JP6660340B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that generates a big hit state by a lottery process caused by a gaming operation, and more particularly, to a gaming machine capable of performing a novel and powerful performance operation.

  A ball-and-ball game machine such as a pachinko machine has a symbol starting port provided on a game board, a symbol display section for displaying a series of symbol variation modes by a plurality of display symbols, and a large winning port for opening and closing an opening and closing plate. It is configured. Then, when the detection switch provided at the symbol starting port detects the passage of the game ball, a winning state is established, and after the game ball is paid out as a prize ball, the symbol displayed on the symbol display portion is changed for a predetermined time. Thereafter, when the symbols are stopped in a predetermined mode such as 7.7.7, a big hit state is established, and the special winning opening is repeatedly opened to generate a gaming state advantageous to the player.

  Whether or not to generate such a game state is determined by a jackpot lottery executed on condition that the game ball has won the symbol starting port, and the above-mentioned symbol variation operation is based on the lottery result. It has become something. For example, when the lottery result is in a winning state, an effect operation called a reach action or the like is executed for about 20 seconds, and then the special symbols are aligned. On the other hand, a similar reach action may be executed even in the losing state. In this case, the player pays close attention to the big hit state and watches the transition of the staging operation. Then, if the predetermined symbols are aligned with the stop line at the end of the symbol changing operation, it means that the player is guaranteed to be in the big hit state.

  The above-mentioned production operation mainly focuses on image production on a liquid crystal display device, and in conjunction with this image production, a lamp production that blinks various lamps and a sound production that outputs a sound that excites the player are executed. Is done.

JP 2014-151153 A JP 2014-144066 A JP 2014-1440065 A JP-A-2014-144064 JP 2014-144063 A JP 2014-144062 A JP 2014-144061 A

  The above-described sound effects are generally realized by transmitting a sound command from the host CPU to the sound processor and setting appropriate operation parameters (set values) (Patent Documents 1 to 7). These settings include the primary volume and secondary volume that define the volume of the production sound played by the audio processor.By changing these in a complicated manner, novel phase operations and pan operations can be realized. You can also.

  However, there is a demand for a configuration that can easily and surely realize a complex, advanced and novel sound effect.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a gaming machine capable of smoothly achieving a novel sound effect.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention stores a plurality of reproduction channels for reproducing a unit effect and operation parameters for defining a reproduction operation of each reproduction channel based on a group of original sound data stored in a data storage unit. possible set of voice control registers, and speech synthesis with a first set controller and a second set controller, capable of executing the setting operation of the audio control register reads a set of control data stored in said data storage means Means and a predetermined sound control register, by directly setting a predetermined operation parameter, or by setting the sound synthesis means, to control the operation of one or a plurality of reproduction channels, one unit or a plurality of units And an effect control means for realizing a sound effect by the effect, wherein the group of control data includes a sound control register. The first setting controller and the second setting controller are configured so that a register address to be associated with a set value in the sound control register is terminated by a predetermined end code and specified by a predetermined identification number. A second setting controller configured to execute a setting operation corresponding to the group of control data when a predetermined start instruction including the identification number is set in a specific special register included in the control register; Is different from the first setting controller, as a setting operation specified by the identification number, is configured to be able to execute a plurality of steps of setting operations that can be started intermittently. An effect channel in which the number of used channels increases according to the state is included, and the reproduction operation of the effect channel is performed in the specific special register. Is configured to the start instruction is initiated by being set.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to a ball-and-ball game machine, but is suitably applied to a spinning game machine and other game machines.

As described above, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, a novel sound effect can be smoothly realized.

It is a perspective view showing the pachinko machine of this example. It is a schematic front view of the game board of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the overall circuit configuration of the present embodiment. 3 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration and a circuit operation of a power supply board. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of an effect control part. 4 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration and an output signal of a voice processor. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a sequencer. 3 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a voice processor in detail. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a panpot setting of a phrase reproduction channel by a sequencer. It is a figure explaining using a phrase reproduction channel properly according to a game state. 3 is a diagram illustrating the principle of virtual surround. It is a drawing explaining a transfer function from a front sound and a back sound to an ear. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a virtual surround unit and a remix unit. It is a flow chart explaining operation contents of an effect control part. It is a flowchart explaining the scenario update process which comprises the main process of the effect control part. It is a flowchart explaining the sub scenario update process which comprises a scenario update process. It is a flowchart explaining a part of sub-scenario update processing and main processing. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation content by a sub-scenario update process. 6 is a diagram for explaining a fade operation. 5 is a diagram illustrating a refresh operation and a mask operation. It is a drawing explaining a winning sound and a button operation effective sound. It is a figure explaining volume control operation at the time of a notice effect. It is a figure explaining the modification composition which realizes multiple performance.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine GM of the present embodiment. The pachinko machine GM includes a rectangular wooden frame 1 detachably attached to the island structure, and a front frame 3 pivotally attached to be openable and closable via a hinge 2 fixed to the outer frame 1. It is configured. A game board 5 is detachably attached to the front frame 3 from the front side, not from the back side, and a glass door 6 and a front plate 7 are pivotally attached to the front side so as to be openable and closable.

  On the outer periphery of the glass door 6, an illuminated lamp such as an LED lamp is arranged in a substantially C shape. On the other hand, a total of five speakers (TL, TR, ML, MR, BTM) are arranged at the left and right positions of the upper part of the glass door 6, the left and right positions of the middle part, and the lower side near the abdomen of the player. (See FIG. 2).

  The two speakers (TL, TR) arranged at the upper position and the two speakers (ML, MR) arranged at the middle position respectively output left and right sounds recognized by the player. Is performing a special panpot effect. Here, the pan (PAN) means the position (localization) of the sound heard from the left and right speakers, and the pan operation is specifically realized by setting the volume balance of the left and right speakers asymmetrically. .

  The panpot effect is executed, for example, as an appropriate notice operation. (1) P1 effect in which the notice sound moves from left to right or from right to left, (2) top to bottom or bottom (3) P3 effect in which the notice sound moves downward or upward in the inclination direction, or (3) notice sound moves in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The rotating P4 effect and the like are variously executed by changing the pan displacement time, the pan displacement mode, and the like.

  Further, below the glass door 6, a volume switch VSW capable of adjusting the volume of the effect sound by the player is arranged. The volume switch VSW is a direction key having a positive contact and a negative contact on the left and right, and enables, for example, ten-stage volume adjustment. The operation for adjusting the volume is permitted only during the effect standby in which the sound effect is not executed. In response to the operation of the volume switch VSW, a confirmation effect sound is output and the set level is displayed. It is displayed on the screen.

  In this embodiment, the volume output from each speaker (TL, TR, ML, MR, BTM) is the total value (V1) of the primary volume V1, the secondary volume Vs (= V2, V3), and the total volume TV. * Vs * TV), but the set value of the volume switch VSW artificially defined by the attendant or the player is reflected in the final-stage total volume value TV. Note that the volume set value (total volume value TV) set by the player is returned to the clerk set value by the setting switch SET (see FIG. 3) at a timing when the player is considered to have left the gaming machine.

  In addition, even if a serious abnormal situation is detected even during the game, the total volume value TV is changed to the maximum level irrespective of the operation amount of the volume switch VSW, so that a large volume abnormality notification sound is generated. Is output. Therefore, illegal activities cannot be continued without silence. At this abnormality notification timing, the primary volume value V1 for the effect sound other than the abnormality notification sound is masked to the lowest level.

  As will be described later with reference to FIG. 8, the primary volume V1 can be set for each of the phrase reproduction channels CHn (FIG. 8) for decoding and reproducing various types of compressed audio data. Is set to a prescribed level (highest level). However, at the time of a masking process such as a blackout effect for darkening the display screen, mute is realized by changing the primary volume V1 to the lowest level in all the phrase reproduction channels CHn. At the time of the mask processing, the value of the secondary volume Vs maintains the previous level.

  Further, at the time of the above-described abnormality notification, the primary volume V1 of the phrase reproduction channel CH28 (FIG. 8) for reproducing the abnormality notification sound is maintained at the highest level, while the primary volumes V1 of the other phrase reproduction channels are maintained at the lowest level. Has changed. Therefore, only the abnormal notification sound can be emitted without being disturbed by the effect sound. It should be noted that the value of the secondary volume Vs for the sound effect other than the abnormal notification sound maintains the previous level.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, only the primary volume V1 is changed while the secondary volume Vs is maintained at the time of mask processing or abnormality notification, so that all the secondary volumes Vs (V2, V3, V4) are changed. The control of the volume change is easier than the configuration of the prior art documents 1 to 7 which is necessary.

  Further, the secondary volume value Vs (= V2, V3) is set by software so as to realize an appropriate sound effect in a notice effect involving a panpot operation or the like and other sound effects. Therefore, the volume of each speaker (TL, TR, ML, MR, BTM) at the time of sound production is normally V1 *, reflecting the set value of the secondary volume value Vs (= V2, V3). It will be output at the volume of Vs * TV. As described above, in the normal state, the primary volume V1 is the maximum value, and the total volume TV is a value corresponding to the set value of the attendant or the player.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the fade operation for gradually increasing or decreasing the speaker volume at a predetermined speed is also realized by changing the secondary volume Vs. At the time of the fade operation, since the plurality of secondary volumes Vs (V2, V3) change while maintaining the same level, the volume of all speakers (TL, TR, ML, MR, BTM) is unified. Faded to The panpot operation and the fade operation will be further described later with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an upper plate 8 for storing game balls for firing is mounted on the front plate 7, and a lower plate for storing game balls that have overflowed or withdrawn from the upper plate 8 at a lower portion of the front frame 3. A dish 9 and a firing handle 10 are provided. The firing handle 10 is linked to a firing motor, and a game ball is fired by a hitting hammer that operates according to the rotation angle of the firing handle 10.

  A chance button 11 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper plate 8. The chance button 11 is provided at a position where it can be operated with the left hand of the player, and the player can operate the chance button 11 without releasing the right hand from the firing handle 10. The chance button 11 does not function at normal times, but when the game state changes to the button chance state, the built-in lamp is turned on and can be operated. Note that the button chance state is a game state provided as needed.

  On the right side of the upper plate 8, an operation panel 12 for ball lending operation for the card-type ball lending machine is provided, a frequency display section for displaying the remaining amount of the card by a three-digit number, and a ball for a predetermined amount of game balls. A ball lending switch for instructing lending and a return switch for instructing return of a card at the end of the game are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a guide rail 13 composed of a metal outer rail and an inner rail is provided in a ring shape on the surface of the game board 5, and a center opening HO is provided substantially at the center thereof. Four speakers (TL, TR, ML, MR) are arranged inside the glass door 6 corresponding to the four vertices of the center opening HO, and a bass speaker BTM is provided at the lower right of the center opening HO. Are located. Note that these speakers are virtually shown in FIG.

  In addition, a display device DS constituted by a large liquid crystal color display (LCD) is disposed in the central opening HO. The display device DS is a device that variably displays a specific symbol related to a big hit state and displays a background image, various characters, and the like in an animated manner. This display device DS has special symbol display portions Da to Dc in the center portion and a normal symbol display portion 19 in the upper right portion. In the special symbol display sections Da to Dc, a reach effect for expecting a big hit state may be executed. In the special symbol display sections Da to Dc and the periphery thereof, an appropriate announcement effect is executed.

  A symbol starting port 15, a large winning port 16, a normal winning port 17, and a gate 18 are provided in a game area where the game ball falls and moves. Each of the winning ports 15 to 18 has a detection switch inside so that the passage of a game ball can be detected. Then, when the game ball passes through the symbol starting port 15, it is determined that the game ball has won, and a series of image effects accompanied by a special symbol changing operation are started on the special symbol display units Da to Dc. In addition, in response to this image effect, a sound effect accompanied by background music and effect sound, and a lamp effect in which a lamp blinks are executed.

  The symbol starting port 15 is configured to be opened and closed by an electric tulip having a pair of left and right opening / closing claws 15a, and when the stopped symbol after the fluctuation of the ordinary symbol display section 19 hits and displays the symbol, a predetermined time is displayed. Or the open / close claw 15a is opened until only a predetermined number of game balls are detected.

  The ordinary symbol display section 19 displays an ordinary symbol. When a game ball passing through the gate 18 is detected, the ordinary symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time and is extracted at a point in time when the game ball passes the gate 18. A stop symbol determined by the random number for lottery is displayed and stopped.

  The special winning opening 16 is configured to have an opening and closing plate 16a that moves forward and backward. The operation of the special winning opening 16 is not particularly limited, but in a typical big hit state, a predetermined time elapses after the opening and closing plate 16a of the special winning opening 16 is opened, or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of games is played. When the ball wins, the opening / closing plate 16a closes. Such an operation is continued up to, for example, 15 times at the maximum, and is controlled to a state advantageous to the player. In addition, when the stop symbol after the change of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc is a specific symbol among the special symbols, a privilege that the game after the end of the special game is in a high probability state (probable change state) is provided. Granted.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an overall circuit configuration of the pachinko machine GM that realizes each of the operations described above. As shown in the figure, the pachinko machine GM includes a power supply board 20 which receives AC 24 V and outputs various DC voltages and power supply abnormality signals ABN1 and ABN2, a main control board 21 which centrally performs a game control operation, and a main control board. An effect control board 22 for executing a lamp effect and a sound effect based on the control command CMD received from the board 21; and an image control board 23 for driving the display device DS based on the control command CMD 'received from the effect control board 22. A payout control board 24 for controlling the payout motor M based on the control command CMD "received from the main control board 21 and paying out game balls, and a firing control board 25 for firing game balls in response to a player's operation. And, it is mainly composed.

  The control command CMD output from the main control board 21 is transmitted to the effect control board 22 without passing through the relay board, but the control command CMD ′ output from the effect control board 22 is passed through the image interface board 28. And transmitted to the image control board 23. The control command CMD "output from the main control board 21 is transmitted to the payout control board 24 via the main board relay board 32. The control commands CMD, CMD ', and CMD" are all 16 bits long. However, the control commands relating to the main control board 21 and the payout control board 24 are transmitted in parallel twice in 8-bit lengths. On the other hand, the control command CMD 'transmitted from the effect control board 22 to the image control board 23 is transmitted in parallel with a 16-bit length. Therefore, even in the case where the notice effect including the movable notice effect is diversified and a large number of control commands are continuously transmitted and received, the processing can be quickly completed, and other control operations are not hindered.

  In this embodiment, the image interface board 28 and the image control board 23 are directly connected to the male connector and the female connector without passing through a wiring cable, and two circuit boards are stacked. Therefore, even if the circuit configuration of each electronic circuit is complicated and sophisticated, the storage space of the entire board can be minimized, and the noise resistance can be improved by minimizing the connection line.

  A computer circuit including a one-chip microcomputer is mounted on each of the main control board 21, the effect control board 22, the image control board 23, and the payout control board 24. Therefore, the circuits mounted on the control boards 21 to 24 and the interface board 28 and the operations realized by the circuits are functionally collectively referred to as a main control unit 21, an effect control unit 22 in this specification. , Image control unit 23, and payout control unit 24. That is, in this embodiment, the image control unit 23 is configured by the image control board 23 and the image interface board 28. Note that all or a part of the effect control unit 22, the image control unit 23, and the payout control unit 24 are sub-control units.

  The pachinko machine GM is roughly divided into a frame-side member GM1 surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 3 and a board-side member GM2 fixed to the back of the game board 5. The frame side member GM1 includes a front frame 3 on which a glass door 6 and a front plate 7 are pivotally mounted, and a wooden outer frame 1 outside the front frame 3, and regardless of the model change, a game hall for a long period of time. It is fixedly installed in. On the other hand, the board-side member GM2 is replaced in response to the model change, and a new board-side member GM2 is attached to the frame-side member GM1 instead of the original board-side member. In addition, everything except the frame side member GM1 is the board side member GM2.

  As shown by a broken line frame in FIG. 3, the frame side member GM1 includes a power supply board 20, a payout control board 24, a firing control board 25, a frame relay board 35, and a lamp driving board 36, These circuit boards are fixed in place on the front frame 3.

  A plurality of LEDs are connected to the lamp drive board 36, and drive data SDATA for driving these LED groups is transmitted as a serial signal via the effect control board 22 → the frame relay board 34 → the frame relay board 35. Are transmitted to a plurality of LED drivers mounted on the lamp driving board 36.

  On the back of the game board 5, a main control board 21, an effect control board 22, an image control board 23, and an image interface board 28 are fixed together with the display device DS and other circuit boards. The frame-side member GM1 and the board-side member GM2 are electrically connected by connection connectors C1 to C4 which are centrally arranged at one place.

  The power supply board 20 is connected to the main board relay board 32 through the connector C2, and is connected to the power relay board 33 through the connector C3. The internal configuration of the power supply board 20 is as shown in FIG. 4A, and includes a bridge-type rectifier circuit 61 that performs full-wave rectification of AC 24 V received from the outside, a power factor improvement circuit 62 that receives an output of the rectifier circuit 61, An inrush current prevention circuit 63 that suppresses a transient current of the rectifier circuit, four DC-DC converters RG1 to RG4 and ancillary circuits thereof, an AC monitoring circuit 64 that monitors the interruption of the AC power supply and the abnormality of the DC output voltage, Is configured.

  The power factor improvement circuit 62 includes a choke coil L1, switching transistors Q1 and Q2, a boost type power factor control circuit PFC for realizing a chopper operation by controlling ON / OFF of two transistors, and a smoothing capacitor C1. And boosts the peak value of the input voltage of 33.9V (= 24 * SQR2) to output a DC voltage of the design value DC35V. This DC voltage DC35V is distributed to the main control board 21, the payout control board 24, and the effect control board 22.

  The power factor control circuit PFC supplies a low-amplitude sawtooth-shaped charging / discharging current to the AC 24 V power line by complementary ON / OFF control of the transistors Q1 and Q2 (see FIG. 4D). That is, when the transistor Q1 is turned on (Q2 is turned off), the energy accumulated in the choke coil L1 is charged to the smoothing capacitor C1 when the transistor Q2 is turned on (Q1 is turned off). The input current has been improved to a substantially sinusoidal shape.

  The inrush current prevention circuit 63 includes an N-channel MOS type switching transistor Q3, a thermistor TH disposed between a drain terminal and a source terminal of the transistor Q3, and a bias element (ZD1, R1, R2) for defining a gate voltage of the transistor Q3. , C2). As shown in the figure, since the bias element includes the Zener diode ZD1, in the transient state until the Zener diode ZD1 breaks down and turns on, the bias voltage is not applied to the gate terminal, and the transistor Q3 is turned off. .

