JP6233852B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine provided with an effect device that enhances the interest of the player.

  2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine (a spinning machine, slot machine) having a plurality of spinning cylinders with symbols arranged on the 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. In addition, this type of gaming machine has an internal lottery triggered by the player's rotation start operation and starts rotation of a plurality of spinning cylinders, and a mode according to the result of the internal lottery as a player's stop operation trigger. In order to stop multiple cylinders. The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line in a state where the plurality of spinning cylinders are stopped, and medals are paid out according to the game result.

  A variety of presentation devices such as liquid crystal display devices (liquid crystal panels), production display lamps (electric decorations), and sound generators (sound devices, speakers) are provided in gaming machines as devices that play a role in enhancing the interest of players. It has been. In addition, there may be provided a movable accessory (movable body) that includes a movable part and produces an effect by the movement of the movable part.

When it is determined (predicted) that processing failure of the liquid crystal display device occurs, the currently displayed screen is captured and continuously displayed. When it is determined that the processing omission is resolved, the drawn image is returned to the liquid crystal display processing. [Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-035782 Among various types of informing devices for game machines, “Various lamps and speakers” that can be notified at a predetermined timing after power-on, and “Liquid Crystal” that can be notified later than that In the “display device”, the notification effect is provided by the effect device that can be effected first without waiting for the effect of the effect device having a slow data reading speed.

  When the processing load of the CPU is high, such as when power is turned on (especially about 4 seconds after the start of the game machine), an event (processing failure) occurs that the drawing command construction processing and the drawing processing for displaying on the liquid crystal display device are not in time. There are things to do. A process drop is an event that is processed beyond the period that must be completed (within a frame repetition time, approximately 33.3 ms for 30 FPS and approximately 16.6 ms for 60 FPS). If processing is performed at regular intervals in the same way as normal processing without processing loss, decoding of the screen frame is skipped, and when decoding the image based on the previous frame (IP frame), The order may jump and the image may be disturbed. As a result, the quality of the production is reduced, and interest may be lost.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and provides a gaming machine that prevents the image from being disturbed and the quality of the performance from being deteriorated even when a processing failure occurs. And

The gaming machine according to this invention is
An image display device that displays an image related to an effect, an image processing unit that controls the image display device in units of frames that are repeated at predetermined intervals, an audio device that generates sound related to an effect, and the audio device An acoustic processing unit that controls the movable element, a movable body that includes a movable element and produces an effect by moving the movable element, a movable body processing unit that controls the movable body,
A command construction unit for constructing a command for controlling the image processing unit, the acoustic processing unit, and the movable body processing unit;
The command construction unit
Setting a predetermined construction flag at the start of processing;
Building the command;
Performing a command construction process for executing the step of setting the construction flag to process completion when the construction of the command is completed;
The image processing unit
Setting a predetermined drawing flag at the start of processing;
Drawing a predetermined image according to the command;
A drawing process for executing the step of setting the drawing flag to completion when the drawing is completed; and
Examining the drawing flag;
Performing a display switching process for displaying the rendered image on the image display device when the rendering flag indicates completion of processing;
Examining the construction flag;
When the construction flag is processing completion, a transfer process is performed for transferring the command constructed by the command construction process to the image processing unit and starting the command construction process. is there.

The gaming machine according to this invention is
An image display device that displays an image related to the effect, an image processing unit that controls the image display device in units of frames that are repeated at predetermined intervals, and
A command construction unit for constructing a command for controlling the image processing unit,
The command construction unit
Setting a predetermined construction flag at the start of processing;
Building the command;
Performing a command construction process for executing the step of setting the construction flag to process completion when the construction of the command is completed;
The image processing unit
Setting a predetermined drawing flag at the start of processing;
Drawing a predetermined image according to the command;
A drawing process for executing the step of setting the drawing flag to completion when the drawing is completed; and
Examining the drawing flag;
Performing a display switching process for displaying the rendered image on the image display device when the rendering flag indicates completion of processing;
Examining the construction flag;
When the construction flag is processing completion, a transfer process is performed for transferring the command constructed by the command construction process to the image processing unit and starting the command construction process. is there.

  The image processing unit starts the display switching process and the transfer process when receiving a signal generated corresponding to the frame.

  According to the present invention, it is detected based on the flag that a process drop has occurred at the time of command construction or drawing process, and the subsequent processes are delayed. Therefore, even if a process drop occurs, the frame order is skipped. Problems such as distorted images can be prevented. It is possible to prevent the quality of the game machine from deteriorating.

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. 5A is a perspective view of the jog dial, FIG. 5B is a block diagram of the jog dial, and FIG. 5C is a block diagram of the command transmission unit of the main board. It is explanatory drawing of the communication system of a sub board | substrate and a peripheral board | substrate. It is a block diagram of a data transmission part. It is explanatory drawing of the process regarding a peripheral board | substrate. It is a functional block diagram of VDP (video display processor). It is explanatory drawing (timing chart) of each process of drawing data preservation | save in VDP, drawing execution, and a display. It is a block diagram of a sound controller. It is explanatory drawing of audio | voice data. It is a block diagram related to the effect processing of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart of the transfer switching process in the presentation process of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart of the VDP process (drawing process) and the command construction process in the effect process of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. It is explanatory drawing of the presentation process of the gaming machine which concerns on embodiment of the invention (a timing chart, no process omission). It is explanatory drawing of the presentation process of the gaming machine which concerns on embodiment of the invention (the process drop at the time of a timing chart and command construction process). It is explanatory drawing of the presentation process of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of invention (a timing chart, the process drop at the time of a drawing process). It is a flowchart of the transfer switching process in the effect process of the gaming machine according to the comparative example. It is a flowchart of the VDP process (drawing process) and the command construction process in the effect process of the gaming machine according to the comparative example. It is explanatory drawing of the effect process of the game machine which concerns on a comparative example. It is explanatory drawing of the effect process of the game machine which concerns on a comparative example. It is another block diagram related to the effect processing of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention.

