JP6327650B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that displays a demonstration video while a game is not being performed.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine that displays a demonstration video using a display unit that displays a video while a game is not being performed is known. The demonstration video includes a video introducing characters used in production, a video explaining a game method, and the like. While displaying the demonstration video, the notification effect screen for notifying the player of the result of the hit determination is deleted. Therefore, when a demonstration video is displayed on a gaming machine that generates a plurality of gaming states, the player cannot grasp the gaming state that is being generated from the notification effect screen.

  The gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 changes the display mode of the demonstration video depending on whether or not it is in a special gaming state. In this case, the player can grasp the game state from the demonstration video.

JP 2002-17997 A

  The gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 must control the display of the demonstration video according to the gaming state. Therefore, the processing load of video display control cannot be reduced even while no game is being played. The number of man-hours for developing gaming machines will also increase. On the other hand, if the player cannot grasp the game state while displaying the demo video, the player cannot grasp the game state unless the player waits until the game starts or the demo video ends. Therefore, it has been difficult for a conventional gaming machine to allow a player to grasp the gaming state using a video without increasing the processing load of the video display control during the display of the demo video.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that allows a player to grasp a gaming state using a video without increasing the processing load of video display control during the display of a demo video.

The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a display means for displaying an image, a video data storage means for storing a plurality of video data as image data of a plurality of images constituting a series of videos, and an image display control in the display means. Drawing data storage means for storing drawing data which is data that can be referred to at the time, and based on at least the video data stored in the video data storage means, the drawing data is created in the drawing data storage means, It is advantageous for the player, with the display control means for displaying the image on the display means at a predetermined frame rate with reference to the created drawing data, and when the game ball wins at the start opening provided in the game board A hit determination means for determining whether or not to execute a hit game, and a measuring means for measuring a time during which the game is not continuously executed, A display control means for controlling a notification effect video, which is a video for confirming and displaying a design indicating a result of the determination by the hit determination means after changing the design displayed on the display means; and the measurement When the time measured by the means is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the display includes a demonstration video control unit that displays a demonstration video that is a video while the game is not being executed. Part of the display area of the display means includes specific video control means for controlling a specific area for displaying a specific video that is different from the demo video, and the demo video is not displayed on the specific video The drawing data stored in the drawing data storage means is an image of the drawing data for notification effect referred to in the display of the notification effect video during Of, characterized in that said a last image of the notification effect image.

  In the gaming machine according to the present invention, even when the demonstration video is being displayed, the specific video is displayed in the specific area together with the demonstration video. Therefore, the player can see the specific video displayed together with the demo video.

  The specific video may be an image of notification effect drawing data referred to in displaying the notification effect video while the demonstration video is not displayed. The gaming machine according to the present invention stores drawing data of a notification effect image used for display before the game is stopped, and specifies the notification effect image as a specific video using the stored drawing data. Display in the area and display with the demo video. Therefore, there is no need to control the display of the demonstration video displayed outside the specific area. Therefore, the gaming machine according to the present invention can allow the player to grasp the gaming state using the video without increasing the processing load of the video display control during the display of the demonstration video.

  Further, the measuring means may measure a time during which no game ball is launched.

1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1. FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an effect control board 43. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the flow of the data at the time of displaying an image | video. 4 is a flowchart of main processing in the main board 41. It is a flowchart of special symbol processing executed in the main processing. It is a flowchart of special symbol processing executed in the main processing. 4 is a flowchart of sub control board processing in a sub control board 58; It is a flowchart of the display control process which VDP31 performs. It is a flowchart of the alerting | reporting control process performed by a display control process. It is a flowchart of a demonstration video control process executed in the display control process. It is a flowchart of the start control process performed by a demonstration video control process. It is a flowchart of the end control process performed in a demonstration video control process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the display aspect of a demonstration image | video.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the mechanical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a game board 2 is provided in the upper half of the pachinko machine 1. The game board 2 is substantially square (see FIG. 2), and the front surface is protected by a front frame 13 holding a transparent glass plate. An upper plate 5 is provided at the lower part of the game board 2. The upper plate 5 supplies game balls to the launcher and receives prize balls. An operation button 9 is provided on the upper surface of the upper plate 5. A lower plate 6 for receiving a prize ball is provided immediately below the upper plate 5. On the right side of the lower plate 6, a launch handle 7 for adjusting the launch of the game ball is provided. Speakers 48 are respectively provided on the left and right corners of the upper portion of the front frame 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular game area 4 surrounded by a guide rail 3 is formed on the front surface of the game board 2. An effect device 8 for executing various effects is provided in the approximate center of the game area 4. A normal symbol start gate 12 is provided on the left side of the effect device 8. A special symbol starting electric accessory 15 is disposed below the stage device 8, and a special winning opening 16 is provided below the special symbol starting electric accessory 15. The special symbol start electric accessory 15 includes an opening / closing member, and when the opening / closing member is opened, it becomes easy to win a game ball. The big winning opening 16 also includes an opening / closing member, and the game ball can win the big winning opening 16 only when the opening / closing member is opened.

  The rendering device 8 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the rendering device 8 includes a display screen 28 formed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) at the center. Various videos are displayed on the display screen 28. In order to notify the player of the result of the jackpot determination, there are provided three side-by-side demo symbol display units. The pachinko machine 1 performs an effect (hereinafter referred to as “notification effect”) for confirming and displaying a combination of demo symbols indicating the result of the jackpot determination after changing the demo symbols displayed on the three demo symbol display units. Thus, the result of the jackpot determination is notified to the player. The video displayed on the display screen 28 during the notification effect is hereinafter referred to as “notification effect image”. In addition, when the time during which the game is not continuously executed is a predetermined time or more, a demonstration video is displayed on the display screen 28. Details of the video display control will be described later. A movable accessory 30 is provided on the right side of the display screen 28. The movable accessory 30 performs various effects by moving the movable part. Below the movable accessory 30 is provided a display unit 24 that displays the result of the jackpot determination and the number of reserved balls.

