JP5695228B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that executes an effect display in accordance with the progress of a game.

  As this type of gaming machine, there is a gaming machine that displays video based on material image data stored in a character ROM as the game progresses, such as a pachinko machine (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

In such a known gaming machine, as an effect display operation according to the progress of the game, a video is displayed by superimposing a sprite image prepared in advance on a background image, so that a player who is in contact with the video can be visually informed. The effect is given. In order to enhance such a visual effect, in recent pachinko machines, a so-called video display processor (VDP) is used.
) Is present. This video display processor displays a video composed of a background image and a sprite image on a display device using character data read from the character ROM in accordance with an instruction from a display control processor that controls video display. .

JP 2007-75480 A

  In gaming machines that display video using such sprite images, various sprite images generated in advance are stored as sprite data in the character ROM, and the VDP reads the sprite data from the character ROM and performs various drawing operations. . Here, since only basic data is prepared as the sprite data prepared in advance, in order to perform various images, the display position, the rotation angle, the enlargement ratio, etc. in the display device are set with respect to the VDP. It is necessary to instruct.

  For this reason, the display control processor generates a command list including a plurality of commands based on scheduler data prepared in advance, and the VDP uses various materials such as sprite data read from the character ROM based on the generated command list. Images are drawn continuously one after another using image data.

  In recent gaming machines, it has been required to display various effects, and the number of sprite images used in one frame and the types of effects such as rotation, enlargement, and reduction for sprite images are greatly increased. It has increased. As a result, the data amount of the command list transmitted from the display control processor to the VDP is also greatly increased. However, the VDP realizes designated video display by sequentially executing a plurality of commands included in the command list generated by the display control processor. For this reason, as the amount of data in the command list increases, the processing load on the VDP increases.

  Therefore, the present invention can reduce the processing load of the video display processor by reducing the data amount of the command list referred to when the VDP that functions as the video display processor performs drawing without reducing the video content. The purpose is to provide a machine.

In the gaming machine of the present invention, when the game ball is received at the starting port, after that the big hit lottery is executed and the variation display of the special symbol is started. In gaming machines that display
A game control unit for controlling a game operation using a game medium;
An effect control unit that controls an effect operation accompanying the game operation by the control of the game control unit,
In a gaming machine comprising: a display device that performs a display operation under the control of the effect control unit;
The production control unit
As a material image necessary for the image, an image indicating that the image is being restored from the power failure state, an image related to the decorative display of the decorative pattern, and a display form in which the decorative pattern that is changing may be arranged in the same decorative pattern A first non-volatile memory that non-volatilely stores each material image data used for displaying an image related to an implied expected effect ;
Second non-volatile memory to non-volatile storage of the scheduler data including information for identifying the raw image data necessary for rendering of each scene constituting the information and video to be displayed about the configuration of a video to be displayed and ,
A volatile video memory capable of storing the material image data in a volatile manner;
A video display processor for displaying video on the display device;
A display control processor for generating a command list including a plurality of commands respectively corresponding to a plurality of decorative symbols to be included in each frame constituting the video based on the scheduler data and transferring the command list to the video display processor;
Including
The video display processor
By sequentially executing a plurality of commands included in the transferred to have a command list from the display control processor, the volatile material image data corresponding to the image to be displayed is read from the first nonvolatile memory Expanding the video memory and displaying the video configured using the material image data expanded in the volatile video memory on the display device,
The display control processor includes:
When generating a command list for each frame, commands common to a plurality of material images are set in the command list as common commands, and commands other than the common commands are generated for each decoration symbol and set in the command list. on the other hand, when executing the expected effect to imply that there may be a display mode decorative pattern are aligned in the same type, when attempting to generate a command for the decorative pattern of the same kind, it commands to be generated already generated When the content is the same as the command for the other decorative design, the generation of the command is omitted.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, the display control processor sets a command common to a plurality of material images as a common command in the command list, so that the common command is repeatedly set in the command list for each material image. Can be prevented. As a result, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the video display processor by reducing the data amount of the command list without reducing the video content.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, when the display control processor attempts to generate a command for a certain material image, the command to be generated has the same content as a command for another already generated material image. The generation of the command may be omitted.

  Further preferably, a part of the material image may be a sprite image generated in advance for displaying a specific video.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the processing load of the video display processor by reducing the data amount of the command list referred to when the VDP functioning as the video display processor performs drawing without reducing the video content. An effect can be obtained.

It is a front view which shows the structural example of the pachinko machine 1 which is one Embodiment of the game machine of this invention. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of a decorative design control board 30. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of VDP330 for performing the video display with respect to the decoration symbol display apparatus 16. FIG. 3 is a memory map showing a configuration example of a storage area of a control ROM 301. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the display scheduler data. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the display scheduler data 402. FIG. 4 is a memory map showing a configuration example of a storage area of a source ROM 340. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of symbol CPU311. It is a figure which shows the list of the main commands used in VDP330. It is a figure which shows an example of the command list produced by symbol CPU311. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the specific process of a command list production | generation process. It is a figure which shows an example of the command list produced | generated by the symbol CPU311 when a common command is used. It is a figure which shows an example of the command list | wrist when not omitting the command SETCOLOR which has the same transparency. It is a flowchart which shows the display process performed in VDP330.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine will be described with reference to the corresponding drawings.
(1. Outline configuration example of pachinko machine)
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration example of a pachinko machine 1 which is an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. A plurality of pachinko machines 1 are installed side by side in an island facility of a game hall such as a hall. In the case of a so-called CR (Card Reader) machine, a card unit 12 is installed.
Hereinafter, a schematic configuration example of the pachinko machine 1 will be described first.

