effect object. Then, the image data generation unit 305 reads the texture data selected by the texture data selection unit 304 from the texture data storage unit 302, performs affine transformation on the texture data, and maps the texture to each polygon constituting the polygon model. .

(Image data storage unit 306)
The image data storage unit 306 stores the frame image data generated by the image data generation unit 305.

(Display control unit 307)
The display control unit 307 transfers the frame image data to the effect display device 40 at each drawing timing. Based on the transferred frame image data, the effect display device 40 displays an image corresponding to the frame image data in the display area.

  Although the functional configurations of the main control board 50 and the sub control board 60 have been described above, functions other than the functions described above may be provided.

(Operation on the main control board)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing control by the main control board 50.
When a player inserts a medal and the start switch 41 is operated, the control unit 101 detects that the start switch 41 is turned on, and the combination lottery unit 103 performs a combination lottery process (step S101, Step S102). On the other hand, when the start switch 41 is not operated by the player and it is not possible to detect that the start switch 41 is turned on, the control unit 101 performs step S101 until it detects that the start switch 41 is turned on. Repeat the process.

  In the combination lottery process in step S102, the combination lottery unit 103 acquires a random number and performs a combination lottery process by comparing the acquired random number with the lottery table. As a result of the lottery, when any winning combination is won, the winning combination flag is turned on in the flag information storage unit 105. The lottery result by the combination lottery unit 103 is transmitted as winning combination information to the sub-control board 60 via the I / F circuit 54 (step S103).

  The reel control unit 106 determines whether any one of the stop switch groups 42 has been operated (step S104). When any one of the stop switches is operated (step S104; YES), reel control is performed so that the winning combination can be won, and the rotation of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch is stopped (step S104). S105).

  If no winning combination has been won in the winning lottery process in step S102 (when “losing” occurs), the reel control unit 106 has not won any winning combination in step S105. The reel control corresponding to is performed.

  Subsequently, the reel control unit 106 determines whether all the stop switches are operated and all the reels are stopped (step S106). When all the reels have not stopped yet (step S106 / NO), the processing from the detection processing of presence / absence of the stop switch operation in step S104 is repeated.

  When all the reels are stopped (step S106 / YES), the winning determination unit 107 determines the presence / absence of winning based on the combination of symbols arranged on the activated effective line (step S107). As a result, if there is any winning (step S107 / YES), a winning process corresponding to the winning combination is executed (step S108).

Specifically, when the winning combination is a “special combination”, the game state control unit 108 performs a transition process for executing the “special game” from the next game until a predetermined end condition is satisfied.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S107 that there is no winning (step S107 / NO), the process returns to step S101.

  Subsequently, during the “special game”, the game state control unit 108 gives the reel control unit 106 a “special game” so as to provide the player with a game state corresponding to the big bonus or regular bonus that is the “special role”. In addition to the internal reel control, the sub-control board 60 is caused to perform an effect for “special game”. When the specified number of games of the big bonus or the regular bonus is finished, a process of shifting to the “normal game” is performed.

  On the other hand, when the winning combination is not “special combination”, if the flag of the special combination is stored in the flag information storage unit 105 in the ON state, the storage state of the flag in the flag information storage unit 105 is determined in the next game. Carried over.

  When the winning combination is “small role”, the gaming state control unit 108 performs reel control so that symbols such as bells are aligned on the active line, and the sub-control board 60 is used for “small role”. Production of a production or a small role announcement (display of a notification object, etc.) is performed. When the winning combination is “replay”, the winning determination unit 107 causes the control unit 101 to carry over the bet (the number of bets) in the game to the next game, and even if the winning combination is “special combination”, “ If it is not “Replay”, the payout control unit 109 causes the hopper device 93 to pay out the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination.

(Operation of image control unit on sub control board)
Next, image generation processing will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. This process is mainly executed in the image control unit 260 of the sub control board 60.
First, the image control unit 260 determines whether or not it is a drawing timing in step S201. The drawing timing is, for example, the timing at which the image control unit 260 receives an effect pattern from the effect control unit 201, and is set in time for the next frame image data update process. The drawing timing may be set every frame period, or may be set every one or more frame periods.

  When it is determined that it is not yet the drawing timing (NO), the process proceeds to step S207, and the image control unit 260 continues the display control based on the frame image data at the previous drawing timing.

  If it is determined in step S201 that the drawing timing has been reached (YES), the image data generation unit 305 acquires object data from the object data storage unit 301 in step S202, and in the virtual three-dimensional space defined by the world coordinate system. Determine the placement of objects. Specifically, modeling conversion calculation is performed on the vertex coordinates of each polygon constituting the object, and polygon coordinates in the world coordinate system are determined.

  Next, in step S203, the image data generation unit 305 converts the arrangement of each object defined in the world coordinate system into a viewpoint coordinate system based on the viewpoint set based on the effect pattern. By this conversion, the arrangement of each object is defined in a coordinate system in which the viewpoint position is the origin (0, 0, 0) and the depth direction is the Z-axis direction.