  The display screen 28 will be described. The display of the video on the display screen 28 is controlled by the effect control board 43 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). On the display screen 28, a plurality of pixels are formed in a matrix to form a liquid crystal panel, and TFTs (Thin Film Transistors) that function as switching elements are disposed corresponding to the respective pixels. The display screen 28 is provided with a gate driver and a source driver for displaying an image on the liquid crystal panel. The gate driver switches each TFT on and off. The source driver applies a source voltage based on drawing data (RGB data) to be described later to each pixel in synchronization with the on / off of the TFT. By performing this operation once for all the pixels, an image of one frame is displayed. A video (moving image) is displayed by continuously displaying a plurality of frames one after another according to a predetermined frame rate.

  The electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 40 of the pachinko machine 1 mainly includes a main board 41, a sub control board 58, a lamp driver board 46, an effect control board 43, a payout control board 45, and a relay board 47.

  The main board 41 controls the main control of the pachinko machine 1. The main board CPU unit 50 of the main board 41 is provided with a CPU 51 that performs various arithmetic processes, a RAM 52 that temporarily stores data, and a ROM 53 that stores a control program and the like. An interrupt signal generation circuit 57 is connected to the main board CPU unit 50. The main board 41 executes a program each time an interrupt signal is input from the interrupt signal generation circuit 57. The main board 41 is connected to the sub control board 58, the payout control board 45, the relay board 47, the output port 55, and the start port switch 70 via the I / O interface 54. The output port 55 outputs information on the pachinko machine 1 to a game hall management computer (not shown). The start port switch 70 detects a game ball won in the special symbol start electric accessory 15.

  The sub control board 58 includes a CPU 581, a RAM 582, and a ROM 583, and is connected to the lamp driver board 46, the effect control board 43, the speaker 48, and the operation buttons 9. The sub control board 58 performs comprehensive control such as effects according to the command transmitted from the main board 41. The lamp driver board 46 controls the operation of the movable accessory 30 and the like. The effect control board 43 includes a display control unit 60 and the like, and controls display of the display screen 28 in accordance with a command received from the sub-control board 58. Details of the display control unit 60 will be described later with reference to FIG. The payout control board 45 includes a CPU 45a and the like. The payout control board 45 controls the operation of the prize ball payout device 49 in accordance with a command transmitted from the main board 41, and pays out a predetermined number of game balls.

  The relay board 47 is connected with a normal symbol operation switch 71, a special prize opening / closing solenoid 72, an electric accessory opening / closing solenoid 73, a special prize opening switch 75, and the display unit 24. The normal symbol operation switch 71 detects a game ball that has passed through the normal symbol start gate 12. The big prize opening / closing solenoid 72 opens and closes the opening / closing member of the big prize opening 16 during the big hit game. The electric accessory opening / closing solenoid 73 opens and closes the opening / closing member of the special symbol starting electric accessory 15 during the normal winning game. The big prize opening switch 75 detects a game ball won in the big prize opening 16.

  The power supply board 42 is connected to the main board 41 and the game ball launching device 37, and supplies DC stabilized power to each board and the game ball launching device 37. The game ball launching device 37 launches one game ball to the game area 4 at regular intervals (0.6 seconds in the present embodiment).

  An outline of game control in the pachinko machine 1 will be described. When it is detected by the normal symbol operation switch 71 that the game ball has passed through the normal symbol start gate 12, the CPU 51 of the main board 41 executes the normal hit determination. The result of the normal hit determination is displayed on the display unit 24. When the normal hit is reached, the CPU 51 opens the special symbol starting electric combination 15 for a predetermined time by the electric combination opening / closing solenoid 73.

  When a winning of a game ball to the special symbol start electric accessory 15 is detected by the start port switch 70, the CPU 51 of the main board 41 executes a big hit determination. The CPU 51 determines one of a plurality of variation patterns according to the result of the jackpot determination. The variation pattern is a demo symbol variation pattern (effect pattern) used when notifying the player of the result of the jackpot determination. This variation pattern is executed by the display screen 28, the movable accessory 30, the speaker 48, etc. in synchronization with the variation time of the special symbol displayed on the display unit 24 (equal to the variation time of the demo symbol) and the variation of the special symbol. The notification effect pattern to be performed is determined. As described above, the notification effect is an effect of confirming and displaying a combination of demo symbols indicating the result of the jackpot determination after changing a plurality of demo symbols. The CPU 51 transmits a command for designating the determined variation pattern to the sub-control board 58. The result of the big hit determination is notified to the player by a notification effect controlled by the sub-control board 58 and the like and a special symbol displayed on the display unit 24.