<Structure of gaming machine>
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 in 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 corner of the game display unit 131. Provided below the medal insertion slot 132 is 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.

  A start switch 134 for starting a game is provided at the lower left of the game display unit 131, and three stop buttons 140 are provided corresponding to the three spinning cylinders. At the center of the lower end of the front door 130, a medal payout port 135 is provided. A liquid crystal display device LCD is provided above the game display unit 131.

  A movable body 50 is provided at the position of the liquid crystal display device LCD. The movable body 50 includes two shutters (movable elements) 51L and 51R. The two shutters 51L and 51R move to the left and right according to the effect, and hide the liquid crystal display device LCD. In the figure, the two shutters 51L and 51R are fully opened to the left and right, and the liquid crystal display device LCD is exposed (the player can see the screen).

  A jog dial PAN as an operation unit is provided between the stop button 140 and the medal insertion slot 132, specifically, on the upper right side of the rightmost stop button 140 and on the left side of the medal insertion slot 132.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the jog dial PAN includes two parts, a dial JD that is a ring-shaped part that is provided to rotate left and right, and a push button switch PHSW that is provided at the center of rotation of the ring. Prepare. The player can turn the dial JD of the jog dial PAN left and right, and can press the push button switch PHSW at the center top. Although not shown, a light emitting element is provided inside the push button switch SWSW, and lights up when pressed, for example. The dial JD is rotated in a plurality of steps (for example, the number of steps = 30, the angle = 12 degrees). A predetermined effect is performed according to the rotation direction and / or the rotation amount (angle) of the dial JD and the on / off state of the push button switch.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the jog dial PAN includes a push button switch PHSW and two sensors [1] JS1 and [2] JS2 for detecting the rotation of the dial JD. The sensors [1] JS1 and [2] JS2 output two digital signals of H / L according to the rotation. This will be further explained later.

  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 a player can see the symbols of each reel of the reel unit 203. A power supply unit 205 is provided between the upper hopper unit 121 and the reel unit 203.

  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 a slot machine 100 as an example of a gaming machine to which this embodiment can be applied.

  In this figure, the display about the power supply system is omitted. Although not shown, the slot machine includes a power supply unit (power supply unit 205 in FIG. 2) for generating a DC power supply (+5 V or the like) from a commercial power supply (AC100V).

  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 used for performing an internal lottery in response to the player's operation, and for performing processing (game processing) such as rotation / stop of the spinning cylinder and payout of medals. 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.

<Main board>
The main board 10 has a bet switch BET, a start switch 134, a stop button 140, a reel (rotating cylinder) unit 203, a hopper driving unit 80, a hopper 81, and a medal detection for counting the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81. The part 82 (these constitute the hopper device 121 described above) is connected. A peripheral substrate (local substrate) such as a liquid crystal control substrate 200 for controlling the liquid crystal display device, a speaker substrate 201, and an LED substrate 202 is connected to the sub substrate 20.

  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 reel unit 203 includes three spinning cylinders 40a to 40c, stepping motors 155a to 155c that respectively rotate these, and spinning cylinder position detectors (index sensors) 159a to 159c that detect their positions, respectively (note that The stepping motors 155a to 155c may be simply referred to as a motor 155 or a motor).

  The rotation control means 1300 is configured so that the reference position of the rotation cylinder 40 (a frame specified by a reel index (not shown)) based on the reference position signal detected by the index sensor 159 each time the rotation cylinders 40a to 40c make one rotation. Thus, the current rotation state of the drum 40 can be monitored by obtaining the rotation angle from (counting the number of rotation steps of the rotation shaft of the stepping motor). That is, the main substrate 10 can obtain the position of the rotating drum 40 when the stop button 140 is operated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the rotating drum 40.

  The hopper driving unit 80 rotates an unillustrated rotating disk of 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 (insertion accepting means) 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 based on the insertion of medals corresponding to the prescribed number of insertions. Then, a process of permitting the start operation of the first to third cylinders for the start switch 134 is performed. Note that the pressing operation of the start switch 134 is an opportunity to start the rotation of the first cylinder to the third cylinder, and is 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. From the time when the start switch 134 is pressed and the rotation of each cylinder starts (game start time), when the three stop buttons 140 are pressed and the rotation of each cylinder stops (when the medal payout is completed when winning) (game) When the medal is not accepted (when it is not permitted), the medal sensor S1, S2 does not count the medal and is returned as it is. . Similarly, the main board 10 controls the validity / invalidity of the bet switch BET according to whether or not the medal insertion is accepted. In addition, the bet switch BET is valid from the end of the game to the start of the game, but during other periods (when pressing of the BET switch is not permitted), the bet switch BET is pressed. Even 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 generating means 1100, 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.

  The lottery table selection process allows the contents of the lottery to be set within a predetermined range (the probability of winning can be increased or decreased), and the setting work is performed by the store in the hall where the gaming machine is installed. .

  A normal gaming machine includes a plurality of (for example, six) lottery tables having different lottery probabilities such as BB, RB, and small roles in advance. In the lottery of gaming machines, one of the plurality of lottery tables is set, and the winning / losing determination by lottery is made based on the set lottery table. Changing a setting relating to which of a plurality of lottery tables is used is referred to as a setting change (hereinafter referred to as “setting change”).

  Conventionally, for example, in a gaming machine such as a slot machine, when changing a setting value (usually 1 to 6), the front door 130 of the gaming machine is opened, and a setting change key is set on a setting change key switch provided in the power supply unit 205. With the key switch turned on, the game machine is turned on so that the setting can be changed. Each time the setting change button (push button) is pressed, it is displayed on a 7-segment display. The set value is incremented and the values from 1 to 6 are cyclically changed. When the desired set value is displayed on the display, the start switch is operated to determine the desired set value.