  Next, in step S204, the image data generation unit 305 performs perspective projection conversion. By performing perspective projection conversion, two-dimensional coordinates corresponding to an actual display image are determined from information in the three-dimensional viewpoint coordinate system. In perspective projection conversion, coordinates are determined so that an object closer to the viewpoint C is displayed larger and a object displayed farther is displayed smaller. Therefore, if the distance from the viewpoint C of the same object changes, the actual display size will be It will change.

  In step S <b> 205, the texture data selection unit 304 refers to the texture animation control parameter storage unit 303 and determines whether an offset value is set for the frame. When an offset value is set (YES), texture data sent by the offset value from the reference texture data, that is, the number of sequential numbers, is acquired from the texture data storage unit 302 (step S207). The example of the texture animation control parameter storage unit 303 illustrated in FIG. 8 will be described. For example, in frame 3, since the offset value = 5 is set, the texture data selection unit 304 is assigned the serial number 5. Select a texture.

  If it is determined in step S205 that the offset value is not set (NO), the texture data selection unit 304 determines the texture data to be selected based on the current step value (step S206). Here, the current step value is the latest step value updated before the previous frame image data generation. Referring to the example shown in FIG. 8, for example, in frame 3, the latest step value updated until the previous frame image data generation is the step value “1” updated in frame 0. . The texture data selection unit 304 calculates a number (in this case, the previous number + 1) that is changed by the step value from the texture number used in the previous frame image data generation. Next, in step S207, texture data corresponding to the calculated number is acquired from the texture data storage unit 302.

  Next, in step S208, the texture data selection unit 304 refers to the texture animation control parameter storage unit 303, and determines whether or not a step value is set for the frame. When the step value is set (YES), the current step value is updated with the step value (step S209). When the step value is not set (NO), the current step value is not updated, and texture data calculated with the same step value is selected.

  Next, in step S210, the image data generation unit 305 performs affine transformation on the texture data acquired in step S207, and maps the texture to each polygon constituting the polygon model. Further, necessary hidden line removal processing, hidden surface removal processing, texture mapping processing, shading processing, and the like are performed to generate frame image data and store it in the image data storage unit 306.

  Finally, in step S <b> 211, the display control unit 307 acquires frame image data from the image data storage unit 306 and outputs it to the effect display device 40.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining image generation processing according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 shows an example in which the texture animation control parameter storage unit 303 shown in FIG. 8 is used. First, since the offset value = 0 and the step value = 1 are set for the frame 0 (F0), the texture (TEX00) is used for the frame 0, and the step value = 1 is set. When no offset value is set for frame 0, offset value = 0 is applied as the default initial value, and when no step value is set, step value = 1 is applied as the default initial value. It may be. Next, since the offset value is not set when generating the image data of frame 1 (F1), if the number 0 of the texture (TEX00) used last time is changed by the current step value (+1), it becomes 1. Select a texture (TEX01). Furthermore, since no step value is set, the step value is not updated.

Similarly, since no offset value is set when the image data of frame 2 (F2) is generated, the texture (TEX02) is selected by advancing by the step value (+1). At the time of generating the image data of the frame 3 (F3), since the offset value = 5 is set, the texture (TEX05) is selected. When the image data of frame 4 (F4) is generated, there is no offset value setting, so the texture (TEX06) is selected by advancing by the step value (+1).
At the time of generating the image data of frame 5 (F5), no offset value is set, so the texture (TEX07) is selected by advancing by the step value (+1). Further, since the step value = −2 is set in the frame 5, the step value is updated.
In frame 6 (F6), since no offset value is set, the texture (TEX05) is selected by changing the step value (-2).
Thereafter, texture data in each frame is selected in the same manner.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the same texture data can be used any number of times by setting an offset value or a step value for a predetermined frame. There is no need to prepare, and the capacity of the texture data can be reduced.

  Moreover, it is possible to cope with various animation expressions such as slow motion and fast-forward images only by setting an offset value or a step value.

  Note that what can be set as the step value is not limited to a positive or negative integer as shown in the example of FIG. 8, but a decimal number can also be specified. For example, when the step value = 0.5, the texture is incremented by 1 every two frames. That is, since the same texture is used in succession for two frames, it can be used to express slow motion or the like.

  Further, the offset value and the step value may be changed randomly without being set in advance. This is suitable for expressing, for example, how the flame flickers.

  The texture animation control parameter storage unit 303 may store the coordinates of the texture display position as a parameter, and the texture display position may be set as a parameter.