  Therefore, immediately after the power is turned on, the input current of the AC 24 V power line passes through the path of the rectifier circuit 61 → the power factor improvement circuit 62 → thermistor TH → the rectifier circuit 61, and the transient current (rush current) at the time of the power supply is turned on. Is optimally limited by the thermistor TH.

  The AC monitoring circuit 64 includes a full-wave rectifier circuit including diodes D5 and D6 and a load resistor R3, a current limiting resistor R4, and a converter RG4. The voltage across the load resistor R3 has a pulsating waveform with a peak value of about 34 V (see FIG. 4B). This pulsating voltage is supplied to the monitoring terminal Sin1 of the converter RG4 via the current limiting resistor R4. I have. Then, converter RG4 determines interruption of AC 24 V AC based on the voltage supplied to monitoring terminal Sin1.

  The four converters RG <b> 1 to RG <b> 4 receive the same level DC voltage (35 V DC) and operate by receiving the DC input terminal Vin, and function together with the passive elements (R, L, C) (not shown) to thereby reduce the DC level of the falling level. A voltage (12 V or 5 V) is output. That is, converter RG1 and converter RG2 each generate 12V and output it to output terminal Vout. Output voltage DC12V of converter RG1 is distributed to effect control board 22, and output voltage DC12V of converter RG2 is Power is distributed to the control board 21 and the payout control board 24.

  The converter RG3 generates DC5V distributed to the effect control board 22 and outputs it from the output terminal Vout of the converter RG3. The converter RG4 generates DC5V distributed to the main control board 21 and the payout control board 24, Output from the output terminal Vout of the converter RG4. As described above, the power supply board 20 according to the present embodiment generates only three types of DC voltages (35 V, 12 V, and 5 V), and the control boards 20, 21, and 22 that receive the distribution of these DC voltages need to generate the DC voltages. , One or a plurality of power supply voltages are generated in accordance with the power supply voltage, so that there is no waste in the configuration of the power supply circuit of the gaming machine as a whole.

  A backup power supply BAK of DC5V is generated based on the output of the converter RG4, and is distributed to the main control board 21 and the payout control board 24. Here, the backup power supply BAK is a DC 5 V DC power supply that retains data in the built-in RAM of the one-chip microcomputer of the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24 even after the AC power supply 24 V is cut off due to the end of business or a power failure. is there.

  Each of converters RG1 to RG4 is provided with a control terminal CTL for controlling whether or not each circuit element can perform the DC-DC conversion operation. The internal circuit functions on condition that control terminal CTL is at H level. A DC-DC conversion operation is performed. For example, the internal configuration of the converters RG2 and RG4 is as shown in FIG. 4C, and the internal circuit (DC conversion circuit CNV) functions under the condition that the control terminal CTL is at H level to perform DC-DC conversion. The operation is performed.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the output terminal Sout2 of the converter RG2 is connected to the control terminal CTL of the converter RG1 together with its own control terminal CTL. Similarly, the output terminal Sout2 of the converter RG4 is connected to the control terminal CTL of the converter RG3 together with its own control terminal CTL. Therefore, when the DC voltage DC35V drops and the output voltage of the output terminal Sout2 of the converter RG2 or the converter RG4 transitions to the L level, thereafter, the four converters RG1 to RG4 stop the DC-DC conversion function all at once. Will be. As described above, in this embodiment, when the input voltage to be DC-DC converted (DC 35 V) drops to an abnormal level, the DC-DC conversion operation is automatically stopped, and the subsequent abnormal operation may occur. There is no.

  By the way, the power supply board 20 of the present embodiment does not generate a power reset signal indicating that the AC power is turned on, and the power reset signal is transmitted to the main control board 21, the payout control board 24, the effect control board 22, and the like. Instead, each of the control boards 21, 24, and 22 generates a power reset signal based on the distributed DC voltage (5 V, 12 V). Therefore, there is no possibility that the CPU is reset abnormally by superimposing noise on a signal line that transmits the power reset signal from the power board to each control board.

  Since the power supply board 20 has been described above, returning to FIG. 3, another configuration of the gaming machine GM will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the main control board 21 is connected to the power supply board 20 via the main board relay board 32, and includes three types of DC voltages DC35V, DC12V, DC5V, a backup power supply BAK, and a power supply abnormality signal. ABN1 has been received. On the other hand, the payout control board 24 is directly connected to the power supply board 20 without passing through the relay board, and receives the same power failure signal ABN2 and the backup power supply BAK when the main control unit 21 receives the three kinds of DC voltage DC35V. , DC12V, DC5V.

  In this embodiment, the RAM clear signal CLR is generated by the main control unit 21 and transmitted to the one-chip microcomputer of the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24. Here, the RAM clear signal CLR is a signal for determining whether or not to initialize the entire area of the built-in RAM of the one-chip microcomputer of each of the control units 21 and 24, and turns on the initialization switch SW operated by the attendant. It has a value corresponding to the / OFF state.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main control unit 21 transmits a control command CMD "to the payout control unit 24 via the main board relay board 32, and the payout control unit 24 shows a payout operation of the game ball. It receives a prize ball counting signal, a status signal CON related to an abnormality of the payout operation, and an operation start signal BGN, and includes, for example, an out-of-supply signal, a payout shortage error signal, and a lower plate full signal. The operation start signal BGN is a signal that notifies the main control unit 21 that the initial operation of the payout control unit 24 is completed after the power is turned on.

  The main controller 21 is connected to each game component of the game board 5 via the game board relay board 31. And while receiving the switch signal of the detection switch built in each of the winning ports 16 to 18 on the game board, it drives solenoids such as electric tulips. The solenoids and the detection switch are configured to operate with the power supply voltage VB (12 V) distributed from the main control unit 21. Each switch signal indicating the winning state of the symbol starting port 15 and the like is converted into a TTL level or CMOS level switch signal by an interface IC operating at the power supply voltage VB (12 V) and the power supply voltage Vcc (5 V). Then, it is transmitted to the main control unit 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3, effect control unit 22 receives control command CMD and strobe signal STB from main control unit 21. The effect control unit 22 supplies lamp drive data SDATA (serial signal) to the LED driver mounted on the lamp drive board 29 and the lamp / motor drive board 30. Although not particularly limited, the LED driver mounted on the lamp driving board 29 or the lamp / motor driving board 30 has the same configuration as the LED driver mounted on the lamp driving board 36.

  In the present embodiment, the same LED driver is used to drive the stepping motor, and as shown by the broken line, the effect motor groups M1 to Mn are driven via the lamp / motor drive board 30. . In this case, the motor drive data is a serial signal similar to the lamp drive data. Even if the number of effect motors is increased to enrich the effect contents, the number of wiring cables does not increase and the device configuration is simplified. .

  The effect control unit 23 receives three types of DC voltages (12 V, 5 V, and 32 V) from the power supply board 20, and the DC voltage 32 V is transferred to the lamp / motor drive board 30 as it is, and the drive power supply for the effect motor and the like is provided. We utilize as. On the other hand, the DC voltage 5V is used as a power supply voltage for various digital circuits of the effect control board 22, and the DC voltage 12V is used as a power supply voltage for the digital amplifiers 46a and 46b and transferred to the drive boards 29 and 30. It is used for lamps and motors.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the effect control unit 22 sends a control command CMD ′ and a strobe signal STB ′, two types of DC voltages (12 V, 5 V), and a system reset signal SYS to the image control unit 23. Is output. Here, the system reset signal SYS is a signal generated in the reset circuit RST & WDT of the effect control unit 22 based on the DC voltage (12 V, 5 V) received from the power supply board 20.

  Then, the image control unit 23 resets the power of various semiconductor IC elements based on the system reset signal SYS received from the effect control unit 22, and drives the display device DS based on the control command CMD ′ received from the effect control unit 22. And perform various image effects. The display device DS emits light from the LED backlight, and receives five pairs of LVDS (Low voltage differential signaling) signals and a backlight power supply voltage (12 V) from the image interface board 28. (See FIG. 5).

  Next, the configuration of the above-described effect control unit 22 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, the effect control unit 22 includes a one-chip microcomputer 40 (hereinafter, effect control CPU 40) that performs processes such as a sound effect, a lamp effect, a notice effect by a movable effector, and data transfer. A), a control memory (flash memory) 41 for storing a control program of the effect control CPU 40 and various effect data, and an audio signal reproduced based on the instruction of the effect control CPU 40 set in the built-in registers RG0 to RGn. An audio processor (speech synthesis circuit) 42 for outputting, an audio memory 43 for storing compressed audio data as original data of an audio signal to be reproduced, a digital amplifier 46 for receiving an audio signal output from the audio processor 42, Is configured.

  The effect control unit 23 includes a power supply circuit including three DC-DC converters (CONV1 to CONV3) and a reset circuit RST & WDT. The power supply circuits (CONV1 to CONV3) generate three types of DC voltages (1.0 V, 1.8 V, 3.3 V) based on the DC voltage 12 V received from the power supply board 20, and the one-chip microcomputer 40 and the control memory The power supply voltage is a power supply voltage of the audio processor 41, the audio processor 42, and the audio memory 43. Therefore, there is virtually no possibility of a voltage drop of only a part of the power supply voltage of the one-chip microcomputer 40, the control memory 41, the audio processor 42, and the audio memory 43, and the possibility of a local function stoppage. Does not occur virtually.

  The reset circuit RST & WDT of the embodiment not only generates the system reset signal SYS but also functions as a watchdog timer. Then, when the clear signal CLR to be received from the effect control CPU 40 is interrupted, an abnormal reset signal RSET is output, and the effect control CPU 40, the control memory 41, and the voice processor 42 are forcibly reset. Therefore, when the effect control CPU 40 does not function properly, the sound effect can be immediately returned to the initial state.

Next, the voice processor 42 of the present embodiment accesses the voice memory 43 based on the operation parameters (set values by the voice command SND) received from the effect control CPU 40 to the built-in registers (voice control registers) RG0 to RGn. The necessary audio signals are reproduced and output. As shown in FIG. 5, the audio processor 42 and the audio memory 43 are connected by a 26-bit audio address bus and a 16-bit audio data bus. Therefore, the speech memory 43, data of 1G bits ⁽⁼ 2 26 * 16) can be stored.

In the case of the present embodiment, the compressed audio data stored in the audio memory 43 is compressed data of a phrase (phrase) specified by a 13-bit-length phrase number NUM (000H to 1FFFFH), and is a series of background music. Minutes (BGM), a group of effect sounds (notification sounds), and the like are stored in a maximum of 8192 types (= 2 ¹³ ), each corresponding to the phrase number NUM. Then, the phrase number NUM is specified by the set value (operation parameter) of the voice command SND transmitted from the effect control CPU 40 to the voice control registers RG0 to RGn of the voice processor 42.

  By the way, in this specification, in the following description, a group of sound effects specified by one phrase number NUM may be particularly referred to as “unit effect”. In this sense, one tune (BGM sound) of a series of background music is also a kind of “unit effect”, and is started by winning a prize at a symbol starting opening of a game ball, and is notified and notified of a lottery result. The sound effect constituting the variable effect is realized by appropriately combining a plurality of “unit effects”.

  The voice command SND is used for Individual Write for transmitting a set value of 1 byte length to any one of a plurality of voice control registers RG0 to RGn built in the voice processor 42, or for continuous writing. Is used for Block Write purpose to transmit a group of N set values to a series of N voice control registers (RGi...).

  Further, the voice command SND of the present embodiment is used not only for the Write purpose of writing a set value such as a phrase number NUM, but also for the Read purpose of reading status information STS (error information and the like) from a predetermined voice control register RGi. . FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the effect control CPU 40 and the sound control registers 51 (RG0 to RGn) of the sound processor 42.

  In any case, the audio control register RGi to be accessed is specified by a 1-byte length register address, and the storage capacity of each audio control register RGi is 1 byte. In this embodiment, a large number of audio control registers (RG0 to RGn) are secured in seven register banks BN0 to BN6. That is, since the register banks BN0 to BN6 are divided into seven sections, the total number of audio control registers RGi is, in principle, 7 × 256 at maximum.

  In this embodiment, in all register banks BN0 to BN6, the specific register address (FDH) is an audio control register for register bank setting. Therefore, in order to specify any one of the 7 × 256 voice control registers RGi, the register bank BNj is written to the bank setting voice control register (register address = FDH) by the preceding voice command SND. Above, the voice control register RGi belonging to the register bank BNj is specified by a 1-byte length register address.

  By the way, the operation of setting the set value in the audio control register RGi does not always need to directly specify the register address of the audio control register to be set, and the SAC data (Simple Access Code Data) stored in the audio memory 43 is not necessary. ) Or a sequence code (Sequence Code) to complete a series of setting operations for the group of voice control registers RGi to RGj. In order to realize such an operation, the voice processor 42 includes four simple access controllers (SAC) and 16 sequencers SQ (Sequencer) shown in FIG. 6B. .

  Explaining from SAC (Simple Access Code) data for causing the simple access controller SAC to function, the SAC data is a register address (1 byte) of the voice control register RGi and a set value (1 byte) in the voice control register RGi. Is a data group of 512 sets (= 1024 bytes) at maximum, which means an aggregate terminated with a SAC end code (FFFFH) (see FIG. 6B).

In the case of the present embodiment, up to 8192 types (= 2 ¹³ ) of such SAC data can be provided, and the CPU stores a 13-bit long SAC number in the audio control register RGj1 for SAC control (FIG. 6B By writing in)), the simple access controller SAC can function. The simple access controller SAC that has started the function reads the group of SAC data specified by the SAC number in order from the audio memory 43, and sets the set value indicated by the SAC data in the audio control register RGi indicated by the SAC data. become.

  Therefore, the CPU only needs to write the SAC number in the audio control register RGj1 for SAC control, and can instruct a series of setting operations without individually specifying the register address of the audio control register RGi. . Note that a standby time (standby information as ancillary data) that defines the start timing of a series of setting operations can be set in the voice control register RGj1 for SAC control. From the writing timing of the SAC number, the timing of starting the setting of the voice control register RGi by the simple access controller SAC can be delayed.

  Subsequently, a sequence code (Sequence Code) for causing the sequencer SQ to function will be described. Similarly to the SAC data, the sequence code is a plurality of sets of data in which the register address (1 byte) of the audio control register RGi and the set value (1 byte) of the audio control register RGi are associated (see FIG. b)). However, unlike the SAC data, the sequence code can specify a plurality of operation steps (a plurality of sequence steps) that can be executed intermittently after a predetermined standby time.

  Further, in the audio control register RGj2 for sequencer (Sequencer) control, for each of the sequencers SQ0 to SQ15, a standby time (standby information) that defines the start timing of the setting operation, presence / absence of repetition operation, and the number of repetitions (loop Information) can be included. Therefore, the sequence code specifies a series of sound effects executed in a certain time.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the plurality of operation steps are separated by a step end code (FFFEH), and the end of the plurality of operation steps is terminated by a sequence end code (FFFFH). In the case of the present embodiment, a maximum of 8192 types of sequence codes (= 2 ¹³ ) can be provided, and the CPU controls a sequence code (13-bit length) and ancillary data defining the operation of the sequencer by a sequencer control. A series of setting operations can be instructed to the sequencer SQ by writing to the voice control register RGj2 for the RP.

  In the present embodiment, only the necessary sets of such SAC data and sequence codes are stored in advance in the audio memory 43, and a group of SAC data and a group of sequence codes are specified by SAC numbers and sequence code numbers. You. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the voice command SND for Write is used not only for specifying the direct setting operation to the voice control register RGi but also for the indirect setting operation via the simple access controller SAC and the sequencer SQ. Is also included.

  Returning to FIG. 5, in order to realize the above-described operation, the effect control CPU 40 and the audio processor 42 transmit parallel signal lines (data buses) CD0 to CD7 capable of transmitting and receiving 1-byte data to the operation management data. Transmittable 2-bit operation management data lines (address buses) A0 to A1, 2-bit control signal lines WR and RD capable of controlling read / write operations, and a chip for selecting the audio processor 42 Connected to select signal line CS.

  The parallel signal lines CD0 to CD7 are realized by a data bus of the effect control CPU 40 built in the one-chip microcomputer 40, and the operation management data lines A0 to A1 are realized by an address bus of the effect control CPU 40. The sound processor 42 is assigned three port numbers PORT in which the upper 6 bits are common and the lower 2 bits are 00, 01, and 10. The effect control CPU 40 sends the I / O to these port numbers PORT. When the / OREAD instruction or the I / OWRITE instruction is executed, the circuit configuration is such that the chip select signal CS becomes active level in any case.

  When the I / O READ instruction or the I / O WRITE instruction is executed, the data output to the lower two bits A0 to A1 of the address bus becomes operation management data A0 to A1 for the audio processor 42. Based on this, it is specified whether the 1-byte data on the data buses CD0 to CD7 at that time is a register address, or is write data or read data.

  That is, if the address data A0 to A1 is [00], the data CD0 to CD7 of the data bus at that timing is evaluated as a register address. The data CD0 to CD7 of the data bus at the timing become write data or read data. The execution of the I / OREAD instruction is read data, and the execution of the I / OWRITE instruction is write data.

  Therefore, the transmission operation of the voice command SND for writing the predetermined setting value into the predetermined voice control registers RGi and RGj is as shown in the time chart of FIG. This is realized by continuously executing the I / O WRITE instruction while changing the bits A0 and A1. Specifically, the lower two bits A0 to A1 of the address data are changed from [00] to [01], while the one-byte data of the data bus is changed from [register address of the voice control register RGi] to [voice control]. Register data RGi], a transmission operation of a predetermined voice command SND is realized.

  When the write data is a plurality of bytes in length, as in the case of transmitting the SAC number (13 bits), the sequence code number (13 bits), and the accompanying control data (standby information, loop information, etc.), When the register address of the register is continuous, the operation management data A0 to A1 of [01] is repeated as [00] → [01] → [01] → [01], and write data of a plurality of bytes is transmitted. .

  The voice command transmitted in this manner is thereafter executed within the voice processor 42 unless there is a communication error. However, when a communication abnormality is recognized such as a case where data of a plurality of bytes do not match each other, the voice command SND is not activated. Then, an error flag of the audio control register RGn is set. This error flag (status information STS) is an I / OREAD that changes the operation management data A0 to A1 of the address bus from [01] to [10]. It can be received by executing the instruction (see FIG. 5D).