  In the random number determination process, based on the start signal from the start switch 134, a random value (lottery random number) is obtained from the random number generating means 1100 for each game, and the obtained random number value is won by referring to the lottery table. Determine whether or not.

  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, if 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 if 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 spinning cylinder control means 1300 drives the first to third cylinders by stepping motors 155a to 155c based on the start signal generated by the player pressing the start switch 134 (rotation start operation). Pressing the three stop buttons 140 corresponding to the rotating cylinders in a state where the rotation speed of the first cylinder to the third cylinder has reached a predetermined speed (about 80 rpm: a rotation speed of about 80 rotations per minute) While controlling to permit the operation (stop operation), the first cylinder to the third cylinder, which are rotationally driven by the stepping motors 155a to 155c, are stopped according to the lottery flag setting state (result of the internal lottery). Take control.

  In addition, 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 the signal, the supply of drive pulses (motor drive signals) to the stepping motors 155a to 155c of the reel unit 203 is stopped, thereby controlling each of the first to third drums.

  That is, each time the three stop buttons 140 are pressed, the spinning cylinder control means 1300 determines the stopping position of the spinning cylinder corresponding to the pressed button among the first to third cylinders. Thus, control is performed to stop the spinning cylinder at the determined stop position. Specifically, referring to a stop control table (not shown) stored in the storage means (ROM), the first time corresponding to the pressing timing, pressing order, etc. of the three stop buttons (mode of stop operation) A stop position of the cylinder to the third cylinder is determined, and control is performed to stop the first cylinder to the third cylinder at the determined stop position.

  Here, in the stop control table, the positions of the first cylinder to the third cylinder (pressing detection position) at the time when the stop button 140 is operated, and the actual stop positions (or pressing detection of the first cylinder to the third cylinder). Correspondence with the number of sliding frames from the position) is set. The number of sliding symbols is a symbol that passes through the reference position between the operation of the stop button 140 and the rotation stop of the corresponding rotating cylinder when a specific symbol that can be visually recognized from the game display unit at the time of stopping the rotating drum is used as the reference position. The number of Since the turning cylinder control means 1300 stops each turning cylinder within 190 ms from the operation of each stop button 140, the number of sliding frames is in the range of 0 to 4 (however, 80 revolutions / minute, (In the condition of the number of symbols = 21). Depending on the setting state of the lottery flag, a stop control table for determining the stop positions of the first cylinder to the third cylinder may be prepared.

  As described above, the spinning cylinder control unit 1300 is based on the reference position signal (the frame detected by the reel index) of the spinning cylinder based on the reference position signal detected by the index sensor 159 every time the rotating cylinder makes one rotation. By obtaining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotation shaft of the stepping motor), the current rotation state of the rotating drum can be monitored. That is, the main board 10 can obtain the position of the rotating cylinder when the stop button 140 is operated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the rotating cylinder.

  The spinning cylinder control unit 1300 performs so-called pull-in processing and kicking processing as control for stopping the spinning cylinder. The pull-in process is a control for stopping the spinning cylinder so that the symbol corresponding to the combination whose lottery flag is set to the winning state is stopped on a valid winning determination line (so that the winning combination can be won). It is processing. On the other hand, the kicking process means that the symbol corresponding to the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state does not stop on a valid winning determination line (so that a non-winning combination cannot be won) Is a control process for stopping the process. 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 spinning cylinder that has already stopped (in the display pattern) in order to realize the pull-in processing and kicking processing. The stop control table is set so that the stop position of each cylinder changes according to the type). 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 to third cylinders so as not to stop.

  In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the first to third drums are controlled to stop the rotating drum corresponding to the pressed stop button within 190 ms from the time when the stop button 140 is pressed. Is set to That is, in the stop control table for determining the stop position of each rotating cylinder, the number of frames required from when the stop button 140 is pressed until each cylinder 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 stopping modes of the first to third cylinders. 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 to third cylinders are stopped. It is determined whether or not this is a predetermined winning combination form.

  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.

  The replay processing unit 1600 may perform control to change the winning probability of replay in the internal lottery under a predetermined condition. For example, when a predetermined turn is displayed when the spinning cylinder is stopped by operating the stop button 140, the winning probability of replay varies. 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.

  The error processing unit 1700 determines an error of the gaming machine based on the outputs of a door opening / closing detection sensor (not shown), the medal sensors S1 and S2, and the medal detection unit 82, and notifies that when it determines that there is an error. To a predetermined state (for example, a state in which no operation is accepted).

  A door opening / closing detection sensor (not shown) is a sensor that detects that the front door 130 is closed, and is, for example, an electrical switch such as a micro switch or a contact. When the front door 130 is closed, the switch is turned on (or off) when the switch action part comes into contact with the back side of the front door 130. When the front door 130 is opened, the action part is separated and turned off. (Or on). The door opening / closing detection sensor may be an optical sensor such as a photo interrupter. The medal sensors S1 and S2 and the medal detection unit 82 have been described above.

Specifically, the error processing unit 1700 performs the following operation.
When the opening of the front door 130 is detected based on the output of a door opening / closing detection sensor (not shown), error processing is performed.
-Based on the outputs of the medal sensors S1 and S2, the reverse flow of the medals (the detection order of the sensors S1 and S2 is reversed), the medal retention (the detection times of the sensors S1 and S2 are longer than a predetermined threshold) When error is detected, error processing is performed.
Based on the output of the medal detection unit 82, the medal clogging (the detection time of the medal detection unit 82 is longer than a predetermined threshold), hopper empty (the medal detection unit despite operating the hopper driving unit 80) When 82 detects no medal), error processing is performed.

