JP5685034B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to improvements in display devices in gaming machines such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines.

  For example, a conventional gaming machine such as a pachinko machine has been proposed in which a variety of display effects are provided on the symbol display device to improve a player's willingness and expectation. For this purpose, the main CPU that supervises the game operation control transmits a command to the symbol display device, and the symbol display device that has received this command performs operation control in accordance with the received command (for example, patents). Reference 1).

JP-A-8-57127

  However, in such a conventional gaming machine display device, a single processor performs various kinds of processing such as controlling the display of the display device by controlling the operation of a VDP or the like dedicated to drawing. Therefore, when display control is performed with a more complicated command system, the control burden is further increased. As a result, various display operations may not be realized due to the complexity of the command system.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such a conventional problem, and provides a gaming machine that includes a processor other than a processor that performs display control operations and can handle various display effects. Objective.

According to the present invention, the above problem is solved as follows.
In a gaming machine comprising a main control unit that supervises game operation control and a display device that performs an operation according to a command from the main control unit, a first command that receives a command from the main control unit and performs predetermined control A processor, and a second processor that receives a command from the first processor and performs an operation for display control of the display device, wherein the first processor and the second processor are the display device. The main control means transmits the command to the first processor, and the first processor receives the command when receiving the command as the predetermined control. According to the command analysis means for analyzing the command and the analysis result of the received command by the command analysis means, the received command is: When a command for designating the variation pattern with varying patterns are the commands received; synthetic command compositing target command by adding processing for displaying a predetermined character image to said second processor If the received command is a command for designating a stop symbol or a command for stopping a symbol, the command for transmitting the received command as it is to the second processor Transmitting means.

  According to the present invention, a variety of display effects can be efficiently performed by sharing the role of control processing related to display by the first processor and the second processor.

2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a game board 10. FIG. It is a control block diagram of a gaming machine. 2 is a block configuration diagram of a special symbol display device 100. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of a character ROM memory map and palette data. It is a timing chart which shows the timing of command transmission / reception. It is explanatory drawing of the command stored in the command data table area | region 202. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the command stored in the command data table area | region 202. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the command stored in the command data table area | region 202. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the command stored in the command data table area | region 202. FIG. It is a general flowchart for demonstrating game control operation | movement of a gaming machine. It is a flowchart for demonstrating control operation of CPU1020 of the special symbol display apparatus 100. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the data structure of a command. It is a timing chart which shows the command transmission timing for a symbol display. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating command transmission. It is a block diagram of the characteristic part in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of an operation example. It is explanatory drawing of an operation example. It is explanatory drawing of the table 1800. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a general configuration and operation of a gaming machine that performs display control by communicating commands will be described, and then the main operation of the present invention will be described to facilitate understanding of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of the game board 10. There are three (left, middle, and right) display areas in the approximate center of the game board 10, and in each display area, identification information composed of symbols by numbers and characters is variably displayed. A special symbol display device 100 is arranged, and a special symbol start port 104 is disposed directly below the special symbol display device 100, and normal symbol operation gates 102 and 102 are arranged on both sides of the special symbol start port 104. It is installed. Further, the pair of opening / closing members 120 and 120 are provided so as to be opened and closed apart so as to form the special symbol starting port 104.

  Further, a special prize opening 106, a normal symbol display device 108, and an out port 114 are arranged in this order below the special symbol starting port 104, and further, a lamp is placed on both sides of the special symbol starting port 104 diagonally. Display devices 110 and 110 are provided, and lamp display devices (more specifically, LED devices) 112 and 112 are also provided in the vicinity of both end portions of the game board 10.

  Then, a game ball is won at the special symbol start port 104 and a random number lottery is performed. When the random number selected is a jackpot value, at least one identification information variation display is started in each display area, A predetermined display pattern (for example, “7, 7, 7”) is displayed on the winning active line by the special symbol display device 100, and the big winning opening 106 is controlled to be opened and closed in a predetermined pattern, which is advantageous to the player. (Special gaming state).

