JP7101649B2 - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that performs a lottery process due to a gaming operation and executes an image effect corresponding to the lottery result, and more particularly to a gaming machine that can stably execute a powerful image effect.

A ball game machine such as a pachinko machine is equipped with a symbol start port provided on the game board, a symbol display unit that displays a series of symbol variation modes by a plurality of display symbols, and a large winning opening for opening and closing the opening / closing plate. It is composed of. Then, when the detection switch provided at the symbol start port detects the passage of the game ball, the winning state is set, and after the game ball is paid out as the prize ball, the displayed symbol is changed for a predetermined time on the symbol display unit. After that, when the symbol is stopped in a predetermined mode such as 7, 7, 7, a big hit state is reached, and the big winning opening is repeatedly opened to generate a game state advantageous to the player.

Whether or not to generate such a game state is determined by a big hit lottery executed on the condition that the game ball wins at the symbol start opening, and the above symbol variation operation is based on this lottery result. It has become a thing. For example, when the lottery result is in the winning state, an effect operation called a reach action or the like is executed for about 20 seconds, and then special symbols are arranged. On the other hand, the same reach action may be executed even in the case of a lost state, and in this case, the player pays close attention to the transition of the staging operation while strongly paying attention to the big hit state. Then, if the predetermined symbols are aligned on the stop line at the end of the symbol variation operation, the player is guaranteed to be in the big hit state.

JP-A-2017-093633 JP-A-2017-093632 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-159030 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-159029

In this type of gaming machine, there is a high demand for complicated and abundant various effects, especially for image effects. Therefore, although the applicant has made various proposals (Cited Documents 1 to 4), further sophistication of image staging and further improvement of various staging control operations centered on image staging control have been made. This is where it is desired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine in which various effect control operations centered on image effect control are further improved.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention sets a CPU that executes program processing, a DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) circuit that is controlled and operated by the CPU, and a setting value that defines the operation of the DMAC circuit. The CPU circuit is provided with a CPU circuit having an operation control register and the CPU controls all or part of the effect operations of the lamp effect, the motor effect, the sound effect, and the image effect. The memory space located outside the and accessible from the CPU is first accessed after the CPU is reset, and stores a boot space composed of non-volatile memory and an effect control program that realizes a predetermined effect operation. A program space composed of a possible volatile memory and an initial setting program stored in the boot space are realized by appropriately operating the DMAC circuit, and the effect control program is provided. The first means for DMA transfer to the program space and the effect control program DMA transferred by the first means are realized by appropriately operating the DMAC circuit, and the data necessary for the effect operation is transferred by DMA. The DMAC circuit is configured to include, and is divided into a plurality of channel circuits in which parallel operation is possible and priority is defined, and DMA transfer in the case where a plurality of channel circuits operate in parallel. As a condition, one or a plurality of modes of arbitration mode in which channel arbitration is performed based on the priority at each predetermined timing during the transfer operation and a non-stop mode in which the channel arbitration is not performed during the transfer operation are set based on the setting in the operation control register. It is configured to be selectable, and the transfer operation of the first means is set to be executed in the non-stop mode .
Further, the present invention includes a CPU that executes program processing, a DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) circuit that is controlled and operated by the CPU, and an operation control register in which a setting value that defines the operation of the DMAC circuit is set. The CPU is a gaming machine that controls all or part of the effect operations of the lamp effect, the motor effect, the sound effect, and the image effect, and is located outside the CPU circuit. The memory space accessible from the CPU is a boot space that is first accessed after the CPU is reset and is composed of a non-volatile memory, and a volatile memory that can store an effect control program that realizes a predetermined effect operation. The configured program space and the initial setting program stored in the boot space are realized by appropriately operating the DMAC circuit, and the effect control program is DMA-transferred to the program space. A second means for DMA transfer of data necessary for the effect operation, which is realized by appropriately operating the DMAC circuit by the effect control program DMA-transferred by the first means. The DMAC circuit is divided into a plurality of channel circuits whose priorities are defined so that the DMAC circuit can be operated in parallel, and the DMAC circuit is being transferred as a DMA transfer condition when the plurality of channel circuits are operated in parallel. One or more modes of arbitration mode in which channel arbitration is performed based on the priority at each predetermined timing, and a non-stop mode in which channel arbitration is not performed during the transfer operation are configured to be selectable based on the setting in the operation control register. Therefore , the transfer operation of the second means is set to be executed in any operation mode included in the arbitration mode.