  As described above, in this embodiment, in the last cycle in which the operation management data A0 to A1 transitions from [00] → [01] →... [01] → [10], error information (abnormal FFH) can be obtained. Then, by retransmitting the voice command SND that could not be properly transmitted in parallel, the voice effect can be appropriately advanced. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably eliminate the unnaturalness in which the sound effect is suddenly interrupted.

  On the other hand, the data read operation by the I / OREAD operation is as shown in the time chart of FIG. 5C. The I / O WRITE instruction and the lower two bits A0 and A1 of the port number PORT of the audio processor 42 are shifted. , I / OREAD instructions are continuously executed. If the read data has a length of a plurality of bytes, the I / OREAD instruction is continued for the required number of bytes.

  To be more specific, first, as an I / O WRITE operation, for the port number PORT where the lower two bits A0 to A1 of the address data are [00], [register address of voice control register RGi for storing operation status and the like] (1 byte length)] is output. Next, if an I / OREAD instruction is executed for the port number PORT where the lower two bits A0 to A1 of the address data are [01], necessary data such as operation status is obtained from a predetermined voice control register. Can be.

  The sound reproduced by the sound processor 42 having the above configuration is transmitted to the digital amplifiers 46a and 46b as a digital sound signal of the sound processor 42 in the form of a 5-bit signal (SCLK, LRO, SD0, SD1, SD2). Then, each digital amplifier class-D-amplifies it and supplies it as an analog audio signal to each speaker. Specifically, the amplified output (analog audio signal) of the digital amplifier 46a is supplied to the lower speaker BTM for low-pitched sound, and the amplified output (analog audio signal) of the digital amplifier 46b is transmitted to the player up, down, left and right. The signals are supplied to four speakers TL, TR, ML, and MR that are arranged substantially in position.

  Next, another circuit configuration of the effect control unit 22 will be described with reference to FIG. First, a 4-bit switch signal is supplied to the one-chip microcomputer 40 from a setting switch SET operated by an attendant. As shown in FIG. 5, the one-chip microcomputer 40 has a plurality of parallel input / output ports PIO (Pi + Pi '+ Po + Po') and a plurality of serial output ports SI. More specifically, the serial output port SI is configured to include three-channel serial ports (S0 to S2), and a plurality of LED drivers mounted on the lamp driving boards 36, 29, and 30, respectively, The serial drive data SDATA0 to SDATA2 are output in synchronization with the clock signals CK0 to CK2.

  That is, the serial ports S0 to S2 transmit the serial drive data SDATA0 to SDATA2 to the corresponding lamp drive boards 36, 29, 30 based on the clock synchronization method. Most of the serial drive data SDATA0 to SDATA2 are brightness data (lamp drive data) for adjusting the light emission brightness of each LED by PWM control (pulse width modulation), but drive the effect motors M1 to Mn. Motor drive data to be executed is also included.

  The parallel output port Po ′ outputs 3-bit operation enable signals ENABLE0 to ENABLE2 to the lamp driving boards 36, 29, and 30, and the LED drivers mounted on the lamp driving boards 36, 29, and 30 respectively. Starts operation based on any of the operation permission signals ENABLE0 to ENABLE2. Further, a MUTE signal for silencing the outputs of the digital amplifiers 46a and 46b is output from the output port Po '. This MUTE signal is used, for example, when the power is turned on in which the operation may be unstable, or when an abnormal operation of the audio processor 42 is detected.

  Corresponding to such a configuration, the effect control board 22 includes a parallel output port Po 'of the one-chip microcomputer 40, a serial port SI, and output buffer circuits 47, 48, and 49 for transmitting various output signals. Is provided. Here, the output buffer 47 is associated with the LED group of the 0th channel, and outputs the lamp drive data SDATA0, the clock signal CK0, and the operation permission signal ENABLE0 output from the one-chip microcomputer 40 to the frame relay board 34. are doing. Then, the output 3-bit signal is transmitted to the LED driver of the lamp driving board 36 via the frame relay board 34 and the frame relay board 35.

  Similarly, the output buffer 48 transmits the lamp drive data SDATA1, the clock signal CK1, and the operation enable signal ENABLE1 output from the one-chip microcomputer 40 to the LED driver of the lamp drive board 29. The drive data SDATA2, the clock signal CK2, and the operation permission signal ENABLE2 are transmitted to the LED driver of the lamp / motor drive board 30. The LED driver of the lamp driving board 29 drives the LED group of the first channel, and the LED driver of the lamp / motor driving board 30 drives the LED group of the second channel and the effect motors M1 to Mn. I have.

  On the other hand, the control command CMD and the strobe signal STB from the main control unit 21 are input to the input port Pi of the parallel input / output port PIO via the input buffer 44, and the output buffer 45 is input from the command output port Po. The control command CMD ′ and the strobe signal STB ′ are output via the control signal CMD ′.

  Specifically, the control command CMD output from the main control board 21 and the strobe signal (interrupt signal) STB are applied to the input port Pi in the input buffer 44 so as to correspond to the power supply voltage 3.3 V of the one-chip microcomputer 40. The logic level is converted to a logical level and supplied to the one-chip microcomputer 40 in 8-bit units. The interrupt signal STB is supplied to an interrupt terminal of the one-chip microcomputer 40, and the effect control unit 22 is configured to acquire the control command CMD by receiving interrupt processing.

  The control commands CMD acquired by the one-chip microcomputer 40 of the effect control unit 22 include (1) an abnormality notification and other notification control commands, as well as (2) various effect operations caused by a winning at the symbol starting port. A control command for specifying the outline (variation pattern command) and a control command for specifying the symbol type (symbol designation command) are included. Here, the outline of the effect operation specified by the variation pattern command includes the effect total time from the effect start to the effect end, and the success / failure result in the jackpot lottery.

  In addition, the symbol designating command includes information for specifying information on the jackpot type (15R probability change, 2R probability change, 15R normal, 2R normal, etc.) in the case of a jackpot in accordance with the jackpot lottery result. In this case, information for specifying the loss is included. The outline of the effect operation specified by the fluctuation pattern command includes the effect total time from the effect start to the effect end, and the success / failure result in the jackpot lottery. In addition, in addition to the above, it may be specified by a variation pattern command including the presence or absence of a reach effect or a notice effect, but even in this case, the specific contents of the effect contents are not specified.

  For this reason, when the effect control unit 22 (one-chip microcomputer 40) acquires the variation pattern command, the effect lottery is performed subsequently, and the effect outline of the variation effect specified by the acquired variation pattern command is embodied. For example, the specific contents of the reach effect and the notice effect are determined, and a series of variable effects is specified. Then, in accordance with the determined specific game content, a lamp effect by blinking an LED group and the like and a sound effect preparation operation by a speaker are performed, and the image control unit 23 is synchronized with the lamp operation by the lamp and the speaker. The control command (production command) CMD ′ relating to the image production is output.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of main scenario tables Mj (see FIG. 15B) are prepared corresponding to a series of variable production types, and based on the result of the production lottery, a plurality of main scenario tables Mj are prepared. Any one or more are specified. For example, a main scenario table M0 that realizes a series of variable effects, and main scenario tables Mx, My,... That realize one or more preview effects that function at appropriate timing are specified. It is not necessary to specify all the main scenario tables Mj at the time of receiving the variation pattern command. It may be specified.

  In any case, in the main scenario table Mj, for the sound effect, the lamp effect, and the motor effect to be executed in relation to each other, the scenario information for specifying the effect contents and the execution duration of the effect are described. However, in the main scenario table Mj of FIG. 15 (b), for convenience, descriptions relating to a lamp effect and a motor effect are omitted.

  As illustrated in FIG. 15B, the scenario information on the sound effect is, specifically, a sub-scenario number of the sub-scenario table Sk. The sub-scenario table Sk specified by the sub-scenario number defines a phrase number NUM for specifying a unit effect, a playback volume value of the unit effect, and the like (see FIG. 15C).

  By the way, in order to realize an image effect synchronized with the effect operation of the effect control unit 22, the effect control unit 22 transmits a 16-bit long strobe signal (interrupt signal) STB ′ to the image control unit 23 through the command output port Po. The control command CMD 'is output to the image interface board 28. And the production control part 22 which received the production command CMD 'concerning the production lottery specifies the image scenario table corresponding to the production command CMD', and starts the image production specified in the image scenario table.

  An output buffer 45 is provided corresponding to the configuration of the effect control board 22 described above, and outputs a 16-bit control command CMD ′ and a 1-bit interrupt signal STB ′ to the image interface board 28. . The data CMD 'and STB' are transmitted to the image control board 23 via the image interface board 28. These signals are logic levels corresponding to the power supply voltage of 3.3 V of the one-chip microcomputer 40.

  Next, FIG. 6A shows a schematic internal configuration of the audio processor 42 and a connection relationship between the audio processor 42, the one-chip microcomputer 40 (the effect control CPU), and the audio memory 43.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the sound processor 42 includes a number of sound control registers 51 (RG0 to RGn) accessed from the effect control CPU 40, a sound control module 52 for controlling the sound reproduction operation, and a sound control module 52. A main generator 53 that decodes the phrase compressed data read from the memory 43 and mixes the decoded data of the plurality of phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH31 at an appropriate volume ratio, and realizes desired frequency characteristics by digital filter processing. An effect unit 54 for realizing an equalizer function and a compressor function for changing input / output gain characteristics, a total volume TV for defining a final volume, and five types of signals SCLK, LRO, SD0, SD1, and SD2 for serial transmission are generated. With digital IF unit 55 It is configured to include a.

  As shown in the figure, the main generator 53 includes a decoder 60 for reproducing compressed data divided into reproduction channels CH0 to CH31, volumes V1 to V3 for adjusting the volume, and a channel mixing unit 61 for mixing the reproduction sound of the decoder 60. And a virtual surround unit VS that generates a virtual sound in which the sound emission position of the reproduced sound is changed to the back side or the ear side, and a remix unit RM that performs a final mixing operation. .

  The sound control module 52 functions based on an instruction from the effect control CPU 40 written in the voice control register 51 (RGi), and has a simple access controller SAC (Simple Access Controller) and a sequencer SQ (Sequencer). It is configured. As described above, the simple access controller SAC and the sequencer SQ have a function of reading a group of SAC data and a group of sequence codes from the audio memory 43 and setting the setting data in a predetermined audio control register RGi. are doing.

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating this relationship. The audio memory 43 stores a maximum of 8192 types of sequence codes and a maximum of 8192 types of SAC data groups. Then, the sequence code and, SAC data, respectively, have been identified by the sequence code number and SAC number of 13-bit length, a relationship of 8192 ^{= 2 13.}

  In the case of the present embodiment, 16 sequences (SQ0 to SQ15) operating in parallel are provided as the sequencer SQ, and 4 systems (SAC0 to SAC3) operating in parallel are provided as the simple accelerator controller SAC. I have. Corresponding to this configuration, the audio control register RGi includes an audio control register RGj2 for controlling the sequencer (SQ0 to SQ7) and an audio control register RGj1 for controlling the SAC (SAC0 to SAC3).

  Then, when the effect control CPU 40 writes the SAC number and the accompanying information in the predetermined voice control register RGj1 for SAC control based on the transmission operation of the voice command SND, the corresponding simple access controller SAC performs the function. Starting, the simple access controller SAC writes a group of setting data specified by the SAC number into a group of voice control registers indicated by the SAC data. This point is as described above, and in this embodiment, a complicated setting operation can be completed by transmitting one SAC number and its accompanying information.

  On the other hand, when the effect control CPU 40 writes the sequence code number and the accompanying information in a predetermined voice control register RGj2 for controlling the sequencer (SQ0 to SQ7) based on the transmission operation of the voice command SND, the corresponding sequencer The SQi starts its function, and writes a group of setting data specified by the sequence code to a group of voice control registers specified by the sequence code.

  Here, a plurality of (up to eight) sequence code numbers and loop information for the effects of each sequence code number can be written in the audio control register RGj2 for an arbitrary sequencer SQi. Therefore, for example, when n + 1 sequence code numbers (X0, X1,..., Xn) are designated for the sequencer SQi, the sequence code number X0 is set as shown in FIG. Operation → setting operation of sequence code number X1 → ... Setting operation of sequence code number Xn will be executed in order, and a sound effect corresponding to the setting operation will be executed.

  Further, since the loop information such as the number of repetitions can be specified for each sequence code number, after repeating the sound effect specified by the sequence code number a predetermined number of times, the sound effect specified by the next sequence code number The transition can be made (FIG. 7A).

  As described above, data to be set in the sequencer SQi is diversified, and it is necessary to appropriately set these sequence code numbers and accompanying data in the sequencer control voice control register RGj2. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the entire sequence code number and the accompanying data are divided in units of 1 byte, and the divided 1 byte data and the register address of the sequencer control register RGj2 to which the 1 byte data is to be set are stored. Are secured in the audio memory 43 (hereinafter, referred to as sequencer start-up SAC data).

  Then, the CPU activates the simple access controller SAC by designating a predetermined SAC number in the audio control register RGj1 for SAC control. Here, the SAC number naturally specifies the SAC data for starting the sequencer. Then, based on the operation of the SAC (Simple Access Controller), necessary data is developed in the sequencer control register RGj2. Therefore, the setting operation of the start-up data of the sequencers SQ0 to SQ15 is easy.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 6B, a group of sequence codes specified by one sequence code number includes a plurality of operation units (sequence steps) separated by a step end code (FFFEH). Therefore, after all the plurality of sequence steps specified by one sequence code number are executed, the plurality of sequence steps specified by the next sequence code number are executed.

  Since a standby time can be set for each sequencer, the first sequence step (write operation of a group of setting data) is started after the standby time pointed out by the CPU and executed until the step end code (FFFEH). Then, after the waiting time, the next group of setting data is written into the group of voice control registers. As the standby time, single time information can be set for each sequencer (SQ0 to SQ7). For example, in the preceding sequence step, the standby time applied to the succeeding sequence step following this is set. By doing so, the standby time for each sequence step can be set arbitrarily.

  Accordingly, for example, a pan operation as shown in FIG. 7B can be set by three groups of sequence codes separated by the step end code (FFFEH). In the case of FIG. 7B, (1) the first setting operation (including the setting of Δ1) in which only the left speaker emits sound is executed in response to the start of the operation of the sequencer, and (2) the first setting After the standby time Δ1 from the operation, the second setting operation (including the setting of Δ2) in which only the right speaker emits a sound is performed. (3) The operation in which the left and right speakers emit sound after the standby time Δ2 from the second setting operation is performed. After the realized third setting operation (including the setting of Δ3), a sequence setting operation that returns to the first sound emission operation of the left speaker after the waiting time Δ3 is possible. In FIG. 7B, for convenience, Δ1 = Δ2 = Δ3.

  When the panpot ratio VL: VR is specifically confirmed, (1) the sound emission of only the left speaker is set by setting the left / right panpot ratio VL: VR to 0: -∞dB, and (2) the sound emission of only the right speaker The sound emission is set by setting the left / right panpot ratio VL: VR to -∞: 0 dB, and (3) setting the left and right speaker equal ratio sound emission and the left / right left / right panpot ratio VL: VR to 0: 0 dB. Is realized. Here, the panpot ratio VL: VR is, for example, VL = 20 * Log (SQR (2) * Cos (π / 2 * VL / 128)) and VR = 20 * Log (SQR (2) * Sin ( π / 2 * VR / 128)), where 0 dB: 0 dB means 1: 1 and -∞dB means mute. Log is a logarithm with a base of 10, and SQR (2) means the square root of 2. In any case, it is very complicated to realize such an irregular volume setting by individual voice commands SND, but in this embodiment, the sequencer SQ is used to greatly reduce the control load. ing.

  The 16-sequence sequencers (SQ0 to SQ15) are configured to operate not only independently of each other, but also to simultaneously start setting operations under predetermined conditions. An example of the predetermined condition is an “off-trigger function” in which the end of a specific playback sound is a trigger condition.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 7D, (1) a vocal sound reproduced through the sequencer SQ0, (2) a guitar sound reproduced through the sequencer SQ1, and (3) a sequencer SQ2. A music composed of five parts: a bass sound reproduced via the sequencer, (4) a left chorus sound reproduced via the sequencer SQ3, and (5) a right chorus sound reproduced via the sequencer SQ4. With regard to the above, the phrase compressed data of the individual parts are separately prepared in the audio memory 43, and the setting operation of the sequencers SQ0 to SQ4 is synchronized on condition that the preceding predetermined reproduction operation is completed (off trigger function). In this way, the playback operation of the phrase compressed data of the individual parts can be started all at once. Therefore, it is possible to reproduce the sound of a plurality of parts without time lag. This point will be further described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the internal configuration of the main generator 53 is shown in more detail as shown in FIG. As shown, the main generator 53 includes a decoder 60 divided into 32 phrase reproduction channels (CH0 to CH31) that can be independently decoded, a primary volume V1 and a secondary volume Vs (= V2, V3, V4), a channel volume having a panpot section and capable of adjusting the sound volume and volume balance, a channel mix section 61 for mixing sounds of 32 phrase reproduction channels (CH0 to CH31), and a virtual surround section VS and a remix unit RM.

  As shown in FIG. 8, an L0 signal, an R0 signal, an R1 signal, an L1 signal, a SUB0 signal, and a SUB1 signal are output for each phrase reproduction channel (CH0 to CH31), and these six types (total 32 × 6) are output. Are mixed in the channel mix unit 61 and the remix unit RM, and are output as a mixed L0 signal, a mixed R0 signal, a mixed R1 signal, a mixed L1 signal, a mixed SUB0 signal, and a mixed SUB1 signal.

  However, in this embodiment, since there is only one bass speaker BTM (see FIG. 2), no SUB1 signal or mixed SUB1 signal is used. Further, in connection with this configuration, the volume of the bass speaker BTM is adjusted by the secondary V3, and the other secondary volume V4 is not used.

  The mixed L0 signal and the mixed R0 signal are supplied to upper left and right speakers TL and TR, respectively, after being subjected to class D amplification by the digital amplifier 46b, and the mixed L1 signal and the mixed R1 signal are also digitally output. After being D-class amplified by the amplifier 46b, it is supplied to the left and right speakers ML and MR in the middle. On the other hand, the mixed SUB0 signal is subjected to class D amplification by the digital amplifier 46a, and then supplied to the low-frequency speaker BTM.