  When the error processing unit 1700 determines that an error has occurred as described above, the error processing unit 1700 notifies the fact and sets the gaming machine to a predetermined state (error state). This state is canceled by a reset switch (not shown). The reset switch is provided on the panel of the power supply unit 205, for example.

  There are also errors that occur in the sub-board 20. Although this error does not result in an inoperable state, the liquid crystal display device or the like can notify that an error has occurred due to the processing of the sub-board 20 itself. The error occurs, for example, when an invalid command is received (including when the encrypted command cannot be correctly decrypted), and the error is canceled by the reset switch (from the main board 10 to the sub board 20). Reset command).

  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 spinning cylinders 40a to 40c, and one stepping motor 155a to 155c is attached to each of the three spinning cylinders 40a to 40c. The stepping motor 155 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. It is. 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 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).

  The stepping motor can change its characteristics (excitation mode changes) by changing the way of applying current to the windings of each phase. The two-phase type is as follows.

• Single-phase excitation Always allow current to flow through only one phase of the winding. Positioning accuracy is good.

・ Two-phase excitation
Current flows in two phases. An output torque approximately twice that of single-phase excitation can be obtained. The positioning accuracy is good and the stationary torque is large when stopped, so that the stop position can be held reliably.

・ One-two-phase excitation
A current is passed by alternately switching between one phase and two phases. Since the step angle can be halved in the case of one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation, smooth rotation can be obtained.

  Note that “driving” a stepping motor includes rotating the motor by the above-described excitation and exciting each phase in order to stop at a desired position and hold the position.

  In the slot machine, for example, a four-phase stepping motor having a basic step angle of 1.43 degrees is used, and one-two-phase excitation is adopted as a pulse output method.

  10CG is a command transmitter that transmits a command to be sent to the sub-board 20. This command includes a command related to winning combination information, a command related to information on the number of inserted medals and the number of credits (stored number). Specifically, the command transmission unit 10CG is realized by the CPU executing a program written in advance in a ROM mounted on the main board 10. The command transmission will be described later.

Next, the game processing in the main board 10 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 the next step S3.

  In step S3, rotation of the first cylinder 40a to the third cylinder 40c starts. Then, the process proceeds to 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 next Step S5.

  In step S5, rotation stop processing is performed on the rotating cylinder corresponding to the pressed stop button 140 among the first rotating cylinder 40a to the third rotating cylinder 40c. Then, the process proceeds to next Step S6.

  In step S6, it is determined whether or not the operation of the stop button 140 corresponding to the three spinning cylinders 40a to 40c has been performed. If it is determined that all the three stop buttons 140 corresponding to the three drums 40a to 40c 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).

<Command transmission from main board to sub board>
The sub-board 20 receives a command from the main board 10 and performs effects and other processing according to the command. The flow of commands is only one from the main board 10 to the sub board 20, and conversely, no command or the like is issued from the sub board 20 to the main board 10.

  The sub-board 20 generates a command (liquid crystal display device command, drawing command) for displaying a predetermined screen on the liquid crystal display device LCD, for example, in accordance with a command from the main substrate 10. For example, when performing an effect by animation or the like, a large number of commands are continuously transmitted one after another.

  In FIG. 3, 20 CR is a command receiving unit that receives a command received from the main board 10. Specifically, the command receiving unit 20CR is realized by the CPU executing a program written in advance in a ROM mounted on the sub-board 20.

  As the above-mentioned command, there is a command for performing an effect suggesting the winning contents by the software on the sub-board 20 side. For example, as shown in the following AT, a suggestion for obtaining a ball is displayed on a liquid crystal display device so as to provide (assist) the player with the convenience of operation. The suggestion is not always issued, but in specific cases.

  The gaming machine includes an effect display device including a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, a display lamp, and the like. This effect display device is controlled by the sub-board 20 to notify the player of a prize or the like, or in a so-called assist time (AT), the base itself teaches the user with some action during a certain game with some action. It is for doing. (Assist time (AT): Even if a specific small role is established, the player will not be refunded if the coins of the reels are not aligned. To ensure payout by the small role, after the end of the big bonus (or at the time of establishment) ) Or any other opportunity to draw lots of assist time, and if this is won, the player is instructed the player with some action to align specific small roles during a certain game)

  FIG. 5C is a block diagram of the command transmission unit 10CG according to the present embodiment.

  Reference numeral 101 denotes a command register that accepts the command to be transmitted. The command register 101 sends the command to the transmission data register 102 immediately after receiving the command. The command register 101 temporarily stores one command.

  The command is a set of data of a predetermined bit, for example, a set of data in units of 8 bits, and is created based on a predetermined command system.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a transmission data register (transmission FIFO) that stores a plurality of commands in the accepted order and outputs them in accordance with the accepted order.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a transmission shift register that receives a command output from the transmission data register 102 and transmits it to the sub-board 20.

  The main board 10 transmits the generated command to the sub board 20 by setting it in the command register 101.

  The command receiving unit 20CR receives a command received from the main board 10. For example, a command received as serial data is input to a serial-parallel converter (shift register), and is output every certain data (for example, 8 bits). The output data is transferred to the CPU of the sub-board 20 as a command, and is interpreted and executed.

<Sub-board>
A peripheral substrate (local substrate) such as a liquid crystal control substrate 200 for controlling the liquid crystal display device, a speaker substrate 201, and an LED substrate 202 is connected to the sub substrate 20. Furthermore, the movable body control part 60 which controls the movable body 50 is connected.

  Moreover, the output of the operation part PAN operated by the player is connected. The operation unit PAN is, for example, a jog dial. A signal from the operation unit PAN is input to the CPU of the sub-board 20 through an I / O (not shown).

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the connection between the sub-board 20 and its peripheral board. As shown in FIG. 3, a liquid crystal control board 200, a speaker board 201, an LED board 202, and a movable body control unit 60 are connected to the sub board 20. These should be called peripheral substrates of the sub-substrate 20.