According to the present invention described above, during the effect operation, the effect control program DMA-transferred to the program space composed of the volatile memory functions, so that higher-speed processing becomes possible than when the effect control program functions in the non-volatile memory. Further, since DMA is used for data transfer, the load on the CPU is reduced.

It is a perspective view which shows the pachinko machine of this Example. It is a front view which shows the gaming area of the gaming machine of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the whole circuit composition of the gaming machine of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the staging control unit in a little detail about the gaming machine of FIG. It is a drawing explaining the composite chip which constitutes the staging control part. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the CPU circuit shown in FIG. The memory map of the built-in CPU (effect control CPU) of the CPU circuit is illustrated. It is a drawing explaining various transfer operation modes (a)-(b) and transfer operation procedure (c)-(e) about DMAC. It is a drawing explaining an index space, an index table, a virtual drawing space, and a drawing area. It is a block diagram which described the internal structure of a data transfer circuit together with the related circuit structure. It is a block diagram which described the internal structure of a display circuit together with the related circuit structure. It is a flowchart explaining the power reset operation after the CPU reset. It is a flowchart explaining the memory section initialization process which is a part of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the main control process and interrupt process which are a part of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the initialization process of CGROM which is a part of the main control process. It is a flowchart explaining a part of the processing contents about another interrupt processing. It is a flowchart explaining the control operation of the staging control CPU 63 when the preloader is not used. It is a drawing explaining the structure of a display list. It is a flowchart which shows the DL issue process which issues a display list DL. It is a flowchart explaining the operation when DMAC is involved in the operation of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the operation following the process of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the control operation of the staging control CPU 63 about the case of using a preloader. It is a flowchart explaining a part of FIG. 22. It is a flowchart explaining another part of FIG. It is a time chart which shows the operation of each part of VDP about the Example which does not use a preloader. It is a time chart which shows the operation of each part of VDP about the Example which uses the preloader. It is a block diagram which shows the whole circuit composition about another Example. It is a block diagram which shows a part of FIG. 27 in a little detail. It is a flowchart explaining the operation content about another Example. It is a drawing explaining still another embodiment. It is a figure explaining an embodiment which sets a setting value repeatedly. It is a drawing explaining the circuit structure of the Example which uses the built-in voice circuit. It is a flowchart explaining the initial setting operation of a voice circuit. It is a figure explaining another embodiment about the power reset operation after a CPU reset. It is a time chart which shows an example of a memory READ operation and a memory WRITE operation.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the pachinko machine GM of this embodiment. This pachinko machine GM consists of a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 1 that is detachably attached to the island structure and a front frame 3 that is pivotally attached to the outer frame 1 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 not from the back side but from the front side, and a glass door 6 and a front plate 7 are pivotally attached to the front side thereof so as to be openable and closable.

Illuminations lamps such as LED lamps are arranged in a substantially C shape on the outer periphery of the glass door 6. On the other hand, a total of three speakers are arranged at the upper left and right positions and the lower side of the glass door 6. The two speakers arranged at the upper part are configured to output the sound of the left and right channels R and L, respectively, and the lower speaker is configured to output the bass sound.

An upper plate 8 for storing a game ball for launch is mounted on the front plate 7, and a lower plate 9 for storing a game ball overflowing or extracted from the upper plate 8 and a launch handle are at the lower part of the front frame 3. 10 is provided. The launch handle 10 is interlocked with the launch motor, and the game ball is launched by a hitting mallet that operates according to the rotation angle of the launch 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 by the player's left hand, 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 normally, but when the game state becomes the button chance state, the built-in lamp is turned on and the operation is possible. The button chance state is a game state provided as needed.

