JP5991638B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine, and particularly to a gaming machine including a display device such as a liquid crystal display device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine (rotational gaming machine, slot machine) having a plurality of reels having symbols arranged on an outer peripheral surface is known. This type of gaming machine gives a certain game value to a game medium (medal) and performs a game for acquiring such a game medium. Also, this type of gaming machine performs an internal lottery triggered by the player's rotation start operation and starts rotation of a plurality of reels in a mode according to the result of the internal lottery as a player's stop operation trigger. Control is performed to stop a plurality of reels. The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line in a state where the plurality of reels are stopped, and medals are paid out according to the game result.

  In the gaming machine, various effects are made to improve the interest of the game. For example, a decorative member, a monitor (screen display device, liquid crystal display device), a speaker, and an LED lamp are attached, and a visual effect, a video effect, a sound effect, a light effect, and the like are performed.

JP, 07-125372, A It relates to printer technology. It is determined whether or not drawing information sharing is specified in the received print data command, and whether or not the received drawing data drawing data matches the drawing information held in the storage means. Determine. If a match determination is made, or if sharing is determined, analysis of the drawing information is skipped. As a result, the printing time can be shortened. When the creation of the liquid crystal image of the next frame is not completed even after the frame update time, a so-called processing drop occurs in which the update time is delayed by that time. With respect to the image of the next frame in which the drop has occurred, the amount of the drop in processing is recovered by not drawing a sheet having a low priority.

  In order to display a predetermined image in the liquid crystal display device, a command is transmitted from the sub board to the liquid crystal control board. When performing an effect by animation or the like, it is necessary to transmit a large number of commands successively one after another. The sub-board has a function of generating the command, and creates commands one after another at the time of production. On the other hand, the processing device (graphic display processor, display device controller, hereinafter referred to as “VDP”) of the liquid crystal control board that interprets the command and generates a predetermined image generates a very large amount of data. In order to process, a large number of commands cannot be processed at once. For this reason, a buffer is provided between the sub-board and the VDP, and the generated commands are temporarily stored in the buffer, and the VDP reads commands from the buffer as necessary. By doing this, even if a large number of commands exceeding the processing capability for the VDP are generated, these commands can be executed sequentially. Loss of commands due to not receiving commands in the VDP, The problem of processing loss due to the fact that the part is not executed can be solved to a considerable extent.

  By the way, in the conventional gaming machine, the sub board and the liquid crystal control board for generating the image of the liquid crystal display device are connected by a serial communication line. The liquid crystal control board is an independent board and is positioned as a peripheral board of the sub board.

  On the other hand, mounting a VDP on a sub-board is being studied. In this case, the liquid crystal display device is directly connected to the sub-board. In this way, the command generation unit of the sub-board and the VDP can be connected by a high-speed line such as a bus instead of a low-speed communication line. Since there is no communication line that becomes a bottleneck for communication, a large number of generated commands can be written to the buffer at one time.

  This means that VDP can analyze many commands stored in the buffer at once. By the way, there are various types of commands. For example, there are a command A for changing a part of the screen that has already been generated and displayed, such as changing the character image, and a command B for newly generating the entire screen to change to a completely different screen. If the command B is executed immediately after the execution of the command A, the entire screen is rewritten by the command B, so that the screen by the command A is not substantially displayed. That is, the execution interval between the commands A and B is short, and the command B is drawn before the screen display of the command A, or the screen by the command A is recognized by the player by being overwritten immediately by the command B. For example, the screen may not be displayed for as long as possible (the screen displayed by the command A is displayed only for about one-third of a second). In such a situation, it is meaningless to interpret / execute (analyze / draw) command A.

  However, in the conventional gaming machine, the commands stored in the buffer are sequentially read and all are interpreted and executed. In the above example, the interpretation and execution of command A is useless. Even if the command is not finally displayed, it is expected that the frequency of processing failures will increase by interpreting and executing the command. As described above, it is meaningless to read, interpret, and execute all the commands stored in the buffer in order as in the prior art, and a bad effect occurs.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can avoid interpretation / execution of a command that is not finally displayed.

The present invention relates to a main board that executes control related to a game including an internal lottery process, a sub board that executes processing related to effects based on a signal from the main board, and a display device that displays a screen for the effects. In a gaming machine comprising
The sub-board includes a command generation unit that generates a predetermined command for generating a screen of the display device, a command buffer that sequentially stores the commands generated by the command generation unit, and the command buffer A display device control unit that reads and executes the command from and controls the display device,
The command generation unit or the display device control unit examines the command buffer, and when a plurality of the commands are stored in the command buffer,
It is determined whether or not the plurality of commands are those for drawing the entire screen of the display device (hereinafter, a command for drawing the whole screen is referred to as a “full-screen drawing command”),
When the full-screen drawing command is present, the full-screen drawing command is identified in the last order,
Set to discard or not execute the command before the full-screen drawing command (hereinafter referred to as “valid command”) identified as the last in order,
The display device control unit sequentially reads and executes the valid command and the subsequent commands.

  The command generation unit or the display device control unit, for example, for the command stored in the command buffer, the size of the material used when drawing by the command, the position on the screen where the material is pasted It is determined whether the full screen drawing command is based on the information.

  The command generation unit or the display device control unit may further determine whether the command is the full-screen drawing command based on the transparency of the material used when drawing by the command.

The command generation unit or the display device control unit is set to discard or not execute the command before the valid command when the execution interval of the plurality of commands is shorter than a predetermined threshold. And
The threshold is set based on, for example, a frame time that is a display unit of the screen of the display device.

The present invention relates to a main board that executes control related to a game including an internal lottery process, a sub board that executes a process related to an effect based on a signal from the main board, and a display device that displays an image for the effect. In a gaming machine comprising
The sub-board includes a command generation unit that generates a predetermined command for generating a screen of the display device and a predetermined overwrite flag for each command, the command generated by the command generation unit, A command buffer for sequentially storing the overwrite flag, and a display device control unit for reading and executing the command from the command buffer and controlling the display device,
The command generation unit or the display device control unit examines the command buffer, and when a plurality of the commands are stored in the command buffer,
Determining whether or not the overwriting flag indicates that overwriting is possible for the plurality of commands (hereinafter, the overwriting flag is assumed to be “on”).
When the command with the overwrite flag on is present, identify the command with the last one of the commands with the overwrite flag on,
Set to discard or not execute the command before the command identified as the last one (hereinafter referred to as “valid command”),
The display device control unit sequentially reads and executes the valid command and the subsequent commands.

  For example, when the generated command updates the entire screen of the display device, the command generation unit turns on the overwrite flag and writes the overwrite flag together with the generated command in the command buffer.

The command generation unit or the display device control unit is set to discard or not execute the command before the valid command when the execution interval of the plurality of commands is shorter than a predetermined threshold. And
The threshold is set based on, for example, a frame time that is a display unit of the screen of the display device.