  The plurality of peripheral boards are connected as shown in FIG. 6 (the display of the LED board 202 and the movable body controller 60 is omitted). That is, a plurality of peripheral boards are connected to a common bus (communication line, communication path), and communicate with the sub-board 20 through the bus. The signal flowing through the bus is a signal on two lines, a data line and a clock line, such as a parallel signal (for example, a signal transmitted by an 8-bit line) or a serial signal (for example, I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit)). ). In the following description, serial communication is taken as an example. In the example of FIG. 6, the signal output from the sub-board 20 returns to the sub-board 20, but this is an example, and the end opposite to the connection end is opened as in a general bus structure. Also good.

  The liquid crystal control board 200 has a built-in VDP (Video Display Processor), and the speaker board 201 has a built-in sound controller. The VDP and sound controller will be described later. The LED board 202 incorporates a latch that acquires and holds data and an LED that is an electrical decoration (the LED may be external). The movable body control unit 60 has a built-in latch that acquires and holds data.

  Data is transmitted from the sub board 20 to the peripheral board by designating an address. For example, when data is sent to the liquid crystal control board 200 as a peripheral board, an address previously associated with the liquid crystal control board 200 is designated and the data is sent to the bus. When the liquid crystal control board 200 recognizes that the data is addressed to itself by the address, the liquid crystal control board 200 takes in the data subsequent to the address into the latch. A predetermined operation is performed according to the fetched data. If the fetched data is a command for transmitting data acquired or obtainable by the liquid crystal control board 200 to the sub-board 20, the data is sent to the sub-board 20 (after receiving predetermined data, it is determined in advance. Data can always be transmitted to the sub-board 20).

  The speaker substrate 201, the LED substrate 202, and the movable body control unit 60 operate in the same manner as the liquid crystal control substrate 200.

  FIG. 6 is an example, and the connection between the sub-board 20 and the peripheral board is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of blocks (model-specific block, upper door block, lower door block, etc.) are provided in the gaming machine, and may be connected to the sub-board 20 by different communication methods. For example, the model specific block is connected by I2C, and the upper door block and the lower door block are connected by serial synchronous communication which is simpler one-way communication.

  The structure of FIG. 6, for example, the VDP, the sound controller, and the movable body control unit 60 are provided on the peripheral substrate as an example. Some or all of the VDP, the sound controller, the means for controlling the movable body, and the means for controlling the LED may be provided on the sub-board 20. In this case, a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, a movable motor / solenoid, an LED, or the like may be directly connected to the sub-board 20.

  The configuration of the sub-board 20 and the peripheral board (role of processing roles) as shown in FIG. 6 is for convenience, and the embodiment of the invention is not limited to the configuration as shown in FIG. The configuration (functional block diagram) of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention will be described later (see FIG. 13 and its description).

  In the following description, the term “peripheral board” is mainly used when the operation is applied to an arbitrary transmission destination such as the liquid crystal control board 200 and the speaker board 201 without specifying the transmission destination. When it is necessary to specify to which peripheral substrate the data transmission is to be made, it is specifically specified as “liquid crystal control substrate 200”.

  When transmitting data to the peripheral board, the sub-board 20 performs processing in units of data (for example, 8-bit data) in which a plurality of 0 or 1 data is collected. The sub-board 20 transmits a command (command) for causing the sub-board 20 to perform a predetermined operation. In this specification, the data includes the command. Note that the command is a set of predetermined bits of data, for example, a set of data in units of 8 bits, and is created based on a predetermined command system.

  In the following description, the term “data” is mainly used, but the term “command” may be used to clarify that the instruction is a command to the peripheral device.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the peripheral board has relatively advanced processing functions (such as a CPU) such as a VDP, a sound controller, and a movable body control unit 60, data transmitted from the sub board 20 is interpreted by the peripheral board. And an executable “command”. On the other hand, when the sub-board 20 includes a VDP, a sound controller, a means for controlling the movable body, and a means for controlling the LED, the data transmitted from the sub-board 20 includes a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, a motor solenoid, This is a signal (drive signal) that can directly drive the LED. In the following description, the case where the data transmitted from the sub-board 20 is “command” is taken as an example, but the embodiment of the invention can also be applied to the case of “signal”.

  In order to send data to peripheral devices such as the liquid crystal control board 200 and the speaker board 201, the sub board 20 includes a data transmission unit 20TX.

  FIG. 7 shows an internal block diagram of the data transmitter 20TX. Specifically, the data transmission unit 20TX is realized by the CPU executing a program written in advance in a ROM mounted on the sub-board 20.

  Reference numeral 2101 denotes a data register (command register) that receives data to be transmitted to the peripheral board. The data register 2101 sends the data to the transmission data register 2102 immediately after receiving the data. The data register 2101 temporarily stores one unit of data. In addition, since the content of data is well-known, description about what kind of data is transmitted is abbreviate | omitted.

  Reference numeral 2102 denotes a transmission data register that stores a plurality of data in the accepted order and outputs them in accordance with the accepted order.

  Reference numeral 2103 denotes a transmission shift register which receives data output from the transmission data register 2102 and transmits it to the peripheral board. The transmission shift register 103 converts data to be transmitted from parallel to serial.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory diagram of data (command) transmission and operations of the liquid crystal control board 200 and the speaker board 201 that have received the data (command) transmission.

  The sub board 20 sends image data and audio data to the liquid crystal control board 200 and the speaker board 201, respectively (reference characters P and R). In response to the image data, the liquid crystal control board 200 displays a predetermined screen (symbol Q), and in response to the audio data, the speaker board 201 generates a predetermined sound (symbol S). Other sounds such as BGM and sound effects are generated in addition to the sound, but these are also included in the sound for convenience. Voice / voice data can be said to be acoustic / acoustic data. Unless otherwise specified, in this specification, “sound” includes other sounds such as BGM and sound effects as well as sound of normal meaning.