  In the pachinko machine 1, a base frame is attached to a wooden outer frame via a hinge mechanism so as to be opened and closed. A front frame (glass frame 5) is attached to the base frame so as to be openable and closable with respect to the base frame via a hinge mechanism. In the present embodiment, the frame bodies such as the base frame and the front frame are collectively referred to as “main body frame 17”. Of these, the game board 2 is detachably fitted into the base frame.

  The glass frame 5 has a plurality of frame lamps (frame decoration lamps 31 and the like) arranged in the vertical direction, and an upper speaker 29a for outputting sound effects and sounds as the game progresses. Further, an effect button 10 or the like that can be appropriately pushed by the player is provided. In addition, an upper plate 4 that accommodates game balls is provided at the lower part of the glass frame 5, and a lower plate 6 is provided at the lower part of the base frame. In addition, a firing handle 8 is provided at the lower right corner of the base frame located under the glass frame 5. The launch handle 8 is an operation unit that is operated by the player to sequentially fire the game balls accommodated in the upper plate 4. A lower speaker 29b is disposed inside the left side position of the upper plate 4.

  The game board 2 has a substantially circular game area formed on the front surface thereof, and an effect device 14 is provided at the center thereof. In the game area, a large number of guide nails (not shown) are driven in a predetermined gauge arrangement, and a windmill (not shown) and various winning ports (start winning port 15b, large winning port 15c, general winning port) Etc.), a gate port 13, a panel decoration lamp (without reference numerals), and the like are arranged as panel components. Each of these various winning openings is provided with a winning detector (not shown in FIG. 1) for detecting the entering of a game ball. The gate port 13 is provided with a gate passage detector (not shown in FIG. 1) for detecting the passage of the game ball.

  In addition, a ball stage 14a is formed at the lower edge of the effect device 14, and when the game ball is guided on the ball stage 14a, the game ball changes its movement while rolling. Given. Further, when the game ball falls to the entrance of the ball guide path 14b formed in the ball stage 14a, the game ball is guided to the ball guide path 14b and enters the start winning opening 15b provided immediately below the ball guide path 14b. A winning is detected by the winning detector.

  A special symbol display device 41 using a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is provided on the lower right edge of the game board 2. When there is a start winning, the special symbol display device 41 repeats lighting or extinguishing after that (for example, triggered by the starting winning), and after a predetermined time (corresponding to “variation time” described later) has elapsed, Depending on the result of the executed internal lottery (big hit lottery and determination), the lighting state or the extinguishing state is set. Further, a normal symbol display device 42 using a light emitting diode is provided at the lower right edge of the game board 2. The normal symbol display device 42 is also configured to change the lighting state over a variable period triggered by the passage of the gate port 13. Here, when the lighting state of the normal symbol display device 42 becomes a predetermined lighting state, for example, the electric tulip type start winning device (winning detection means) is put into an open state in which it is easy to win a predetermined time. Further, a state display lamp 46 is provided in the vicinity of the normal symbol display device 42.

  In addition, a decoration symbol display device 16 is disposed in the effect device 14. The decorative symbol display device 16 is a display device that displays a decorative symbol that decoratively represents the results of the jackpot lottery and determination. In the decorative symbol display device 16, when there is a winning at the start winning opening 15 b, the display contents thereafter change, and an image representing the variation of the decorative symbol depending on whether the special symbol display device 41 is on or off. Etc. are displayed. This decoration symbol stops after it fluctuates for a certain period of time (fluctuation time), and when it is won as a result of the jackpot lottery and determination, a predetermined stop symbol pattern (for example, the same type of decoration symbol is 3 The display mode is complete, and the pachinko machine 1 shifts to a special game state (hereinafter referred to as “special game state”).

  In this special game state, for example, a round operation is repeated for 15 rounds. In each round operation, for example, the special winning opening solenoid 18 is actuated once, so that the special winning opening 15c can receive a game ball. In the decorative symbol display device 16, the display content is switched to a round display with a big hit as the round operation, and a round effect display (a count display of the number of winning prizes, a continuous round count, etc.) is performed. Further, when the special game state in which the round action of 15 rounds is executed is finished and a transition is made to a privilege game (so-called “probability change”, “time reduction”, etc.), information indicating that the privilege game is being performed (“probability change” or “ "Short time") may also be displayed.

  Also, special symbol holding lamps 43 are provided on the left and right sides of the lower edge portion of the production device 14 in the game board 2. The special symbol hold lamp 43 is configured to hold the start winning when the conditions for starting and storing are complete and display the hold status. Specifically, each special symbol holding lamp 43 is provided with semi-transmission areas imitating numbers such as “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4”. From left to right, “1” to “4” are represented and arranged in order. These four semi-transmissive regions represent the number of stored special symbols (1 to 4) according to the light emission (lighting) modes of “1” to “4”.

  Further, a normal symbol holding lamp 44 is provided at the lower edge of the game board 2. The normal symbol hold lamp 44 holds the passage of the gate port 13 while the lighting state of the normal symbol display device 42 is changing, and displays the hold status. In the vicinity of the normal symbol holding lamp 44, a big hit type display lamp 45 is provided. At least one of the big hit type display lamps 45 is turned on when the big hit is made, thereby displaying the type of the big hit. In addition, a main control board and a sub control board are provided on the back of the game board 2, and a display control board (decoration design control board described later) is arranged on the back of the decoration design display device 16. Yes. The main body frame 17 is provided with a payout control board and a launch control board (not shown).