The present invention relates to a main board that executes control related to a game including an internal lottery process, a sub board that executes processing related to effects based on a signal from the main board, and a display device that displays a screen for the effects. In a gaming machine comprising
The sub-board is generated by a command generator that generates a command including a plurality of sub-commands that respectively perform predetermined processing on a plurality of layers that constitute the screen of the display device, and the command generator A command buffer for sequentially storing the commands, and reading and executing the commands from the command buffer, drawing the plurality of layers, and combining the plurality of layers to generate a screen of the display device A display device control unit,
The command buffer is provided with an execution flag for determining the presence or absence of execution for each command,
The command generation unit or the display device control unit examines the command buffer, and when a plurality of the commands are stored in the command buffer,
A first step of designating one of the plurality of layers;
A second step of reading the subcommand of the layer specified in the first step from a plurality of the commands of the command buffer;
A third step of determining whether or not the read subcommand is for performing no processing on the layer;
A fourth step of setting the execution flag of the command including the subcommand when the subcommand does not perform processing on the layer;
A fifth step of resetting the execution flag of the command including the subcommand when the subcommand does not perform processing on the layer;
And a sixth step that repeats the first to fifth steps for layers other than those designated in the first step,
The display device control unit sequentially reads and executes the commands for which the execution flag is set.

The command generation unit or the display device control unit executes the first to sixth steps when an execution interval of the plurality of commands is shorter than a predetermined threshold,
The threshold is set, for example, based on a frame time that is a display unit of the screen.

  According to the present invention, the sub board includes a command generation unit that generates a predetermined command for generating a screen of the display device and a predetermined overwrite flag for each command, and a command generated by the command generation unit. And a command buffer that sequentially stores the overwrite flag, and a display device control unit that reads and executes the command from the command buffer and controls the display device, and draws the entire screen of the display device with respect to the command. Since the command that identifies the last command in the full-screen drawing command is identified and the command that precedes the command identified as the last command is skipped, it is not finally displayed. This eliminates the need to interpret and execute commands, reducing the load on the display controller. .

It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which opened the front door 180 degree | times. It is a block diagram of a slot machine. It is a flowchart of the gaming process of the slot machine. It is a block diagram of a sub board concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a block diagram of VDP (display apparatus control part). It is explanatory drawing of the state of the command accumulate | stored in the command buffer. It is explanatory drawing of the state of the command accumulate | stored in the command buffer which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the other state of the command accumulate | stored in the command buffer which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a flowchart of the command rearrangement process which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the specific example of the command rearrangement process which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the state of the command accumulate | stored in the command buffer which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the example which is not a full screen drawing, and the example of full screen drawing which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. It is a flowchart of the command rearrangement process which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the state of the command accumulate | stored in the command buffer which concerns on Embodiment 3 of invention. It is a flowchart of the command rearrangement process which concerns on Embodiment 3 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the specific example of the command rearrangement process which concerns on Embodiment 3 of invention.

Embodiment 1 of the Invention
FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door closed, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door opened 180 degrees.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a slot machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 100 can be opened and closed by a hinge or the like on the slot machine main body 120 and one side of the front surface of the slot machine main body 120. And a front door 130 attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 1, a game display unit 131 is provided substantially at the center of the front door 130, and a medal insertion slot 132 for a player to insert medals is provided at the lower right of the game display unit 131. On the lower side of the medal insertion slot 132, a reject button 133 for forcibly discharging a clogged medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132 to the outside of the slot machine 100 is provided.

  Further, a start switch 134 for starting a game is provided at the lower left of the game display unit 131, and three stop switches 140 are provided corresponding to the three spinning cylinders. A medal payout port 135 is provided at the center of the lower end of the front door. A liquid crystal display device LCD is provided above the game display unit 131.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine main body 120 is fixed to the inner bottom surface, stores a plurality of medals therein, and stores the stored medals at a payout port 135 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. A hopper device 121 for paying out the sheets one by one is installed. An upper portion of the hopper device 121 is provided with a hopper tank 122 that opens upward and stores a plurality of medals therein. Inside the slot machine main body 120, a reel (rotating cylinder) unit 203 including three rotating cylinders is installed at a position where the game display unit 131 comes when the front door 130 is closed. The reel unit 203 includes three spinning cylinders (first to third drums) in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surface. The game display unit 131 is provided with an opening through which the player can see the symbols of the rotating drums of the reel unit 203. A power supply unit 205 is provided on the left side of the hopper device 121.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the medal (coin) selector 1 is attached to the back side of the front door 130 on the back side of the medal slot 132 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. This medal selector 1 rolls the medal toward the hopper device 121 while detecting the passage of the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132, and has a different diameter medal or iron or iron whose outer diameter is different from the predetermined dimension. This is an apparatus for selecting and removing illegal medals made of an alloy and selecting and eliminating a predetermined number or more of medals that can be inserted per game.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a lead-out path 136 that covers the lower side and communicates with the payout port 135 of the front door 130 is provided below the medal selector 1. The medals distributed by the medal selector 1 are returned to the player from the payout port 135 via the derivation path 136.

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the slot machine 100 according to the embodiment of the invention.
In this figure, the display about the power supply system is omitted. Although not shown, the slot machine includes a power supply unit for generating a DC power supply (+5 V or the like) from a commercial power supply (AC 100 V).

  The slot machine 100 includes a main substrate (processing unit) 10 and a sub substrate 20 that operates in response to a command from the main substrate (processing unit) 10 as main processing devices. At least the main substrate 10 is accommodated inside the case so that it cannot be contacted from the outside, and is sealed so that traces remain when these substrates are removed.

  The main board 10 is for performing an internal lottery in response to a player's operation, and performing processing (game processing) such as reel rotation / stop and medal payout. The main board 10 includes a CPU that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like.

  The sub board 20 is for receiving a command signal from the main board 10 and notifying the result of the internal lottery and performing various effects. The sub-board 20 includes a CPU that performs a control operation in accordance with a preset program corresponding to the command signal, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like. Only one command flows from the main board 10 to the sub board 20, and conversely, no command is issued from the sub board 20 to the main board 10.

  The main board 10 is paid out from a bet switch BET, a start switch 134, a stop button 140, a reel unit (including a reel driving device) 203, a reel position detection circuit 71, a hopper driving unit 80, a hopper 81 and a hopper 81. A medal detection unit 82 for counting the number of medals (these constitute the hopper device 121 described above) is connected. Peripheral substrates (device control substrates) such as a speaker substrate 201 and an LED substrate 202 are connected to the sub substrate 20. The peripheral board is controlled by the sub-board 20 and produces effects mainly by video, light, and sound. In addition, a liquid crystal display device LCD is connected to the sub-board 20. The sub-board 20 incorporates a VDP (graphic display processor, display device controller) that is a control device for the liquid crystal display device LCD.

  Further, medal sensors S1 and S2 of the medal selector 1 are connected to the main board 10.

