JP5753525B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a display control technique for a gaming machine suitable for being applied to a gaming machine, particularly a pachinko machine, having a display unit capable of variably displaying identification information.

  A conventional display control technique for a gaming machine is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-263158. In this gaming machine, in addition to a game control board for controlling the gaming state of the gaming machine, an LCD control microcomputer for controlling display of the variable display device is provided to perform the role of control. Then, the command data is transmitted from the game control board to the LCD control microcomputer by one-way communication, the time management of the display control operation is performed on the game control board side, and the display control operation of the LCD control microcomputer is performed. It was configured to be able to grasp.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-263158

  However, this gaming machine has a problem that the command configuration is complicated and the control load on the game control board increases.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object thereof is to reduce the control burden of game control means for controlling a game operation.

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to a first aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine having a display unit capable of variably displaying identification information, and controls a gaming operation according to the progress of the game. And display control means for performing display control of the display unit based on a display control command, wherein the game control means specifies the variation time when starting the variation display of the identification information. Command is sent to the display control means, and the type designation command is sent to the display control means at a fixed timing from the transmission. The display control means means receives a command for specifying the variation time transmitted by the starts variable display of the identification information, and after the predetermined fixed timing has elapsed, the type for specifying said game control means sends After the elapse of the time from when the command is received and the change display defined by the change time designation command already received until the change display is stopped, the type designation command already received The identification information selected based on the information is displayed.

  Further, the gaming machine according to the second invention is the gaming machine according to the first invention, wherein the display control command indicates mode information for identifying a command classification, and the content or function of the command. The variable time designation command includes the mode information for identifying that the command classification is the variable time designation command, and the event In the information, a time period from the start of the change display of the identification information to the stop is defined.

  As described above, according to the gaming machine according to the present invention, the display control unit starts the variable display of the identification information based on the reception of the variable time designation command transmitted by the game control unit, and has already Since the change display of the identification information is stopped and displayed after the time from the start of the change display defined by the command for specifying the change time to the end of the change, the change display control operation of the identification information changes. Time is managed for each point, and it is not necessary to send a command to the display control means each time, and the control load on the game control means can be reduced.

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 transmission timing of a command. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a timing chart.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of the game board 10. In the substantially central part of the game board 10, the display information of the three (left, middle, right) display units can be independently displayed in a variable manner, and the characters can also be displayed. A special symbol display device 100 is disposed, and a special symbol start port 104 is disposed immediately below the special symbol display device 100, and normal symbol operation gates 102 and 102 are disposed on both sides of the special symbol start port 104. ing. 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 starting port 104 and a random number lottery is performed. When the random number selected is a big hit value, each display unit is in a variable display state, and then a predetermined pattern (for example, “7 , 7, 7 ") is displayed by the special symbol display device 100, and the big winning opening 106 is controlled to be opened and closed in a predetermined pattern, so that a big hit gaming state advantageous to the player is achieved.

  Further, when the normal symbol operation gate 102 detects the passing of the game ball, a random number lottery is performed. When the random number selected is a small hit value, the display unit of the normal symbol display device 108 is set to a predetermined pattern (for example, “7 ”Or“ 3 ”), and then, when the opening / closing member 120 is opened and the game ball wins the special symbol starting port 104, the random number lottery is performed in the same manner. Is a big hit value, each display unit is in a variable display state, and then a predetermined display pattern (for example, “7, 7, 7”) is displayed by the special symbol display device 100, and the big prize opening 106 is set to a predetermined value. Opening and closing control is performed with a pattern, and a big hit state advantageous to the player is achieved. 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 (game control means) has a microprocessor with a built-in CPU, and receives 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 to be stored, a ROM 201 for storing a control program describing a series of gaming machine control procedures, control data, and the like, and a RAM 203 for forming a work area are provided, and an integrated one-chip microcomputer is obtained. ing.

  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, the main control unit 200 has three display units for displaying special symbols and characters via the output port 215, each of which can be independently variably displayed, and can be realized by an LCD or the like. 100, lamp display devices 110 and 112 for controlling the lighting of lamps, sound effect generating device 116 for generating sound effects, for example, a normal symbol display device 108 realized by a 7-segment display device, and opening / closing members 120 for opening and closing are controlled. Are connected to a start opening actuating solenoid 300 and a large winning opening actuating solenoid 302 for controlling opening and closing of a wide opening and closing member of the big winning opening 106, and the main control unit 200 transmits a control signal for controlling each device. Transmission is possible. 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.

  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) that is an identifier for identifying the command classification and is 1-byte long digital information. , An event (EVENT) which is 1-byte digital information indicating the content (function) of the command to be executed. FIGS. 6 to 9 show the display on the command data table area 202 stored in the ROM 201. A part of control command data is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, the command for display control is “to change the special symbol and to indicate how long after the change starts, the special symbol (identification information) is stopped. Command "," command specifying stop symbol on the left of special symbol "," command specifying stop symbol in the special symbol ", and" command specifying stop symbol on the right of special symbol ". These commands are indispensable regardless of how the variation mode of the variation display changes depending on the game situation. As will be described later using the timing chart, the main control unit 200 displays the symbol variation display. These four commands are transmitted to the special symbol display device 100 at a predetermined timing in one variation display control. Therefore, since the special symbol display device 100 side is responsible for fine display control such as changes in the symbol display speed, the program for the main control unit 200 is simplified and the program is changed even if the display contents are changed. It is not necessary to build a general-purpose program. In addition, the main control unit 200 only transmits a command defining the time from the start of the symbol variation display to the stop and a command for designating the symbol, so that the control of the main control unit 200 is further enhanced. The load can be reduced and the program can be simplified.