Further, a rotary switch type volume switch VLSW is arranged below the chance button 11, and the player operates the volume switch VLSW to change the level from silence level (= 0) to the highest level (= 7). The speaker volume can be adjusted in 8 steps. The volume of the speaker is initially set by a setting switch (not shown) that can be operated only by the staff, and the initial set volume is maintained unless the player operates the volume switch VLSW. In addition, the abnormality notification sound for notifying that an abnormal situation has occurred is emitted at the maximum volume regardless of the initial set volume by the staff or the set volume of the player.

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

As shown in FIG. 2, on the surface of the game board 5, a guide rail 13 composed of an outer rail and an inner rail made of metal is provided in an annular shape, and a central opening HO is provided in the substantially center thereof. A movable effect body (not shown) is stored under the central opening HO in a concealed state, and at the time of the movable notice effect, the movable effect body rises and becomes an exposed state, so that the predetermined reliability is achieved. The notice production is realized. Here, the advance notice effect is an effect of uncertainly notifying the player that a jackpot state advantageous to the player will be invited, and the reliability of the advance notice effect means the probability that the big hit state will be invited.

A main display device DS1 composed of a large (for example, 1280 horizontal × 1024 vertical pixels) liquid crystal color display (LCD) is arranged in the central opening HO, and a small size (for example, horizontal) is arranged on the right side of the main display device DS1. A movable sub-display device DS2 composed of a liquid crystal color display (480 × 800 pixels in height) is arranged. The main display device DS1 is a device that displays a specific symbol related to a jackpot state in a variable manner and displays a background image, various characters, and the like in an animation manner. The display device DS1 has a special symbol display unit Da to Dc in the central portion and a normal symbol display unit 19 in the upper right portion. Then, in the special symbol display units Da to Dc, a reach effect that is expected to invite a big hit state may be executed, and an appropriate notice effect or the like is executed in the special symbol display units Da to Dc and its surroundings.

Normally, the sub-display device DS2 displays image information in a stationary state in which the display screen is tilted at an angle that is easy for the player to see. However, at the time of the predetermined advance notice effect, the predetermined advance notice image is displayed while moving to the left side of the figure while changing the inclination angle to an angle that is easy for the player to see.

That is, the sub-display device DS2 of the embodiment is not only a display device but also functions as a movable staging body that executes a warning staging. Here, the notice effect by the sub-display device DS2 is set with high reliability, and the player pays attention to the moving operation of the sub-display device DS2 with great expectation.

By the way, in the game area where the game ball falls and moves, the first symbol start opening 15a, the second symbol start opening 15b, the first big winning opening 16a, the second big winning opening 16b, the normal winning opening 17, and the gate 18 Are arranged. Each of these winning openings 15 to 18 has a detection switch inside, so that the passage of a game ball can be detected.

At the upper part of the first symbol start port 15a, an effect stage 14 configured to be able to win a prize in the first symbol start port 15 is arranged after the game ball entering from the introduction port IN moves in a seesaw shape or a roulette shape. There is. Then, when the game ball wins a prize in the first symbol start opening 15, the special symbol display units Da to Dc are configured to start the variable operation.

The second symbol start port 15b is configured to be opened and closed by an electric tulip equipped with a pair of left and right opening / closing claws, and when the stop symbol after the change of the normal symbol display unit 19 displays a hit symbol, it is predetermined. The opening / closing claws are opened only for a time or until a predetermined number of game balls are detected.

The normal symbol display unit 19 displays a normal symbol, and when a game ball that has passed through the gate 18 is detected, the normal symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time and is extracted at the time when the game ball passes through the gate 18. The stop symbol determined by the lottery random value is displayed and stopped.

The first big winning opening 16a is configured to have a slide board that advances and retreats in the front-rear direction, and the second big winning opening 16b is configured to have an opening / closing plate whose lower end is pivotally supported and opened forward. .. The operation of the first big winning opening 16a and the second big winning opening 16b is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the first big winning opening 16a corresponds to the first symbol starting opening 15a and the second big winning opening. 16b is configured to correspond to the first symbol start port 15b.

That is, when the game ball wins in the first symbol start opening 15a, the variable operation of the special symbol display units Da to Dc is started, and then when the predetermined jackpot symbols are aligned with the special symbol display portions Da to Dc, the first jackpot The barrel special game is started, and the slide board of the first large winning opening 16a is opened forward to facilitate the winning of the game ball.