(2. Electric configuration example of pachinko machine)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration example of the pachinko machine 1.
First, the main control board 3 (game control unit) is connected to a board such as the sub control board 35 (effect control unit) and the payout control board 25. The sub control board 35 is connected to the decorative design control board 30 that controls the display operation, and the payout control board 25 is connected to the launch control board 47 and the prize ball payout device 21.

  The decorative symbol control board 30 is connected to the decorative symbol display device 16. In the present embodiment, the sub control board 35 (effect control board) and the decorative design control board 30 (display control board) are separate, but the sub control board 35 and the decorative design control board are not limited thereto. 30 may be integrated, and the sub-control board 35 (production control unit) may have the function of the decorative design control board 30. When such a form is adopted, the sub control board 35 is directly connected to the decorative symbol display device 16.

  The sub control board 35 transmits to the decorative design control board 30 an effect display command for controlling the effect display operation according to the progress of the game during the game operation. The decorative symbol control board 30 receives the effect display command and the like, and causes the decorative symbol display device 16 to display an image according to the progress of the game based on the effect display command. This effect display command includes an effect display pattern number designated by the sub control board 35, and this effect display pattern number represents a number corresponding to the effect display pattern to be executed and controlled by the decorative symbol control board 30. Yes. The sub control board 35 controls lighting of the panel decoration lamp 36 and the frame decoration lamp 31 via the lamp relay board 32 and the lamp relay board 34, respectively.

  The main control board 3 includes electronic components such as a CPU 3a (hereinafter referred to as “main CPU”), a RAM 3b, a ROM 3c, an input / output interface, etc. (all not shown). The main control board 3 is connected with a winning detector 15a (winning detecting means) for detecting a winning. This winning detector 15a has entered the various winning holes (start winning hole 15b, large winning hole 15c, general winning hole, etc.) in the game area (hereinafter referred to as starting winning hole 15b). The ball is called “start winning”), and a detection signal is output to the main control board 3. The gate passage detector (gate switch) 13 a detects that a game ball has passed through the gate port 13, and outputs a gate passage signal as a detection signal to the main control board 3.

  Control of the gaming operation by the main control board 3 is performed, for example, by the main CPU 3a executing a control program (hereinafter referred to as “main control program”). The main control program generates a random number on the software, and acquires a random number value (a jackpot determination random number value) in response to a start winning (referred to as “big hit lottery” in the present embodiment). Then, the main control program determines whether or not the acquired random number value matches the jackpot random value at the jackpot determination timing described later (referred to as “determination” in this embodiment), and both random number values are When it is determined that they match, it is determined as “big hit”, while when it is determined that they do not match, it is determined as “out of place”. Here, the big hit determination timing refers to the time when the special symbol variation display based on the start winning is started after the start winning.

  The main control program starts the special symbol variation display by the special symbol display device 41 after the start winning is made in this way, and when the predetermined variation time has elapsed, the special symbol is displayed according to the jackpot lottery result. A stop symbol is displayed on the display device 41. The “big hit” includes so-called “probable big hit” and so-called “ordinary big hit”.

  When the result of the big hit lottery and determination is a big win, the main control program starts the variable display, and after stopping the variable display, shifts to the special gaming state. In this special game state, the main control program repeatedly operates, for example, the special prize opening solenoid 18 for a predetermined number of times (round operation), for example, for 15 rounds, the special prize opening 15c is in a state where it is easy to accept the game ball. . At this time, the player can win more prize balls by winning a game ball (game medium) while the special winning opening 15c is opened. In addition to the above, there are various types of game operation control by the main control board 3, but since all are well-known, detailed description is omitted here.

  The main control program outputs a lottery result and an effect command to the sub-control board 35 after performing the big hit lottery and determination. This effect command includes information related to the time for which the effect operation is to be executed (corresponding to the aforementioned “variation time”).

  The sub control board 35 controls the rendering operation according to the lottery result and the rendering command received from the main control board 3. The sub control board 35 includes electronic components such as a CPU 35a (hereinafter referred to as “sub CPU”), a RAM 35b, a ROM 35c, an input interface (command reception buffer, etc.). In the sub-control board 35, the CPU 35a controls the rendering operation by executing a control program (hereinafter referred to as “sub-control program”).

  When the sub control program receives a command or the like from the main control board 3 (lottery result, effect command, gaming state command, etc.), the received control command is analyzed.

  The sub-control program executes a lottery (hereinafter referred to as “effect lottery”) as to what effect pattern should be controlled according to the lottery result obtained from the analysis result of the command and the variation time. Specifically, the sub-control program manages an effect control scheduler, and this effect control scheduler executes for each lottery result (depending on whether it is a “hit” or “out”). Multiple production patterns to be managed are managed. Furthermore, this production control scheduler includes a plurality of production patterns having different lengths of variation time even if the lottery results are the same. Moreover, even if the same lottery result and the variation time are the same, there are a plurality of effect patterns having different effect contents. In this way, the sub-control program executes the effect lottery to select the effect pattern corresponding to the lottery result and the variation time while referring to the effect control scheduler.

  After executing such an effect lottery, the sub-control program outputs sound from the speakers 29a and 29b according to the effect pattern over the varying time, or lights the panel decoration lamp 36 in a predetermined color via the lamp relay board 32. The frame decoration lamp 31 is turned on or off in a predetermined color via the lamp relay board 34.