  Further, when the normal symbol operation gate 102 detects the passing of the game ball, a random number lottery is performed, and when the lottery random number is a small hit value, the display unit of the normal symbol display device 108 is displayed in a predetermined pattern (for example, “7”). Or “3”), and then, when the opening / closing member 120 is in the open state and the game ball wins the special symbol starting port 104, the random number lottery is performed in the same manner, and the random number selected is a big hit. When it is a value, the variable display in each display area is started, and then a predetermined display pattern (for example, “7, 7, 7”) is displayed on the winning effective line by the special symbol display device 100, and the big prize opening. 106 is controlled to open and close in a predetermined pattern, and a big hit state (special game state) advantageous to the player is obtained. On the other hand, hitting balls that are not won are discharged through the out port 114.

  FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing only the main part of the gaming machine in which gaming machine control is performed according to the progress of such a game. The main control unit 200 that controls the game operation control is equipped with a microprocessor incorporating a CPU, and various control commands including at least various commands for controlling the special symbol display device 100, which will be described later. A command data table area 202 for storing a game program, a ROM 201 for storing a control program describing a series of game control procedures and a game control program such as control data, and a RAM 203 for forming a work area. It is a chip microcomputer. A game operation is performed when the main control unit 200 repeatedly executes the game control program at a predetermined cycle, and the main control unit 200 supervises the game operation control.

  The main control unit 200 includes a special symbol start switch 304 that is provided inside the special symbol start port 104 and detects a winning of the game ball in the special symbol start port 104 via the input port 210, and the inside of the normal symbol operation gate 102. Are connected to a normal symbol operation switch 306 for detecting a game ball passing through the gate, and a big winning opening switch 308 for detecting a winning of the gaming ball in the big winning opening 106 provided in the big winning opening 106, The main control unit 200 can receive each detection signal.

  In addition, a plurality of peripheral devices are connected to the main control unit 200 via an output port 215 so as to be controllable. More specifically, the main control unit 200 has three display units for displaying special symbols and characters, each of which can be independently variably displayed and can be realized by an LCD or the like, a lamp Lamp display devices 110 and 112 for controlling lighting, sound effect generating device 116 for generating sound effects, for example, a normal symbol display device 108 realized by, for example, a 7-segment display device, and starting for opening / closing control of the opening / closing member 120 of the starting port Peripheral devices such as a mouth opening solenoid 300 and a large winning opening operating solenoid 302 for controlling opening and closing of the wide opening and closing member of the winning opening 106 are connected, and the main control unit 200 controls to control each device. The signal can be transmitted.

  The main control unit 200 can transmit a predetermined number of display control commands to the special symbol display device 100 at a predetermined timing, and the special symbol display device 100 can transmit a command based on the received command. In addition, the CPU in itself performs fine display control without depending on the main control unit 200. Furthermore, the communication form by the one-way communication which only transmits a command from the main control part 200 to the special symbol display apparatus 100 is taken.