On the other hand, as a result of the variable operation started by winning the game ball to the second symbol start opening 15b, when the predetermined jackpot symbols are aligned with the special symbol display units Da to Dc, the second jackpot special game is started and the second jackpot is started. The opening / closing plate of the two major winning openings 16b is opened to facilitate the winning of the game ball. The game value of the special game (big hit state) varies depending on the big hit symbols that are lined up, but which game value is given is determined in advance based on the lottery result according to the winning timing of the game ball. It is determined.

In a typical big hit state, the opening / closing plate closes when a predetermined time elapses after the opening / closing plate of the large winning opening 16 is opened, or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls win a prize. Such an operation is continued up to, for example, 15 times, and is controlled in a state advantageous to the player. If the stop symbol after the change of the special symbol display units Da to Dc is a specific symbol among the special symbols, there is a privilege that the game after the end of the special game is in a high probability state (probability change state). Granted.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall circuit configuration of the pachinko machine GM that realizes each of the above-mentioned operations, and FIG. 4A is a detailed diagram of a part thereof.

As shown in FIG. 3, this pachinko machine GM has a power supply board 20 that receives AC24V and outputs various DC voltages, power supply abnormality signals ABN1 and ABN2, and a main control board 21 that is centrally responsible for game control operations. , An effect interface board 22 equipped with a circuit element SND for sound effect, and an effect control board 23 that uniformly executes lamp effect, sound effect, and image effect based on the control command CMD received from the main control board 21. The game ball is paid out by controlling the payout motor M based on the liquid crystal interface board 24 located between the effect control board 23 and the display devices DS1 and DS2 and the control command CMD'received from the main control board 21. It is mainly composed of a payout control board 25 and a launch control board 26 that launches a game ball in response to a player's operation.

In the case of this embodiment, the staging interface board 22, the staging control board 23, and the liquid crystal interface board 24 are directly connected to the male connector and the female connector without going through a wiring cable. Therefore, even if the circuit configuration of each electronic circuit is complicated and sophisticated, the storage space of the entire substrate can be minimized, and noise resistance can be improved by minimizing the connection line.

As shown in the figure, the control command CMD'output by the main control board 21 is transmitted to the payout control board 25 via the main board relay board 33. On the other hand, the control command CMD output by the main control board 21 is transmitted to the staging control board 23 via the staging interface board 22. The control commands CMD and CMD'are both 16-bit lengths, but are transmitted in parallel in two batches every 8-bit length.

A computer circuit including a one-chip microcomputer is mounted on the main control board 21 and the payout control board 25. Further, the staging control board 23 is equipped with a composite chip 50 having a built-in computer circuit such as a VDP circuit (Video Display Processor) 52 and a built-in CPU circuit 51. Therefore, these control boards 21, 25, 23, the circuits mounted on the staging interface board 22 and the liquid crystal interface board 24, and the operations realized by the circuits are functionally collectively referred to in the present specification. , The main control unit 21, the staging control unit 23, and the payout control unit 25. The staging control unit 23 and the payout control unit 25 serve as sub-control units for the main control unit 21.

Further, the pachinko machine GM is roughly classified into a frame-side member GM1 surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 3 and a board-side member GM2 fixed to the back surface of the game board 5. The frame-side member GM 1 includes a front frame 3 to which a glass door 6 and a front plate 7 are pivotally attached, and a wooden outer frame 1 on the outside thereof. 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. All except the frame-side member 1 are board-side members GM2.

As shown in the broken line frame of FIG. 3, the frame-side member GM 1 includes a power supply board 20, a payout control board 25, a launch control board 26, and a frame relay board 36, and these circuit boards include. Each of the front frames 3 is fixed in place. On the other hand, on the back surface of the game board 5, a main control board 21 and an effect control board 23 are fixed together with display devices DS1 and DS2 and other circuit boards. The frame-side member GM1 and the board-side member GM2 are electrically connected by connection connectors C1 to C4 centrally arranged at one location.