  The medal selector 1 is provided with medal sensors S1 and S2 for counting medals. The medal sensors S1 and S2 are provided on the downstream side (near the exit) of a medal passage (not shown) provided in the medal selector 1 (the upstream side of the medal passage communicates with the medal slot 132). The two medal sensors S1 and S2 are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval along the medal traveling direction. The medal sensors S1 and S2 are, for example, photointerrupters that have a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion that face each other, are formed in a U-shaped cross section, and are positioned so that the detection optical axis faces the medal passage from above. . Each photo interrupter detects the passage of a medal sent without being blocked on the way. The reason why two photo interrupters are adjacent is not only to detect the number of medals but also to monitor whether or not the passage of medals is normal. That is, by providing two photo interrupters adjacent to each other, it is possible to detect the passing speed and passing direction of medals, thereby detecting not only the number of medals but also an illegal act moving in the reverse direction.

  The hopper driving unit 80 rotates the hopper 81 and performs an operation of paying out medals of the payout number instructed by the main board 10. The gaming machine includes a medal detection unit 82 that operates every time a medal is paid out, and the main board 10 receives a medal actually paid out from the hopper 81 based on an input signal from the medal detection unit 82. You can manage the number.

  The insertion accepting unit 1050 receives the outputs of the medal sensors S1 and S2 of the medal selector 1, accepts the insertion of medals for each game, and determines that the medal corresponding to the specified number of insertions has been inserted. A process of permitting the rotation start operation of the first reel to the third reel is performed. Note that the pressing operation of the start switch 134 is an opportunity to start rotation of the first reel to the third reel and an opportunity to execute the internal lottery. Also, a prescribed number of throws is set according to the gaming state, the prescribed number of throws is set to 3 in the normal state and the bonus established state, and the prescribed number of throws is set to 1 in the bonus state.

  When medals are inserted, the inserted medals are set to the inserted state up to a specified number of insertions according to the gaming state. Alternatively, when the bet switch BET is pressed in a state where medals have been credited to the gaming machine, the credited medals are set to the inserted state by limiting the prescribed number of insertions according to the gaming state. The main board 10 controls whether or not to accept a medal. When it is not in a state of accepting insertion of medals (when not permitted), even if medals are inserted, they are not counted by the medal sensors S1 and S2 and are returned as they are. Similarly, the main board 10 controls the validity / invalidity of the bet switch BET. When the bet switch BET is not valid (when not permitted), even if the bet switch BET is pressed, it is ignored.

  The main board 10 incorporates random number generating means 1100. The random number generation means 1100 is a means for generating a random number for lottery. The random value can be generated based on, for example, a count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts numerical values so as to circulate a predetermined count range). In this embodiment, the “random number value” is not only a value that is randomly generated in a mathematical sense, but even if the generation itself is regular, the acquisition timing and the like are irregular. Includes a value that can function as a random number.

  The internal lottery means 1200 performs an internal lottery in which the player determines whether or not the winning combination is based on a start signal from the start switch 134. That is, a lottery table selection process for selecting a lottery table (not shown) stored in a memory (not shown) of the main board 10, a random number determination process for determining the winning of a random number obtained from the random number generation means 1050, The lottery flag setting process for setting a flag to that effect when a big win or the like is won by the determination result is performed.

  In the lottery table selection process, a lottery table (not shown) stored in a storage unit (ROM) (not shown) is used to determine which lottery table is used for internal lottery. In the lottery table, for each of a plurality of random values (for example, 65536 random values from 0 to 65535), replay, small role (bell, cherry), regular bonus (RB: bonus), and big bonus (BB :), etc., are associated with each other. In addition, a normal state, a bonus establishment state, and a bonus state can be set as the gaming state, and a replay lottery state, a replay low probability state, and a replay high probability state can be set as replay lottery states.

  In the random number determination process, a random value (lottery random number) is acquired from the random number generation means (not shown) for each game based on a start signal from the start switch 134, and the lottery table is referred to for the acquired random value. Then, it is determined whether or not the winning combination is won.

  In the lottery flag setting process, the lottery flag of the winning combination determined to be won based on the result of the random number determination process is changed from the non-winning state (first flag state, off state) to the winning state (second flag state, on Status). When two or more types of winning combinations are won, a lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more types of winning winning combinations is set to the winning state. The lottery flag setting information is stored in storage means (RAM).

  A lottery flag (possible carryover flag) that can carry over the winning state for the next game until winning, and a lottery flag that is reset to the non-winning state without bringing the winning state to the next game regardless of winning Carry-over impossible flag) may be provided. In this case, there are a regular bonus (RB) and a big bonus (BB) as a combination to which the former carry-over possible flag is associated, and other combinations (for example, small role, replay) correspond to the latter carry-over impossible flag. It is attached. In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, when a regular bonus is won by internal lottery, the winning state of the regular bonus lottery flag is carried over until the regular bonus is won, and when the big bonus is won by internal lottery, the big bonus lottery A process of carrying over the winning state of the flag until the big bonus is won is performed. At this time, the main board 10 determines whether or not a role other than the regular bonus and the big bonus (small role and replay) is used even in a game in which the winning state of the regular bonus or big bonus lottery flag is carried over by the internal lottery function. An internal lottery is performed. In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game in which the winning state of the regular bonus lottery flag is carried over, if a small role or replay is won in the internal lottery, the regular bonus lottery flag and the internal lottery already won In a game in which the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of winning combinations or replay lottery flags won in the win state are set to the winning state and the winning state of the big bonus lottery flag is carried over, it is small in the internal lottery When a winning combination or replay is won, a lottery flag corresponding to two or more kinds of winning combinations including a big bonus lottery flag that has already been won and a small bonus or replay lottery flag that has been won in an internal lottery is set to a winning state. Set.

  The replay processing unit 1600 may perform control to change the winning probability of replay in the internal lottery under a predetermined condition. The replay processing unit 1600 will be described later again. The replay lottery states include a replay no lottery state in which replay is excluded from the internal lottery, a replay low probability state in which the replay winning probability is set to about 1 / 7.3, and a replay winning probability of about 1 / A plurality of lottery states such as a high replay probability state set to 6 can be set. By changing the replay lottery state, the winning probability of the replay in the internal lottery is changed.

  The reel control means 1300 rotates the first to third reels by a stepping motor based on a start signal generated by the player pressing the start switch 134 (rotation start operation), and the first to third reels are driven. Control that permits the pressing operation (stop operation) of the three stop buttons 140 respectively corresponding to the rotating reels in a state in which the rotation speed of the motor reaches a predetermined speed (about 80 rpm: a rotation speed of about 80 rotations per minute). And a control to stop the first reel to the third reel, which are rotationally driven by the stepping motor, according to the lottery flag setting state (result of the internal lottery).

  In addition, the reel control means 1300 receives the reel stop signal when the player presses the three stop buttons 140 in a state where the pressing operation (stop operation) with respect to the three stop buttons 140 is permitted (validated). Based on this, by stopping the supply of drive pulses (motor drive signals) to the stepping motor of the reel unit 203, control is performed to stop each of the first to third reels.

  That is, each time the three stop buttons 140 are pressed, the reel control means 1300 determines the reel stop position corresponding to the pressed button among the first to third reels. The reel is stopped at the stop position. Specifically, referring to a stop control table (not shown) stored in the storage means (ROM), the first reel according to the pressing timing, pressing order, etc. (stop operation mode) of the three stop buttons. The stop position of the third reel is determined, and the first reel to the third reel are stopped at the determined stop position.