  The main control unit 200 is connected to a power supply circuit 212 for supplying power and a reset circuit 213 that outputs a reset signal every predetermined time. Further, the main control unit 200 is connected to the reset circuit 213. A pulse signal generated by the periodic timer counter is input, and a monitor signal for monitoring the current supply status from the power supply circuit 212 is input.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the display control command sent from the main control unit 200 to the special symbol display device 100 is a mode (MODE) which is an identifier for identifying a command classification and is 1-byte digital information. ) And an event (EVENT), which is 1-byte digital information indicating the contents (function) of the command to be executed. FIGS. 6 to 9 are diagrams on the command data table area 202 stored in the ROM 201. A part of the display control command data is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, the display control commands include “a command for changing a special symbol and specifying a variation pattern (first command)”, “a stop symbol on the left of the special symbol. “Command to specify (second command)”, “Command to specify stop symbol in special symbol (second command)”, “Command to specify stop symbol to the right of special symbol (second command)”, “ There is a command (third command) for stopping the special symbol. Note that the first command is a command including information for designating a variation pattern that determines in what pattern the symbols are variably displayed and in what pattern the character image is displayed. The main control unit 200 transmits these five commands to the special symbol display device 100 at a predetermined timing in one variation display control when the game situation is such that the symbol variation display is started.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the special symbol display device 100. The special symbol display device 100 supplies a power to the data receiving circuit 1140 (including a voltage converting circuit for converting the data level) for receiving a strobe signal and a command from the main control unit 200, and the voltage converting circuit and the like. A power supply circuit 1160, a CPU 1020 (display control means) that generates control data necessary for display control based on the received command and outputs the control data to the image processing LSI (VDP) 1060, and an operation procedure of the CPU 1020 are described. A program ROM 1040 having a built-in program, a RAM 1090 functioning as a work area or a buffer memory, an image processing LSI (VDP) 1060 for performing image development processing, and image data developed by the image processing LSI (VDP) 1060 are temporarily stored. Storing video RAM 1080 and image processing L Character ROM 1180 storing data necessary for image development by I (VDP) 1060, LCD panel interface circuit 1100 for receiving and transmitting image data temporarily stored in video RAM 1080, and this LCD panel interface And an LCD panel 1120 for outputting a display image using the image data sent from the circuit 1100.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the character ROM 1180 includes a ROM title area, a ROM management information area, a character image data area storing actual character data, a palette data area storing character color data, and a character data area. It has a scenario data area in which information defining movement is stored, and the character data is stored in the character image data area after being compressed by a specific compression method, and is further shown in FIG. As described above, in the palette data area, a plurality of types in which color numbers and color codes are paired are stored.

  Then, when the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 gives the control data generated in response to the command received by the data receiving circuit 1140 to the image processing LSI (VDP) 1060, the image processing LSI (VDP) 1060 The character data acquired from the image data area is decompressed and colored with the color data acquired from the palette data area, and the image data temporarily developed at the position on the video RAM 1080 specified by the information acquired from the scenario data area By storing and temporarily storing the stored data to the LCD panel interface circuit 1100, the LCD panel 1120 performs various image displays including a change in the variable display speed.

  FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing command transmission / reception timing. As described above, the command consists of a 1-byte length mode (MODE) and a 1-byte length event (EVENT). In this example, the main control unit 200 generates a strobe signal generated by itself when the command changes. Mode (MODE) information is transmitted in response to the first rise of (DUSTB), and event (EVENT) information is transmitted in response to the second rise of the strobe signal (DUSTB). In response to this, the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device generates an interrupt when a strobe signal (DUSTB) is transmitted, receives a command by this interrupt processing, and stores it in the RAM 1090.

  Next, a normal control operation performed by the main control unit 200 and the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 (game control general flowchart) and FIG. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, an explanation will be given of the operation. Note that the series of processes shown in FIG. 10 is performed by the main control unit 200 executing a game control program (not shown) stored in the ROM 201. More specifically, a reset signal supplied from the reset circuit 213 every predetermined time (for example, 4 msec) is used as a trigger to start from the first step, and this series of processes is repeatedly executed.

  First, when the power supply circuit 212 is activated by a power switch (not shown), the main control unit 200 is activated, and it is determined whether or not the first processing has been executed since the power was turned on (step S110). . In the case of the first process after the power is turned on (Yes), the process proceeds to Step S200. In other cases (No), the process proceeds to Step S120.

  In step S200, a storage area clearing process is executed as an initialization process of the RAM 203. Next, in step S210, data for performing an initial control process is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 203. On the other hand, in step S120, the count value of various random number generation loop counters (not shown) for determining big hits, small hits, etc., which are formed in the RAM 203, is incremented. In step S130, various values used for game machine control are incremented. Update the timer value of the timer.