  Further, the sub-board 20 sends control data of the movable body 50 to the movable body control unit 60 (reference numerals T and U).

  As can be seen from FIG. 8, the command transmission by the sub-board 20 → the execution of the command by the peripheral board, the screen display, and the voice generation are presented. The sub-board 20 can control what command is sent to which peripheral board at which timing, and it cannot be specified at what timing the presentation of screen display or voice generation can be performed. For this reason, it is necessary to appropriately manage the command transmission timing for each peripheral board.

<Configuration related to screen display and sound generation>
The configuration related to screen display and sound generation in the gaming machine will be described. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, what is drawn on the memory is displayed as an image, and what is to be read out and displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD is referred to as a screen. In general, an object such as a character represented by a bitmap is an image, and a screen in which an object is arranged on a background and becomes a single picture is a screen.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the VDP. The VDP is an LSI provided on the liquid crystal control board, an interface I / F with the CPU, a drawing engine E1 that draws an image according to a command from the CPU, a video memory VRAM that stores the drawn image, and a video memory VRAM Is provided with a display engine E2 for reading out the image stored in the memory and sending it to the liquid crystal display device LCD. 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 referred to as frame time. Two consecutive frames are referred to as V frames. Frame × 2 = V frame × 1. The time of the V frame is 33.33 ms, and the screen update rate (update frequency) is 30 fps. The frame and the V frame are a display unit and a processing unit. In the following description, the data in the frame and the V frame, the processing result (drawn image), and the image displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD are displayed. It may mean. For example, when a number (symbol) is added, such as V frame 1, it indicates a specific V frame and may mean drawing data, image data, and display data corresponding to the specific V frame.

  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, the CPU sends drawing data 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). Since three stages are required until the image is displayed, at the timing when a certain image is displayed (V frame), the drawing execution draws an image to be displayed in the next V frame, and the storage of the drawing data is performed next. The image to be displayed in the V frame is saved. This is shown in FIG.

  Whether to save drawing data, execute drawing, and execute display is determined in one cycle for one V frame. In other words, drawing data storage (first processing), drawing execution (second processing), and display execution (third processing) are each performed in units of V frames (more precisely, frames included in the V frames). Processing is performed in units. For example, when there is data input during V frame update, drawing data related to data input in one of the two frames of V frame is saved, drawn, and displayed) . Therefore, the update frequency of the liquid crystal display device LCD of this gaming machine is 30 fps. This is a principle, and fps can change depending on the processing status.

  It takes a time corresponding to two V frames from saving the drawing data to executing the display. For example, in FIG. 10, the drawing data written with the code T1 is displayed with the code T3 delayed by two V frames. However, since storage of drawing data, execution of drawing, and execution of display are executed in parallel, the image on the liquid crystal display device LCD is updated in units of V frames. In the example of FIG. 10, the display is updated as V frame 1, V frame 2,.

  FIG. 11 shows an internal block diagram of the sound controller SC. This figure is a conceptual diagram, and shows only the parts necessary for explaining the operation.

  SC1 is a phrase data storage unit that stores in advance phrase data including a plurality of sound data to be reproduced in a predetermined order of reproduction.

  SC2 is a decoder that reproduces sound by decoding phrase data. The decoder returns predetermined sound data (for example, WAV) to sound, and since this process is well known, the description thereof is omitted.

  SC3 is a volume adjusting unit that adjusts the volume of the sound reproduced by the decoder SC2. The volume adjustment unit SC3 is configured by a digital or analog circuit. When the input is a digital signal, it is constituted by a digital circuit, for example, a multiplier, and the volume is adjusted by multiplying the value of the volume by the acoustic digital data. When the input is an analog signal, it is constituted by an analog circuit, for example, an amplifier, and the volume is adjusted by changing the amplification factor (variable resistor) of the amplifier. The output of the volume adjuster SC3 is sent to the speaker SP.

  FIG. 12A shows an outline of the contents stored in the phrase data storage unit SC1. When there are a plurality of effects such as effects A, B, C, D,..., A sound phrase (audio data) is stored corresponding to each. There is an upper limit on the number of sound phrases, and for example, 255 sound phrases can be stored.

  FIG. 12B shows the structure of audio data (for example, WAV) of effect A. The production A is composed of three sounds, that is, a first sound (cut-in sound), a second sound (character voice), and a third sound (developed sound).

  The cut-in sound is a sound associated with a cut-in that inserts another shot into a certain shot (scene). The character voice is the sound of the dialogue of the character displayed on the screen. The development sound is a sound that is added when the production develops to another production at the end of the production.

  The sub board 20 transmits, for example, data for reproducing the cut-in sound of effect A in FIG. 12B, data for reproducing the character voice, and data for reproducing the developed sound, to the speaker board 201, for example. In response to these three data (commands), the sound controller SC generates a predetermined sound.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram related to the effect processing of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 13 is a rewrite of the control related to the effect in FIG. 6 as a functional block. In FIG. 13, display of a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, and the like is omitted.

  Reference numeral 20 'denotes a command construction unit that constructs commands for controlling the image processing unit 200', the acoustic processing unit 201 ', and the movable body processing unit 60'. The command construction unit 20 ′ is a CPU of the sub board 20, for example.

  Reference numeral 60 ′ denotes a movable body processing unit that controls the movable body 50. The movable body processing unit 60 ′ includes the movable body control unit 60 of FIG. 6, but may further include a function (means) by the CPU of the sub-board 20.

  Reference numeral 200 ′ denotes an image processing unit that controls the liquid crystal display device LCD in units of the above-described V frame or a half frame thereof (hereinafter collectively referred to as “frame”). The image processing unit 200 ′ includes the liquid crystal control board 200 of FIG. 6, but may further include a function (means) by the CPU of the sub-board 20.