  When the jackpot is won, the CPU 51 executes the jackpot game by opening the jackpot 16 in a predetermined pattern by the jackpot opening / closing solenoid 72. At the end of the jackpot game, depending on at least one of the special symbols (whether or not the probability variation jackpot) is determined to be a jackpot and the advantageous / disadvantage conditions that were generated when the jackpot game was determined , One of several favorable / disadvantageous situations occurs. The pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment causes a non-probability variation state in which the probability of being determined to be a jackpot is a normal probability and a probability variation state in which the probability of being determined to be a jackpot is higher than in the non-probability variation state. Can do. In addition, the pachinko machine 1 can cause a non-short-time state in which the opening / closing member of the special symbol starting electric accessory 15 is a normal rate and a short-time state in which the rate is higher than the non-time-short state. it can. With these combinations, the pachinko machine 1 has a “non-probability variation non-short state” (hereinafter referred to as “normal state”), “non-probability variation short state”, “probability variation non-short state”, and “probability variation short-time”. Four advantageous / disadvantageous states can be created. In addition, it cannot be overemphasized that the kind and number of the advantageous / disadvantageous states that can occur may be changed. When a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when it is determined that the jackpot is reached or when the number of jackpot determinations reaches a specified number), the CPU 10 ends the probability variation state and the short-time state. When the advantage / disadvantage state is changed, an advantage / disadvantage state notification command for notifying the advantage / disadvantage state is transmitted from the main board 41 to the sub-control board 58.

  The sub control board 58 controls various effects such as a notification effect in accordance with the command received from the main board 41. In particular, when a variation pattern is designated by the main substrate 41, the CPU 581 of the sub-control board 58 provides commands for instructing the start of a notification effect image, the change of the image, the end of the image, etc. according to the designated variation pattern. It transmits to the production control board 43. The effect control board 43 controls the display of the video on the display screen 28 based on the command received from the sub control board 58. In addition, the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment can generate any one of a plurality of production modes. The sub-control board 58 executes a notification effect defined by the variation pattern designated from the main board 41 in accordance with the advantageous / disadvantageous state and the effect mode (that is, the game state) that are occurring at that time. That is, even when the same variation pattern is designated, the sub control board 58 changes the notification effect image displayed on the display screen 28 according to the advantageous / disadvantageous state and the effect mode that are occurring at that time. Therefore, the player can grasp the game state (advantageous / disadvantaged state and production mode) that has occurred by viewing the notification effect image.

  In addition, when the time during which the game is not continuously executed is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the sub control board 58 and the effect control board 43 display the demonstration video on the display screen 28. In the demonstration video in the present embodiment, after the logo mark of the manufacturer that manufactured the pachinko machine 1 is displayed, the character appearing in the production of the pachinko machine 1 is displayed. However, it goes without saying that other contents such as a game description of the pachinko machine 1 may be displayed in the demonstration video.

  The electrical configuration of the effect control board 43 will be described with reference to FIG. The effect control board 43 includes a display control unit 60, an image display processor (Video Display Processor, hereinafter referred to as “VDP”) 31, a VRAM 32, and a CGROM 33. The display control unit 60 includes a display control CPU 61, a display control RAM 62, a display control ROM 63, and an oscillator 64.

  Each component of the display control unit 60 will be described. The display control CPU 61 is connected to the sub control board 58 and receives various commands for controlling the display of the display screen 28 from the sub control board 58. Based on the received command, a video to be displayed on the display screen 28 is selected, and a command for displaying the selected video is transmitted to the VDP 31. The display control RAM 62 temporarily stores various data such as commands for transmission to the VDP 31. The display control ROM 63 stores a display control program for controlling the display of the display screen 28, initial values, and the like. The oscillator 64 oscillates a dot clock frequency necessary for image display on the display screen 28.

  The VDP 31, VRAM 32, and CGROM 33 will be described. The CGROM 33 stores a plurality of video data. Video data is image data for displaying a plurality of images constituting a series of videos. The VDP 31 acquires the video data of the video specified by the command transmitted from the display control CPU 61 from the CGROM 33, and creates drawing data based on the acquired video data. The VDP 31 refers to the created drawing data and outputs an image signal to the display screen 28 to display an image on the display screen 28. The VRAM 32 is provided with a development buffer 38 and a frame buffer 39. In the expansion buffer 38, drawing data created by the VDP 31 is expanded and temporarily stored. The frame buffer 39 temporarily stores drawing data (display drawing data) referred to in display control of the display screen 28.

  With reference to FIG. 5, the flow of data for displaying video will be described. As described above, the VDP 31 creates drawing data based on the video data. The created drawing data is expanded in the expansion buffer 38 of the VRAM 32 and temporarily stored. Of the drawing data developed in the development buffer 38, the drawing data used for image display on the display screen 28 is stored in the frame buffer 39 as display drawing data. The VDP 31 refers to the display drawing data stored in the frame buffer 39 and controls the display of images on the display screen 28.

  The VDP 31 can also store the display drawing data used for displaying the image in the VRAM 32 as re-stored drawing data after the image is displayed. The VDP 31 can create display drawing data by taking over at least one of newly stored drawing data, which is drawing data created based on video data, and re-stored drawing data. Specifically, the drawing data for display can be created by performing processing such as composition, enlargement / reduction, rotation, and cutting on at least one of the newly stored drawing data and the re-stored drawing data. Thereby, the VDP 31 can easily diversify the video displayed on the display screen 28 without increasing the data amount of the video data (collection of image data) stored in the CGROM 33.

  With reference to FIGS. 6-8, the process by the main board | substrate 41 of the pachinko machine 1 is demonstrated. The main control of the pachinko machine 1 is performed by a control program stored in the ROM 53. The main process of the control program (see FIG. 6) is executed by the CPU 51 when the CPU 51 senses an interrupt signal generated every 4 ms by the interrupt signal generation circuit 57 (see FIG. 3).

  First, command output processing is performed (S10). In the command output process, a control command is output to the sub control board 58, the payout control board 45, the relay board 47, and the like. The control command output here is a control command stored in the RAM 52 in the main process executed last time.