The power supply board 20 is connected to the main board relay board 33 through the connection connector C2, and is connected to the power supply relay board 34 through the connection connector C3. The power supply board 20 is provided with a power supply monitoring unit MNT that monitors the on / off of the AC power supply. When the power supply monitoring unit MNT detects that the AC power supply is cut off, the power supply abnormality signals ABN1 and ABN2 are immediately transitioned to the L level. The power supply abnormality signals ABN1 and ABN2 immediately reach the H level after the power is turned on.

The main board relay board 33 outputs the power supply abnormality signal ABN1, the backup power supply BAK, and DC5V, DC12V, DC35V output from the power supply board 20 to the main control unit 21 as they are. Further, the power supply relay board 34 outputs the AC and DC power supply voltages DC5V, DC12V, and DC35V received from the power supply board 20 to the staging interface board 22 as they are.

As shown in the figure, the effect interface board 22 is equipped with a voice circuit SND such as a voice processor 27, and the effect control board 23 is a composite chip 50 in which a computer circuit such as a VDP circuit 52 and a built-in CPU circuit 51 is built. Is installed. Hereinafter, the built-in CPU circuit may be abbreviated as a CPU circuit.

The effect interface board 22 is equipped with reset circuits RST3 and RST4 that detect an increase in the power supply voltage and generate various reset signals RT3 and RT4 when the power is turned on. First, the reset circuit RST3 generates a reset signal RT3 based on the DC voltages 12V and 5V distributed from the power supply board 20. Then, the reset signal RT3 resets the power supply of only the voice memory 28 and is transmitted to the staging control board 23 as it is.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the reset signal RT3 transmitted to the effect control board 23 is AND-calculated with the output of the WDT (Watch Dog Timer) circuit 58 at the AND gate G1, and is used as the system reset signal SYS in the CPU circuit. The power supply of 51 and the VDP circuit 52 is reset (see FIGS. 4A and 4D).

The reset signal RT3 generated by the reset circuit RST3 rises to the H level after maintaining the L level as the power reset signal for a predetermined time after the power is turned on. However, after that, when any one or more of the DC voltage 12V or the DC voltage 5V drops (usually when the power is cut off), the system reset signal SYS also drops to the L level in response to the level drop of the reset signal RT3. Therefore, the CPU circuit 51 and the VDP circuit 52 of the effect control board 23 are stopped in operation.

Since this system reset signal SYS also changes based on the output of the WDT circuit 58 (H level at normal times), the output of the WDT circuit 58 is output due to a program runaway or the like when the reset signal RT3 = H. Corresponding to the drop to the L level, the system reset signal SYS also changes to the L level, and the CPU circuit 51 and the VDP circuit 52 are abnormally reset (see FIG. 4D).

On the other hand, the reset circuit RST4 generates a reset signal RT4 based on 3.3V generated by dropping 5V distributed from the power supply board 20. This reset signal RT4 power-resets the voice processor 27 as a power-reset signal when the power is turned on.

As shown in the figure, the reset circuit RST4 is also supplied with the system reset signal SYS returned from the effect control board 23, so that when the CPU circuit 51 or the VDP circuit 52 is abnormally reset, it synchronizes with the abnormal reset of these circuits. Then, the voice processor 27 is also abnormally reset. As a result, the audio effect returns to the initial state together with the image effect and the lamp effect, and there is no possibility that the unnatural audio effect will continue.

Next, the payout control board 25, which is a frame-side member GM1, is directly connected to the power supply board 20 without going through a relay board, and receives the same power supply abnormality signal ABN2 and backup power supply BAK as received by the main control unit 21. Received with the power supply voltage of. Further, the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 25 are respectively equipped with reset circuits RST1 and RST2, and are configured to generate a power reset signal when the power is turned on and reset the power of each computer circuit. ..

As described above, in this embodiment, the reset circuits RST1 to RST4 are arranged on the main control unit 21, the payout control unit 25, and the staging interface board 22, respectively, and the system reset signal SYS is transmitted between the circuit boards. Not transmitted. That is, since there is no wiring cable for transmitting the system reset signal SYS, the possibility that the computer circuit is abnormally reset due to the noise superimposed on the wiring cable is eliminated.

However, the reset circuits RST1 and RST2 provided in the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 25 each have a built-in watchdog timer, and do not receive a regular clear pulse from the CPUs of the control units 21 and 25. In that case, each CPU is forcibly reset.