  In addition, the sub-control program also selects an effect display pattern related to the variable display by the decorative symbol display device 16 in accordance with the selected effect pattern. After selecting the effect display pattern, the sub control program controls the sub control board 35 to output an effect display command including information on the effect display pattern and the stop symbol to the decorative design control board 30.

  When the decorative design control board 30 receives the effect display command output from the sub-control board 35, the decorative design control board 30 shifts to a new effect display operation. Specifically, the decoration design control board 30 first analyzes the effect display command received from the sub control board 35, and acquires information related to the effect display pattern and the decoration stop design. Then, the decorative design control board 30 displays the decorative design on the decorative design display device 16 variably over the variation time based on the effect display pattern, and then controls the display so that the decorative design becomes the decorative stop symbol.

  The payout control board 25 includes a CPU 25a (hereinafter referred to as “payout CPU”), a RAM 25b, a ROM 25c, an input / output interface, and the like, and is connected to the main control board 3 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. That is, the main control board 3 and the payout control board 25 are connected by the upper and lower lines Su and Sd of the serial signal and the transmission lines Au and Ad of the ACK signal provided in parallel therewith.

  For example, when the main control board 3 transmits a prize ball command instructing the payout of a prize ball in the serial format through the down line Sd, the payout control board 25 that has received the command sends an ACK signal to the main control board 3 through the transmission line Au. Send. Further, when the payout control board 25 transmits a status command indicating the state of the payout control board 25 (for example, during payout processing) to the main control board 3 through the uplink line Su, the main control board 3 that has received the command sends the transmission line An ACK signal is transmitted to the payout control board 25 through Ad.

  The prize ball payout device 21 performs a game ball payout operation under the control of the payout control board 25. That is, when the payout control board 25 receives a prize ball command from the main control board 3, the payout motor 20 of the prize ball payout device 21 is operated to perform the payout operation for the number instructed by the prize ball command. The payout ball detector 22 detects the number of prize balls actually paid out one by one and feeds it back to the payout control board 25. On the other hand, the motor drive sensor 24 detects the rotation state (rotation angle) of the payout motor 20 and feeds it back to the payout control board 25.

  In addition, in addition to the firing motor 49, a signal line from the firing handle 8 is connected to the firing control board 47. The firing handle 8 includes a touch detection unit 48 that detects the contact of a human body (player) and outputs the touch detection signal to the firing control board 47. The firing handle 8 has a built-in firing switch (not shown), and outputs an ON signal to the firing control board 47 by operating the firing handle 8. The launch control board 47 has a function of permitting a game ball launch operation when a card unit connection signal output by the card unit 12 as the inter-bed sand is input via the payout control board 25. Yes. The launch control board 47 permits the drive of the launch motor 49 only after receiving the card unit connection signal, the touch detection signal, and the ON signal, thereby allowing the game ball to be launched.

  When the payout CPU 25a of the payout control board 25 detects a failure such as a so-called ball bite, a ball breakage, a full tank, or a connection abnormality between the main control board 3 and the payout control board 25, error information corresponding to the type of the fault is displayed. Displayed on the payout control board 25. Specifically, the payout control board 25 is provided with a 7-segment LED 4a, and the 7-segment LED 4a displays, for example, an error number for each of the various types of failures.

  The payout control board 25 is provided with an operation switch 4b as an error canceling means, and the operation switch 4b is disposed at a position where it can be operated from the outside. The operation switch 4b is used as a trigger when voice guidance is given on how to deal with each failure when such various failures occur, and when clearing error information (numerical display) displayed on the 7-segment LED 4a. It is the operation means operated by.

(3. Decorative design control board 30)
Next, the decorative design control board 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example in which the electrical configuration of the decorative design control board 30 is simplified.

  The decorative symbol control board 30 (production control unit) includes a source ROM (character ROM) 340 and a graphic processor unit (hereinafter referred to as “GPU”) 300.

  The decorative symbol control board 30 has a function of controlling an effect display operation based on an effect display command from the sub control board 35 and the like. The decorative design control board 30 is connected to the decorative design display device 16 described above, and outputs a video signal corresponding to the video to be displayed to the decorative design display device 16 based on the effect display command or the like.

  Here, in this embodiment, the video is composed of a combination of a plurality of scenes (story), and each scene is composed of a combination of a large number of frames. Each of these scenes is continuously displayed in a predetermined order. Each scene is visually configured by displaying a number of frames one after another. Each scene includes at least one of a moving image and a sprite image, and is, for example, a video in which one scene of a movie is used as a moving image as a background and a pattern is displayed as a sprite image on the background. In the present embodiment, a video whose display mode is dynamically changed is represented by continuously switching and displaying each frame of the frame group one after another at a frame rate obtained by dividing the video by 60 frames per second. . In the present embodiment, the moving image or sprite image used when creating this frame (frame) is referred to as “scene material”. In the present embodiment, sprite images are mainly exemplified as the scene material except for portions that need to be touched particularly with respect to moving images. Examples of such an image composed of a plurality of scenes include, for example, an image indicating that a power failure state is being restored, an image relating to a symbol change display, and a symbol that is changing is a predetermined stop symbol pattern (for example, the same type of symbol). 3 includes a video related to a so-called reach effect that implies that the display mode may be a combination of three display modes.

(3-1. Example of hardware configuration)
Hereinafter, each component mounted on the decorative design control board 30 will be described in detail.