  Here, in the stop control table, the position of the first reel to the third reel (press detection position) at the time when the stop button 140 is operated and the actual stop position (or the slip from the press detection position) of the first reel to the third reel. (Number of frames) is set. Depending on the setting state of the lottery flag, a stop control table for determining the stop positions of the first reel to the third reel may be prepared.

  In the gaming machine, the reel unit 203 includes a reel index (not shown) made of a photosensor, and the reel control means 1300 is based on a reference position signal detected by the reel index every time the reel rotates once. By determining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotation axis of the step motor) from the reel reference position (the frame detected by the reel index), the current rotation state of the reel can be monitored. . That is, the main board 10 can obtain the position of the reel when the stop switch 140 is operated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel.

  The reel control means 1300 performs so-called pull-in processing and kick-out processing as control for stopping the reel. The pull-in process is a control process for stopping the reel so that the symbol corresponding to the combination whose lottery flag is set to the winning state is stopped on the winning determination line (so that the winning combination can be won). It is. On the other hand, the kicking process means that the reel corresponding to the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state does not stop on the valid winning determination line (so that the non-winning combination cannot be won) This is a control process to be stopped. That is, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the lottery flag setting state, the stop button 140 pressing timing, the pressing order, and the stop position of the reels that have already stopped (types of display symbols) in order to realize the pull-in processing and kicking processing. ) Etc., the stop control table is set so that the stop position of each reel changes. In this way, the main board 10 can stop the symbol of the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the winning state in a winning form, while the symbol of the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state is in the winning form. Control is performed to stop the first reel to the third reel so as not to stop.

  In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the first to third reels are set to a control state in which the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within 190 ms from the time when the stop button 140 is pressed. ing. That is, in the stop control table for determining the stop position of each rotating reel, the number of frames required from when the stop button 140 is pressed until each reel stops is in the range of 0 to 4 frames (predetermined pull-in range). Is set in

  The winning determination means 1400 performs a process of determining whether or not a winning combination has been won based on the stop mode of the first reel to the third reel. Specifically, referring to the winning determination table stored in the storage means (ROM), the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line when all of the first reel to the third reel are stopped, It is determined whether or not it is a predetermined winning combination.

  The winning determination means 1400 executes a winning process based on the determination result. As a process at the time of winning a prize, for example, when a small role wins, the hopper 81 is driven to perform a medal payout control process, or a credit is increased (a predetermined maximum number is increased to 50, for example, When the replay is won, a replay process is performed. When a big bonus or a regular bonus is won, a game state transition control process for shifting the game state is performed.

  The payout control means 1500 performs payout control processing relating to the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a small combination wins, the number of medals to be paid out in the game is determined based on a payout predetermined for each combination, and the medals corresponding to the determined number of payouts are determined by the hopper driving unit 80. Then, the hopper 81 is driven to pay out. At this time, a current flows through a motor (not shown) built in the hopper 81.

  When medal credits (internal storage) are permitted, instead of actually paying out medals by the hopper 81, the number of credits stored in a credit storage area (not shown) of the storage means (RAM) (not shown) A credit addition process for adding the number of payouts to the number of credited medals is performed to virtually pay out medals.

  When the replay is won, the replay processing means 1600 performs a replay process (regame process) for setting the same preparatory state as the previous game without requiring insertion of medals owned by the player for the next game. When a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed in which the same number of medals as the previous game is automatically set to the insertion state without using the player's own medals (including credit medals). The game machine is set in a state of waiting for a rotation start operation (pressing operation of the start switch 134 by the player) in the next game in a state where the same winning determination line as the previous game is validated.

  Further, the main board 10 may perform control to shift the gaming state between the normal state, the bonus establishment state, and the bonus state (gaming state transition control function). As the game condition transition condition, one condition may be defined, or a plurality of conditions may be defined. When a plurality of conditions are established, transitioning the gaming state to another gaming state based on the fact that one of the plurality of conditions is satisfied or all of the plurality of conditions are satisfied Can do.

  The normal state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of types of game states, and a transition from the normal state to the bonus establishment state is possible. The bonus establishment state is a gaming state that shifts when a big bonus or a regular bonus is won in the internal lottery. In the bonus establishment state, when the big bonus is won in the internal lottery in the normal state, the lottery flag corresponding to the big bonus is maintained in the winning state until the big bonus is won, and the regular bonus is won in the internal lottery in the normal state Until the regular bonus is won, the lottery flag corresponding to the regular bonus is maintained in the winning state. In the bonus state, it is determined whether or not the end condition is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out by the bonus game, and medals exceeding a predetermined payout limit number are paid out according to the type of bonus won. The bonus state is terminated and the gaming state is returned to the normal state.

  The reel unit 203 includes three reels (not shown), and one stepping motor is attached to each of the three reels. A stepping motor includes a gear-shaped iron core or permanent magnet as a rotor (rotor), a plurality of windings (coils) as a stator (stator), and is rotated by switching windings through which current flows. is there. That is, a current is passed through the windings of the stator to generate a magnetic force, and the rotor is rotated by attracting the rotor. Since the rotation axis can be stopped at a specified angle, it is used to drive the rotation of the reel of the slot machine. A plurality of windings constitute one phase. As the number of phases, for example, there are two (two phases), four (four phases), and five (five phases).

Next, game processing in the gaming machine will be described with reference to FIG.
Generally, in a gaming machine, one game is started from the insertion of medals (insertion of credits) until the end of payout (or until the increase in the number of credits is completed). There is a rule that it is not possible to proceed to the next game until one game is finished.

  First, when a prescribed number of medals are inserted, the start switch 134 is activated, and the processing of FIG. 4 is started.

  In step S1, the start switch 134 is turned on by operating the start switch 134. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S2.

  In step S2, a lottery process is performed by the main board 10. Then, the process proceeds to next Step S3.

  In step S3, the rotation of the first reel to the third reel starts. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S4.

  In step S4, when the stop button 140 is operated, the stop button 140 is turned ON. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S5.

  In step S5, rotation stop processing is performed on the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button 140 among the first to third reels. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S6.

  In step S6, it is determined whether or not the operation of the stop button 140 corresponding to the three reels has been performed. If it is determined that all three stop buttons 140 corresponding to the three reels have been operated, the process proceeds to the next step S7.

  In step S7, it is determined whether or not the winning symbols corresponding to the lottery flag are aligned on the effective winning line while the lottery flag is established, that is, whether or not the winning is confirmed. If it is determined that the winning is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S8. If the winning is not confirmed, no medals are paid out even if the lottery flag is established.

  In step S8, medals corresponding to winning symbols are paid out.

  The process from the insertion of the medal to the completion of the execution of step S8 is one game. When the standby process in step S8 ends, the process returns to the beginning of the flowchart. In other words, the next game is possible (transition to the next game).

  FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the sub-board 20. This figure is a block diagram of the function of generating a command, registering the generated command in the command buffer, and interpreting and executing the command in the buffer in the sub-board 20. Illustration of other functions is omitted.

  Reference numeral 20a denotes a command generation unit that generates a predetermined command for generating an image of the liquid crystal display device LCD. Since the command itself is publicly known, description thereof is omitted. Further, the command generation unit 20a generates a predetermined overwrite flag for each command. The overwrite flag indicates whether or not the command can be overwritten. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the overwrite flag is “ON” when overwriting is possible, and that the overwriting flag is “OFF” when overwriting is impossible (not permitted). The meaning of overwriting will be described later.

  When the generated command updates the entire image, the command generation unit 20a turns on the overwrite flag and writes the overwrite flag together with the generated command in the command buffer 20b.

  There are various types of image-related commands generated by the command generation unit 20a. For example, there are a command A for changing a part of the screen that has already been generated and displayed, such as changing the character image, and a command B for newly generating the entire screen to change to a completely different screen. As a general rule, for commands that update the entire screen, such as command B, the overwrite flag is set to “ON”. On the other hand, the overwrite flag is set to “off” for the command A that changes a part of the screen. The command system generated by the command generator 20a is determined in advance, and it can be determined in advance for each command whether the command A or B belongs. Therefore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that on / off of an overwrite flag is automatically assigned to a command generated by the command generation unit 20a in accordance with a predetermined rule.

  In the above example, the overwrite flag of command B can be turned off. In this way, the command A stored before the command B is interpreted and executed. In order to execute the command A as much as possible, it is preferable to turn off the overwrite flag of the command B. Note that if the overwrite flag is turned off for all commands, the skip processing described below is not executed, and all commands are interpreted and executed in order as in the prior art.

  As described above, it is possible to turn off the overwrite flag not only for the command A for changing part of the screen but also for the command B for newly generating the entire screen. On the other hand, it is not recommended to turn on the overwrite flag for the command A. Since the command A does not update the entire screen, if a command existing before the command A is skipped, the screen may not be consistent.

  Reference numeral 20b denotes a command buffer for sequentially storing commands generated by the command generation unit 20a and an overwrite flag. The command buffer 20b is a first-in first-out memory such as a FIFO. The command buffer 20b stores commands and an overwrite flag in order corresponding to the order in which images are generated in the production.

  Reference numeral 20c denotes a VDP (display device controller) 20c that reads and executes commands from the command buffer 20b and controls the liquid crystal display device LCD. It is assumed that the VDP 20c can read the contents of an arbitrary command buffer 20b (at least the contents of an overwrite flag of an arbitrary command stored).

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the VDP. The VDP has an interface I / F, a drawing engine E1 that draws an image according to the read command, a video memory VRAM that stores the drawn image, and a display that reads the image stored in the video memory VRAM and sends it to the liquid crystal display LCD An engine E2 is provided. Each of these elements is connected to an internal bus BUS so that data can be read from and written to each other. The interface I / F can receive data such as commands from the CPU and can also output an interrupt signal from the display engine E2 or the like to the CPU. This VDP can draw and display 60 frames per second at an XGA size resolution (1024 × 768 pixel resolution), for example.

  When drawing and displaying at 60 frames per second (= 60 fps), the time for one frame is 16.67 ms. This is called a frame time.

  The liquid crystal display device LCD is controlled in three stages: drawing data (including commands for the liquid crystal display device, moving image decoding information, etc.), drawing execution based on the drawing data, and display execution of the drawn image. That is, a command (drawing data) is sent to the VDP, the drawing engine E1 of the VDP executes drawing, and the display engine E2 displays an image on the liquid crystal display device LDC. These three stages of processing are executed in parallel (independently).

  Next, the operation of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, a command execution order in a conventional gaming machine (without an overwrite flag) will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, 1, 2 and 3 indicate the execution order of commands. That is, commands are read out in the order of CMD1, CMD2, and CMD3, and are interpreted and executed (the same applies to FIGS. 8 and 9).

  CMD1 is a command for displaying a predetermined default screen. CMD2 is a command for changing the background of the currently displayed screen. CMD3 is a command for effecting by switching the screen to another one. In the above example, CMD1 corresponds to command B, CMD2 corresponds to command A, and CMD3 corresponds to command B.

  When commands are stacked in the command buffer 20b in the order as shown in FIG. 7, since CMD3 is a command B for switching the entire screen, CMD1 and CMD2 do not affect the screen generated by CMD3 ( The presence or absence of drawing by CMD1 and CMD2 does not affect the player). Therefore, in the case of FIG. 7, it is meaningless to analyze and draw CMD1 and CMD2.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, an overwrite flag is prepared for each command. The overwrite flag is set to either on or off as described above. The VDP 20c can read the command overwrite flag in the command buffer 20b before reading the command from the command buffer 20b, and can skip the analysis of the meaningless command by determining these (this process). Details will be described later).

  In the example of FIG. 8, since the overwrite flags of CMD1 and CMD2 are both off and the overwrite flag of CMD3 is on, both commands CMD1 and CMD2 which are commands in the order before CMD3 are skipped.

  FIG. 9 shows an example in which all overwrite flags for commands in the command buffer 20b are on. Even in this case, since the presence or absence of drawing by CMD1 and CMD2 does not affect the player, both CMD1 and CMD2 which are commands in the order before CMD3 are skipped.

  It supplements about the process of FIG.8 and FIG.9.

  If the command B is executed in the order of the command B (command for changing a part of the screen) and the command A (command for newly generating the whole screen), the change of the part of the screen by the command A is left as it is. The player can recognize the screen change by the command A. In other words, the command A is valid in this execution order. 7 to 9, if CMD3 does not exist, CMD1 and CMD2 are both effective.

  On the other hand, if the commands A and B are executed in this order, a part of the screen change by the command A is overwritten by a new screen by the command B and disappears. Therefore, the player cannot recognize the screen change due to the command A, and the command A is invalid in this execution order. The example of FIG. 7 thru | or FIG. 9 corresponds.

  Note that the command A is invalid when the execution order is as described above, and the execution interval between the command A and the command B (that is, the screen display interval) is relatively short. If these execution intervals are long, a part of the screen change by the command A is displayed for a certain period of time, and then overwritten with a new screen by the command B and disappears. In this case, the player can recognize a part of the screen change due to the command A. It can be said that the command A is effective.

  On the other hand, if the execution interval is short (for example, if it is shorter than the display time of the frame which is the display unit of the screen), a part of the screen change by the command A will be a new screen by the command B before it is displayed. Overwritten and disappears. Therefore, the player cannot recognize the screen change by the command A. Command A is invalid.

  Whether the command A is valid or invalid means whether or not the drawing result is substantially displayed as described above (can be visually recognized by the player), and the first embodiment of the present invention is invalid. The purpose of this is to reduce the load on the VDP 20c and prevent the processing from being lost by skipping the processing of various commands.

  8 and 9 can be either the command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c. After generating the command and storing the command in the command buffer 20b, the command generation unit 20a executes the processes of FIGS. 8 and 9 based on, for example, a timer interrupt. Alternatively, when reading a command from the command buffer 20b, the VDP 20c executes the processes of FIGS.