  Next, a switch reading process is performed (S11). In the switch reading process, a process for detecting a game ball is performed from the detection results of the normal symbol start gate 12 and each switch (see FIG. 3) provided at each winning opening.

  Next, a counter update process is performed (S12). In the counter update process, the value of the random number acquisition counter stored in the RAM 52 is added, and the value of the timer counter is subtracted.

  Next, special electric accessory processing is performed (S13). In the special electric accessory processing, processing for controlling the operation of the jackpot game (mainly opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member of the big winning opening 16) and processing regarding the advantageous / disadvantageous state that occurs after the jackpot game is completed are performed. . For example, in the present embodiment, if the probability variation jackpot is determined in the jackpot determination that triggered the jackpot game, the CPU 51 changes the “probability variation short-time state” or “probability variation non-short-time state” after the jackpot game ends. Raise it. The “probability variation short-time state” and the “probability variation non-short-time state” continue until the next jackpot is determined. If it is a non-probability variation jackpot, the “non-probability variation short state” or “normal state” is caused. The “non-probability short time state” continues until the jackpot determination is executed a predetermined number of times or until it is next determined to be a jackpot. The CPU 51 stores in the RAM 52 an advantage / disadvantage state notification command for notifying the sub-control board 58 of the generated advantage / disadvantage state. The stored advantage / disadvantage state notification command is transmitted to the sub control board 58 in the command output process (S10) of the main process to be executed next.

  Next, special symbol processing is performed (S14). Although details will be described later, in the special symbol processing, processing such as jackpot determination, determination of a special symbol, and determination of a variation pattern is performed (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

  Next, ordinary electric accessory processing is performed (S15). In the ordinary electric accessory process, a process for controlling the operation of the normal hit game is performed when the normal hit is reached. If the time-short state has occurred, the CPU 51 opens the special symbol starting electric accessory 15 longer than in the non-time-short state.

  Next, normal symbol processing is performed (S16). In the normal symbol process, a normal hit random number is acquired when the normal symbol operation switch 71 detects a game ball. Based on the acquired random number, processing such as ordinary hit determination, storage of commands for controlling fluctuations in ordinary symbols, and the like are performed. The probability of being determined to be a normal hit during the short-time state is higher than the probability of being determined to be a normal hit during the non-time-short state. The variation time of the normal symbol is shorter in the time-short state than in the non-time-short state.

  Next, a payout process (S17), an error check (S18), and an information output process (S19) are performed. In the payout process, the payout of prize balls is controlled. In the error check, when an error occurs, the error is notified using the display screen 28, the speaker 48, and the like. In the information output process, various types of information are output to a game hall management computer (not shown).

  Details of the special symbol process (S14) will be described with reference to FIGS. First, flags used in special symbol processing will be described. The RAM 52 stores a jackpot gaming state flag, a display state flag, and the like. The jackpot game state flag is “ON” when “1” is stored during the jackpot game, and “0” is stored and “OFF” when the jackpot game is not played. The special symbol display state flag stores “1” when the special symbol on the display unit 24 is fluctuating, “2” when the special symbol is displayed in a stopped state, and “0” when the symbol is neither fluctuating nor stopped. .

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the special symbol process is started, it is determined whether or not a game ball has won the special symbol starting electric accessory 15 (S21). When the start opening switch 70 provided on the special symbol start electric accessory 15 detects the winning of the game ball, the winning ball flag corresponding to the start opening switch 70 is displayed in the main process switch reading process (S11, see FIG. 6). “ON”. If this flag is not “ON” and the game ball has not won (S21: NO), the process directly proceeds to the determination of S31. If a game ball has won the special symbol starting electric accessory 15 (S21: YES), it is determined whether or not the number of special symbol actuated balls is “4” (S22). If the number of special symbol actuated balls stored in the RAM 52 is “4” (S22: YES), since the reserved balls have reached the upper limit that can be held, the process proceeds to the determination of S31 as it is.

  When the number of special symbol operation reservation balls is not “4” (S22: NO), “1” is added to the number of special symbol operation reservation balls stored in the RAM 52 (S23). Next, the jackpot determination random number (the value of the jackpot determination counter), the special symbol determination random number (the value of the special symbol determination counter), and the variation pattern determination random number (the value of the variation pattern determination counter) are acquired and stored in the RAM 52. (S24).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the game state is a jackpot gaming state (S31). If the jackpot gaming state flag is “ON” and it is determined that the jackpot gaming state is in effect (S31: YES), the processing returns to the main processing as it is. If it is not in the jackpot gaming state (S31: NO), it is determined whether or not the special symbol is changing (S32). If the display state flag is not “1” and the special symbol is not changing (S32: NO), it is determined whether or not the special symbol is being stopped (S33). If the display status flag is not “2” and the stop display is not in progress (S33: NO), the process proceeds to S35 (see FIG. 8), and processing such as jackpot determination is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, before the jackpot determination is made, it is determined whether or not the number of special symbol actuated balls is “1” or more (S35). If the number of special symbol operation reservation balls stored in the RAM 52 is not equal to or greater than “1” (S35: NO), there is no game ball for which a big hit determination is to be made, and the process directly returns to the main process. If it is “1” or more (S35: YES), “1” is subtracted from the number of special symbol actuated balls stored in the RAM 52 (S36). The random number storage area stored next to the random number that is the object of the previous jackpot determination is set as the determination area in which the random number for the next jackpot determination is stored. That is, the determination area is shifted (S37).

  Next, a jackpot determination is performed according to the advantageous / disadvantageous state (S38). The determination table for performing jackpot determination is provided with a low probability determination table used during a non-probability variation state and a high probability determination table in which the probability of determining a jackpot is higher than in a non-probability variation state. Yes. The jackpot determination is performed by referring to one of the determination tables depending on whether or not a probability variation state has occurred.