  Next, in step S140, an input port process for reading and storing the detection signals output from the special symbol start switch 304, the normal symbol operation switch 306, and the special prize opening switch 308 via the input port 210 into an internal register (not shown). Then, the process proceeds to step S150, and a switch check process for grasping the data read and stored in the port input process is executed.

  Next, in step S160, the switch 304, 306, 308, etc. is checked for disconnection or short circuit. If these faults have occurred (Yes), the process proceeds to step S220. In this case (No), the process proceeds to step S180 (step S170).

  In step S180, data necessary for display control of the normal symbol display device 108 is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 203, and commands necessary for display control of the special symbol display device 100 (previously in FIGS. 6 to 9). (Including the described command) is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 203, and the timer values of the various timers are reduced (step S190). In step S180, the main control unit 200 determines a necessary mode and event command in accordance with the game control with reference to the command data table area 202, and sets digital information indicating the determined mode and event in the RAM 203. Store in the area.

  Next, in step S195, in order to control the opening / closing member 120 of the special winning opening 106 and the special symbol starting opening 104 in a predetermined pattern, the start opening operating solenoid 300 and the large winning opening operating solenoid 302 are driven and controlled. Next, in step S220, a prize ball setting process for outputting control information for causing a prize ball payout device (not shown) to perform a payout operation is executed. Further, in steps S230, 240, 250, a gaming machine management device (not shown) An external information processing for outputting various game data, a display light control process for storing the lamp display devices 110 and 112 in a predetermined area of the RAM 203, and a sound effect generating device 116 for controlling the lighting of the lamp display devices 110 and 112 corresponding to the gaming state. A command for controlling sound effect generation corresponding to the gaming state is sent to a predetermined area of the RAM 203. Executing the sound effect processing to be stored in.

  Next, in step S260, the data stored in the RAM 203 in each process is output to the corresponding device via the output port 215 (port output processing), and the device that receives this performs a control operation based on this. Then, a strobe signal is first output to the special symbol display device 100, and the mode and event data stored in the RAM 203 in step S180 are transmitted as shown in FIG. Thus, for example, the commands shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 are transmitted to the special symbol display device 100 from the main control unit 200 and received.

  In step S270, a reset waiting process is executed until a reset signal is input from the reset circuit 213. If a reset signal is input, the process proceeds to step S110 to continue the gaming machine control. The reset waiting process includes updating the various random number generation counters described above.

  Next, the operation of the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 that has received the command will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S1100, the CPU 1020 sets its own stack pointer, initializes the RAM 1090, initializes itself such as register clear, etc., and determines in step S1102 whether a new command has been input. If it is determined that a new command for display control has been input (Yes), the process proceeds to step S1104; otherwise (No), the process proceeds to step S1110.

  In step S1104, in the interrupt processing described with reference to FIG. 5, the command received by the data receiving circuit 1140 is copied to the RAM 1090, and it is checked whether or not the command is normal. Next, the CPU 1020 determines the start address of a processing table (not shown) in order to obtain a necessary command for performing fine display control independently of the main control unit 200, and then in step S1108, the image In order to output to the processing LSI 1060, data in a necessary area of the RAM 1090 is updated.

  Next, in step S1110, based on the symbol control data set in the RAM 1090, scroll data to be output to the image processing LSI 1060 is obtained and set in the RAM 1090 to set the symbol display position. In S1112, the data necessary for the symbol speed control is acquired from a speed table (not shown) built in the program ROM 1040 and set in the RAM 1090. Next, in step S1114, the symbol offset value is calculated based on the velocity data. Update and prepare to perform symbol variation at the set speed.

  Next, in step S1116, animation data is acquired from an animation processing table (not shown) in which animation processing data set in the RAM 1090 is stored, and preparation for displaying a background image is performed. The VDP output buffer is set to determine whether the output permission flag is “1” (step S1118).