  As described above, both the command generation unit 20a and the VDP 20c can execute the processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. However, in the following description, a case where the VDP 20c performs processing is taken as an example.

  FIG. 10 is a process flowchart of the VDP 20c of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the invention. This figure is displayed only for command skip processing, and screen generation processing based on commands is omitted.

  The processing in FIG. 10 is performed when the VDP 20c tries to read a command or periodically (for example, according to a frame period). If the processing of FIG. 10 is performed for each frame period (with the frame period as a unit), it is possible to always satisfy the condition that the execution interval between the command A and the command B is short to some extent. If the display time of the image is about 2 frames, the player cannot recognize it. Therefore, for example, the processing of FIG. 10 may be performed every 2 frame periods. Processing is facilitated by setting the processing interval of FIG. 10 in units of frame periods.

  When the process of FIG. 10 is performed by the command generation unit 20a, the process of FIG. 10 is started by a timer interrupt, for example.

  The processing timing is the same in the second and third embodiments.

S10: The VDP 20c checks the command buffer 20b.
The VDP 20c checks at least whether there is an unexecuted command, the number of existing commands, and the state of the overwrite flag.

S11: When there is no unexecuted command in the command buffer 20b, or when there is only one unexecuted command (NO in S11), the VDP 20c ends the process of FIG.

  If there is no unexecuted command in the command buffer 20b, the VDP 20c does not need to process the command. If there is one unexecuted command, the command is simply read, interpreted and executed, and there is no need to execute the skip processing after S12.

  When a plurality of unexecuted commands are stored in the command buffer 20b (YES in S11), the processes after S12 are executed.

S12: The VDP 20c checks the command overwrite flag in the command buffer 20b.

S13: When there is one for which the overwrite flag is on (YES in S13), the VDP 20c executes the processes of S14 and S15. When no overwrite flag is on (NO in S13), the process in FIG. 10 is terminated. When there is no command whose overwrite flag is on, a plurality of commands are sequentially read from the command buffer 20b and executed.

S14: The VDP 20c identifies the command whose order is the last among the commands whose overwrite flag is on.
In the examples of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, CMD3 corresponds to both.

S15: The VDP 20c skips the command preceding the command with the last overwrite flag turned on.

  In this process, the state of the overwrite flag of the command whose order is earlier than the last command is irrelevant. Even if the overwrite flags of the commands CMD1 and CMD2 of the order = 1, 2 are turned off as shown in FIG. 8, even if the overwrite flags of the commands CMD1, CMD2 of the order = 1, 2 are turned on as shown in FIG. The fact that these two commands are skipped does not change.

  Skip means that the corresponding command is not read, interpreted, or executed. Specifically, a command prior to the command (valid command) identified as the last in the order is set to be discarded (deleted) or not executed. “Do not execute” means, for example, setting the processing as being completed so that the command is not read. A known pointer is used to indicate which command in the command buffer 20b is to be processed, but the command can be prevented from being executed by advancing the pointer. In the example of FIGS. 8 and 9, it is assumed that the pointer = 1 before the process of FIG. 10 is started, and CMD1 and CMD2 can be skipped by setting the pointer = 3 when the process is completed. Note that the storage area of the command buffer 20b is not so large, and a skipped command is overwritten, so it is not always necessary to explicitly discard the command itself.

  Then, the VDP 20c sequentially reads the command (valid command, CMD3 in the examples of FIGS. 8 and 9) and the subsequent commands (not present in FIGS. 8 and 9) identified as the last in S14. Interpret and execute.

  FIG. 11 shows a specific example of the skip processing according to FIG.

  In FIG. 11A, when the overwrite flag of the last command CMD5 is OFF, when the overwrite flag of the previous command CMD4 is ON, CMD1 to CMD3 before CMD4 are skipped by the processing of FIG. It shows that. ○ means that the command is read, and x means that it is not read. Thus, the command may remain even if the overwrite flag is off.

  FIG. 11B shows that when the overwrite flag of the last command CMD6 is on, CMD1 to CMD5 before CMD6 are skipped by the processing of FIG. Thus, if the overwrite flag of the last command is on, all other commands are skipped.

  According to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, a flag indicating overwriting on / off is provided for all commands stored in the command buffer, and if an overwriting on flag is found, the analysis (or drawing) of the previous command is skipped. As a result, it is possible to skip interpretation / execution of commands that have no meaning as a result, and it is not necessary to place an extra load on the VDP, thereby preventing processing loss.

  As described above, since both the command generation unit 20a and the VDP 20c can execute the processing according to the first embodiment of the invention, the command generation unit 20a can also perform the processing of FIG. Included in the first embodiment of the invention, the load on VDP can be further reduced. In this case, the operation subject of each step in FIG. 10 should be read as the command generation unit 20a.

Embodiment 2 of the Invention
In the first embodiment of the invention, the overwrite flag is stored in the command buffer 20b together with the command. However, in the second embodiment of the invention, the overwrite flag is not prepared in advance. By examining the command in the command buffer 20b and interpreting it, it is determined for each command whether it is full-screen drawing or non-full-screen drawing (insertion processing), and the command is skipped based on this determination result. The determination result of the second embodiment of the invention corresponds to the overwrite flag of the first embodiment of the invention.

  The processing according to the second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 12A, three commands CMD1 to CMD3 are stored in the command buffer 20b. The commands are analyzed (interpreted) in the order of CMD1, CMD2, and CMD3, and the above determination is made.

  When processing (overwriting) is performed for the entire screen (full screen), the entire screen is switched, so drawing by the immediately preceding command is not presented to the player and is meaningless. It draws the entire screen (hereinafter, the command to draw the entire screen is referred to as “full screen drawing command”, and commands other than the full screen drawing command may be referred to as “non-full screen drawing command”). It is possible to reduce the load on the VDP by skipping the command preceding the full screen drawing command.

  FIG. 12B shows the determination result. Since CMD1 is a command for displaying a default screen, it is a full-screen drawing command. CMD2 is a non-full screen drawing command because it is an insertion command (a command for adding an image partially). Since CMD3 is a screen switching effect command, it is a full screen drawing command. Since the last command CMD3 is a full-screen drawing command, the previous CMD1 and CMD2 are skipped.

  Whether the command is a full-screen drawing command is determined based on the vertical and horizontal sizes of the material to be drawn by the command, the position (center coordinates) on the screen where the material is drawn, and transparency (alpha type). Examples are listed. Note that the drawing process, the specific content of the material, the screen coordinate system, and the transparency are all well-known techniques and will not be described.

A command for rewriting the entire screen is a full-screen drawing command (FIG. 13A).
When the vertical / horizontal size of the material to be drawn is smaller than the display screen, the command is a non-full-screen drawing command (FIG. 13C).
-The vertical and horizontal size of the material to be drawn is larger than the display screen, and the distance Δ between the position on the screen where the material is drawn and the center of the screen is smaller than the difference γ between the screen size and the material size. Is a full-screen drawing command (FIG. 13B). When the distance Δ is larger than the difference γ, the entire screen already drawn with the material cannot be covered, and the command is a non-full-screen drawing command.
When the transparency of the material to be drawn is set so that a screen that has already been drawn can be seen (so-called transparent), the command is a non-full-screen drawing command.