  If it is determined that the jackpot is determined to be a jackpot (S39: YES), a special symbol indicating that the jackpot is determined by a special symbol determination random number (S40). Next, if the time-short state is in effect (S41: YES), the special symbol variation pattern determination table stored in the ROM 53 is referred to the time-short state and jackpot table, and the variation pattern is determined by the variation pattern determination random number. (S42). If not in the time-short state (S41: NO), the variation pattern is determined by the table in the non-time-short state and the big hit (S43). If the determination result is out of order (S39: NO), a special symbol ("-" in this embodiment) indicating that it is out of position is determined (S46). If it is in the time-short state (S47: YES), the fluctuation pattern is determined by the time-short state and deviation table (S48), and if not in the time-short state (S47: NO), the fluctuation pattern is determined by the non-time-short state and deviation table. Is determined (S49).

  Next, a variation pattern designation command for designating the determined variation pattern and instructing the variation of the special symbol and the demo symbol (start of notification effect) is stored in the RAM 52 (S52). The stored command is output to another board such as the sub control board 58 in the command output process (S10, see FIG. 6) of the main process to be executed next. Next, the variation time of the special symbol determined according to the variation pattern is set in the special symbol variation time counter which is a timer counter (S53). “1” indicating that the special symbol is changing is stored in the display state flag (S54), and the process returns to the main process.

  Also, in the determination of S32 shown in FIG. 7, when “1” is stored in the display state flag and it is determined that the special symbol is changing (S32: YES), has the change time elapsed? It is determined whether or not (S57). If the value of the special symbol variation time counter set in S53 (see FIG. 8) is “0” and it is determined that the variation time has elapsed (S57: YES), the special symbol variation stop ( A special symbol stop command for instructing (end of notification effect) is stored in the RAM 52 (S58). The predetermined stop display time is stored in a special symbol stop time counter which is a timer counter (S59). “2” indicating that the special symbol is being stopped and displayed is stored in the display state flag (S60), and the process returns to the main process. On the other hand, if it is determined in S57 that the variation time has not yet elapsed (S57: NO), the process directly returns to the main process.

  In the determination of S33, “2” is stored in the display state flag, and when it is determined that the special symbol is being stopped (S33: YES), the value of the counter set in S59 is used. Then, it is determined whether or not the stop display time has elapsed (S61). If the value of the special symbol stop time counter is not “0” and the stop display time has not yet elapsed (S61: NO), the process returns to the main process as it is. When the stop display time has elapsed (S61: YES), “0” indicating that the special symbol is neither fluctuating nor stopped is stored in the display state flag (S62).

  Next, a game state transition process is performed (S63). In the game state transition process, when the result of jackpot determination is a jackpot, the probability variation state is transitioned to the non-probability variation state, and the time-short state is transitioned to the non-time-short state. Further, a jackpot game start command indicating that the advantageous / disadvantage state is shifted to the jackpot game state and the jackpot game is started is stored in the RAM 52. Further, when the number of jackpot determinations executed during the non-probability fluctuation short time state reaches a predetermined number (for example, 100 times), the short time state is shifted to the non-short time state. Note that the CPU 51 may shift the probability variation state to the non-probability variation state when the number of jackpot determinations executed during the probability variation state reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10,000 times). Next, when the advantageous / disadvantage state is transferred (S64: YES), an advantageous / disadvantage state notification command for notifying the sub-control board 58 of the advantageous / disadvantage state after the transfer is stored in the RAM 52 (S65). ), The process returns to the main process. If the advantageous / disadvantageous state has not been transferred (S64: NO), the process directly returns to the main process.

  With reference to FIG. 9, the sub control board process which the sub control board 58 performs is demonstrated. In the sub-control board process, a process for comprehensively controlling the effects by the display screen 28, the speaker 48, and the like is performed in accordance with a command transmitted from the main board 41. The sub control board process is executed in the CPU 581 according to the program stored in the ROM 583.

  When the sub control board processing is started, it is determined whether or not an advantage / disadvantage state notification command is received from the main board 41 (S71). If not received (S71: NO), the process proceeds to the determination of S74 as it is. When the advantage / disadvantage state notification command is received (S71: YES), the advantage / disadvantage state notified by the received command is stored in the RAM 582 (S72). The process proceeds to the determination in S74.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a variation pattern designation command is received from the main board 41 (S74). If not received (S74: NO), the process proceeds to the determination of S79 as it is. When the variation pattern designation command is received (S74: YES), processing for starting the notification effect is performed (S75 to S77).

  Specifically, a non-game time counter for measuring a time during which the game is not continuously executed is initialized to “0” (S75). A notification effect image to be displayed on the display screen 28 is determined in accordance with the advantageous / disadvantageous state, the effect mode, and the variation pattern specified by the command (S76). The effect mode is a mode for determining the type of notification effect. As an example of the production mode, “normal mode”, “mission mode”, “battle mode”, and the like can be used. Even when the same variation pattern is designated by the main board 41, the CPU 581 causes the display screen 28 to display different notification effect images when at least one of the advantageous / disadvantageous state and the effect mode occurring at that time is different. . More specifically, the CPU 581 displays at least one of the background screen of the notification effect video, the background color, the character to appear, the design of the demo design, the direction of change of the demo design, etc. according to the advantageous / disadvantageous state and the production mode. change. Therefore, the player can grasp the advantageous / disadvantageous state and the effect mode that are occurring at that time by viewing the notification effect image. Next, a start command for starting display of the notification effect video determined in S76 is transmitted to the display control CPU 61 (see FIG. 4) of the effect control board 43 (S77). The process proceeds to the determination in S79. When the display control CPU 61 receives the start command transmitted in S77, the display control CPU 61 transmits a notification effect video start command designated by the command to the VDP 31 (see FIG. 4).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a special symbol stop command is received from the main board 41 (S79). If it has not been received (S79: NO), the process proceeds directly to the determination of S86. When a special symbol stop command is received (S79: YES), a process for terminating the notification effect and a process for changing the effect mode are performed (S80 to S84).