(3-1-1. Source ROM 340)
The source ROM 340 functions as a nonvolatile video memory that stores various material image data such as sprite data for displaying a sprite image in a nonvolatile manner, and is connected to the GPU 300 via a bus line. The memory space of the source ROM 340 will be described later.

  The sprite data is stored in the source ROM 340 in a state where the data structure is compressed by a preset reversible compression method. On the other hand, the moving image data is stored in the source ROM 340 in a state where the data structure is compressed by a preset irreversible compression method.

(3-1-2. Configuration Example of GPU 300)
As shown in FIG. 3, the GPU 300 includes a control ROM 301, an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 302, a command interface (I / F) 303, a symbol CPU 311, and a VDP (Video Display Processor) 330. It is out.
The symbol CPU 311, SDRAM 302, control ROM 301, and VDP 330 are connected by a bus 307.

  The command interface 303 receives the effect display command from the sub control board 35 and transfers the received effect display command to the symbol CPU 311.

  The control ROM 301 is configured by a flash ROM, for example, and stores a display control program for controlling the operation of the symbol CPU 311 and display scheduler data (scheduler data). The display scheduler data is data including information for specifying material image data such as information relating to the configuration of the video to be displayed and sprite data necessary for rendering each scene constituting the video to be displayed.

  The symbol CPU 311 operates based on the display control program stored in the control ROM 301, and instructs the VDP 330 to perform video display processing in order to realize video display based on the display scheduler data stored in the control ROM 301. A command list including a plurality of commands is generated and transferred to the VDP 330 by DMA (Direct Memory Access).

  The control ROM 301 stores a plurality of display scheduler data corresponding to various video displays. Therefore, the symbol CPU 311 specifies the content of the video display to be displayed by the effect display command transferred from the command interface 303, reads out the display scheduler data corresponding to the specified video display content from the control ROM 301, and reads it out. A command list is generated so that video display based on display scheduler data is realized.

  The SDRAM 302 is a storage area used for temporarily storing a command list generated by the symbol CPU 311 and temporarily storing various data.

  The VDP 330 functions as a video display processor for displaying video on the decorative symbol display device 16 by sequentially executing a plurality of commands included in the command list transferred from the symbol CPU 311. Based on the command list transferred from the symbol CPU 311, the VDP 330 reads material image data such as sprite data corresponding to the video to be displayed from the source ROM 340, draws each scene constituting the video, and is generated. By transmitting the drawing data to the decorative symbol display device 16, various video displays are realized.

(3-1-3. Configuration example of VDP330)
Next, the configuration of the VDP 330 for displaying images on the decorative symbol display device 16 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the VDP 330 includes a CPU I / F (interface) 331, a data transfer circuit 332, a bus I / F (interface) 333, a decoder 334, a drawing circuit 335, a data storage memory 336, and a frame buffer memory 337. The display circuit 338 is included.

  The CPU interface (I / F) 331 receives the command list transferred from the symbol CPU 311.

The data storage memory 336 is a so-called VRAM (Video RAM), and functions as a volatile video memory for developing various material image data necessary for drawing processing such as sprite data and moving image data.

  Based on the command list received from the design CPU 311 via the CPU interface 331, the data transfer circuit 332 sends material image data such as sprite data and moving image data necessary for video display to be displayed via the bus interface 333. The data is read from the source ROM 340 and expanded in the data storage memory 336 (material image data expansion means).

  Since the sprite data is stored in the source ROM 340 with the data structure compressed by a reversible compression method, the sprite data read from the source ROM 340 via the bus interface 333 is decoded by the decoder 334. After being (decompressed), it is stored in the data storage memory 336.

  The frame buffer memory 337 is realized by a VRAM similarly to the data storage memory 336, and has a configuration capable of storing video data drawn by the drawing circuit 335 in a volatile manner. Note that the frame buffer memory 337 can draw and store video data for two frames. While the video data for one frame has been drawn and stored by the drawing circuit 335, the frame buffer memory 337 has already drawn. The frame data for which the drawing process has been completed can be displayed on the decorative symbol display device 16 via the display circuit 338.

  The drawing circuit 335 performs drawing processing using material image data such as sprite data and moving image data stored in the data storage memory 336 based on the command list from the symbol CPU 311 received by the CPU interface 331. Then, video data is generated for each frame constituting the video to be displayed and stored in the frame buffer memory 337.

  The display circuit 338 generates a synchronization signal (V blank signal or the like) to the decorative symbol display device 16 and is based on the image data generated in the frame buffer area of the frame buffer memory 337 while synchronizing with the synchronization signal. The video signal is output to the decorative symbol display device 16.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the data storage memory 336 for storing the various material image data read from the source ROM 340 in a volatile manner is provided in the VDP 330 will be described. It is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the present invention is similarly applied to a gaming machine having a configuration in which a volatile video memory for volatile storage of various material image data read from the source ROM 340 is provided outside the VDP 330. It is possible to apply.

(3-2. Memory space of control ROM 301)
Next, the memory space of the control ROM 301 described above will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the control ROM 301 stores a display control program 401 for controlling the operation of the symbol CPU 311 and display scheduler data 402. The display scheduler data 402 includes information for specifying material image data such as sprite data necessary for drawing each scene constituting the video to be displayed and information regarding the configuration of the video to be displayed.

(3-2-1. Configuration Example of Display Scheduler Data 402)
As shown in FIG. 6, the display scheduler data 402 includes a frame number 501, a character number 502, an X coordinate 503, a Y coordinate 504, a base point position 505, an X direction enlargement factor 506, and a Y direction. The information includes an enlargement ratio 507, transparency (blend ratio) 508, and rotation angle 509.