  FIG. 14 is a process flowchart of the VDP 20c of the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the invention. This figure is displayed only for command skip processing, and screen generation processing based on commands is omitted.

  Also in the second embodiment of the invention, both the command generation unit 20a and the VDP 20c can execute the processing according to the second embodiment of the invention, so that it will be clearly shown in the following description.

S10: The command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c checks the command buffer 20b.
The VDP 20c checks whether there is at least an unexecuted command, the number of existing commands, and the state of the overwrite flag.

S11: When there is no unexecuted command in the command buffer 20b, or when there is only one unexecuted command (NO in S11), the command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c ends the process of FIG. .

  If there is no unexecuted command in the command buffer 20b, the command generator 20a or the VDP 20c does not need to process the command. If there is one unexecuted command, it is only necessary to read and interpret / execute the command, and there is no need to execute the skip processing after S12b.

  When a plurality of unexecuted commands are stored in the command buffer 20b (YES in S11), the processes after S12b are executed.

S12b: The command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c determines a command in the command buffer 20b. That is, it is determined whether each command is a full-screen drawing command or a non-full-screen drawing command.

  As described above, it is determined whether the command is a full-screen drawing command based on information on the size of the material used when drawing by the command and the position on the screen where the material is pasted. In addition, it is determined whether the command is a full-screen drawing command based on the transparency of the material used when drawing by the command.

S13b: When a full-screen drawing command exists (YES in S13b), the command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c executes the processes of S14b and S15b. When there is no full-screen drawing command (NO in S13b), the processing in FIG. When there is no screen drawing command, a plurality of commands are sequentially read from the command buffer 20b and executed.

S14b: The command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c identifies the last full-screen drawing command in order.
In the example of FIG. 12, CMD3 corresponds.

S15b: The command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c skips a command preceding the full screen drawing command.

In this process, it does not matter whether the command preceding the full screen drawing command is a full screen drawing command or a non-full screen drawing command. Therefore, both CMD1 and CMD2 indicated by bold lines in FIG. 12B are skipped.
The meaning of skip has been described above.

  Then, the VDP 20c sequentially reads and interprets and executes the command (valid command) identified as the last in order and the subsequent commands.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to skip interpretation / execution of a command that does not make sense as a result, and it is not necessary to apply an extra load to the VDP. Can prevent falling.

  According to the second embodiment of the invention, since the command is discriminated after being stored in the command buffer, flexible processing is possible compared to the first embodiment of the invention. For example, in some productions, if the transparency is zero and the background is not visible at all, the full screen drawing command is used, but if it is slightly transparent and the background can be seen through even slightly, the non-full screen drawing command is used. Processing such as a full screen drawing command when the transparency is about 0 to 50%, and a non-full screen drawing command when the transparency is higher than that can be performed. In order to improve the quality of the production, the former can be determined, and when priority is given to VDP load reduction, the latter can be determined flexibly.

Embodiment 3 of the Invention
In the screen generation process, a plurality of layers are provided, an image is drawn independently of each other, and a screen of a plurality of layers is synthesized (overlaid) and displayed. By using a plurality of layers, drawing of backgrounds, characters, and the like can be performed independently, which is convenient and may be used in gaming machines. Embodiment 3 of the invention can be applied to a gaming machine using a plurality of layers. In addition, since the layer and the process performed using this are well-known, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of a command when a plurality of layers are provided. In the figure, independent commands are set for each of the three layers (three layers), layer L (low layer), layer M (intermediate layer), and layer U (upper layer). CMD1 to CMD3 in FIG. 15 are called commands, and commands for each layer included in each command are called subcommands.

  The CMD1 in FIG. 15 includes a subcommand (P_DEF_1) for drawing a default image for the layer L, a subcommand (MC_CLEAR) for deleting the main character drawn for the layer M, and a frame for the layer U. Contains a subcommand (P_WAKU) to draw.

  Similarly, CMD2 includes a subcommand (P_CUTIN) for drawing a cut-in image on the layer M. Since the subcommands of layers L and U are NULL, no processing is performed on these layers.

  Similarly, CMD3 was drawn for layer U, a subcommand (P_BATTLE) for drawing the battle background for layer L, a subcommand (MC_CLEAR) for deleting the main character drawn for layer M, and layer U Contains a subcommand (MC_CLEAR) to delete the frame.

  Also for the three commands in FIG. 15, a part of the commands can be skipped as in the second embodiment.

  When processing is performed for a certain layer, since the entire screen is switched (erased or overwritten), drawing by the immediately preceding command is not presented to the player and is meaningless. On the other hand, when the process is not performed (when it is a NULL subcommand), an image is not presented to the player unless the previous command is used for drawing. Therefore, in the third embodiment of the invention, subcommands are classified into NULL and other (non-NULL), and it is determined whether or not the command is skipped by performing these determinations for each layer.

  For this process, an execution flag is provided in the command buffer 20b. An execution flag is provided for each command. When the execution flag is set, the corresponding command is executed. When the execution flag is not set, the command is skipped.

  FIG. 16 is a process flowchart of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This figure is displayed only for command skip processing, and screen generation processing based on commands is omitted.

S10: The command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c checks the command buffer 20b.
The VDP 20c checks whether there is at least an unexecuted command, the number of existing commands, and the state of the overwrite flag.

S11: When there is no unexecuted command in the command buffer 20b, or when there is only one unexecuted command (NO in S11), the command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c ends the process of FIG. .

  If there is no unexecuted command in the command buffer 20b, the command generator 20a or the VDP 20c does not need to process the command. If there is one unexecuted command, the command is simply read, interpreted and executed, and skip processing need not be executed.

  When a plurality of unexecuted commands are stored in the command buffer 20b (YES in S11), the processes after S20 are executed.

S20: The command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c resets all execution flags of the command buffer 20b. This is the initial setting of the execution flag.

  Execution flags are prepared for at least the number of commands, and are used to determine whether each command is read and executed (for example, when execution flag = 1) or skipped (for example, when execution flag = 0). . The VDP 20c determines whether to execute based on the execution flag.

S21: The command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c designates one layer.
There is only one layer, and which layer is specified is arbitrary. For example, the layer L in FIG. 15 is designated. Hereinafter, processing is performed for the specified layer.

S22: The command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c reads a subcommand of the designated layer from the last command.

  The last command is stored at the end of the command buffer 20b, and is read last by the VDP 20c. In the example of FIG. 15, CMD3 corresponds. When layer L is designated, the subcommand P_BATTLE is read.

S23: The command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c determines whether the read subcommand is NULL (does nothing). If it is NULL (YES), it will progress to S24, and if it is not NULL (NO), it will progress to S26.
In the above example, since the subcommand P_BATTLE is not NULL, the process proceeds to S26.