  Reference numeral 201 ′ denotes an acoustic processing unit that generates sound from a speaker (acoustic device). The sound processing unit 201 ′ includes the speaker substrate 201 of FIG. 6, but may further include a function (means) by the CPU of the sub substrate 20.

  The command construction unit 20 'constructs commands for the movable body processing unit 60', the image processing unit 200 ', and the acoustic processing unit 201' at the same time. Therefore, commands to the movable body processing unit 60 ′, the image processing unit 200 ′, and the sound processing unit 201 ′ are constructed and transmitted for each frame. Therefore, as described later, when the command construction for the image processing unit 200 ′ is delayed, the commands for the movable body processing unit 60 ′ and the acoustic processing unit 201 ′ are also delayed.

  The image processing unit 200 ′ starts processing with an interrupt signal corresponding to a frame, and displays a display switching processing unit 200a that switches the screen display of the liquid crystal display device LCD, and a command that is constructed by the command construction unit 20 ′. VDP) 200d, a transfer processing unit 200b to be sent, a task wake-up unit 200c for instructing the command construction unit 20 ′ to start command construction, a construction flag for determining a processing delay in command construction, and an image A flag storage unit 200e for storing a drawing flag for determining a processing delay in the drawing.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the transfer switching process performed by the image processing unit 200 '. FIG. 15 is a flowchart of VDP processing (drawing processing) performed by the drawing processing unit 200d and a flowchart of command construction processing performed by the command construction unit 20 '.

  14 and 15 will be described. In FIGS. 14 and 15, setting the flag to start processing is referred to as “set”, and completing the processing and setting the flag to processing completion is referred to as “reset”.

  The display switching processing unit 200a checks the drawing flag in the flag storage unit 200e (ST10).

  When the drawing flag indicates that the processing is complete (NO), the display switching processing unit 200a displays the screen (image) drawn by the drawing processing unit 200d in the previous frame on the liquid crystal display device LCD (ST11). The display switching processing unit 200a, for example, transfers a drawn screen (image) to a video memory (not shown), or switches a video memory connected to the liquid crystal display device LCD when a plurality of video memories are provided. The display switching process is performed.

  When the drawing flag is not completed (YES), processing is in progress and a processing failure that cannot be completed within the frame has occurred, so the display switching processing unit 200a stops the processing for that frame. As a result, processing is delayed. The display switching processing unit 200a does not perform the display switching process even when the drawing process is not performed in the previous frame and there is no image (screen) to be switched.

  The transfer processing unit 200b checks the construction flag in the flag storage unit 200e (ST12).

  When the construction flag indicates that the process is complete (NO), the transfer processing unit 200b transfers the command constructed by the command construction unit 20 'to the drawing processing unit 200d (ST13). Then, the task wake-up unit 200c instructs the command construction unit 20 'to start the command configuration (ST14).

  When the construction flag is not completed (YES), processing is in progress and processing failure that cannot be completed within the frame has occurred. Therefore, the transfer processing unit 200b does not perform transfer processing in the frame, and the task The wake-up unit 200c does not wake up the task. As a result, processing is delayed.

  Reference is now made to FIG. The drawing processing unit 200d sets a drawing flag to start processing when starting the drawing processing (ST21) (ST20). When the drawing is completed, the drawing flag is set to the completion of processing (ST22).

  The command construction unit 20 'sets a construction flag to start processing when starting command construction (ST31) (ST30). When the command construction is completed, the construction flag is set to process completion (ST32).

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the effect process of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 16 shows a case where there is no processing failure. That is, the drawing flag is set to completion at the timing immediately before the start of the display switching process (ST11), and the construction flag is set to completion at the timing immediately before the start of the transfer process (ST13). The arrows in the figure indicate the relationship between cause and effect.

  “Structure”, “Transfer / display switching”, and “VDP” in FIG. 16 generally correspond to “Drawing data storage”, “Display”, and “Drawing execution” in FIG.

  t0, t1, and t2 indicate the generation timing of the interrupt signal corresponding to the frame. T0, T1, and T2 indicate frames. The frame length has been described above.

  The processing of FIG. 14 is started at the timing of t0, and the processing of both flags is completed as described above, so the display switching processing (ST11), the transfer processing (ST13), and the task wakeup (ST14) are executed at T0. . The drawing process (ST21) is executed by the transfer process (ST13), and the command construction (ST31) is executed by the task wakeup (ST14). The same applies to T1.

In FIG. 16 , both processes are completed within one frame at T0 and T1, and no delay occurs. The display of the first frame is made at T1, but this command construction is made at T-1 (-1 frame) before T0. When there is no delay, the image corresponding to the constructed command is displayed two frames later.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the effect process of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 17 shows a case where a processing failure occurs during command construction. That is, the drawing flag is completed at timing t0 immediately before the start of the display switching process (ST11), but the construction flag is being processed at the timing immediately before the start of the transfer process (ST13).

  The processing in FIG. 14 is started at the timing t0, and the display flag processing is completed (NO in ST10), so the display switching process (ST11) is executed. However, the construction flag is being processed (YES in ST12), so transfer at T0. Processing (ST13) and task wakeup (ST14) are skipped. These processes are executed (delayed) at the next T1. Since the task wakeup (ST14) is not executed at T0, the command construction process is not executed at T1.

  The processing of FIG. 14 is started at the timing t1, but since both the flags are processing complete at t1, the transfer processing (ST13) and the task wakeup (ST14) are executed. In addition, since the drawing process (ST21) is not executed in the previous T0 and there is no image (screen) to be switched, the display switching process (ST11) is not executed.

  In FIG. 17, a command construction process drop occurs at T0, but the process drop is resolved at the next T1. Each process ST13, ST14, ST21, and ST31 in T1 is performed normally, and there is no problem such as a frame order jumping and a disordered image.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of the effect process of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 18 shows a case where a process drop occurs during the drawing process. That is, the drawing flag is being processed at timing t1 immediately before the processing of FIG. 14 is started.