  A frame number 501 indicates to which frame the display scheduler data 402 is displayed. A character number 502 indicates a number for identifying sprite data to be used from among a plurality of sprite data. X-coordinate 503 and Y-coordinate 504 indicate the position where the sprite image is displayed on the display screen. The base point position 505 indicates the location of the base point when designating the display position of the sprite image. The X direction enlargement factor 506 and the Y direction enlargement factor 507 indicate how much the sprite image is enlarged (or reduced) in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. For example, in the range of 0 to 511%. It can be set. The transparency 508 is a value that specifies how much the sprite image is to be displayed when the sprite image is displayed over the background image. For example, the transparency 508 can be specified within a range of 0 to 100%. ing. A rotation angle 509 is a value for designating an angle for displaying a sprite image.

  Here, the display scheduler data 402 is not prepared for all frames, but the display scheduler data 402 is prepared only for a specific frame, and the video for the intermediate frame is displayed as a prepared display. The data is interpolated and drawn with reference to the scheduler data 402.

  A specific example of such display scheduler data 402 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, not all the set values of the display scheduler data 402 are shown, but only the frame number 501, the character number 502, the X coordinate 503, the Y coordinate 504, the X direction enlargement factor 506, and the Y direction enlargement factor 507 are shown. Has been.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, only the display scheduler data 402 for the first, thirty, and sixtyth frames is set, and the video display of the second to the 29th, the 31st to the 59th frames in the middle is The calculation is made with reference to the values set in the 1st, 30th and 60th frames. For example, it is calculated from the value set in the first frame and the value set in the 30th frame, and as the value of the second frame, the X coordinate 6148 pixel, the Y coordinate 4612 pixel, the X direction enlargement ratio 102%, Y A value of 100% directional magnification is used.

  Here, in the present embodiment, a case where a one-second video display is composed of 60 frames will be described. In this case, the frame period is about 16.7 ms.

(3-3. Memory space of source ROM 340)
Next, the memory space of the source ROM 340 described above will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8, the source ROM 340 displays sprite data 601 for displaying a sprite image generated in advance for displaying a specific video, palette data 602 for specifying a color, and a background image. Various material image data such as moving image data 603 is stored.

(4. Example of operation of gaming machine 1)
Next, the operation of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

(4-1. Game control processing)
Here, on the main control board 3, a main control program for controlling the progress of the game is operating, and the main control program acquires a random number for determining a big hit (a big hit lottery) triggered by a start winning prize. When there is a start win, the main control program compares the acquired jackpot determination random number value with a predetermined hit value at the jackpot determination timing based on the start win, and executes the jackpot determination. At the same time, if there is such a start-up prize, the main control program then continues the blinking state (special symbol variation display state) by the special symbol display device 41 for the variation time determined by lottery separately, and then the big hit Depending on the results of the lottery and determination, the special symbol display device 41 is turned on or off (displayed state of the stopped symbols).

  When such a jackpot determination is executed, the main control board 3 outputs an effect command including the result of the jackpot determination to the sub-control board 35 in parallel with the control of the special symbol display device 41. This effect command includes information regarding the determination result and the variation time during which the effect operation is to be controlled according to the determination result. In the sub-control board 35 that has received the effect command, an effect lottery is executed, and an effect pattern corresponding to the result of the effect lottery is selected. This effect pattern is a pattern for outputting sound or light. Further, on the sub-control board 35, an effect display pattern corresponding to this effect pattern is selected.

  This effect display pattern represents a pattern related to which effect display operation should be executed among a plurality of prepared effect display operations over a variable time, and includes information corresponding to each scene to be displayed as the effect display operation. .

  Then, the sub control board 35 transmits an effect display command indicating an effect display to be displayed on the decorative symbol display device 16 to the decorative symbol control board 30 based on the selected effect display pattern.

(5. Example of operation of decorative design display board 30)
Next, an operation example when the decorative design display board 30 receives an effect display command from the sub-control board 35 will be described.

(5-1. Operation example of symbol CPU 311)
The effect display command from the sub-control board 35 is received by the command interface 303 of the GPU 300 and transferred to the symbol CPU 311 for processing. The operation of the symbol CPU 311 is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  When receiving the effect display command from the sub control board 35 (step S101), the symbol CPU 311 reads display scheduler data 402 corresponding to the effect display pattern specified by the effect display command from the control ROM 301 (step S102).

  Then, the symbol CPU 311 generates a command list to be transmitted to the VDP 330 based on the display scheduler data 402 read from the control ROM 301 (step S103). The specific operation of the command list generation process will be described later.

  Next, the symbol CPU 311 repeats generation of a command list for drawing each sprite image until generation of a command list for all sprite images in one frame is completed, and generation of a command list for all sprite images is performed. When completed (step S104), the generated command list is transmitted to the VDP 330 (step S105).

  Then, the symbol CPU 311 repeats the processes of steps S103 to S105 until the processes for all the frames are completed (step S106).

(5-2. Command list generation process)
Next, a specific operation of the command list generation process shown in step S103 of the flowchart of FIG. 9 will be described.

(5-2-1. List of main commands used)
First, a list of main commands used in the VDP 330 of this embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, a command name, command data, data size, and command content are set for each command. Here, the command data indicates a 1-byte value set at the head of each command in order to specify the type of command.