  The signals L0, R0, R1, L1, SUB0, and SUB1 of the six channels are all PCM data in the course of passing through the main generator 53, the effect unit 54, the total volume TV, and the digital IF unit 55, and are digital amplifiers. An analog signal is obtained by passing through 46a and 46b. The six-channel signals L0, R0, L1, R1, SUB0, and SUB1 are combined into three-channel audio serial signals SO0 to SD2 and transmitted to the digital amplifiers 46a and 46b. However, the fact that the signal SUB1 is not used is as described above, and the signal SUB1 is transmitted unnecessarily.

  As described briefly above, the audio control register 51 (RGi) of the audio processor 42 includes a write register for the effect control CPU 40 to perform a write process and an operation of the audio processor 42 in order to make the audio processor 42 function as intended. In order to grasp the state, the effect control CPU 40 is divided into a read register that performs a read process.

  The write data to the write register includes (1) a phrase number NUM for specifying a unit effect of the BGM sound or effect sound to be reproduced, (2) a volume (V1, V2, V3) instruction of the reproduced sound, and (3) A loop instruction for defining the number of times of reproduction, (4) an operation instruction such as start or pause of reproduction, (5) an instruction of a pan pot ratio which is a volume balance of upper and lower speakers and left and right speakers, (6) a final volume (TV) Instructions are included. Here, the effect sound includes a warning sound for giving a warning with a predetermined reliability (≦ 100%) that there is a possibility of shifting to the big hit state during a series of fluctuation operations.

  Further, (1) designation of the phrase number NUM, (2) volume (V1, V2, V3) instruction, (3) loop instruction, (4) operation instruction, and (5) panpot instruction are all performed by the decoder 60. The phrase playback channels CH0 to CH31 are designated to perform the playback. Therefore, corresponding to the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH31, up to 32 types of compressed phrase data are simultaneously and independently reproduced based on the above instructions (1) to (5), respectively, The signals are mixed and output by the mixing unit RM.

  In the present embodiment, the volume transition operation for gradually changing the volume value of the audio signal is realized by software as CPU processing, and the primary volume V1, the secondary volumes V2, V3, and the total volume TV , A volume transition operation becomes possible. However, in the present embodiment, the volume transition operation is mainly performed only on the secondary volumes V2 and V3 in consideration of the control load.

  Although not particularly limited, the input / output ratio of the signal to the set value Vi of the primary volume V1 or the secondary volume Vs (V2, V3, V4) is 20 * Log (Vi / 128). By limiting the set value Vi to 0 ≦ Vi ≦ 128, the input / output ratio actually means an attenuation ratio, and has an attenuation rate of −∞dB or more and 0 dB or less. Here, Log is a logarithm whose base is 10.

  During the transition operation of the secondary volumes V2 and V3, the two secondary volumes V2 and V3 always have the same value in all phrase reproduction channels CHn for sound effects. Therefore, when the sound volume of the upper and middle speakers is gradually increasing or decreasing, the sound volume of the lower speaker follows that, and a clear volume transition operation is realized for the player.

  The volume transition operation of the secondary volumes V2 and V3 specifically means a fade-out operation and a fade-in operation. The volume transition operation is performed based on an instruction value described in a sub-scenario table Sk to be described later, (1) a target value which is a final volume value, and (2) a transition speed up to the target value. Is first specified, and the volume indication values of the secondary volumes V2 and V3 are changed stepwise.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the fade-out operation and the fade-in operation, in the left and right panpots and the upper and lower panpots in the panpot effect, the pan (localization) suddenly changes up, down, left and right, and the pan is displaced slowly. All volume transition operations, including operations, are realized by software processing by the effect control CPU 40. Since the volume transition during such a panpot operation is realized by the transition of the left and right panpot ratio and the transition of the upper and lower panpot ratio, the secondary volume V2 does not change. The two secondary volumes V2 and V3 have the same value including the time.

  In any case, in order to realize a volume transition operation at an appropriate speed in the left and right panpots and the upper and lower panpots, the control load on the CPU increases. However, in the present embodiment, the sequencer SQ (FIG. 6B) is used to realize a stepwise transition of the volume ratio due to a stepwise change of the panpot ratio. FIG. 7C illustrates the operation realized by the sequencer SQ, and the panpot ratio is illustrated in dB.

  More specifically, in the case of the example shown in the drawing, the output is changed from +3 dB: -∞dB (only one sound is emitted) to 0 dB: 0 dB (both have the same volume), and further changed to -∞dB: +3 dB (only the other is emitted). It is a transition operation. After that, the signal transits through 0 dB: 0 dB (both have the same volume) to +3 dB:-： dB (only one of them emits sound).

  As shown in FIGS. 7B and 9B, a volume ratio of +0 dB: -∞dB (only one side emits sound) or-音 dB: +0 dB (only the other side emits sound) is also possible. If necessary, it is possible to set -∞dB: -∞dB (both are in a mute state). Therefore, by setting the pan settings of the upper, lower, left, and right speakers to -∞dB: -∞dB, for example, while maintaining the state of the secondary volume V2 = V3, the middle and upper speakers are muted, and the lower speaker is muted. A game state in which only the BTM emits sound can be created. In any case, in the present embodiment, a complicated and sophisticated sound effect is easily realized by utilizing the simple access controller SAC and the sequencer SQ as necessary.

  Based on the setting of the panpot ratio described above, the synchronized performance by the off-trigger function of the sequencer SQ will be described with reference to FIG. As described with reference to FIG. 7D, the sequencers SQ0 to SQ4 start operating in parallel on condition that the preceding unit effect has been completed, and transfer necessary operation parameters to the predetermined voice control register RGi. Set.

  The operation parameters include (1) the phrase number NUMa of the vocal sound set by the sequencer SQ0, (2) the phrase number NUMb of the guitar sound set by the sequencer SQ1, and (3) the base sound set by the sequencer SQ2. (4) the phrase number NUMd of the left chorus sound set by the sequencer SQ3, and (5) the phrase number NUMe of the right chorus sound set by the sequencer SQ4 (see FIG. 9A).

  Further, in the reproduction of the music performance, phrase reproduction channels CH14 to CH21 in which panpot ratios of the upper and lower panpots and the left and right panpots are appropriately set are used in order to enhance the stereo effect (see FIG. 9B). ). For example, the sequencer SQ0 sets the phrase reproduction channels CH14 and CH15 to reproduce the vocal sound of the phrase number NUMa and sets the panning ratio of the phrase reproduction channel CH14 as illustrated. The sound is emitted from the upper left and right speakers and the lower bass speaker. Note that the primary volume V1 and the secondary volume Vs (V2, V3) are the same as the set values up to that point in all the phrase reproduction channels CHn, and the input / output ratios are, for example, all at the 0 dB level.

  When the panpot ratio is specifically confirmed, the volume of the middle speaker is set to zero by setting the upper and lower panpot ratios of the phrase reproduction channel CH14 to 0 dB: -∞dB. Also, with respect to the upper speaker, the left and right panpot ratios are set to 0 dB: 0 dB, so that the sound volumes of the left and right speakers are at the same level. Although the left / right panpot ratio is set to -∞dB: -∞dB for the middle speaker, this setting may be omitted.

With respect to the other phrase reproduction channels CH15 to CH21, by appropriately setting the panpot ratio of the upper and lower panpots and the left and right panpots,
CH14 playback sound (vocal sound) → sound is emitted to the upper left and right speakers TL and TR.
CH15 playback sound (vocal sound) → sound is output to the center left and right speakers ML and MR,
CH16 playback sound (guitar sound) → sound output to upper left speaker TL,
CH17 playback sound (guitar sound) → sound to middle left speaker ML,
CH18 playback sound (bass sound) → sound to upper right speaker TR,
CH19 playback sound (bass sound) → sound output to middle right speaker MR,
CH20 playback sound (chorus left sound) → sound output to middle left speaker ML,
The operation of reproducing sound of CH21 (chorus right sound) → emitting sound to the middle right speaker MR is realized.

  FIG. 9 (c) illustrates this sound emission arrangement, in which a guitar sound is reproduced from the left speaker, a bass sound is reproduced from the right speaker, and a stereo chorus sound is reproduced from the left and right speakers. In all the phrase reproduction channels CH15 to CH21, the secondary volume is V2 = V3 at the significant level, so that all the mixed sounds are emitted from the lower speaker BTN.

  Such music performance is preferably used to effectively excite the player who is hitting the jackpot. In this way, setting the pan pot ratio is complicated to realize music performance, but in the present embodiment, by utilizing the sequencer SQi and the simple access controller SAC, the control load of the CPU is suppressed and the complicated altitude is reduced. Realizing a sound production.

  Next, returning to FIG. 6A, the main generator 53 will be further described. As described above with reference to FIG. 8, the main generator 53 includes the decoder 60 divided into a plurality of phrase reproduction channels (CH0 to CH31), the primary volume unit V1 and the secondary volume unit Vs (= V2, V3). Channel volume.

  Accordingly, in response to such a configuration, the effect control CPU 40 of the present embodiment uses the decoders of the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH1 to reproduce the BGM sound, and notifies an error that a serious abnormal situation has occurred. , A decoder for the phrase reproduction channel CH29 is used. Further, for reproducing the effect sound for realizing the notice effect, etc., any one of the 25 phrase reproduction channels CH2 to CH26 is used as an empty decoder.

  On the other hand, the phrase valid channel CH27 is used for reproducing the operation valid sound, and the phrase reproducing channel CH28 is used for reproducing the winning sound. Here, the operation valid sound means, for example, an effect sound indicating that a chance state permitting the depression of the chance button 11 has been brought, and an effect sound generated thereafter. The winning sound is an effect sound indicating that the game ball has won the symbol starting port 15.

  In the present embodiment, dedicated phrase reproduction channels CH27 and CH28 are reserved for the effective operation sound and the winning sound, which are relatively uniform in the effect contents and do not occur frequently, thereby further controlling the sound. We are trying to make it easier. Although the phrase reproduction channels CH30 to CH31 are used for the purpose of manufacturing inspection, their description is omitted because they are not related to the gist of the present invention.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, for the error notification sound, the operation valid sound, and the prize sound, which are generated at a low frequency and the sound pattern is almost uniform, the phrase reproduction channel to be used is fixed. ing. On the other hand, when performing a notice effect, etc., it is necessary to multiplexly combine various types of sounds (unit effects specified by the phrase number NUM), and therefore, out of the remaining 25 phrase reproduction channels CH2 to CH26, At that time, an empty decoder is selectively used.

  However, in order to facilitate the search processing of the decoder in the empty state and to realize a program configuration that can be versatilely used regardless of the model change, in the present embodiment, 25 phrase reproduction channels CH2 to CH26 are set to ( 1) a sound effect channel SE for mainly reproducing a notice sound, (2) an advanced effect channel PAN for realizing an advanced sound effect including a panpot effect, and (3) an effect sound to be converted to a virtual sound. And a virtual channel VS. As will be described later, in the virtual channel VS, a sound image variable effect is performed by a virtual sound whose sound image localization is controlled on the back or the ear of the player.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the channel division is appropriately changed in order to effectively realize the optimal sound effect according to the game state. FIG. 10 illustrates this relationship. In normal times, CH2 to CH21 are sound effect channels SE, CH22 to CH23 are advanced effect channels PAN, and CH24 to CH26 are virtual channels VS.

  In addition, during a probable change operation in which the player is excited, the advanced effect channel PAN is increased to CH18 to CH23 in order to realize a sound effect that further excites the player, and in order to realize a more flashy sound effect during the big hit, The effect channel PAN is increased to CH14 to CH23. Therefore, during a big hit, it is also possible to realize a multi-instrument performance of up to 10 channels (duplicate reproduction of 10 types of phrase compressed data) in which a large number of musical instrument performances and vocal sounds are individually reproduced. The effect of FIG. 9 described above is a multiplex sound effect of eight channels (CH14 to CH21).

  In order for the phrase reproduction channels CHn thus divided to function effectively, it is necessary to set optimal operation parameters in a group of voice control registers RGi corresponding to the phrase reproduction channels CHn. Thus, in the present embodiment, many of the operation parameters required for the sound effect channel SE are set by operating the simple access controller SAC. The use of the SAC function is the same for dedicated channels such as CH0, CH1, CH27, and CH28.

  On the other hand, the operation parameters required for the advanced effect channel PAN and the virtual channel VS are set by operating the simple access controller SAC and the sequencer SQ. In order for the sequencer SQ to function, the CPU 40 only needs to set a sequence code number and data attached thereto in the audio control register RGj2 for sequencer control. The sequence code number and attached data are converted as SAC data. The setting by the simple access controller SAC is as described above.

  By the way, the CPU directly accesses the voice control register as needed to set the operation parameters (direct setting), but the directing of the advanced effect channel PAN and the virtual channel VS is completely eliminated. It is preferred to do so. Such a configuration is effective in constructing a game control program with a plurality of persons sharing the development of a gaming machine.

  Further, in this embodiment, the sound effect channel SE is divided into an upper channel SE1 (for example, CH2 to CH7) and a lower channel SE2 (for example, CH8 to CH21) according to the effect priority. In addition, the priority means the magnitude of each volume value of a plurality of unit effects reproduced at the same time. The unit effect having a high priority is reproduced on a higher channel, and the unit effect having a lower priority is reproduced on a lower channel. This facilitates the management of the volume value at the time of the duplicate effect.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, the volume values of the upper channel SE1 are collectively increased as necessary, and conversely, the volume values of the lower channel SE2 are collectively decreased, so that a plurality of notice effects that overlap in time are produced. Is playing effectively. In addition, if necessary, the volume of the BGM sound is suppressed, thereby preventing the effect sound from being overlooked. In the following description, the effect sound reproduced on the upper channel SE1 is expressed as a notice sound SE1 or effect sound SE1, and the effect sound reproduced on the lower channel SE2 is expressed as a notice sound SE2 or effect sound SE2. Sometimes.

  Returning to FIG. 6, and continuing the description of the internal configuration of the audio processor 42, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 7, output signals (mixed L0, mixed R0, mixed L1, mixed R1, mixed SUB0, and mixed SUB1) are subjected to digital filter processing based on operation parameters defined in a predetermined audio control register 51 (RGi) in the effect unit 54, and then supplied to the total volume unit TV. , Based on the total volume value TV.

  The total volume value TV is defined by an operation parameter written in the corresponding voice control register 51 (RGi). As described above, this operation parameter is operated by a staff member in this embodiment as a rule. It is defined based on the setting switch SET (FIG. 3). However, when the player operates the volume switch VSW (FIG. 1) during the game operation (however, during the sound effect standby), the total volume TV is defined based on the set value.

  Hereinafter, when conceptually confirmed, the volume of the audio signal output from each speaker is the product of the product of the primary volume V1 and the secondary volume Vs defined by the effect control CPU and the total volume TV based on the intention of the player. Therefore, all sound effects are realized at the volume intended by the player.

  However, when a serious abnormal situation is detected, the total volume TV becomes the highest level, the primary volume V1 other than the phrase reproduction channel CH29 becomes the minimum value and the primary volume V1 other than the phrase reproduction channel CH29, regardless of the intention of the staff or the player. Since the secondary volume Vs is at the highest level, the alarm sound (abnormal alarm sound) at the time of illegal activity cannot be hidden by the volume switch VSW or other operations.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the value of the total volume TV is set to a value at which the speaker is arranged as shown in Table 1. That is, one of the following values is set for the output signal (mixed L0, mixed R0, mixed L1, mixed R1, mixed SUB0) of the channel mix 61 based on the set values of the setting switch SET and the volume switch VSW. You. The fact that the mixed SUB1 is not used is as described above.

  In detail, the total volume TV is a total of three TV0s, that is, a TV0 that sets the volume of the mixture L0 and the mixture R0, a TV1 that sets the volume of the mixture L1 and the mixture R1, and a TV2 that sets the volume of the mixture SUB0. By setting the set values (VL <256) shown in Table 1 in the volume control audio control register RGi, the input / output ratio can be set to, for example, 20 * Log (VL / 128) dB.

  However, in the present embodiment, the CPU does not directly access the audio control register RGi for volume setting but causes the simple access controller SAC to function to complete the volume setting. More specifically, since there are eight levels including the zero level, eight types of SAC data (SACV0 to SACV7) are prepared in the audio memory 43 in correspondence with the eight levels. By setting the SAC number in the audio control register RGj1 for SAC control at a necessary timing, the setting processing of all the total volumes TV0 to TV2 is completed.

  By the way, as shown in Table 1, at the maximum volume, the upper speaker is higher in level than the middle speaker (TV0> TV1), and the lower speaker is specified to be higher in level than the upper speaker (TV2> TV0). . Further, since TV0 ≧ TV1 and TV2 ≧ TV0 at all stages, an optimal sound volume balance is maintained in the positional relationship with the player's ear.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the secondary volumes V2 and V3 are, in principle, always maintained at the same value, but the total volume TV is optimally set according to the arrangement position of each speaker. Therefore, all the sound effects including the up, down, left, and right pan effects have an optimal volume balance for the player.

  The audio signals (mixed L0, mixed R0, mixed L1, mixed R1, mixed SUB0, mixed SUB1) that have passed through the total volume unit TV having such a meaning are stored in the output buffer BUF and based on the digital IF unit 55. The signals are converted into three-channel serial signals SD0, SD1, and SD2. As described above, the serial signals SD0 and SD1 are serial signals that specify PCM data related to the stereo signals R and L that drive the left and right speakers TR, TL, MR, and ML disposed at the top and middle of the gaming machine. , The serial signal SD2 is a serial signal that specifies PCM data related to a monaural signal that drives a bass speaker disposed below the gaming machine. These serial signals SD0, SD1, and SD2 are output together with a channel control signal (word clock signal) LRO in synchronization with the bit clock signal BCO (FIG. 8).

  Lastly, a description will be given of the virtual surround section VS and the remix section RM located after the channel mix 61 (FIG. 8). FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an impulse response h (n) at the right and left ear positions when the impulse sound sources FR and BR are emitted from the front or the rear (FIGS. 11 (a1) and 11 (b1)). )).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, when sound is emitted from the right front impulse sound source FR, a sound wave is transmitted to the right ear earlier than the left ear, and a sound wave transmitted to the right ear is transmitted to the left ear. Since there is less attenuation than the transmitted sound wave, the impulse response h (n) at the right ear position appears at a high level early (see FIG. 11 (a1)). When sound is emitted from the left front of the symmetric position indicated by the broken line, the impulse responses at the left and right ear positions are reversed.