  Specifically, a confirmation display command for deciding and displaying the changing demo symbol and ending the notification effect is transmitted to the display control CPU 61 of the effect control board 43 (S80). The confirmed display command is transferred from the display control CPU 61 to the VDP 31. Next, it is determined whether or not to end the effect mode being executed (S81). If the end lottery is not won (S82: NO), the process proceeds to S84 as it is. When the end lottery is won (S82: YES), one of the effect modes other than the effect mode that has been executed is determined as the next effect mode and stored in the RAM 582 (S83). That is, the production mode is changed. Next, in order to measure the time during which the game is not continuously executed (hereinafter referred to as “non-game time”), the time measurement by the non-game time counter is started (S84). The process proceeds to the determination at S86.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the non-game time measured by the non-game time counter has reached a predetermined time (S86). If the predetermined time has not been reached (S86: NO), the process proceeds directly to the determination of S88. When the non-game time has reached the predetermined time (S86: YES), a demonstration video start command for instructing the start of the demonstration video is transmitted to the display control CPU 61 (S87). The demonstration video start command is transferred from the display control CPU 61 to the VDP 31. The process proceeds to the determination at S88.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the end timing of the demo video has come (S88). The demo video ends when a predetermined time elapses from the start of display. If the end timing of the demonstration video has not arrived (S88: NO), the process returns to the determination of S71 as it is. When the end timing comes (S88: YES), the non-game time counter is initialized to “0”, and the measurement of the non-game time is resumed (S89). Accordingly, when the game is not executed for a long time, the demonstration video is displayed at predetermined intervals. The process returns to the determination in S71.

  Details of processing executed by the VDP 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13. The VDP 31 displays the video specified by the command received from the display control CPU 61 on the display screen 28. When the power of the effect control board 43 is turned on, the VDP 31 executes display control processing shown in FIG. 10 according to a program stored in the storage device in the VDP 31.

  When the display control process is started, it is determined whether or not a notification effect video start command is received from the display control CPU 61 (S91). If not received (S91: NO), the process proceeds to the determination of S93 as it is. When a notification effect video start command is received (S91: YES), a notification control process is performed (S92), and the process proceeds to the determination of S93. Although details will be described later, in the notification control process, display of the notification effect image is controlled.

  Next, it is determined whether a demo video start command is received from the display control CPU 61 (S93). If not received (S93: NO), the process directly returns to the determination of S91. When a demo video start command is received (S93: YES), a demo video control process is performed (S94), and the process returns to the determination of S91. Although details will be described later, in the demo video control process, display of the demo video is controlled.

  The notification control process will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the notification control process is executed when a notification command start command is received. First, of the plurality of video data stored in the CGROM 33, video data of a notification effect video specified by the start command is acquired (S101). Based on the acquired video data, new memory drawing data for the notification effect video is created and developed in the development buffer 38 (S102). Display drawing data is created by performing processing such as composition, enlargement / reduction, rotation, and cutting as necessary on the newly created drawing data (S103). The created display drawing data is moved to the frame buffer 39, and one image is displayed on the display screen 28 by referring to the display drawing data in the frame buffer 39 (S104).

  It is determined whether or not a confirmed display command has been received from the display control CPU 61 (S105). As described above, the confirmation display command is transmitted at the end of the notification effect. If the confirmation display command has not been received (S105: NO), the process returns to S102, and a plurality of images are continuously displayed according to the frame rate (S102 to S105). That is, the notification effect image is reproduced. When the confirmation display command is received (S105: YES), the drawing data for display used for displaying the last image of the notification effect video (the still image in a state where the demonstration symbol is confirmed and displayed) is used as the redrawing drawing data as the buffer for development. 38 (S106). The process returns to the display control process (see FIG. 10). The VDP 31 displays the video based on the re-stored drawing data stored in S106 until the next display of the notification effect video or the demonstration video is started.

  The demonstration video control process will be described with reference to FIGS. The demonstration video control process is executed when a demonstration video start command is received. The demonstration video start command is transmitted from the display control CPU 61 when the non-game time reaches a predetermined time. As shown in FIG. 12, when the demonstration video control process is started, a start control process for starting display of the demonstration video is performed (S111).

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the start control process, video data of a demo video that is one of a plurality of video data stored in the CGROM 33 is acquired (S121). Based on the acquired video data of the demo video, new memory drawing data for starting the demo video is created (S122). The image of the re-stored drawing data stored at the end of the notification control process (S106, see FIG. 11) is combined with the specific area of the newly stored drawing data created in S121, and the drawing data of the new image 80 is obtained. Created. As shown in FIG. 15, the image 80 of the present embodiment is an image displaying a manufacturer's logo mark. A part of the image 80 (lower left in the present embodiment) is provided with a rectangular specific area 81 having the same aspect ratio as the entire image 80. In the specific area 81, the demo symbol and the background that are displayed last in the previous notification effect are combined. Needless to say, the specific contents of the image 80 can be changed as appropriate.