S24: The command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c determines whether the command currently being processed is the first command. If it is the first command (YES), the process proceeds to S27, and if it is not the first command (NO), the process proceeds to S25.

The head command is stored first in the command buffer 20b, and is read first by the VDP 20c. In the example of FIG. 15, CMD1 corresponds.
In the above example, since it is not the first command, the process of S25 is performed.

S25: The command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c moves to the previous command, and reads the subcommand of the designated layer.

S26: The command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c sets an execution flag of a command to be processed. If the command is not NULL, it is necessary to execute the subcommand of the corresponding layer of the command, so the execution flag is set.
In the above example, the execution flag of CMD3 is set.

S27: It is determined whether the command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c has processed all layers. If all layers have been processed (YES), the process of S29 is performed. If not (NO), the process proceeds to S28, and another layer is designated.
In the above example, one of the other layers M or U is designated from the layer L (S28).

S29: The command generation unit 20a or the VDP 20c skips the command for which the execution flag is reset (= not set).
The meaning of skip has been described above.

  Then, the VDP 20c reads and interprets and executes the commands that are not skipped in order.

  The process of FIG. 16 will be described with a specific example.

  In FIG. 17A, since the subcommand of the last command CMD3 for the layer L is a command other than NULL (non-N) (NO in S23), its execution flag is set (S26), and CMD2 and CMD1 Without processing (S25 is not executed), the processing moves to the next layer (NO in S27). The same applies to layers M and U. In the example of FIG. 17A, no YES is obtained in S23 in any layer, and the execution flags of the other commands CMD1 and CMD2 remain reset. Therefore, CMD1 and CMD2 are skipped and only CMD3 is executed.

  In FIG. 17B, since the subcommand of the last command CMD3 for layer L is a command other than NULL (non-N) (NO in S23), its execution flag is set (S26), and CMD2 and CMD1 Without processing (S25 is not executed), the processing moves to the next layer (NO in S27, S28).

  Regarding the layer M, the subcommand of the last command CMD3 is NULL (N) (YES in S23), and since CMD3 is not the first command (NO in S24), the subcommand of layer M of the previous CMD2 is read. (S25). The execution flag is not set, but the CMD3 is not skipped because the execution flag is set in the processing related to the layer L as described above. Since the subcommand of CMD2 is a command other than NULL (non-N) (NO in S23), its execution flag is set (S26), and the CMD1 is not processed (S25 is not executed) and processed to the next layer. (NO in S27, S28).

  Regarding the layer U, since the subcommand of the last command CMD3 is a command other than NULL (non-N) (NO in S23), its execution flag is set (S26), and no processing is performed for CMD2 and CMD1 (S25) Not executed). Since layer U is the last layer (YES in S27), the process of S29 is performed and the process ends.

  In FIG. 17B, CMD1 is skipped and CMD2 and CMD3 are executed.

  In FIG. 17C, regarding layer L, the subcommand of the last command CMD3 is NULL (N) (YES in S23), and CMD3 is not the first command (NO in S24), so the layer of the previous CMD2 The M subcommand is read (S25). The subcommand of command CMD2 is NULL (N) (YES in S23), and CMD2 is not the top command (NO in S24), so the subcommand of layer M of CMD1 immediately before is read (S25). Since the subcommand of CMD1 is a command other than NULL (non-N) (NO in S23), its execution flag is set (S26). Then, the process moves to the next layer (NO in S27, S28).

  Regarding the layer M, since the subcommand of the last command CMD3 is a command other than NULL (non-N) (NO in S23), its execution flag is set (S26), and no processing is performed on CMD2 and CMD1 (S25) If not executed, the process moves to the next layer (NO in S27, S28).

  Layer U is the same as layer L.

  In FIG. 17C, CMD2 is skipped and CMD1 and CMD3 are executed.

  In FIG. 17D, for layer L, the subcommand of the last command CMD3 is NULL (N) (YES in S23), and CMD3 is not the first command (NO in S24), so the layer of the previous CMD2 The M subcommand is read (S25). Since the CMD2 subcommand is a command other than NULL (non-N) (NO in S23), its execution flag is set (S26). Then, the process moves to the next layer (NO in S27, S28).

  Regarding the layer M, since the subcommand of the last command CMD3 is a command other than NULL (non-N) (NO in S23), its execution flag is set (S26), and no processing is performed on CMD2 and CMD1 (S25) If not executed, the process moves to the next layer (NO in S27, S28).

  Regarding layer U, the subcommand of the last command CMD3 is NULL (N) (YES in S23), and CMD3 is not the first command (NO in S24), so the subcommand of layer M of the previous CMD2 is read. (S25). The subcommand of command CMD2 is NULL (N) (YES in S23), and CMD2 is not the top command (NO in S24), so the subcommand of layer M of CMD1 immediately before is read (S25). Since the subcommand of CMD1 is a command other than NULL (non-N) (NO in S23), its execution flag is set (S26). Then, the process moves to the next layer (NO in S27, S28).

  In FIG. 17C, any of CMD1 to CMD3 is executed without being skipped.

  According to the third embodiment of the invention, as in the first and second embodiments of the invention, it is possible to skip interpretation / execution of a command that does not have any meaning as a result, and it is possible to avoid applying an extra load on the VDP. , Can prevent processing loss.

  According to the third embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to skip interpretation / execution of a command having no meaning for an image processing apparatus including a plurality of layers.

  In the above description, the slot machine is taken as an example as a gaming machine, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other gaming machines such as a pachinko machine.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

10 Main board 20 Sub board 20a Command generation unit 20b Command buffer 20c VDP (display device control unit)
LCD Liquid crystal display device (display device)

Claims (3)

A gaming machine comprising: a main board that executes control relating to a game including an internal lottery process; a sub board that executes processing related to an effect based on a signal from the main board; and a display device that displays a screen for the effect In
The sub-board includes a command generation unit that generates a predetermined command for generating a screen of the display device, a command buffer that sequentially stores the commands generated by the command generation unit, and the command buffer A display device control unit that reads and executes the command from and controls the display device,
The command generation unit or the display device control unit examines the command buffer, and when a plurality of the commands are stored in the command buffer,
It is determined whether or not the plurality of commands are those for drawing the entire screen of the display device (hereinafter, a command for drawing the whole screen is referred to as a “full-screen drawing command”),
When the full-screen drawing command is present, the full-screen drawing command is identified in the last order,
When the execution interval of the plurality of commands is shorter than a predetermined threshold , the command before the full-screen drawing command (hereinafter referred to as “valid command”) identified as the last in order is Set to discard or not execute,
The display device control unit sequentially reads and executes the valid command and the subsequent commands .
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the threshold is set based on a frame time which is a display unit of the screen of the display device .   For the command stored in the command buffer, the command generation unit or the display device control unit includes information on a size of a material used when drawing by the command and a position on a screen to which the material is pasted. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the command is a full-screen drawing command.   The said command generation part or the said display apparatus control part further determines whether it is the said full-screen drawing command based on the transparency of the raw material used when drawing with the said command. Game machines.

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