  This relationship is the same when sound is emitted from the right rear impulse sound source BR as shown in FIG. 11B, and the impulse response h (n) at the right ear position becomes high level early (see FIG. 11B). 11 (b1)). When sound is emitted from the left rear of the symmetric position, the impulse responses at the left and right ear positions are reversed. It is said that a human can recognize that the sound source BR is located on the rear right side or the rear left side based on the left and right volume difference and the arrival time difference.

  By the way, the output y (n) is converted into y (n) = Σx (k) * h (nk) by convolving the impulse response h (n) measured by the measuring instrument with the input x (n). Can be specified. Then, the transfer function H (z) can be specified from the relational expression of Y (z) = H (z) * X (z) by Z-transforming the above expression. By constructing a digital filter (for example, an FIR filter) corresponding to Y (z) = H (z) * X (z), it is possible to realize an acoustic effect for the left ear and the right ear.

  FIG. 11C shows an FIR filter that realizes the relational expression of Y (z) = H (z) * X (z), and the filter coefficients (h (0)... H (N−1) of the FIR filter. ) Is different between the transfer function RR (z) from the right rear to the right ear and the transfer function RL (z) to the left ear, for example, so that the output Y to the left ear or the right ear is different. The virtual surround unit VS of the embodiment generates virtual sounds emitted from the left rear and the rear right by appropriately setting the filter coefficients.

  11 (a2) and 11 (b2) are obtained by transforming the transfer function G (z) to the left and right ears into the frequency domain from the relationship of z = exp (j2πft). 9 shows frequency characteristics. In short, if the processing of the correctly specified transfer function H (z) is performed, the input and output are given the frequency characteristics shown.

Hereinafter, specific Continuing described with reference to FIG. 12, as described above, on the basis of the impulse response to the impulse sound source SP _L from the left rear position shown in FIG. 12, the transfer function LL and LR of the left and right ears position can do. Similarly, it is possible on the basis of the impulse response to the impulse sound source SP _R from the right rear position, to identify the transfer function RL and RR of the left and right ears position.

  Therefore, as shown in (Equation 1), if filter processing corresponding to transfer functions LL, LR, RL, and RR is performed on the left and right effect sounds GL and GR reproduced on the phrase reproduction channel CHn (FIG. 11 (c) )), Virtual sounds SL and SR for the left and right ears from behind can be generated. For example, when the generated sounds SL and SR are to be heard from earphones, virtual sounds exhibiting a sense of a predetermined distance can be realized. .

However, in the case of a gaming machine, a speaker SP L from the _front, it can not be realized only sound from SP _R, virtual sound SL, the SR, Continued sound from the front, transmitted from the front speakers to the left and right ears Based on the functions F1 to F4, what is transmitted to the left and right ears is the sound of (Equation 2).

  Therefore, it is necessary to cancel in advance the effects caused by transmission from the front, and in this embodiment, four transfer functions F1, F2, F3, F4 based on the impulse response to the impulse sound source from the left and right front positions. Is specified and an appropriate cancel operation is performed to eliminate the influence of the transfer functions F1, F2, F3, and F4.

  Here, as shown in (Equation 3), if the cancellation functions are A, B, C, and D, the cancellation matrix by the cancellation functions A to D may be an inverse function of the transfer matrix by the transfer functions F1 to F4. Will be. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cancellation functions A to D are specified from (Equation 4), and processing of the cancellation matrix (crosstalk cancellation processing) is performed on the virtual sounds SL and SR in advance, so that the left and right virtual sounds SL ′ and SR ′ are obtained. Has been generated. The virtual sounds SL 'and SR' corrected by performing the crosstalk cancel processing are as shown in (Equation 5).

  The principle of the virtual surround unit VS according to the embodiment has been described above. Next, a more specific description will be given based on FIG. FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating a virtual arrangement position of a virtual speaker realized by the virtual surround unit VS of the embodiment.

  As illustrated, in the embodiment, virtual speakers Le and Re on the left and right sides of the player's ear and virtual speakers Ls and Rs on the left and right sides on the back side of the player are virtually arranged. Although not particularly limited, the virtual speakers Ls and Rs are arranged at symmetric positions of ± 60 ° with respect to the back virtual line from the player, and the distance between the virtual speakers Ls and Rs is determined in consideration of the noise of the game hall. Thus, it is set to 60 cm or less. In the present specification, Le and Re indicate the original sound Le and Re for the virtual ear speaker together with the virtual ear speaker. Similarly, Ls and Rs indicate the original sounds Ls and Rs for the rear virtual speakers, together with the rear virtual speakers Ls and Rs.

  In any case, the arrangement position of each speaker is a virtual arrangement to the last, and in fact, the virtual sound SL converted from the upper right front left and right speakers TL and TR as shown in (Equation 1) and (Equation 5). ', SR' is emitted. Here, it is desirable that the positions of the left and right speakers TL and TR that emit the virtual sound have an elevation angle of about 20 to 30 degrees from the ear position of the player of average height.

  It should be noted that there are two sets of virtual speakers, and two sets of transfer functions LL, LR, RL, and RR of (Equation 1) are prepared in principle corresponding to the fact that the respective virtual arrangement positions are different. However, if the distance between the ear speakers Le, Re and the ear is divisible to be zero, the transfer functions LL, LR, RL, RR for the ear speakers Le, Re become unnecessary.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the front speakers realizing the virtual surround effect are intentionally limited to only the upper speakers TL and TR. Therefore, the transfer functions F1 to F4 for the canceling process include the ear virtual speakers Le and Re. This is shared by the rear virtual speakers Ls and Rs.

  FIG. 13C shows an internal configuration of the virtual surround unit VS, and a digital filter that generates virtual sounds for the ear virtual speakers Le and Re and virtual sounds for the back virtual speakers Ls and Rs functions. Is described. The upper part of FIG. 13C shows a digital filter for generating virtual sounds for the back virtual speakers Ls and Rs, and the processing of (Equation 1) for the original sound (GL, GR) = (Ls, Rs); The cancellation processing of (Equation 5) for the virtual sounds SL and SR is realized.

  The lower part of FIG. 13C shows a digital filter for generating virtual sounds for the ear virtual speakers Le and Re, and the expression (1) for the original sound (GL, GR) = (Le, Re). The processing and the cancellation processing of (Equation 5) for the virtual sounds SL ′ and SR ′ are realized. As described above, for the ear speakers Le and Re, when the distance from the ear is divisible to zero, the calculation using the transfer functions LL ', LR', RL ', and RR' becomes unnecessary.

  Incidentally, FIG. 13B illustrates a circuit configuration around the virtual surround unit VS of FIG. 13C. As shown in the drawing, in this embodiment, when a surround operation is designated to any of the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH31 (surround designation), the phrase reproduction channel CHn is changed from the normal configuration shown in FIG. Circuit configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, in the phrase reproduction channel CHx designated as surround, the output of the decoder is transmitted to the upper and lower pan pots after passing through the primary volume V1 and the secondary volume V2. Then, after the volume ratios of the real speakers TL and TR and the rear virtual speakers Ls and Rs are subjected to the panpot processing, the left and right volume ratios of the real speaker and the rear virtual speakers are respectively subjected to the panpot processing and four types are obtained. Sound signal. Specifically, the front signals Lf and Rf transmitted to the real speakers TL and TR and the rear signals Ls and Rs supplied to the virtual surround unit VS are generated. Here, the rear signals Ls, Rs are nothing but the original sounds Ls, Rs for the rear virtual speaker.

  Further, the output of the secondary volume V2 is set in the ear gain section EV, and then the left and right volume ratios of the virtual ear speakers Le and Re are subjected to panpot processing to generate the original sounds Le and Re for the ear speakers. Is done. When the ear gain section EV is not used, the circuit configuration is as shown by the broken line, and the rear output of the front and rear panpots is the output of the ear gain section EV.

  The original sounds Le and Re for the ear speakers thus generated are subjected to digital filtering shown in FIG. 13C in the virtual surround section VS together with the original sounds Ls and Rs for the rear virtual speaker. Each sound image is localized at the ear and the back of the player (sound image localization control). Then, the outputs Lv and Rv of the virtual surround section VS are mixed with the forward signals Lf and Rf set at predetermined levels (S3 and S4) and set at different levels (S1 and S2) in the remix section RM. Then, the signal is supplied to the effect unit 54 (FIGS. 6 and 8) as a mixed L0 signal and a mixed R0 signal.

By the way, in the configuration of FIG. 13B, the pan pot ratio of each pan pot portion is the same as that described above. That is, not only can be set from +3 dB: -∞dB to -∞dB: +3 dB, but also +0 dB: -∞dB (only one side emits sound), -∞dB: +0 dB (only the other side emits sound), and -∞dB: -∞. It is also possible to set dB (both are in a mute state). Therefore, in this embodiment, the four types of original sounds Ls, Rs, Le, and Re are set to 0 dB or −∞ dB, respectively. Then, by appropriately combining the panpot ratios, it is possible to produce sound effects for 2 ⁴ = 16 virtual sounds.

  To explain a typical example, in a state where the front signals Lf and Rf transmitted to the real speakers TL and TR are at the mute level (-∞dB: -∞dB), the original sounds Ls and Rs for the rear virtual speaker are set to the same level ( 0 dB: 0 dB), while the original sound Ls, Rs for the ear virtual speaker is set to the mute level (−∞ dB: −∞ dB), the effect sound can be heard only from behind the player, It will have a very strong impact.

  Conversely, if the original sounds Ls and Rs for the back virtual speaker are set to the mute level (-∞dB: -∞dB) and the original sounds Ls and Rs for the ear virtual speaker are set to the same level (0 dB: 0 dB), the player The effect sound can be heard only from the ear of the player, and in this case, too, a very strong impact can be given to the player. In this case, the effect of the virtual sound can be enhanced by setting the primary volume V1 of the other phrase reproduction channels CHn other than the phrase reproduction channel CHx designated as surround to a minimum (mask processing). In this case, the secondary volume V3 of the phrase reproduction channel CHx may be further set to the minimum.

  It is also possible to emit only the rear left side, emit only the rear right side, emit only the left ear, emit only the right ear, emit only the left speaker TL, and emit only the right speaker TR. Therefore, the number of variations of the sound effect can be greatly increased. Although the panpot setting for realizing this operation is very complicated, the simple access controller SAC and the sequencer SQ function in this embodiment, so that the panpot setting process is extremely simplified. . Note that, as described above, the use of the sequencer SQ allows the CPU to set a panpot effect over time with different durations appropriately set at a stretch.

  As described above, the circuit configuration for easily realizing the advanced sound effect has been described in detail. Next, the operation of the effect control unit 22 will be described focusing on the characteristic portion of the sound effect operation in the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a characteristic portion of the operation content of the effect control unit 22. The operation of the effect control unit 22 includes a main process (FIG. 14A) executed in an infinite loop after the effect control CPU 40 is reset, and a timer interrupt process activated every 1 mS (FIG. 14B). ), A reception interrupt process (not shown) for receiving a control command transmitted by the main control unit 21, and a reproduction completion interrupt process (FIG. 14C) activated by an interrupt signal received from the audio processor 42. Is realized.

  First, the main part of the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 14B will be described. In the timer interrupt process, the interrupt counter is incremented (+1) (ST20) and the effect command CMD 'to be transmitted is prepared. Transmits the effect command CMD 'to the image control unit 23 (ST21). Then, the other processing is executed to end the interrupt processing (ST22). Other processes include a motor effect using an effect motor, and a process of advancing a lamp effect of blinking an LED lamp.

  Next, the main processing shown in FIG. 14A will be described. After resetting the CPU, the effect control CPU first performs an appropriate initial setting operation on the RAM work area and the internal circuits of the one-chip microcomputer 40 and the audio processor 42. Is executed (ST10). Next, it waits until the interrupt counter updated every 1 ms in the timer interrupt process reaches 16 (ST11). When the interrupt counter reaches 16, the interrupt counter is cleared to zero (ST12), and the steps ST12 to ST19 are performed. Execute the loop processing.

  Therefore, the loop processing of steps ST12 to ST19 is repeatedly executed every 16 ms. In the loop processing, error processing is performed based on the switch signal obtained in the previous switch input processing (ST15) and the control command (error command) obtained in the reception interrupt processing (ST13). The error process includes an error notification process executed based on the error scenario, and an error scenario corresponding to the detected abnormal situation is first specified.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the non-game state has continued for a predetermined time, and if no game operation is recognized, a demonstration process is executed based on a predetermined demonstration scenario (ST14). Subsequently, a switch input process for determining whether the setting switch SET operated by the attendant or the pressing operation of the chance button 11 operated by the player is executed (ST15). If this timing is the button chance state, the chance scenario of the button chance game is specified, and the chance game is started based on the scenario.

  Next, a command analysis process for analyzing the control command CMD acquired in the reception interrupt process is executed (ST16). Then, when a predetermined control command (fluctuation pattern command) is received, an effect lottery for determining the specific effect content is executed, and a series of effect scenarios determined based on the effect scenario specified according to the determination result. A fluctuation effect is started (ST16).

  In a series of fluctuation effects, an image effect using the display device DS, a lamp effect for blinking a lamp, and a sound effect using a speaker are synchronously executed in synchronization with each other, and a character effect as needed. Will be added. Therefore, in the effect scenario that specifies these series of variable operations, specific contents of various effects are defined along with the execution start time and the execution continuation time. It should be noted that the image effect, the lamp effect, and the sound effect are synchronously executed based on a predetermined scenario, similarly to the error scenario, the demo scenario, and the chance scenario.

  In the present embodiment, one or a plurality of main scenario tables Mj for specifying a series of variable effects are prepared for the effect scenario, the error scenario, the demo scenario, and the chance scenario, and the main scenario table Mj includes: Scenario information (sub-scenario number) for specifying the content of the effect and the duration of execution of the effect are described. As described above, for convenience, the description of the lamp effect and the motor effect is omitted in the main scenario table Mj in FIG. 15B.

  In any case, when the error notification, the demonstration effect, the button effect, and the variable effect are executed, the content needs to be advanced with the passage of time. Next, a scenario update process for that is executed. (ST17). Since the scenario update process is executed every 16 ms, when the required switching timing has been reached, a process for specifying the effect content to be executed next is executed. Specifically, the reference positions of the main scenario table Mj and the sub-scenario table Sk are updated for the scenario being executed.

  This point will be described with respect to the sound effect. The sound effect is executed based on the sound command SND received by the sound processor 42 from the effect control CPU 40. That is, the sound effect is executed by the sound processor 42 reproducing a predetermined unit effect specified by the sound command SND at a predetermined sound volume. Therefore, when the switching timing of the sound effect is reached, the effect control CPU 40 transmits a new unit effect and a sound command for specifying the reproduction volume to the sound processor, and the series of processes is performed in addition to the scenario update process. No (ST17).

  When the scenario update processing having the above contents is completed, next, a fade processing is executed (ST18). Here, the fade process means a volume change process for changing the volume of the sound effect being executed. Typically, for the BGM sound and the effect sound (notification sound) that are reproduced in duplicate, the mutual volume adjustment is performed. For example, (1) suppress the volume of the BGM sound being reproduced in order to reproduce a predetermined notice sound, and (2) add another notice sound with high importance (reliability) superimposed on the notice sound being reproduced. The operations include, for example, suppressing the volume of the preview sound during reproduction, and (3) suppressing the volume of the BGM sound or effect sound for error notification.

  The mode of volume adjustment includes not only an instantaneous operation for changing to a target volume at a stretch, but also a fade-in operation and a fade-out operation for changing a stepwise volume. In any case, the execution control CPU 40 writes the phrase playback channel CHn and the voice command SND for specifying the playback volume in the playback channel CHn into a predetermined voice control register 51 (RGi) of the voice processor 42. Is done.

  The reproduction volume is specified by the primary volume value V1 or the secondary volume value Vs, and the reproduction volume of the BGM sound or the notice sounds SE1 and SE2 is determined by the secondary volume Vs (V2, V3) in both the instantaneous operation and the fade operation. ), And the playback volume of the error notification sound is specified by the volume setting values for the primary volume V1 and the secondary volume Vs. The volume setting value is appropriately set. When an error is notified, the primary volume V1 and the secondary volume Vs (V2, V3) of the phrase reproduction channel CH29 are set to the maximum values, while the other phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH28 are set. , CH30-31 are set to the minimum value.

  When the above-described fade process (ST18) is completed, the process proceeds to step ST11 after performing other processes. Note that the other processes include a process of updating the lamp drive data SDATA0 to SDATA2 serially transmitted from the serial port SI, a process of updating a random number value for effect lottery, and the like.

  As described above, the rendering operation of the present embodiment includes registration processes such as registration of an error scenario (ST13), registration of a demonstration scenario (ST14), registration of a chance button scenario (ST15), and registration of a scenario of a rendering scenario (ST16). The process starts by specifying the scenario table and setting initial data. As will be described later, this registration operation is a process of writing the main scenario number and the standby time to the idle progress management channel MCHm. After that, the effect control CPU 40 refers to each scenario table every 16 mS (ST17), and when the update timing is reached, the effect operation is advanced by shifting the reference position of the scenario table.

  Here, the production scenario table is roughly divided into a main scenario table Mj (FIG. 15B) and a sub-scenario table Sk (FIG. 15C) specified by the main scenario table Mj. In general, a plurality of main scenarios are in a parallel running state during the effect. As a result, the effect control CPU 40 includes a plurality of main scenario tables Mj to Mx and a plurality of Based on the sub-scenario tables Sk to Sy, the sound effect is advanced in a multiplex manner. In the present embodiment, since the scenario number and the scenario table correspond one-to-one, in the following description, the main scenario table Mj is identified with the main scenario number mcNo and the main scenario, and the sub-scenario table Sk is , Subscenario number scNo and subscenario.