  For example, a command “EODL” whose command content is drawing end is set to “8F” as the command data and has a data size of 4 bytes, and thus becomes a command “8FOOXXOO”.

  Note that the list of commands shown in FIG. 10 shows some of the commands that are actually used, and there are also commands that are not shown in FIG.

(5-2-2. Example of command list)
Next, an example of the command list created by the symbol CPU 311 is shown in FIG. Since a command list is created for each frame, when a plurality of sprite images are included in one frame, commands for each sprite image are generated and included in the command list.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, the command for the second sprite image is arranged below the command for the first sprite image. This command list is divided every 4 bytes per column, and 20-byte commands are represented as 5 columns of data.

  The command for the first sprite image in the command list example shown in FIG. 11 includes a command “44000001... 00000”. Referring to FIG. 10, the value “44” for the first byte of this command indicates that the command name of this command is “SETBLNDCNST”, and the command content is a fixed value setting in the inter-image calculation.

(5-2-3. Specific processing flow of command list generation processing)
Next, specific processing when a command list is generated in the symbol CPU 311 in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

  When generating the command list for transfer to the VDP 330, the symbol CPU 311 in the present embodiment sets a command common to a plurality of sprite images as a common command in the command list, and sets a command other than the common command for each sprite image. And set it in the command list.

  Also, when trying to generate a command for a certain sprite image, the symbol CPU 311 omits the generation of the command if the command to be generated has the same content as the command for another sprite image that has already been generated. To. Here, the case where the command SERFCOLOR, which is a command including the setting of the transparency of the sprite image, is used as the command to be omitted will be described, but the present invention is similarly applied even when other commands are used as the commands to be omitted. Applicable.

A specific processing flow of the command list generation processing is shown in the flowchart of FIG.
First, when trying to generate a command list for a certain frame of the symbol CPU 311, a command common to a plurality of sprite images is registered as a common command (step S 201), and an initial value of SETCOLOR, which is a command including a transparency setting, is saved. (Step S202).

  Next, the symbol CPU 311 registers commands other than the common command, such as a texture load related command (TXLOAD2AAC), a texture attribute related command (SETTXATR, etc.), a drawing effect related command (SETFECTECT), etc. in the command list (step S203).

  Then, the symbol CPU 311 synthesizes the transparency value with the command SETCOLOR (step S204). Then, the symbol CPU 311 determines whether or not the stored transparency value is the same as the value synthesized with the command SETCOLOR (step S205). If it is determined in step S205 that the stored transparency value and the value synthesized with the command SETCOLOR are the same, the symbol CPU 311 does not register the command SETCOLOR in the command list, and does not register the sprite drawing command ( (SPRIT) is registered in the command list (step S208).

  When it is determined in step S205 that the stored transparency value and the value synthesized with the command SETCOLOR are not the same, the symbol CPU 311 saves the transparency value synthesized with the command SETCOLOR (step S206). The command SETCOLOR with the synthesized transparency is registered in the command list (step S207). Then, the symbol CPU 311 registers a sprite drawing command (SPRITE) in the command list (step S208).

  When the command list generation for one sprite image is performed in this way, the symbol CPU 311 determines whether or not the processing for all the sprite images has been completed (step S209), and the processing for all the sprite images is completed. If so, the command generation process is terminated. If all the sprite images have not been processed, the symbol CPU 311 repeats the processing from step S203 to step S208 until all the sprite images have been processed.

  An example of the command list generated in this way is shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 13, a command “44000001... 00000” is set as a common command. Therefore, in the command for the first sprite image and the command for the second sprite image, the command “44000001... 00000” which is a common command is not set and is omitted. Therefore, when a common command among commands for each sprite image is set as a common command as shown in FIG. 13, the command list is compared with the command list generated without using the common command shown in FIG. It is possible to reduce the amount of data.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of a command list when the command SETCOLOR which has the same transparency is omitted and when it is not omitted. FIG. 14A shows an example of a command list when a command SETCOLOR that has the same transparency is not omitted, and FIG. 14B shows an example of a command list when the command SETCOLOR that has the same transparency is omitted. is there.

  In FIG. 14B, since the command “43000001 0A040216” is set in the command for the first sprite image, this command is omitted in the command for the second sprite image. Therefore, comparing FIG. 14 (a) and FIG. 14 (b), the command list data amount is reduced by omitting the commands having the same transparency in the commands for the second and subsequent sprite images without setting them. I understand that.

(6. Display processing)
Next, display processing performed in the VDP 330 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of the display process.

  First, when receiving a command list from the symbol CPU 311, the VDP 330 stores the received command list in the data storage memory 336 (step S301). Then, based on the received command list, the data transfer circuit 332 reads various material image data such as sprite data and moving image data necessary for video display from the source ROM 340 (step S302).

  The material image data such as sprite data transferred from the source ROM 340 is decoded by the decoder 334 and then stored in the data storage memory 336 (step S303).

  The drawing circuit 335 performs drawing processing using the material image data stored in the data storage memory 336 based on each command included in the command list received from the symbol CPU 311, and the generated image data is stored in the frame buffer memory. The data is sequentially stored in 337 (step S304).

  Finally, the display circuit 338 converts the image data for one frame stored in the frame buffer memory 337 into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the decorative design display device 16 (step S305).

  The display process as shown in FIG. 15 is performed for each frame, so that the VDP 330 displays an image constituted by continuous display of each scene based on the command list transferred from the symbol CPU 311. It can be displayed on the device 16.