  The process of FIG. 14 is started at the timing t1, and the display switching process (ST11), the transfer process (ST13), and the task wakeup (ST14) are skipped because the drawing flag is being processed (YES in ST10). These processes are executed (delayed) at the next T2. Since the drawing is not completed at the timing t1, the display switching process (ST11) is not executed.

  The processing of FIG. 14 is started at the timing t2, but since both of the two flags are processing complete at t1, the display switching processing (ST11), the transfer processing (ST13), and the task wakeup (ST14) are executed.

  In FIG. 18, a drawing process failure occurs at T1, but the process drop is resolved at the next T2. Each process ST11, ST13, ST14, ST21, ST31 in T1 is performed normally, and there is no inconvenience such as a frame order jumping and a disordered image.

  When the processing load of the CPU is high, such as when the power of the gaming machine is activated, there is a possibility that a processing failure occurs in time for command construction and drawing for displaying on the liquid crystal display device. If the above processing is mechanically performed at regular intervals in the same manner as in the normal state with the processing dropped, the frame order may be skipped and the image may be disturbed.

  On the other hand, according to the embodiment of the invention, command construction and drawing states are managed by flags, and processing of subsequent frames is sequentially delayed when a processing failure occurs. As a result, it is possible to eliminate omission of command transfer and omission of drawing and a phenomenon that frame decoding is skipped.

  An example of processing failure will be described with reference to comparative examples in FIGS.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the transfer switching process in the effect process of the gaming machine according to the comparative example. FIG. 19 is obtained by removing ST10 and ST12 from FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the VDP process (drawing process) and the command construction process in the effect process of the gaming machine according to the comparative example. FIG. 20 is obtained by removing ST20, ST22 and ST30, ST32 from FIG.

  FIG. 21 shows a case where a processing failure occurs during command construction. A dotted line indicates that correct processing is not performed. That is, the command construction (ST31) has not been completed at t0, and the command construction process has been lost at T0. Even if command transfer (ST13) is executed in this state, a correct command cannot be given to the drawing processing unit 200d. Drawing is not possible due to omission of this command transmission or omission due to this. Therefore, the image drawn at T0 by the drawing process (ST21) and displayed at T1 by the display switching process (ST11) is not normal, and the image is disturbed.

  FIG. 22 shows a case where a processing drop occurs in drawing. A dotted line indicates that correct processing is not performed. That is, the drawing process (ST21) is not completed at t1, and a process drop occurs at T1. In FIG. 22, the drawing of the first frame is not completed. Even if the display switching process (ST11) is executed in this state, the first frame cannot be displayed correctly.

  Even if the display is switched after completion of the drawing, the next display switching process (ST11) is T2, and the drawing of the second frame is completed at that time. For this reason, the screen to be displayed is the second frame and cannot be switched to the frame (first frame) that should be displayed. If the drawing process (ST21) has already been completed at t2, the next frame to be displayed is the second frame. Therefore, the display of the first frame is skipped (see the bottom row in FIG. 22).

  As described above, the command construction unit 20 ′ according to the embodiment of the invention constructs commands for the movable body processing unit 60 ′, the image processing unit 200 ′, and the acoustic processing unit 201 ′ at the same time. Therefore, commands to the movable body processing unit 60 ′, the image processing unit 200 ′, and the sound processing unit 201 ′ are constructed and transmitted for each frame. For this reason, if the command construction for the image processing unit 200 ′ is delayed, the commands for the movable body processing unit 60 ′ and the acoustic processing unit 201 ′ are also delayed, so that it is possible to prevent a deviation between effect devices.

  FIG. 23 is another block diagram related to the effect processing of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. As shown in this figure, when the command construction unit 20 ′ constructs only the command of the image processing unit 200 ′, there is a shift between other effect devices, but the order of frames on the screen jumps and the image is disturbed. Can be prevented.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, even when a processing failure occurs, the display of the image data of the preceding frame and the display of the image data of the subsequent frame is prevented from interfering with each other, and the display disorder of the display of the liquid crystal display device occurs. It is possible to display effects without omitting the effects.

  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.

20 'command construction unit 60' movable body processing unit 200 'image processing unit 200a display switching processing unit 200b transfer processing unit 200c task wake-up unit 200d drawing processing unit (VDP)
200e flag storage unit 201 ′ sound processing unit

Claims (2)

An image display device that displays an image related to an effect, an image processing unit that controls the image display device in units of frames that are repeated at predetermined intervals, an audio device that generates sound related to an effect, and the audio device An acoustic processing unit for controlling
A command construction unit for constructing a command for controlling the image processing unit and the sound processing unit,
The image processing unit includes a construction flag for determining processing delay in command construction, and a flag storage unit for storing a drawing flag for determining processing delay in image drawing,
The command construction unit
Setting the construction flag in the flag storage unit to start processing;
Building the command;
Performing a command construction process for executing the step of setting the construction flag to process completion when the construction of the command is completed;
The image processing unit
Setting the drawing flag in the flag storage unit to start processing;
Drawing a predetermined image according to the command;
A drawing process for executing the step of setting the drawing flag to completion when the drawing is completed; and
Examining the drawing flag;
Performing a display switching process for displaying the rendered image on the image display device when the rendering flag indicates completion of processing;
Examining the construction flag;
Transferring the command constructed by the command construction process as the command for drawing in the drawing process when the construction flag is processing completion;
A game machine that performs a transfer process for executing a task wake-up step that instructs the command construction unit to start the command construction process when the construction flag is a process completion. The image processing unit
When receiving a signal generated corresponding to the frame, start the display switching process,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the transfer process is started when a signal generated corresponding to the frame is received.

Images