  Next, display drawing data in which the specific area 81 is included as a part of the display area and the specific area 81 is reduced at the reduction ratio Sn is created at the frame rate based on the drawing data created in S123 (S124). ). The created display drawing data is moved to the frame buffer 39, and an image is displayed on the display screen 28 by referring to the display drawing data in the frame buffer 39 (S125). In the present embodiment, a plurality of display drawing data is continuously created so that the image of the specific area 81 displayed over the entire display area is gradually reduced to the lower left of the display area. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, at the start of the demonstration video, the specific area 81 is continuously reduced in the order of the image A2, the image A3, and the image A4. The smaller the specific area 81 is, the wider the area for displaying the manufacturer's logo.

  It is determined whether a notification effect video start command has been received from the display control CPU 61 (S126). If not received (S126: NO), it is determined whether or not the entire display of the demo video (that is, the image 80 at the start of the demo video) has been completed (S127). If the entire display of the image 80 has not been completed (S127: NO), the process returns to S124, and continuous reduced display of the image is continued (S124 to S127).

  If the notification effect video start command is received before the entire display of the image 80 is completed (S126: YES), it is necessary to interrupt the display of the demonstration video and display the notification effect video. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the process proceeds to the notification control process (S92). When the entire display of the image 80 is completed (S127: YES), the process returns to the demo video control process (see FIG. 12).

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the start control process (S111) is completed, a process of advancing the demo video is performed. First, from the acquired video data of the demo video, new storage drawing data for the demo video is created in order at the frame rate (S112). The new memory drawing data created in S112 is provided with a specific area 81 (see FIG. 15). The image of the re-stored drawing data saved at the end of the notification control process (S106, see FIG. 11) is reduced and synthesized in the specific area 81 of the newly-created stored drawing data, and display drawing data is created. (S113). The created display drawing data is moved to the frame buffer 39, and an image is displayed on the display screen 28 (S114).

  It is determined whether or not a notification effect video start command has been received from the display control CPU 61 (S115). If not received (S115: NO), it is determined whether or not the end timing of the demo video has arrived (S116). In the present embodiment, the demo video ends after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of display. If the end timing has not arrived (S116: NO), the process returns to S112, and the next frame is displayed (S112 to S116). As a result of the above processing, on the display screen 28, the demonstration video is displayed in the entire display area, while the notification effect video is continuously displayed in a specific area 81 of the display area.

  If the start command of the notification effect image is received before the end timing of the demonstration image arrives (S115: YES), it is necessary to interrupt the display of the demonstration image and display the notification effect image. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the process proceeds to the notification control process (S92). When the end timing of the demonstration video comes (S116: YES), an end control process is performed (S117), and the process returns to the display control process (see FIG. 10).

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the end control process, the latest display drawing data referred to in the image display when the end time of the demonstration video has arrived is stored as the re-stored drawing data (S131). An image based on the latest display drawing data is an image partially including the specific area 81. Next, display drawing data obtained by enlarging the specific area 81 with the enlargement ratio Kn is created at a frame rate based on the re-stored drawing data (S132). The created display drawing data is moved to the frame buffer 39, and an image is displayed on the display screen 28 by referring to the display drawing data in the frame buffer 39 (S133). In the present embodiment, a plurality of display drawing data are continuously created so that the specific area 81 displayed at the lower left of the display area is gradually displayed over the entire display area. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, at the end of the demonstration video, the specific area 81 is continuously expanded in the order of the image A4, the image A3, the image A2, and the image A1.

  It is determined whether or not a notification effect video start command is received from the display control CPU 61 (S134). If not received (S134: NO), it is determined whether or not the entire notification effect image (that is, the specific area 81) is displayed in the entire display area (S135). If it is not yet displayed in the entire display area (S135: NO), the process returns to S132, and continuous enlarged display of the image is continued (S132 to S135).

  When the notification effect image start command is received before the notification effect image is displayed in the entire display area (S134: YES), it is necessary to interrupt the display of the demonstration image and display the notification effect image. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the process proceeds to the notification control process (S92). When the notification effect video is displayed in the entire display area (S135: YES), the process returns to the demo video control process (see FIG. 12).

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, even when the demonstration video is being displayed, the video of the notification effect executed before the game is stopped is displayed on the display screen 28 together with the demonstration video. Therefore, the player can easily grasp the gaming state (advantageous / disadvantaged state and effect mode) that has occurred by viewing the image of the notification effect displayed together with the demonstration video. Further, the pachinko machine 1 stores the drawing data of the notification effect video used for the display before the game is stopped as the re-stored drawing data, and uses the stored re-drawn drawing data to display the notification effect image. And demo video together. Therefore, it is not necessary to control the display of the demonstration video according to the gaming state. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can allow the player to grasp the gaming state using the video without increasing the processing load of the video display control during the display of the demonstration video. Since it is not necessary to prepare video data of a plurality of demonstration videos according to the gaming state, the storage capacity of the CGROM 33 is hardly pressed and development is easy.

  When the pachinko machine 1 starts displaying the demonstration video, the pachinko machine 1 creates drawing data for the demonstration video including a part of the notification effect image. By using the created drawing data, the image area of the notification effect for the entire display area is continuously reduced to display an image of a plurality of frames. As a result, the displayed image of the notification effect is reduced to a part of the display area, and the demonstration video starts. Therefore, the display can be smoothly switched from the notification effect image to the demonstration video without causing the player to feel uncomfortable. Since the image of the notification effect is included in a part of the demonstration video, the player can easily grasp the gaming state even while the demonstration video is being displayed. Since one drawing data is used to display a plurality of frames of images and the video is switched, the processing load of video display control is small.