10A to 10D are diagrams illustrating examples of animation generated by the present embodiment.
FIG. 10A shows an example in the case of generating an animation image representing how the robot lands. Here, they are displayed in the order of TEX01 to TEX05.
FIG. 10B is an animation that similarly shows how the robot lands, but TEX05 is displayed in frame 2 because offset = 5 is set in frame 2. For this reason, the generated animation is an image obtained by skipping the posture image (TEX03, TEX04) of the robot.
FIG. 10C shows a case where an animation representing how the robot jumps is generated. In this case, since offset = 5 and step value = −1 are set in the first frame 0, they are displayed in the order of TEX05 to TEX01, that is, in the reverse order to FIG. 10A.
FIG. 10D generates an animation representing how the robot bends and stretches. In this case, since the offset of frame 0 is set to 3, they are displayed in the order of TEX03, 04, 05 (the operation of extending the knee). Further, since the step value = −1 is set in the frame 2, the display is performed in this order of TEX04, 03 (operation of bending the knee). Further, since the step value = 1 is set in the frame 4, they are displayed again in the order of TEX03, 04, 05. Thus, by changing the step value in the middle, it is possible to express a repetitive motion such as a flexion and extension motion with only three textures.
As described above with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10D, according to the present embodiment, various animations can be generated using a small number of textures.

(Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the slot machine (dedicated machine) has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be realized by other hardware.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a simulation apparatus capable of executing the same game as the slot machine according to the present invention on the screen (pseudo game).
The simulation device 500 is, for example, a personal computer, a game machine, a mobile phone, or a PDA, and includes a control device 510, a display device 520, and an input device 530.

The control device 510 includes a CPU 510a, a ROM 510b, a RAM 510c, and the like, and centrally controls each part of the simulation device 500 by executing various control programs stored in a memory such as the ROM 510b. The memory of the control device 510 stores a simulation program for performing a pseudo game on the screen of the display device 520. The simulation program is installed through various storage media such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, and a semiconductor memory, and from a server equipped with the simulation program via a network (such as the Internet or an intranet) or a communication interface (not shown). Can be downloaded.
The display device 520 is composed of a CRT, a liquid crystal panel, and the like, and displays an image representing each element constituting the slot machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, for example, a character displayed on the effect display device 40, a game value, and the like.

The input device 530 includes a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and implements functions such as a start switch 41, a stop switch group 42, and a bet switch group 43 that constitute the slot machine 1. Specifically, by operating the input device 530 by the player, a reel rotation start / stop operation and the like are performed in the pseudo game.
According to the simulation program described above, since the same game as the gaming machine according to the present invention can be realized by a simulation device such as a personal computer or a mobile phone, the player can enjoy a pseudo game by using the simulation device. it can.

Front view of the slot machine according to the present embodiment The block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the slot machine which concerns on this embodiment Functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the main control board Functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sub-control board Functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image controller Flowchart showing the control of the main control board in this embodiment Flowchart for explaining image generation processing according to this embodiment The figure which shows the example of the data stored in the texture animation control parameter memory | storage part The figure explaining the image generation process by this embodiment The figure which shows the example of the animation produced | generated by this embodiment The figure which shows the example of the animation produced | generated by this embodiment The figure which shows the example of the animation produced | generated by this embodiment The figure which shows the example of the animation produced | generated by this embodiment The block diagram which shows the structure of the simulation apparatus which concerns on a modification.

Explanation of symbols

10 slot machine 21 display window 31 reel 31L left reel 31C middle reel 31R right reel 40 effect display device 50 main control board 51 main CPU
52, 62 ROM
53, 63 RAM
54, 69 I / F circuit 60 Sub control board 101 Control unit 102 Lottery table 103 Role lottery unit 105 Flag information storage unit 106 Reel control unit 107 Winning determination unit 108 Game state control unit 201 Production control unit 202 Production pattern storage unit 260 Image Control unit 301 Object data storage unit 302 Texture data storage unit 303 Texture animation control parameter storage unit 304 Texture data selection unit 305 Image data generation unit 306 Image data storage unit 307 Display control unit

Claims (9)

An image generation device for generating an animation image,
A texture data storage unit for storing a plurality of texture data;
A texture that specifies the texture data and stores an offset value, which is the number of feeds from a texture serving as a reference, and a step value representing the number of feeds of texture for each frame in association with a predetermined frame for each animation image An animation control parameter storage unit;
A texture data selection unit that selects texture data for each frame based on the offset value and the step value;
An image data generation unit that generates a frame image using the selected texture data;
An image generation apparatus comprising:   The texture data selection unit, when the offset value is set, selects texture data specified by the offset value as texture data of a corresponding frame. Image generation device. When the step value is N (N is an arbitrary natural number), the texture data selection unit advances the texture by N in the next frame,
3. The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the step value is −N, the texture data selection unit returns the texture by N in the next frame.   4. The image according to claim 1, wherein when the step value is 1 / N, the texture data selection unit selects the same texture data continuously for N frames. 5. Generator.   5. The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the offset value and the step value can be specified at random.   The texture data selection unit applies the step value specified in the previous frame when neither the offset value nor the step value is set. An image generation apparatus according to any one of the above.   The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the texture animation control parameter storage unit includes a parameter for designating a texture display position. A gaming machine that changes the progress of the game according to the lottery result,
A gaming machine comprising the image generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. On the computer,
A program for executing a function of generating an animation image,
Based on the offset value, which is the number of feeds from the reference texture, that specifies the texture data and is set for each animation image corresponding to a predetermined frame, and the step value that represents the number of feeds of texture per frame A function to select texture data for each frame;
A program for executing a function of generating a frame image using selected texture data.

Images