  Based on the above brief description, the sound effect for activating the effect scenario (see ST16) will be described in more detail. As described above, in the present embodiment, the selection operation of the audio processor 42 for appropriately selecting the empty channel CHn of the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH31, the plurality of main scenario tables Mj to Mx, and the An appropriate reference operation to the scenario tables Sk to Sy is required. Therefore, in order to facilitate these operations, in the present embodiment, a scenario progress table INFO_TBL as shown in FIG. 14D and a used CH management table PlayNow_TBL shown in FIG. 14E are provided. FIG. 14 (e) also shows the use categories (SE, PAN, VS) of the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH29 during the normal game. As described with reference to FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the use division of each of the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH29 is variable, and differs from the illustrated use division during probable change or during a big hit.

  As shown in FIG. 14 (d), the scenario progress table INFO_TBL includes variable values for causing the performance scenario specified by the main scenario number Mj to progress to the progress management channel MCHm for specifying the running main scenario number Mj. Is a rewritable two-dimensional array. Although there is no particular limitation, the progress management channel MCHm is 64 channels (m = 0 to 63), and the variable values for proceeding the production scenario include (1) main scenario number mcNo, (2) scenario The timer scTm, (3) main scenario execution line mcIx, (4) sub-scenario execution line scIx, and (5) standby time delay are included.

  Here, (1) the main scenario number mcNo is number information for specifying the main scenario table Mj, (2) the scenario timer scTm is time information for managing the progress of the effect scenario specified by the main scenario number mcNo, and (3) ) The main scenario execution line mcIx is line information for specifying the reference line of the main scenario table Mj, (4) the sub scenario execution line scIx is the line information for specifying the reference line of the sub scenario table Sk, and (5) the standby time delay Is a delay time from the writing of the main scenario number mcNo to the progress management channel MCHm to the start of the execution of the effect scenario of the main scenario number mcNo, which specifies the effect start timing. The scenario timer scTm and the delay time delay are time information with 16 mS as one unit.

  For example, the registration information of the progress management channel MCH0 illustrated in FIG. 14D means that the main scenario M10 is started 60 * 16 ms after the information is registered in the progress management channel MCH0. According to the registration information of the progress management channel MCH1, the main scenario M20 is started immediately after the information is registered in the progress management channel MCH1. The scenario registration process executed in the processes of steps ST13, ST14, ST15, and ST16 means that the main scenario number mcNo and the standby time delay are written to any of the progress management channels MCHm in an empty state. . In this scenario registration process, initial values are written in the scenario timer scTm, the main scenario execution line mcIx, and the sub-scenario execution line scIx, and these values are updated as appropriate in the scenario update process (ST17).

  As shown in FIG. 14 (e), the used CH management table PlayNow_TBL is a management table for managing the use state of the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH31 of the audio processor 42. In this embodiment, for the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH29, It stores which state of “playing”, “stopping”, and “pausing”. These pieces of information can be grasped by reading the status flag value from a predetermined voice control register 51 (RGi) of the voice processor 42. In the present embodiment, “playing” and “pausing” are effected. It is set based on the program control of the control CPU 40. For this reason, in the present embodiment, there is no problem of a time delay from when the sound command SND for starting reproduction or pausing is issued to the sound processor 42 to when the sound processor 42 actually reacts.

  This point is that in the present embodiment in which 64 progress management channels MCHm of the scenario progress table INFO_TBL are provided (m = 0 to 63) and voice commands SND required for analysis processing in each progress management channel MCHm are continuously transmitted. Of particular importance. That is, prior to the transmission of the voice command SND, if the voice processor 42 is accessed to check the availability of the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH29 from the status flags, the phrase reproduction designated by the immediately preceding voice command SND is performed. In many cases, the channel CHn still maintains “stop”, and therefore, there is a possibility that the phrase reproduction channel CHn specified immediately before may be specified redundantly, and in this case, the previous unit effect is erased. Will be.

  On the other hand, the information of “stopped” in the used CH management table PlayNow_TBL is updated based on the reproduction completion interrupt processing shown in FIG. That is, when the effect control CPU 40 receives the interrupt signal from the audio processor 42, the effect control CPU 40 accesses a predetermined audio control register RGi of the audio processor 42 and specifies the phrase reproduction channel CHn whose reproduction has been completed (ST25). Next, the data of the used CH management table PlayNow_TBL is rewritten from "reproducing" to "stopping" for the phrase reproduction channel CHn that has been reproduced (ST26).

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the latest status of the phrase reproduction channel CHn that can be used at any time can be grasped in real time, and optimal phrase reproduction control can be realized. That is, if the grasp of the empty channel CHn is not appropriate, for example, during the normal game, it is necessary to avoid the execution of the unit effect to be simultaneously executed in the upper channel SE1 (CH2 to CH7) having a limited number of channels (= 6). However, in this embodiment, up to six unit effects can be appropriately executed simultaneously by effectively using the upper channel SE1. As described above, in this embodiment, the unit effect is a group of effect sounds or BGM sounds specified by one phrase number NUM.

  Subsequently, the scenario update process (ST17) will be further described based on FIG. In this scenario update process, the processes of steps ST31 to ST43 are executed for all the progress management channels MCHm (m = 0 to 63) of the scenario progress table INFO_TBL, and the necessary voice commands SND are sequentially transmitted to the voice processor 42. Sending. In order to realize such an operation, in the scenario update process, it is first determined whether or not a significant main scenario number mcNo is described in a specific progress management channel MCHm in the scenario progress table INFO_TBL (ST31). . If the significant main scenario number mcNo is not described in the m-th progress management channel MCHm, the process jumps to step ST44 to determine the next (m + 1) -th progress management channel MCHm + 1.

  On the other hand, when a significant main scenario number mcNo is described in the m-th progress management channel MCHm, the value of the standby time delay described in the progress management channel MCHm is determined (ST32). As described above, the value of the standby time delay means a delay time from when the main scenario number mcNo is written to the progress management channel MCHm to when the execution of the production scenario of the main scenario number mcNo is started. . Therefore, when the standby time delay ≠ 0, the processing is terminated by decrementing the standby time delay (−1) (ST33).

  Conversely, if the standby time delay = 0, the reference line specified by the main scenario execution line mcIx is referred to in the main scenario table Mj corresponding to the main scenario number mcNo described in the progress management channel MCHm (ST34). ). As illustrated in FIG. 15B, the main scenario table Mj describes one or a plurality of sub-scenario numbers scNo for realizing the main scenario Mj and the execution duration of each sub-scenario. The main scenario execution line mcIx specifies the reference line, and the execution continuation time is managed by the progress of the scenario timer scTm updated every 16 mS.

  For example, the main scenario with the main scenario number M01 executes the sub-scenario with the sub-scenario number S02 at 1500 * 16 mS, executes the sub-scenario with the sub-scenario number S20 at 500 * 16 mS, and finally, executes the sub-scenario with the sub-scenario number S21. Is executed for 2000 * 16 mS, and the process is terminated. D_SEEND means end of data. In some cases, a loop specification such as D_SELOP + 0 is described instead of the end data. In this case, jump to the jump line indicated by + (the first line is 0 in the illustrated example). The processing below the jump line is repeated.

  The same applies to the main scenario with the main scenario number M02. After the sub-scenario with the sub-scenario number S01 is executed by 3000 * 16 mS, the sub-scenario with the sub-scenario number S25 is executed by 1000 * 16 mS. The sub-scenario of S26 is executed by 1000 * 16 mS, and the process ends.

  The sub-scenario table Sk specified by the main scenario table Mj is as illustrated in FIG. 15 (c), FIG. 18 (b) and FIG. 18 (c), and includes a plurality of rows managed by the sub-scenario execution line scIx. First, the effect start timing managed by the scenario timer scTm is defined, and the specific content of the sound effect is specified. That is, each row of the sub-scenario table Sk includes (1) a phrase number NUM for specifying a unit effect, (2) reproduction mode information for specifying the reproduction mode, and (3) a fade shift or an instant that occurs during a sound effect. All or part of the volume transition mode (sound control information) such as shift is defined. The playback mode is specified by a playback volume (secondary volume Vs), a loop request, a stereo request, and the like.

  For example, as shown in the timings of the first and second rows of the sub-scenario table Sk (= 001) shown in FIG. 18B and the timing of the second row of the sub-scenario table Sk (= 002) shown in FIG. When a new unit effect is started, (1) phrase number NUM and (2) reproduction mode information are indispensably stored. When the volume of another unit effect is changed in accordance with the start timing, (3) sound control information is further stored.

  On the other hand, at the timing of the third row of the sub-scenario table Sk (= 001) shown in FIG. 18B and the timing of the second and third rows of the sub-scenario table Sk (= 002) shown in FIG. A new unit effect is not started, and the volume of the unit effect that has been executed so far changes.

  Referring back to FIG. 15C, the sub-scenario table Sk of the present embodiment includes (1) a phrase number NUM specifying a unit effect, and (2) a unit effect reproduction mode information. Are stored separately according to the type. Here, the type of the unit effect means whether the unit type is a BGM sound, an effect sound SE1, an effect sound SE2, an advanced effect sound PAN, a virtual sound VS, an error notification sound, an operation effective sound, The sub-scenario table Sk is divided into eight sections corresponding to the number (= 8) of the winning sounds, and the section of the sound control information is added to this section, and the section is divided into nine sections as a whole. (See FIG. 18B and FIG. 18C). As described above, the phrase reproduction channel CHn of the audio processor 42 used to reproduce the BGM sound, the error notification sound, the operation effective sound, and the winning sound is fixedly defined in advance. . On the other hand, the upper stage production sound SE1, the lower stage production sound SE2, the advanced production sound PAN, and the virtual sound VS are arbitrarily selected from the unused phrase reproduction channel CHn.

  Referring to FIGS. 15B and 15C more specifically, in the production scenario specified by the main scenario number M02, first, the sub-scenario with the sub-scenario number S01 is selected. Then, in the sub-scenario of sub-scenario number S01, the sound effect on the first line is started immediately, and the sound effect is shifted to the sound effect on the second line at the timing of scenario timer scTm = 1000, and further, at the timing of scenario timer scTm = 1500. Then, the sound effect on the third line is started. Then, when the sound effect specified by the information on the third line ends, the processing of the sub-scenario S01 ends. In the above description, the start of the sound effect mainly means that the unit effect described in the corresponding row of the sub-scenario table Sk is newly started, and is illustrated in FIGS. 18B and 18C. , The start of the volume transition operation of the unit effect being executed is also included.

  In any case, after starting the sound effect on the third line of the sub-scenario S01, the process returns to the main scenario table M02 in FIG. 15B, and the sub-scenario of the sub-scenario number S25 is performed at the timing of the scenario timer scTm = 3000. Is selected, and the sound effect of the sub-scenario number S25 is executed with an execution duration of 1000 * 16 ms. Note that the sound effect specified in the third line of the sub-scenario S01 automatically ends when the playback time of the unit effect expires or when the volume transition operation ends.

  The processing after step ST34 in FIG. 15A realizes the above operation. As described above, in the process of step ST34, in the main scenario table Mj (see FIG. 15B) corresponding to the main scenario number mcNo described in the predetermined progress management channel MCHm, the main scenario execution line mcIx is set. Since the specified reference line is referred to, the data of the reference line is determined next (ST35).

  If the data is the final data D_SEEND, it means that the execution of the main scenario described in the progress management channel MCHm has been completed. Therefore, the data is described in the progress management channel MCHm (see FIG. 14B). The scenario update process is terminated by deleting the main scenario number mcNo (ST36). Therefore, the progress management channel MCHm that has been used until then is released for another main scenario started thereafter, and the scenario timer scTm, The sub-scenario execution line scIx and the main scenario execution line mcIx are cleared.

  Since the present embodiment is configured as described above, for example, in the case of a sound effect in which a unit effect is repeated in a non-existent loop, such as an error notification sound or an operation effective sound (FIGS. 20 to 21). The execution duration of the main scenario is set to be extremely short. Therefore, the main scenario number mcNo of this type of unit effect is quickly deleted from the progress management channel MCHm (see FIG. 14B) (see ST36). Then, the sound effect repeated in a non-existent loop shape corresponds to the start of another unit effect on the same phrase reproduction channel CH27, CH29, or the execution of the silence processing, and the like. finish.

  On the other hand, if the data of the reference line is not the final data D_SEEND but the duration information, the sub-scenario number scNo described in the reference line, the scenario timer scTm, and the sub-scenario execution line scIx Sk is updated, and a necessary voice command SND is transmitted to the voice processor 42 (ST37). The details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the scenario timer scTm is updated by adding +1 (ST38), and it is determined whether or not the updated value of the scenario timer scTm is equal to or longer than the duration described in the main scenario table Mj (ST39). If the scenario timer scTm ≧ the duration time, the main scenario execution line mcIx is updated by adding +1 (ST40).

  Then, the information pointed to by the updated main scenario execution line mcIx is determined (ST41), and if the information is the loop specification indicated by “D_SELOP + jump destination”, the main scenario execution line mcIx is set to the jump destination. Change to a line (ST42). In any case, the scenario timer scTm ≧ continuous time means that one sub-scenario Sk (one unit of the main scenario Mj) specified by the sub-scenario number has ended. Therefore, in the progress management channel MCHm, the scenario timer scTm, the sub-scenario execution line scIx, and the standby time delay are cleared (ST43). The main scenario execution line mcIx and the value of the scenario timer scTm are maintained for executing the next sub-scenario.

  Since the processing in steps ST31 to ST43 described above is processing for the m-th progress management channel MCHm (m = 0 to 63), next, in order to perform the same processing for the (m + 1) th progress management channel MCHm + 1, The process proceeds to step ST31 (ST43). When the processing for all 64 channels is completed, the scenario update processing (ST17) is completed.

  Next, the sub-scenario update processing in step ST37 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the sub-scenario update process specifies the sub-scenario number scNo specified by the main scenario execution line mcIx in the main scenario table Mj corresponding to the main scenario number mcNo registered in the scenario progress table INFO_TBL. Start with state. Therefore, in the sub-scenario table Sk corresponding to the sub-scenario number scNo, the address value specified by the sub-scenario execution line scIx (see FIG. 14D) is obtained (ST50).

  Here, if the storage data at that address is the end data D_SEEND, the processing is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the start time is not the end data D_SEEND but defines the start timing, the value is compared with the scenario timer scTm (ST52). If the scenario timer scTm ≧ start time, a voice command output process of transmitting an appropriate voice command SND by specifying the phrase reproduction channel CHn of the voice processor 42 is executed (ST53). As shown in FIG. 15C, the sub-scenario table Sk stores a phrase number NUM specifying a unit effect, a playback volume value of the unit effect (secondary volume Vs), and the like.

  When the voice command output process (ST53) is completed, the sub-scenario execution line scIx stored in the scenario progress table INFO_TBL (FIG. 14D) is updated by +1 and the process returns to step ST51. Therefore, as in the third and fourth lines of the sub-scenario 002 in FIG. 18C, a plurality of pieces of sound control information having the same start timing can be made effective at the same timing. .

  The voice command output process executed in step ST53 is as shown in FIG. 16 (b). (1) A voice command SND for specifying a unit effect to start a new reproduction, or (2) a voice command during execution The voice command SND for changing the voice of the unit effect is transmitted. When the voice command output process (ST53) is completed normally, the sub-scenario execution line scIx is updated, and the sub-scenario update process ends (ST54). If no invalid channel is detected and invalid data NULL is returned, the sub-scenario execution line scIx remains at the original value.

  Next, the voice command output process (ST53) shown in FIG. In the voice command output process, first, it is determined whether or not the scenario reproduction channel CHn specified by the sub-scenario table Sk is a fixed channel (ST55). As described above, the BGM sound, the error notification sound, the operation effective sound, and the winning sound use the phrase reproduction channel CHn defined in advance. The phrase reproduction channels CHn to be designated by the command SND are determined as CH0 + CH1, CH28, CH27, and CH28, respectively (ST56).

  Next, in the determined phrase reproduction channel CHn, one or a plurality of voice commands SND are set so as to start a unit effect of a predetermined phrase number NUM described in the sub-scenario table Sk at a predetermined secondary volume Vs value. Is transmitted to the voice processor 42 (ST57). The transmission of the voice command SND is in principle as shown in FIG. 16 (c), and the transmission of the voice command SND to the predetermined voice control register RGi that manages the operation of the phrase reproduction channel CHn of the voice processor 42 (1) One or a plurality of voice commands SND specifying specified values such as a phrase number NUM, (2) secondary volumes V2 and V3, (3) left and right panpots, and (4) upper and lower panpots are transmitted. The set values of the primary volume V1 and the total volume TV may be transmitted.

  Since each set value must be set for each phrase reproduction channel CHn, the data structure of the voice command SND is complicated, and the number of times the voice command SND is transmitted increases. Therefore, in such a case, as shown in FIG. 16D, the necessary setting processing is completed via the simple access controller SAC and the sequencer SQ. In such a case, the SAC number and the voice command SND for setting ancillary data defining the operation of the SAC (Simple Access Controller) are transmitted to the voice control register RGj1 for the SAC control, or the sequencer control register RGj1 is transmitted. The voice command SND for setting the sequence code number and the attached data for defining the operation of the sequencer SQ is transmitted to RGj2.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in the process of step ST55 that the scenario reproduction channel CHn specified in the sub-scenario table Sk is not a fixed channel, the processes of steps ST56 to ST57 are skipped, and the process proceeds to the corresponding row of the sub-scenario table Sk. Then, it is determined whether or not data relating to effect sound SE1 / SE2 / PAN / VS is described (ST58). Note that, for example, as shown in the third line of the sub-scenario Sk (= 001) in FIG. 18B, there is no data related to the production sound SE1 / SE2 / PAN / VS, and only the data related to the sound control is described. In some cases.

  Then, when the data related to the production sound SE1 / SE2 / PAN / VS is described in the corresponding row of the sub-scenario table Sk, if the production sound SE1 or the production sound SE2, the advanced production sound PAN, or the virtual sound VS, , The phrase reproduction channel CHn for reproducing the phrase is detected (ST59). This playback CH detection processing (ST59) is as shown in FIG. 11A, and the used CH management table PlayNow_TBL shown in FIG. 14E is searched in order to detect an empty phrase playback channel CHn. . As a return value of the reproduction CH detection processing (ST59), an empty phrase reproduction channel CHn is returned, and if there is no free channel, invalid data NULL is returned.

  As shown in FIG. 17A, in the reproduction CH detection processing (ST59), the search range is determined depending on whether the reproduction of the effect sound SE1, the reproduction of the effect sound SE2, the reproduction of the advanced effect sound PAN, or the reproduction of the virtual sound VS. Are different. That is, in the present embodiment, the use divisions (SE, PAN, VS) of the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH29 are variable, the available phrase reproduction channels are different depending on the game state, and the initial values are different depending on the game state. A value CH and a final CH are defined.