  When the display of the demonstration video is terminated, the pachinko machine 1 displays a plurality of frames of images by continuously enlarging the area of the notification effect image with respect to the entire display area. As a result, the notification effect image included in a part of the demonstration video is enlarged, and the demonstration video ends. Therefore, the display can be smoothly switched from the demonstration video to the notification effect image without causing the player to feel uncomfortable. Similar to the start of displaying the demo video, the video is switched using one drawing data, so the processing load is small.

  In the present embodiment, the display screen 28 corresponds to the “display unit” of the present invention. The CGROM 33 corresponds to “video data storage means”. The VRAM 32 corresponds to “drawing data storage unit”. The CPU 581 that executes the sub control board processing shown in FIG. 9 and the VDP 31 that executes the display control processing shown in FIGS. 10 to 14 function as the “display control means” of the present invention. The CPU 51 that executes the jackpot determination in S38 of FIG. 8 functions as a “hit determination unit”. The CPU 51 and the CPU 581 that cause the gaming state in S13 of FIG. 6, S63 of FIG. 7, and S81 to S83 of FIG. 9 function as “gaming state control means”. The CPU 581 that measures the non-game time in S75, S84, and S89 in FIG. 9 functions as a “measurement unit”. The CPU 581 that executes S76 and S77 of FIG. 9 and the VDP 31 that executes the notification control process shown in FIG. 11 function as the “notification control means” of the present invention. The VDP 31 that executes the demo video control process shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 functions as the “demo video control means” of the present invention. The VDP 31 that executes the start control process shown in FIG. 13 functions as “start control means”. The VDP 31 that executes the end control process shown in FIG. 14 functions as an “end control unit”.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. The pachinko machine 1 of the above-described embodiment causes an advantageous / disadvantageous state and a production mode. By including an image of the notification effect in the demonstration video, the player can be made aware of both the advantageous / disadvantageous state and the effect mode by the video. That is, the advantageous / disadvantageous state and the effect mode in the above embodiment correspond to the “gaming state” of the present invention. However, the gaming state that the pachinko machine 1 can cause the player to grasp is not limited to the advantageous / disadvantageous state and the production mode. For example, it is possible to make the player grasp only one of the advantageous / disadvantageous state and the production mode.

  The pachinko machine 1 according to the above embodiment starts displaying the demonstration video by continuously reducing the image area of the notification effect with respect to the entire display area. Therefore, the display can be smoothly switched from the notification effect image to the demonstration video without causing the player to feel uncomfortable. However, it is possible to change the method of starting the demo video. For example, the notification effect image may be instantaneously switched to a demo video partially including the notification effect image without undergoing continuous reduction of the notification effect image. The video may be switched to the demo video after displaying a specific image or video prepared for video switching.

  The pachinko machine 1 according to the above-described embodiment fixes the specific area 81, which is the area of the notification effect image, at a predetermined position in the display area while displaying the demonstration video. However, the pachinko machine 1 may change the position, size, angle, and the like of the specific area 81 during display of the demonstration video. In this case, the contents of the demo video can be easily diversified.

  The pachinko machine 1 according to the embodiment ends the display of the demonstration video by continuously expanding the image area of the notification effect. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly switch from the demonstration video to the notification effect image. However, the method for terminating the display of the demonstration video can be changed. For example, the image may be switched instantaneously from a demonstration video to a notification effect image, or may be switched through display of a specific image or video. In the above-described embodiment, a control method for continuously enlarging the image area of the notification effect is employed only when the display time of the demonstration video has elapsed and the display is terminated. However, even when a game is started during the display of the demonstration video (that is, when the notification effect video is reproduced during the display of the demonstration video), a control method for continuously enlarging the notification effect image is adopted. It is also possible.

  The timing for starting the display of the demo video can be changed as appropriate. For example, the display of the demonstration video may not be started based on the elapsed time after the notification effect is ended, but the display may be started based on the time when the game ball is not launched. Instead of displaying the demonstration video at regular intervals, it may be displayed randomly.

1 Pachinko machine 2 Game board 15 Special design starting electric accessory 28 Display screen 31 VDP
32 VRAM
33 CGROM
38 Development buffer 39 Frame buffer 41 Main board 43 Production control board 51 CPU
58 Sub-control board 61 Display control CPU
70 Start port switch 81 Specific area 581 CPU

Claims (2)

Display means for displaying an image;
Video data storage means for storing a plurality of video data, which are image data of a plurality of images constituting a series of videos;
Drawing data storage means for storing drawing data which is data that can be referred to in the display control of the image in the display means;
Based on at least the video data stored in the video data storage means, the drawing data is created in the drawing data storage means, and an image is displayed on the display means at a predetermined frame rate with reference to the created drawing data. Display control means for displaying;
A hit determination means for determining whether or not to execute a winning game advantageous to the player, when the game ball wins at the starting port provided in the game board,
Measuring means for measuring the time when the game is not continuously executed,
The display control means includes
A notification control means for controlling a notification effect image, which is a video for confirming and displaying a symbol indicating a result of determination by the hit determination means, after the symbol displayed on the display means is changed;
When the time measured by the measuring means is a predetermined time or more, a demonstration video control means for displaying on the display means a demonstration video that is a video while a game is not being executed, and
The demonstration video control means includes specific video control means for controlling a specific area for displaying a specific video that is a video different from the demo video, in a part of the display area in the display means ,
The specific video is an image of the drawing data for notification effect referred to in the display of the notification effect video while the demonstration video is not displayed, and is the drawing data stored in the drawing data storage means. Of these, the gaming machine is the last image of the notification effect video . The gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein the measuring unit measures a time when no game ball is launched.

Images