  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, control operations 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 (general flowchart of game control) and FIG. The series of processing shown in FIG. 10 is executed by the main control unit 200, but is executed from the top step using a reset signal supplied from the reset circuit 213 every predetermined time (for example, 4 msec) as a trigger.
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 process has been executed since the power was turned on (step S110). . In the case of the first processing 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, input port processing 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 into a register in the terminal (not shown) via the input port 203 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 107 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. First, a strobe signal (DUSTB) is output to the special symbol display device 100, and the mode (MODE) and event (EVENT) data stored in the RAM 203 in step S180 is shown in FIG. To send. 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 S1108.

  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. Then, the CPU 1020 determines the start address of a processing table (not shown) to obtain a necessary command for performing fine display control independently of the main control unit 200, and then in step S1106, image processing is performed. In order to output to the LSI 1060, the data in the necessary area of the RAM 1090 is updated.

  Next, in step S1008, 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 S1110, based on the speed data. Update the symbol offset value.

  Next, in step S1112, 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. Next, in step S1114, the scroll data is set in the RAM 1090. Animation data is acquired from an animation processing table (not shown) in which the animation processing data stored is stored, set in the VDP output buffer in the RAM 1090, and it is determined whether or not the output permission flag is “1”. (Step S1116).

  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 S1118, 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. By executing the processing as described above, the CPU 1020 performs fine display control of the special symbol display device 100 independently of the main control unit 200 based on the command output from the main control unit 200. Therefore, the control burden on the main control unit 200 side can be greatly reduced.

  Next, an example of command output from the main control unit 200 to the special symbol display device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing a transmission timing of a command transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the special symbol display device 100 from the start of the variation of the special symbol to determination of all symbols, and the time elapses as it goes to the right side of the drawing. Is shown in

  On the other hand, FIG. 14 shows the contents of the transmission command. In this example, symbol variation designation (a command for designating the time from the start of variation to the start of variation), left stop symbol designation (left There are four commands available, one for designating the symbol), the other for designating the middle symbol (for designating the middle symbol), and the other for designating the right symbol (command for designating the right symbol). The control command is not sent. These commands are examples of commands necessary for the variable display control regardless of the mode of the variable display, and it goes without saying that commands other than those listed here may be adopted.

  As can be seen from FIG. 13, the main control unit 200 first transmits a command for starting the fluctuation and designating the time from the fluctuation start to the stop (1). A command for designating a symbol is transmitted (2), and further, a command for designating a middle stop symbol is transmitted after a lapse of T2 time (3), and a right stop symbol is designated after a lapse of T3 time from now on. A command for sending is sent (4). T1 to T3 are, for example, constant values of 40 msec, and display control commands are transmitted at a fixed timing.

  Then, the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 that has received these commands performs a series of variable display controls by performing fine display control such as variable speed change until the time specified in (1) elapses. The change display control is terminated after a lapse of T time from the start of change.

  In this way, the main control unit 200 sends a predetermined number of predetermined display control commands at a predetermined timing each time the game state is such that the symbol variation display is started. Since the special symbol display device receives these commands and performs fine display control only by transmitting to the main control unit 200, the control load on the main control unit 200 is greatly reduced. In addition, the main control unit 200 transmits only commands necessary for the variable display control to the special symbol display device 200 regardless of the variable display mode of the symbols, and fine display control such as changes in the variable display speed of the symbols can be performed. Since the special symbol display device 100 side takes charge, the program for the main control unit 200 is simplified, and it is not necessary to change the program even if the display contents are changed, so that a general-purpose program can be constructed. Furthermore, since the commands to be transmitted are only a command that defines the time from the start of symbol variation start or variation display until it is stopped, and a command for designating a stop symbol, the program can be further simplified.

  In the above description, a pachinko machine has been described as an example of a gaming machine. However, the present invention can be applied not only to a pachislot machine but also to other gaming machines having a display unit capable of displaying identification information in a variable manner. Needless to say.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game board 100 Special symbol display device 102 Normal symbol operation gate 104 Special symbol start opening 106 Large winning opening 108 Normal symbol display device 110 Lamp display device 112 Lamp display device 114 Out port 116 Sound effect generator 120 Opening and closing member 200 Main control part 201 ROM
202 Command data table area 203 RAM
210 Input port 213 Reset circuit 212 Power supply circuit 215 Output port 300 Start opening solenoid 302 Large winning opening operation solenoid 304 Special symbol starting switch 306 Normal symbol operating switch 308 Large winning opening switch 1020 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 (2)

A gaming machine having a display unit capable of variably displaying identification information,
Game control means for controlling the game operation according to the progress of the game;
Display control means for performing display control of the display unit based on a display control command,
The game control means is configured to transmit the display control command to the display control means at a predetermined timing when a game state in which the display of the identification information on the display unit is started is started. Configured,
The display control command includes a variable time designation command that defines a time from the start of the identification information variation display to a stop time, and a type that defines the type of the identification information to be stopped. And at least a command for specification,
The game control means, when starting the variable display of the identification information , transmits the variable time designation command to the display control means, and the type designation command is sent at a fixed timing from the transmission. Is transmitted to the display control means,
The display control means receives the change time designation command transmitted by the game control means, starts the change display of the identification information , and after the fixed timing has elapsed , the game control The type designation command transmitted by the means has been received, and has already been received after the elapse of the time from the start of the variation display defined by the variation time designation command already received until it is stopped. The game machine is characterized in that the identification information selected based on the type designation command is displayed. The display control command includes mode information for identifying a command classification, and event information for indicating a command content or function,
In the variable time designation command, the mode information for identifying that the command classification is the variable time designation command is set, and in the event information, the variation display of the identification information is performed. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a time period from the start to the stop is defined.

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