  For example, when the game state is a normal game, when the effect sound SE1 is reproduced, the initial setting is set as CH = CH2, and when the effect sound is SE2, the initial setting is set as CH = CH8. (ST70). Then, a free channel is searched for in the used channel management table PlayNow_TBL within the range of the scenario reproduction channels CH2 to CH7 or the scenario reproduction channels CH8 to CH21.

  In the reproduction CH detection process (ST59), when the effect sound SE1 / SE2 / PAN / VS to be reproduced is a stereo sound, two continuous channels starting from even channels are secured (ST72 to ST77). Then, for the detected one or two free channels, the corresponding column of the used CH management table PlayNow_TBL is rewritten from "stop" to "playing" (ST77).

  As described with reference to FIG. 14C, in the used CH management table PlayNow_TBL, whether or not each phrase reproduction channel CHn is “stopped” is constantly updated by the interruption processing from the audio processor 42, and the reproduction CH detection processing is performed. In (ST59), the latest state information can be referred to and there is no detection omission. At the timing of step ST77, the phrase playback channel CHn of “stopped” is rewritten to “during playback”, so the sub-scenario update for another progress management channel MCHm (m = 0 to 63) that continues thereafter In the processing (reproduction CH detection processing), there is no possibility of erroneous detection of an empty channel.

  Returning to FIG. 16 (b), the description of the voice command output process (ST53) is continued. For the effect sound SE1 / SE2 / PAN / VS, if an empty channel CHn is detected, the phrase reproduction channel CHn is used. Then, a necessary voice command SND is transmitted to the voice processor 42 in order to start the reproduction of the effect sound SE1 / SE2 / PAN / VS as a new unit effect. As shown in FIG. 16C, the voice command SND has a length of a plurality of bytes obtained by combining the register number and the set value of the voice control register RGi of the voice processor 42. FIG. 16D shows the case where the simple access controller SAC and the sequencer SQ are used.

  The setting values for the reproduction of the production sound SE1 / SE2 / PAN / VS are set such that the phrase number NUM and the secondary volume Vs of the production sound SE1 / SE2 / PAN / VS are required values, and the upper, lower, left and right as required. Panpot setting values and the like are added. In the present embodiment, the operation state of the phrase reproduction channel CHn of the audio processor 42, that is, any one of “stopping”, “pausing”, and “reproducing” is determined by all possible phrase reproduction channels. CHn (n = 0 to 29) is known (see FIG. 14E).

  When step ST60 is completed, it is next determined whether or not data relating to sound control is described in a corresponding row of the sub-scenario table Sk. Then, when data relating to the sound control is described, a sound control process for transmitting a voice command necessary for executing the volume transition operation is executed (ST62). The operation content of the sound control process in step ST62 is as shown in FIGS. 17B and 17C, and will be described later.

  FIG. 18A exemplifies data relating to sound control. In this embodiment, the sound control data has a 4-byte (Bit31-Bit0) structure. First, the three least significant bits (Bit2-Bit0) indicate the transition time from the start to the end of the volume transition operation by numerical values of 1 to 4, and the transition times are 0.5 seconds, 1 second, and 1. It means 5 seconds and 2 seconds. Next, the lower 4 bits (Bit19-Bit16) of the third byte specify the volume target value of the secondary volume Vs in four steps from the minimum value (0x00) to the maximum value (0x80). In the sound control data, 13 bits (Bit15-Bit3) formed of the second byte and the upper byte of the first byte indicate a phrase number NUM (000H to 1FFFH). In this embodiment, as described above, the volume transition operation is executed in the state of V2 = V3 for the two secondary volumes Vs.

  The upper 4 bits (Bit23-Bit20) of the third byte indicate whether the phrase reproduction channel CHn whose volume is to be changed is a BGM sound CH0-CH1, a phrase reproduction channel for the production sound SE1, or a production sound SE2. , A phrase reproduction channel for the advanced effect sound PAN, a phrase reproduction channel for the virtual sound VS, all phrase reproduction channels (CH2 to CH26), or a unit effect of a predetermined phrase number NUM. Indicates the phrase playback channel CHn. As described above, the phrase reproduction channel CHn of the effect sound SE1 / SE2 / PAN / VS is variable, and the phrase number NUM is specified by the 13 bits of Bit15 to Bit3 of the sound control data.

  Next, the fourth byte (Bit31-Bit24) of the sound control data indicates the control type of the volume change. Specifically, a fade operation for changing the secondary volume value Vs or the secondary volume value is performed at once. The information is used as information such as an instantaneous operation to make a transition or how much the primary volume value V1 is set.

  Regarding this sound control data, the sub-scenario table Sk (= 001) in FIG. 18B will be described. For the BGM sound (BG_T), the volume target value of the secondary volume Vs is set to 0x20 (V20 ) Is performed in 0.5 seconds (S05). The registration data in the SE1 column indicates that “the unit production with the phrase number NUM = 0001 is to be stereo-reproduced at the level of the secondary volume Vs = 0x80”. The unit effect of the phrase number NUM = 0001 is started at the highest volume while quickly suppressing the BGM sound (see FIG. 18D).

  Thereafter, a unit effect of the phrase number NUM = 0002 is started. At the timing of the start time of 5000 * 16 mS, the fade operation of setting the volume target value of the secondary volume Vs to 0x80 (V80) for the BGM sound (BG_T) ( SF) is executed for 2 seconds (S20) (see FIG. 18D).

  On the other hand, in the sub-scenario table Sk (= 002) of FIG. 18C, the primary volume V1 of the BGM sound (BG_T) is instantaneously changed to 0x00 (SV00) and the phrase reproduction channels CH2 to It is defined that the primary volume V1 of CH7 (YK1_T) is instantaneously changed to 0x00 (SV00). The registration data in the SE2 column indicates that “the unit production of the phrase number NUM = 0010 is to be stereo-reproduced at the level of the secondary volume Vs = 0x80”. The effect sound SE1 and the BGM sound are quickly suppressed, and the unit effect of the phrase number NUM = 0010 is started at the highest volume (see FIG. 18E).

  Then, at the start time of 5000 * 16 mS, the primary volume V1 of the BGM sound (BG_T) and the phrase reproduction channels CH2 to CH7 (YK1_T) is instantaneously changed to 0x80 (V80) (FIG. 18 (e). )reference). In this embodiment, the fade operation is not performed on the primary volume V1. However, the present invention is not particularly limited, and it is preferable to provide a fade operation on the primary volume V1.

  In any case, in order to execute the fade operation as exemplified in FIG. 18D, the voice command in which the set value Vs (V2 = V3) of the secondary volume is changed stepwise is transmitted in time sequence. There is a need. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a fade control table FDTBL shown in FIG. 19A, an update cycle table shown in FIG. 19B, and a volume variable VOL management table shown in FIG. 19C are provided. . The fade control table FDTBL and the update cycle table are fixedly stored in the ROM, and the management table of the volume variable VOL (FIG. 19C) is rewritably arranged in the RAM.

  The management table VL_TBL of the volume variable VOL (FIG. 19C) stores the value of the secondary volume V2 = V3 set by the voice command for all the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH29 of the voice processor 42 used in the present embodiment. This is a volume management table that is initialized in correspondence with the transmission process of step ST57 and step 60 in the voice command output process (ST53). Note that a predetermined value is set in the registration column of the update cycle WD of the volume management table VL_TBL including the direction of increase / decrease in volume transition when performing a fade operation, but is set to zero when a fade operation is not performed. Have been.

  The fade control table FDTBL of FIG. 19A is based on the premise that the 128 different values between the current secondary volume value VOL and the target value are filled by the command transmission processing ten times. The volume shift amount in each command transmission process is defined. For example, when the difference value is 128, the target value is reached by filling the difference 128 with the target value by 10 processings of 12 + 13 +... + 13 + 13. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 19A shows a linear change. However, it is not possible to realize a desired non-linear volume transition operation by changing the registration data of the fade control table FDTBL. Of course.

  The update cycle table shown in FIG. 19B defines the relationship between the transition time and the update cycle. For example, the lower 3 bits of the sound control data are 001 (S05), and the transition time is 0.5 second. In the case of, the voice command SND in which the secondary volume value Vs is shifted should be transmitted once every three times, that is, every 16 * 3 mS, converted in units of 16 mS. Then, the transition of the secondary volume value Vs is repeated 10 times in the increasing direction or the decreasing direction in the direction of the horizontal axis in FIG. 19A (see FIG. 19A), and after 16 * 3 * 10 mS. At (≒ 0.5 seconds), the target volume is reached.

  Based on the above, the sound control processing (ST62) will be described. The sound control process is divided into a non-fade process shown in FIG. 17B and a fade initial setting process shown in FIG. Here, the non-fade processing is an instant setting processing without a fade operation, and the set values SVOL, SVO8, SVO0, SVO2, SVO4, SVO8E, SVO0E, etc. in the sound control data of FIG. This is the process to perform.

  If the fourth byte of data in the sound control column in the sub-scenario table Sk (see FIG. 18A) is the set value SVOL, SVO8, SVO0, SVO2, SVO4, SVO8E, SVO0E, etc. A volume control target (BG_T, YK1_T, YK2_T, YKA_T, FRZ) is specified based on the upper byte data in the third byte of the column, and a phrase playback channel CHn for which the volume is to be changed and a voice command SND specifying the volume value are specified. Is generated and transmitted to the voice processor 2 (ST80).

  On the other hand, the fade operation includes a fade initial setting process (FIG. 17C) included in the sound control process (ST62 in FIG. 16B) and a fade process (ST18) shown in FIGS. 18 and 17D. Is realized. First, in the fade initial setting process (FIG. 17C), FIG. 19C shows the current volume value VOL for the phrase reproduction channel CHn specified by the control data in the sound control column of the sub-scenario table Sk. It is obtained from the volume management table VL_TBL (ST81).

  Next, the difference between the volume target value (Bit19-Bit16) specified by the sound control data of the sub-scenario table Sk and the current volume value VOL is calculated (ST82). The reference row i of the fade control table FDTBL (FIG. 19A) is specified by the difference value calculated in the process of step ST82, and whether the volume transition is in the increasing direction or the decreasing direction is specified. Become. These data are stored in the corresponding columns of the volume management table VL_TBL in FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the variable i is a row pointer of the fade control table FDTBL.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, not only the volume target value is simply specified, but also the volume target value is compared with the current volume value to determine the deviation direction (±) of the volume. , A smooth volume transition can be realized.

  That is, in a configuration in which only the target value is simply set without making the current volume value VOL a problem, a one-way transition operation from a predetermined reference value (MIN value or MAX value) to the target value is performed. For example, when the current value is the MIN value and the reference value is the MAX value, there is a disadvantage that an instantaneous shift from MIN to MAX from zero to the maximum volume occurs. On the other hand, when the current value is the MAX value and the reference value is the MIN value, unnaturalness occurs in which the volume shift is started after the instantaneous silencing that changes from MAX to MIN occurs. Inconvenience does not occur.

  When the process of step ST82 having the above significance is completed, based on the transition time (Bit2-Bit0) specified by the sound control data of the sub-scenario table Sk, referring to the update cycle table of FIG. 19B. , The update cycle WD is specified, and this is described in the corresponding column of the volume management table VL_TBL of FIG. 19C together with the volume transition direction (ST83). Further, the column pointer j of the fade control table FDTBL is initialized to zero, and the control variable B is initialized to the value of the update period WD (ST83). The initially set values of the column pointer j and the control variable B are also stored in the corresponding columns of the volume management table VL_TBL (ST83).

  As shown in the update cycle table of FIG. 19B, in the case of the present embodiment, the initial value of the control variable B is any one of 3, 6, 9, and 12 that is the update cycle WD. Then, by setting the storage column of the update cycle WD of the volume management table VL_TBL of FIG. 19C to a significant value other than zero, execution of the subsequent fade processing is instructed.

  The actual fade processing is as shown in FIG. 17D, and the update period WD is not zero for all the phrase reproduction channels CHn managed in the volume management table VL_TBL of FIG. 19C. It is executed (ST90).

  That is, if the update cycle WD> 0, the control variable B initially set in the update cycle WD is decremented (ST91), and it is determined whether or not the control variable B becomes zero (ST92). Here, if the control variable B = 0, it means that the update timing has been reached, so the column pointer j is updated, and the shift amount Δ of the i-th row and the j-th column of the fade control table FDTBL is obtained (ST93). In principle, a plurality of control variables B, a row pointer i, and a column pointer j each need a plurality (up to 30) corresponding to the phrase reproduction channel CHn. Since an independent fade operation is not performed for each reproduction channel CHn, the number does not become so large.

  Next, the volume value VOL is changed (VOL ← VOL ± Δ), and a voice command SND designating the updated volume value VOL is transmitted to the voice processor 42 (ST95). Then, it is determined whether or not the volume value VOL has reached the target value (ST96). If the column pointer j points to the last column of the fade control table FDTBL, the update cycle WD of the volume management table VL_TBL is determined. Is set to zero (ST97). As a result, thereafter, the volume transition processing for the phrase reproduction channel CHn is not executed.

  On the other hand, if the volume value VOL has not reached the target value, the control variable B is initialized to the value of the update cycle WD to detect the next update timing (ST98). Then, the processing of steps ST90 to ST98 is executed for all the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH29 of the volume management table VL_TBL of FIG. 19C (ST99).

  In this embodiment, it is also possible to designate a fade operation for a specific unit effect, as shown in the control target FRZ at the upper third byte in the sound control data of FIG. The specific unit effect is specified by a 13-bit-length phrase number NUM. When the fade operation of the specific unit effect is specified, in the present embodiment, a predetermined inquiry command SND is sent to the voice processor 42. By transmitting the phrase, the phrase reproduction channel that reproduces the unit effect is specified.

  The transmission of the inquiry command is executed by a write operation of the voice command SND specifying the phrase reproduction channel CHn (see FIG. 5B), and thereafter, the reception processing of the voice command SND specifying the predetermined voice control register RGi By executing (the read data processing of FIG. 5C), the phrase reproduction channel reproducing the unit effect of the problem is specified.

  However, in this embodiment, since the phrase reproduction channel CHn is specified and the phrase number NUM is transmitted (see ST57 and ST60 in FIG. 16), the relationship between the phrase reproduction channel CHn and the phrase number NUM is determined at this timing. It is also possible to adopt a method of storing the information, and in this case, transmission of the inquiry command becomes unnecessary.

  As mentioned above, although an Example was described in detail, the specific description does not specifically limit this invention. For example, in the embodiment, the reproduction completion interruption processing is provided (FIG. 14C), but it is also preferable to omit this in consideration of the control load.

  In this case, at the beginning of the scenario update processing (ST17), as shown in the reception processing (read data processing) of FIG. 5C, the audio processor 42 is accessed, and a predetermined status flag is referred to. What is necessary is just to update the used CH management table PlayNow_TBL to the latest value. Then, in this modified example, the audio processor 42 is accessed thereafter and the predetermined status flag is not checked during one processing unit time (16 mS). Therefore, after that, the phrase reproduction channel that has transitioned from "reproducing" to "stopping" during one processing unit time cannot be used, but there is an advantage that an interrupt processing program is not required.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the secondary volume values V2 and V3 for defining the playback volume are set in the sub-scenario table Sk at the start of the phrase playback in accordance with the setting of the phrase number (FIG. 15 (c)). )), It is also preferable to adopt a configuration in which this volume setting processing can be omitted. That is, since the volume setting value at the start of phrase playback is usually a fixed level (maximum value 80H), the volume setting at the start of phrase playback can be obtained by setting the volume to the maximum level in the refresh processing that operates periodically. Can be omitted. Note that, of course, the volume may be set again at the start of phrase playback for safety.

  FIG. 20B is a diagram for explaining the refresh processing A, and functions when the error operation is not in progress and the special notice effect is not being performed at the start of the fluctuation operation. As illustrated, in the refresh processing A, the primary volume V1 and the secondary volumes V2 and V3 are set to the maximum values for all the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH29. Therefore, no matter what value the volume setting value is set in the panning operation or the phase operation during the previous fluctuation operation, all the volume values are reset to the fixed values at the start of the fluctuation.

  In addition to the refresh processing of the volumes V1, V2, and V3, it is desirable to set the panpot ratio of all phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH29 to 0 dB: 0 dB. In any case, the refresh operation is executed via the simple access controller SAC, a series of SAC data for realizing a series of setting processing is prepared in the voice memory 43 in advance, and the voice command SND at the start of the fluctuation is prepared. This is realized by setting the SAC number in the voice control register RGj1 for SAC control.

  On the other hand, when an error notification is being performed or a special notice effect is being performed, the refresh processing A is skipped, so that the error notification operation and the notice operation are not adversely affected. Here, the special announcement effect means an operation of intentionally silencing the sound (mask process), such as a blackout effect in which the display screen darkens, and announcing the occurrence of the big hit state. In such special announcement effects, the primary volume V1 of the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH29 is masked to 00H (see FIG. 20E) to enhance the announcement effect.

  In the error notification operation, the total volume TV0 to TV2 is set to the maximum value shown in Table 1, the primary volume V1 of the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH29 is masked to 00H, and the total volume of the phrase reproduction channel CH29 is set. V1 to V3 are set to a maximum value of 80H (see FIG. 20D).

  In response to this operation, a unit effect for error notification is specified and specified in the phrase reproduction channel CH29 via the sub-scenario table Sk (see FIG. 15C). The non-existent loop error notification sound is muted on the phrase reproduction channel CH29 based on the reception of the error release command, and the primary volumes of the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH28 are set to the specified value ( 80H). These operations for starting and ending the error notification sound are realized by using the simple access controller SAC, similarly to the operations in FIGS. 20D and 20E.

  By the way, it is preferable that the refresh process is appropriately changed and used according to the types A to C of the gaming machine. FIGS. 20 (1) to 20 (3) show the fluctuation operation in three types (A to C) of gaming machines. In the model A, the main scenario Mj for a new BGM sound (BGMx or BGMy) is always registered in the progress management channel MCHm of the scenario progress table INFO_TBL at the start of the fluctuation (see FIG. 14D). The playback time of the BGM sound is preferably set to be longer than the operation time of the series of fluctuating operations. When the fluctuating stops, the BGM sound is muted through a fade-out operation, and the main time registered in the scenario progress table INFO_TBL. The scenario Mj is also deleted.