  If the output permission flag is not “1” (No), the process returns to step S1102 to repeat the series of processes. On the other hand, if the output permission flag is “1” (Yes), in step S1120, VDP output is performed. The data set in the buffer is output to the image processing LSI 1060. In response to this, the image processing LSI 1060 acquires data in the character ROM 1180 and develops the image. The image developed data is temporarily stored in the video RAM 1080 and then sent to the LCD panel interface circuit 1100 to be sent to the LCD panel 1120. Is displayed. In this manner, the display of the symbol variation display at the set speed is performed at the set display position in the special symbol display device 100.

  FIGS. 13 and 14 are an example of a transmission timing of a command transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the special symbol display device 100, and an explanatory diagram of the transmission command, respectively. As can be seen from these drawings, the main control unit 200 first starts the symbol variation and changes the variation pattern when a predetermined condition such as a game ball winning in the special symbol starting port 104 is satisfied. A command for designating is sent (1), a command for designating a left stop symbol is sent after a lapse of T1 (2), and a command for designating a middle stop design is sent after a lapse of T2 (3) A command for designating a right stop symbol is transmitted after the elapse of T3 (4), and a command (5) for stopping all symbols is transmitted after a lapse of T time from the start of fluctuation. The CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 that has received the first command (1) performs a series of variable display control by performing fine display control such as change in the variable speed, and the third frame. After the variable display control is terminated with the reception of the command (5), the special symbol lottery result is displayed by performing the stop display at the stop symbol designated by the received second command (2, 3, 4). To do.

(Characteristics of the present invention)
FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of the special symbol display device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals. As can be seen by comparing the configurations of FIG. 3 and FIG. 15, in this embodiment, a CPU 1021 as a first processor is provided between the CPU 1020 (second processor) and the main control unit 200. The CPU 1021 executes a program (not shown) stored in a newly provided program ROM 1041, and at this time, the following operation is realized by using the RAM 1091 serving as a work area. Note that the CPU 1021 is configured to have the function of the data receiving circuit 1140 in FIG.

  Then, the CPU 1021 directly or processes the command from the main control unit 200 and transmits it to the CPU 1020 by one-way communication. As a result, the CPU 1020 can concentrate on the subordinate display control based on the command command of the CPU 1021, and therefore can cope with control with a large processing load such as 3D (three-dimensional) display control. In addition, since the main control unit 200 determines a win and transmits a command to the CPU 1020 and then to the CPU 1021 by one-way communication, even if the special symbol display device 100 malfunctions due to unauthorized modification, the main control unit 200 is affected. Since it does not affect, game operation is ensured healthy. Further, a certain port of the CPU 1020 includes output terminals 1022a, 1022b,..., 1022n, and is configured to output a test signal indicating the operation state of the apparatus as will be described later. Note that a single program ROM may be used so that both the two CPUs 1020 and 1021 can access.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a table 1800 stored in the program ROM 1041. The table 1800 registers the variation pattern and the compositing target command in association with each other. For example, the CPU 1021 that has received the first command designating the variation pattern 1 draws one of the compositing target commands by a random number counter (not shown) and the like, and selects the first command by lottery and selects the compositing target command (for example, a notice addition) MODE, EVENT “$ D0, $ 01”) is added to the first command and the result of composition is sent to the CPU 1020.

  Upon receiving this command, the CPU 1020 performs a display control operation so as to perform a notice effect and a premier effect when performing an effect with the variation pattern 1. Note that this is an example of command processing, and processing may be performed in which a received command is converted into another command. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a received command is directly passed to the CPU 1020 without being processed by the CPU 1021. Note that the advance notice is a display effect indicating that, for example, a predetermined character is displayed at the start or during the fluctuation of a symbol and the possibility that a big hit or reach will be established, and the player's expectation is improved. Is. Also, the premier is a display effect that indicates that the possibility of winning a big hit or reach is extremely high by displaying a predetermined character or background image that is different from the notice character, for example, at the start or during the change of symbols. Thus, the player's expectation is further improved.