(7. Reference to usefulness according to this embodiment)
In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when generating a command list to be transmitted to the VDP 330, the symbol CPU 311 sets a command common to a plurality of sprite images as a common command in the command list. . For example, in the example shown in FIG. 13, a command “44000001... 00000” is set in the command list as a common command, and this common command is omitted in the commands for the subsequent sprite images.

  Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the common command from being repeatedly set in the command list for each sprite image, and the data amount of the entire command list is reduced compared to the case where no common command is set. can do.

  Furthermore, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when a command to be set for a certain sprite image has the same content as a command already set for another sprite image, the command is set in the command list. Thus, it is possible to avoid duplicating commands having the same contents in one command list, and it is possible to reduce the data amount of the entire command list.

  Note that even if the command list data amount is reduced by the method described above, the command content itself is not reduced, so the video content is not reduced, and a common command is used. It is possible to realize video display with the same content as when there is no video.

  Then, by reducing the data amount of the command list to be transferred from the symbol CPU 311 to the VDP 330, the storage capacity of the SDRAM 302 for temporarily storing the command list generated by the symbol CPU 311 or the VDP 330 receives it. It is possible to reduce the consumption of the storage capacity of the data storage memory 336 for storing the command list.

  Further, in the VDP 330, drawing processing is performed by sequentially executing various commands included in the command list received from the symbol CPU 311. Therefore, the processing amount of the VDP 330 is reduced by reducing the data amount of the command list. It will be.

(8. Reference to other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, a case has been described where the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine in which a gaming state shifts in accordance with an internal lottery result executed in response to winning of a game ball at a start winning opening. The invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The present invention is similarly applied to other pachinko machines such as a pachinko machine having a pair of left and right movable pieces (a so-called “wings”) that opens and closes when a game ball is won at the start opening. It is possible to apply to.

  In addition, the present invention is similarly applied to a gaming machine such as a revolving gaming machine (slot machine) that uses medals or coins as a gaming medium as long as it is a gaming machine having a display device for displaying an effect operation. It is possible to apply. In addition, as an aspect of the spinning type game machine to which the present invention can be applied, the game medium is not limited to a medal or a coin, but may be an aspect using a game ball for a pachinko machine or the like.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the display means (decorative pattern display apparatus etc.) which performs a display operation using a liquid crystal element is illustrated, it is not restricted to this, The display using an EL (Electro Luminescence) element You may apply to the display means using a means or a plasma.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, although the decoration design control board 30 is controlling the production | presentation operation | movement which concerns on a display, it is not restricted to this, For example, the sub control board 35 only produces other production | presentation operations other than the presentation operation | movement concerning a display. Instead, a form having the function of the decorative design control board 30 may be employed.

1 Pachinko machine (game machine)
3 Main control board (game control unit)
3a Main CPU
16 Decorative design display device (display device)
30 decorative design control board (production control unit)
35 Sub-control board (production control unit)
300 GPU
301 Control ROM
302 SDRAM
303 Command interface (I / F)
307 bus 311 design CPU (display control processor)
330 VDP (video display processor)
331 CPU interface (I / F)
332 Data transfer circuit 333 Bus interface (I / F)
334 Decoder 335 Drawing circuit 336 Data storage memory 337 Frame buffer memory 338 Display circuit 340 Source ROM (nonvolatile video memory)
401 Display control data 402 Display scheduler data 501 Frame number 502 Character number 503 X coordinate 504 Y coordinate 505 Base point position 506 X direction enlargement ratio 507 Y direction enlargement ratio 508 Transparency (blend ratio)
509 Rotation angle 601 Sprite data 602 Palette data 603 Movie data

Claims (1)

When the game ball is received at the starting port, after that, the big winning lottery is executed and the variation display of the special symbol is started.
A game control unit for controlling a game operation using a game medium;
An effect control unit that controls an effect operation accompanying the game operation by the control of the game control unit,
In a gaming machine comprising: a display device that performs a display operation under the control of the effect control unit;
The production control unit
As a material image necessary for the image, an image indicating that the image is being restored from the power failure state, an image related to the decorative display of the decorative pattern, and a display form in which the decorative pattern that is changing may be arranged in the same decorative pattern A first non-volatile memory that non-volatilely stores each material image data used for displaying an image related to an implied expected effect ;
Second non-volatile memory to non-volatile storage of the scheduler data including information for identifying the raw image data necessary for rendering of each scene constituting the information and video to be displayed about the configuration of a video to be displayed and ,
A volatile video memory capable of storing the material image data in a volatile manner;
A video display processor for displaying video on the display device;
A display control processor for generating a command list including a plurality of commands respectively corresponding to a plurality of decorative symbols to be included in each frame constituting the video based on the scheduler data and transferring the command list to the video display processor;
Including
The video display processor
By sequentially executing a plurality of commands included in the transferred to have a command list from the display control processor, the volatile material image data corresponding to the image to be displayed is read from the first nonvolatile memory Expanding the video memory and displaying the video configured using the material image data expanded in the volatile video memory on the display device,
The display control processor includes:
When generating a command list for each frame, commands common to a plurality of material images are set in the command list as common commands, and commands other than the common commands are generated for each decoration symbol and set in the command list. on the other hand, when executing the expected effect to imply that there may be a display mode decorative pattern are aligned in the same type, when attempting to generate a command for the decorative pattern of the same kind, it commands to be generated already generated A game machine characterized by omitting the generation of the command when the content is the same as the command for the other decorative symbol.

Images