  On the other hand, in the model B and the model C, at the start of the fluctuation, it is determined whether or not any BGM sound is being reproduced on the phrase reproduction channels CH0 and CH1 with reference to the used CH management table PlayNow_TBL (FIG. 14E). You. Then, when the phrase reproduction channels CH0 and CH1 are stopped, that is, when there is no BGM sound being reproduced, the main scenario Mj for the new BGM sound is registered in the scenario progress table INFO_TBL, similarly to the model A. (FIG. 14 (d)).

  Since the execution duration Tm (FIG. 15 (b)) of the main scenario Mj is set to be very short, the main scenario Mj can be quickly read from the scenario progress table INFO_TBL (FIG. 14 (d)). It disappears (ST36 in FIG. 15). On the other hand, in the sub-scenario Sk specified by the main scenario Mj, BGM0 and BGM1 reproduced in a non-existent loop on the phrase reproduction channels CH0 and CH1 are specified. Reproduction of BGM1 continues.

  As described above, the case where the reproduction of BGM0 or BGM1 is newly started in the model B or the model C has been described. However, if any BGM sound is being reproduced in the phrase reproduction channels CH0 and CH1, nothing is performed. This is because, as described above, in the models B and C, the BGM sound is designated as an infinite loop in the sub-scenario table Sk (FIG. 15B) and is repeatedly and endlessly reproduced.

  These BGM sounds are muted in response to the reception of the demo command transmitted when it is determined that the player has left the seat. Specifically, based on the main scenario Mj registered in response to the reception of the demo command, for example, silent phrase data is overwritten on the phrase reproduction channels CH0 and CH1 a predetermined time after the reception of the demo command. (Mute processing), the reproduction of BGM0 and BGM1 ends.

  As described above, in the model B and the model C, the same BGM sound is reproduced endlessly as long as the player continues the game, but in the model C, the phase-out operation is executed from a timing slightly earlier than the fluctuation stop. When the fluctuation stops, the BGM sound is muted. Even in this mute state, the reproduction of the BGM sound is continued, so that the sound emission of the BGM sound is restarted based on the refresh processing A (FIG. 20B) executed at the start of the next fluctuation.

  Although the models A to C have been described above, the refresh processing A may be executed at a time other than the start of the change. The execution timing of the refresh processing A in the model A is (1) at the start of the fluctuation, (2) at the time of receiving the demo command, (3) after a predetermined time from the reception of the demo command, and (4) after a further time, the demo movie starts (5) Further, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. However, in the models B and C, (2) the timing of (1) and (3) to (5) since the reproduction of the BGM sound may be continued with sound or no sound when the demo command is received. Then, the refresh processing A is executed.

  It is also preferable to execute a refresh process B (see FIG. 20C) different from the refresh process A. In the refresh processing B, the primary volume V1 is set to 80H for all the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH29. The execution timing of the refresh processing B may be the above-described (2), (3), (4), and (5). Since there is no possibility that the secondary volumes V2 and V3 change at these timings, the refresh operation is performed only on the primary volume V1 which changes when an error is notified.

  As described above, by utilizing the simple access controller SAC, necessary refresh operation and mask operation can be repeated at necessary timing without imposing a control burden on the CPU.

  Next, in the present embodiment, for the sound effect channel SE, the advanced effect channel PAN, and the virtual channel VS, the arrangement channels are variably set, whereas the operation sound of the chance button and the winning sound of the game ball are set. The significance of using a dedicated phrase playback channel will be described. FIG. 21 is a time chart showing a mask process for appropriately silencing a winning sound and an operation valid sound.

  First, the winning sound reproduced on the phrase reproduction channel CH28 will be described. The prize sound is a sound effect indicating that the game ball has won the symbol starting port 15. If the prize is in the course of performing the fluctuating operation, the number of reserved balls displayed on the display device increases in accordance with the prize. It is configured to be. The number of reserved balls is the number of game balls that have been won during the execution of the fluctuation operation, and means the number of waiting for the jackpot lottery process. The number of reserved balls is transmitted from the main control unit 21 to the effect control unit 22. Is specified by the pending number command CMD.

  The emission of the prize sound and the increase in the number of reserved balls are meaningful for the player to confirm the prize, but since the prize of the game ball occurs randomly regardless of the progress of the staging operation, the release of the prize sound is performed. In some cases, the display of the sound and the number of reserved balls may hinder the effect operation (voice effect). For example, in the case of a reach image effect that wants to use a wide range of the display screen, the display area of the number of retained balls is an obstacle, and when it is desired to emit a special effect sound corresponding to the reach image effect, The BGM sound can be a hindrance.

  FIGS. 21 (a) to 21 (c) exemplify an operation state of such a reach effect. During a predetermined reach effect, the display area of the number of reserved balls is turned off (a hold non-display period). In the state where the BMG sound is muted (FIG. 21A), only the effect sounds SE1 and SE2 are emitted via the effect channel SE (FIG. 21B and FIG. 21C). The reason for adopting such control is to mute the BGM sound so that the effect sounds SE1 and SE2 are concentrated.

  Therefore, if a winning sound is emitted at this timing, the player will be distracted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, during the hold non-display period, the prize sound is masked by maintaining the primary volume V1 of the phrase reproduction channel CH28 at 00H (FIG. 21 (f)). By providing such a mask process, the winning sound is emitted in a silent state (see the broken line), and there is no need to avoid the sound emitting operation itself, so that the control load does not increase particularly. For the BGM sound, mask processing for setting the primary volume V1 of the phrase reproduction channels CH0 and CH1 to 00H is executed in synchronization with the start timing of the hold non-display period (FIG. 21A).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the mask process corresponding to the hold non-display period is executed, so that the player can concentrate on the effect sounds SE1 and SE2 of the effect channel SE. Further, since the BMG sound and the winning sound are reproduced using the determined phrase reproduction channels (CH0, CH1, CH28), it is not necessary to search for a phrase reproduction channel to be masked at the time of the mask operation, thereby increasing the control load. Nothing.

  In the example shown in the drawing, the masking process of the winning prize sound is canceled at the end of the hold non-display period, so that it is possible to confirm the increase in the number of spheres on hold on the display device and to listen to a new prize sound. it can. On the other hand, in the illustrated example, the masking process of the BGM sound is continued until the fluctuation stops, but there is no problem since the primary volume V1 is returned to the specified level by the refreshing process (FIG. 20) executed at an appropriate timing. Does not occur.

  Next, the operation valid sound reproduced on the phrase reproduction channel CH27 will be described. The operation effective sound of the button operation can be emitted at a predetermined timing based on the fact that the main scenario 1 (Table 2) for button effect is registered in the progress management channel MCHm of the scenario progress table INFO_TBL (FIG. 14). (D)). Further, in response to the chance button being pressed, another main scenario 2 (Table 2) is registered in the progress management channel MCHm.

  Although not particularly limited, the main scenario 1 is composed of two main scenarios 1 and 2. Specifically, as shown in Table 2, the sub-scenario 1 for specifying the sound effect 1 “Poon !!” generated in response to the appearance of the button image on the display device and the subsequent operation validity period are shown. A sub-scenario 2 for specifying a repeated sound effect 2 “picon, picon, picon,...”. The sound effect 2 is repeated in an infinite loop by designating a loop.

  On the other hand, the main scenario 2 is composed of a sound effect 3 to be executed when the chance button 11 is pressed and a sub-scenario 3 for specifying a silencing process. Here, the sound effect 3 means a sound effect performed on the lower channel SE2 in response to the button press. For the sake of convenience, in FIGS. 21C and 21D, the same sound effect is executed after the start of the fluctuation and during the reach effect. However, this is only for convenience and is actually described. A characteristic sound effect is executed according to each phase. Further, during the reach effect, the sound effect A up to that time is ended in response to the start of the main scenario 1.

  In any case, as shown in Table 2, in the present embodiment, it is necessary to specify the phrase reproduction channel CHn for reproducing each sound through the sub-scenarios 1 to 3. However, since the effective sound of the button operation is fixed to be reproduced on the phrase reproduction channel CH27, there is no need to search for an empty channel, and the new phrase number NUM is replaced with a predetermined voice. By simply overwriting the control register RGi, the sound effect can be easily switched.

  That is, the silence processing of sub-scenario 3 only needs to overwrite the phrase number NUMy of the silence data of an extremely short time (for example, 10 mS) on the audio control register RGi for specifying the reproduction phrase number NUM of the phrase reproduction channel CH27. By this overwriting operation, the phrase number NUMx of the sound effect 2 disappears, so that no matter how short the silent reproduction is, there is no possibility that the reproduction of the sound effect 2 will be restored thereafter. This point is the same in the case of the silence processing of the BGM sound in the phrase reproduction channels CH0 to CH1 ((2) and (3) in FIG. 20) and the case of the root processing of the error notification sound in the phrase reproduction channel CH29. .

  Further, in this embodiment, since the reproduction process of the operation valid sound is always executed on the phrase reproduction channel CH27, (1) a mask process for setting the primary volume V1 of the phrase reproduction channel CH27 to 00H, or (2) The phrase playback operation of the phrase playback channel CH27 may be forcibly terminated. However, in the former case, it is preferable to return the primary volume V1 to 80H after a predetermined time. In any case, the main scenario 1 in which the repetitive sound emitting operation of the sound effect 2 “picon” is indirectly specified (via the sub-scenario 2) is progress managed 300 * 16 mS after the start of the repetitive sound emitting operation. The data is erased from the channel MCHm (ST36 in FIG. 15).

  By the way, in addition to the above-described embodiment, it is also preferable to execute a sound effect linked to an image effect and a character effect effect for the notice effect. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating such a notice effect, in which the number and type of notice images drawn on the front side of the background image, the characters movable on the front side of the background image, and the volume of the BGM sound. Is shown.

  In this embodiment, the reliability of the announcement effect corresponds to the remaining area of the background image, the presence / absence of the accessory, and the presence / absence of movement. Specifically, (1) the larger the notice effect image, the smaller the background image area, and (2) the more prominent the character, the higher the reliability is configured. By reducing the volume of the BGM sound, the value of the notice production is emphasized. Note that the reliability means the possibility that the lottery result of the big hit lottery is a winning state.

  FIG. 22 schematically illustrates an example of specific effect contents, and shows a notice effect which is displayed together with the background image so as to be superimposed on the background image. Note that the vertical direction indicates a difference in the reliability, and the announcement effect 1 having a low reliability and the announcement effect 9 having a high reliability are sequentially illustrated in the vertical direction. The horizontal direction indicates an advanced type of the notice effect, and if the notice effect shifts to the right side, the reliability is improved accordingly.

  In this example, a notice effect in which a high school girl performs various actions is illustrated, but in the notice effect 1, one high school girl gives a message in a balloon portion, and then, in a developmental manner, another girl expresses a message. The high school students are writing messages in different balloons.

  Further, in the notice effect 2, when the stage starts from the preparation OK state (STEP 1), progresses from STEP 1 to STEP 2, the high school girl turns around (STEP 2), and further develops into STEP 3, and when the stage further develops into STEP 3, the notice effect is to meet another high school girl. . In the announcement effect of this embodiment, the reliability increases with each development, but the volume of the BGM sound is suppressed in response to the reduction in the area of the background image.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the BGM sound is reproduced on the phrase reproduction channels CH0 and CH1, which are dedicated channels, the volume is controlled to an appropriate volume by varying the primary volume V1. Unlike the fade effect in which the secondary volumes V2 and V3 are integrally controlled, in the present embodiment, the volume control at the time of the notice effect uses the primary volume V1, so even if the volume is finely controlled at a short timing, The control load does not particularly increase.

  Then, by increasing or increasing the size of the notice character, the BGM sound is reduced in volume in response to the background image being hidden, so that the effect of the advanced notice effect is further enhanced. However, only the BGM sounds of the phrase reproduction channels CH0 and CH1 are suppressed, and the other sound effects are emitted at an appropriate volume corresponding to the notice effect.

  Next, in the notice effect 3, the flash is released from the four corners to the center character, but the background image is almost hidden, so that the volume of the BGM sound is controlled to be lower than in the notice effect 2. The same applies to the following, and in the preview effects 4 to 6, the color of the preview image to be displayed and the type of the mini-character in which the preview image is redundantly displayed indicate a high degree of reliability. In response to the hiding of the image, the BGM sound is reduced in volume, further reduced in accordance with development, and silenced when the background image is completely hidden. In the preview effect 5 and the preview effect 6, the button chance state is set, and the preview effect may evolve to the right in response to the player pressing the chance button.

  Further, in the announcement effect 7 with higher reliability, the display frame located on the left side of the liquid crystal display screen starts to emit light, and for example, the character of “ring” starts to light or blink. Then, in the announcement effect 8 in which the reliability increases, a character (movable object) appears at the center, and the character “7” lights up. Then, in the notice effect 9 having the highest reliability, after the display screen suddenly darkens (dark notice), an eerie character appears in the center of the dark screen.

  In these announcement effects 7 to 9 with extremely high reliability, the BGM sound is silenced, while the sound effect corresponding to the announcement image is emitted on the effect channel SE. . For example, when the remaining date and time until the day of fate is seven days, a movable sound (such as a dokundkun) that intensifies a sense of urgency is reproduced while gradually increasing its volume in response to the movement of a movable object or the like ( Phase operation). At the time of the blackout notice, the reproduction sounds of all the phrase reproduction channels CHi are muted in response to the disappearance of the entire screen.

  The volume of the movable sound and the volume of the effect sound corresponding to the movement of the appearing character are set by appropriately controlling the secondary volumes V2 and V3 of the effect channel SE in any of the notice effects. On the other hand, since the BGM sound is muted or muted in the primary volume V1 of the phrase reproduction channels CH0 and CH1, the control is easy. That is, the volume of the BGM sound can be suppressed only by changing the set value of the primary volume V1, and when the notice effect is completed, the suppressed volume can be easily returned to the original level.

  Specifically, in this embodiment, the set value Vi is set to less than 80H at an attenuation rate of 20 * Log (Vi / 128). Therefore, the primary volume V1 of the phrase reproduction channels CH0 and CH1 can be suppressed to an arbitrary level of 128 steps from -0.07 dB to -∞dB (silence) in accordance with the reliability at the time of the announcement effect. . However, in practice, the suppression level (attenuation rate) is -6 dB or less.

  Further, in the present embodiment, all the reproduced sounds are muted in response to the disappearance of the screen of the display device at the time of the blackout notice. This muting process is performed on the primary volume V1 for all the phrase reproduced channels CHi. Is set to the minimum value (−∞dB), so that silencing control is easy.

  Although various embodiments have been described above in detail, none of the specific descriptions specifically limit the present invention.

  For example, in the multiplex sound effect described with reference to FIG. 9, the phrase reproduction channels of eight channels (CH14 to CH21) are used. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. And the same number of phrase playback channels may be used.

  FIG. 23 shows a case where five phrase playback channels are used in correspondence with five phrase numbers NUMa to NUMe, and the vocal sound, guitar sound, bass sound, left chorus sound, and right chorus sound are: Each phrase is reproduced on a different phrase reproduction channel (CH14, CH16, CH18, CH20, CH21).

  In the phrase reproduction channel CH14, the two left and right pans are set to 0 dB: 0 dB, while the upper and lower pans are set to 0 dB: -∞ dB, so that the vocal sound is emitted only from the upper left and right speakers ( FIG. 23 (c)).

  On the other hand, in the phrase reproduction channel CH16, the upper and lower pans are set to 0 dB: 0 dB and the two left and right pans are both set to 0 dB: -∞ dB. Sound is emitted (see FIG. 23 (c)).

  Conversely, in the phrase playback channel CH18, the upper and lower pans are set to 0 dB: 0 dB, and the two left and right pans are both set to -∞ dB: 0 dB. The bass sound is emitted (see FIG. 23 (c)).

  With respect to the other phrase reproduction channels CH20 and CH21 as well, the multiplex music performance shown in FIG. 23C is realized by appropriately setting the vertical pan and the horizontal pan. In addition, since the primary volume V1 and the secondary volume Vs (V2, V3) are each maintained at a specified value (for example, 0 dB), the voices of all parts are output together from the lower speaker. This is the same as in the embodiment of FIG.

  However, unlike the embodiment of FIG. 9, in the embodiment of FIG. 23, the above-described pan ratio setting processing is executed not via the sequencer SQ but via the simple access controller SAC. In the present embodiment, since four simple access controllers SAC0 to SAC3 are provided, by setting SAC0 to SAC3 to function simultaneously, the vertical pan ratio and the horizontal pan ratio of CH14, CH16, CH18, CH20, and CH21 are set. At the same timing. Therefore, in particular, the music performance can be started synchronously without using the off-trigger function of the sequencer SQ.

  Although various embodiments have been described above, the specific description does not limit the present invention in any way. That is, the voice control method exemplified in the embodiment can be suitably applied to not only the ball game machine but also other game machines such as the spinning game machine.

GM gaming machine CHn playback channel 42 voice synthesis means RGi voice control register 22 effect control means V1 first volume V2 second volume V3 third volume

Claims (1)

On the basis of a group of original sound data stored in the data storage means, a plurality of reproduction channels for reproducing a unit effect, a group of audio control registers capable of storing operation parameters for defining a reproduction operation of each reproduction channel, and the data and speech synthesis means having a first set controller and a second set controller, capable of executing the setting operation of the audio control register reads a set of control data stored in the storage means,
By directly setting a predetermined operation parameter in a predetermined sound control register or by setting the sound synthesis means, the operation of one or a plurality of reproduction channels is controlled, and the sound by one or a plurality of unit effects is produced. And a production control means for realizing the production,
The group of control data is configured to be associated with a register address that specifies an audio control register and a set value to the audio control register, terminated with a predetermined end code, and specified by a predetermined identification number,
The first setting controller and the second setting controller perform a setting operation corresponding to the group of control data when a predetermined start instruction including the identification number is set in a specific special register included in the audio control register. Configured to run,
Unlike the first setting controller, the second setting controller is configured to be able to execute a plurality of steps of intermittently startable setting operations as one setting operation specified by the identification number,
The reproduction channel includes an effect channel in which the number of channels used increases according to a game state, and the operation of reproducing the effect channel is started by setting the start instruction in the specific special register. A gaming machine characterized in that it is configured to be operated.