(Operation example)
The operation will be described with reference to FIGS. If the first to third commands are transmitted from the main control unit 200, the CPU 1021 receives and analyzes the command in step S1700 of FIG. Then, the synthesized command processed as described above or the command as it is is transmitted to the CPU 1020 (step S1720), and operation signal (test signal) output control is performed in step S1710. This operation signal (test signal) is transmitted to a test device (not shown) outside the special symbol display device 100 (outside the gaming machine). This makes it possible to easily check the operation related to the special symbol.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the operation signal output control operation. From the time when the first command is received until the time when the third command is received, the CPU 1021 outputs a changing signal indicating that the symbol is changing from the output terminal 1022a (FIG. 16 (a)). When the third command is received, a stop signal indicating that the symbol has stopped is output from the output terminal 1022b (FIG. 16 (b)). Further, upon receiving three types of second commands designating each of the stop left symbol, the stopped symbol, and the stop right symbol, the stop symbols are output from the output terminals 1022c, 1022d (not shown), and 1022e (not shown), respectively. A signal indicating the type of the signal is output. Note that such signal output processing is an example of processing performed upon receiving a command, and other processing may be performed by the CPU 1021.

  The CPU 1020 receives the command transmitted in step S1720 in FIG. 17, and in step S1730, the CPU 1020 drives and controls the VDP 1060 to perform only the display control operation. In the case of composite processing, additional display control such as addition of a notice is performed in consideration of the additional processed command.

  Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the CPU 1020 receives a command from the CPU 1021 and performs only an operation for display control of the symbol display device 100, while the CPU 1021 receives a command from the main control unit 200 and performs predetermined processing. Therefore, the CPU 1020 can concentrate on performing an operation for display control and can realize various display effects.

  For example, the CPU 1021 performs other processing such as outputting a test signal indicating the operating state of the symbol display device 100 in response to a command received from the main control unit 200, so that a test conventionally performed by a single processor is performed. Since the signal output processing or the like is performed by the CPU 1021 other than the CPU 1020, it is possible to cope with a heavy drawing processing load. Then, the CPU 1021 transmits the command from the main control unit 200 as it is or processed one to the CPU 1020 in one direction. As a result, the CPU 1020 can concentrate on the subordinate display control by the command instruction of the CPU 1021, and therefore can cope with control with a large processing load such as 3D (three-dimensional) display control. In addition, since the main control unit 200 determines a win and transmits a command to the CPU 1020 and then to the CPU 1021 by one-way communication, even if the special symbol display device 100 malfunctions due to unauthorized modification, the main control unit 200 is affected. Since it does not affect, game operation is ensured healthy.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and changes can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, it is possible to cause processing other than test signal output processing to be performed as other processing.

  In the above description, a pachinko machine has been described as an example of a gaming machine, but it can be applied not only to a pachislot machine but also to other gaming machines that perform a game using a game medium. Not too long.

10 game board 100 special symbol display device 1020 CPU
1021 CPU
1040 Program ROM
1060 Image processing LSI
1080 video RAM
1090 RAM
1100 LCD panel interface circuit 1120 LCD panel 1140 Data reception circuit 1160 Power supply circuit 1180 Character ROM

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine comprising a main control means that controls game operation control and a display device that performs an operation in accordance with a command from the main control means,
A first processor that receives a command from the main control means and performs a predetermined control; and a second processor that receives a command from the first processor and performs an operation for display control of the display device,
The first processor and the second processor are arranged in the display device;
The main control means transmits the command to the first processor,
The first processor, as the predetermined control, when receiving the command, a command analysis unit that analyzes the received command, and according to an analysis result of the received command by the command analysis unit When the received command is a command for changing a design and designating a fluctuation pattern, the received command is combined with a compositing target command for displaying a predetermined character image. If the command is transmitted to the second processor and the received command is a command for designating a stop symbol or a command for stopping a symbol, the received command is used as it is. Command transmission means for transmitting to the processor of the game machine

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