Further, an initialization switch SW that can be operated by a staff member is arranged in the main control unit 21, and a RAM clear signal CLR indicating whether or not the initialization switch SW is turned ON is output when the power is turned on. It is configured. This RAM clear signal CLR is transmitted to the one-chip microcomputers of the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 25, and determines whether or not to initialize the entire area of the built-in RAM of the one-chip microcomputers of the control units 21 and 25. ing.

Further, the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 25 receive the power supply abnormality signals ABN1 and ABN2 from the power supply board 20 to start necessary termination processing prior to a power failure or business termination. Further, the backup power supply BAK is a DC 5V DC power supply that retains the data of the built-in RAM of the one-chip microcomputer of the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 25 even after the AC power supply 24V is cut off due to the closing of business or a power failure. Therefore, the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 25 can restart the game operation before the power is cut off after the power is turned on (power backup function). This pachinko machine is designed to retain the stored contents of the RAM of each one-chip microcomputer for at least several days.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main control unit 21 receives from the payout control unit 25 a prize ball counting signal indicating a payout operation of a game ball, a status signal CON related to an abnormality in the payout operation, and an operation start signal BGN. There is. The status signal CON includes, for example, a supply shortage signal, a payout shortage error signal, and a lower plate full signal. The operation start signal BGN is a signal for notifying the main control unit 21 that the initial operation of the payout control unit 25 is completed after the power is turned on.

Further, the main control unit 21 is connected to each game component of the game board 5 via the game board relay board 32. Then, while receiving the switch signal of the detection switch built in each of the winning openings 16 to 18 on the game board, it drives solenoids such as electric tulips. The solenoids and the detection switch are configured to operate at the power supply voltage VB (12V) distributed from the main control unit 21. Further, each switch signal indicating the winning state of the symbol start port 15 is converted into a TTL level or CMOS level switch signal by an interface IC operating at a power supply voltage VB (12V) and a power supply voltage Vcc (5V). After that, it is transmitted to the main control unit 21.

As described above, the effect interface board 22, the effect control board 23, and the liquid crystal interface board 24 are integrated by connecting the connectors, and the effect interface board 22 is powered via the power supply relay board 34. Each level of DC voltage (5V, 12V, 35V) is received from the substrate 20 (see FIGS. 3 and 4A). The DC voltage of 12V is a power supply voltage of the digital amplifier 29 and is used as a driving voltage of an LED lamp or the like. Further, the DC voltage 35V is used as a driving voltage of the motor.

On the other hand, the DC voltage 5V is supplied as the power supply voltage of the circuit elements of the effect interface board 22 and is supplied to the two DC / DC converters DC1 and DC2 to generate 3.3V and 1.0V (). See FIG. 4 (a)). The generated direct current voltages of 3.3 V and 1.0 V are supplied to the voice processor 27 as power supply voltages for I / O (input / output) and for the chip core, respectively. Further, the DC voltage 3.3V is the basic voltage of the power supply reset signal RT4 generated by the reset circuit RST4.

The DC voltage 5V distributed to the staging interface board 22 is distributed to the staging control board 23 together with 3.3V generated by the DC / DC converter DC1. Then, the DC voltage 3.3V distributed on the staging control board 23 is supplied to the composite chip 50, the PROM 53, and the CGROM 55 as the power supply voltage.

As shown in FIG. 4A, two DC / DC converters DC3 and DC4 are arranged on the staging control board 23, and 1.5V and 1.05V are arranged based on the DC voltage 5V supplied to each. Is being generated. Here, the DC voltage of 1.05 V is the power supply voltage for the chip core of the composite chip 50, and the DC voltage of 1.5 V is the power supply voltage for I / O (input / output) with the DRAM 54. Therefore, the DC voltage of 1.5V is also supplied to the DRAM 54 as a power supply voltage.

As shown in FIG. 3, the staging interface board 22 receives the control command CMD and the strobe signal STB from the main control unit 21 and transfers them to the staging control board 23. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the control command CMD and the strobe signal STB are transferred to the composite chip 50 (CPU circuit 51) of the staging control board 23 via the input buffer 40. .. Here, the strobe signal STB is a receive interrupt signal IRQ_CMD, and the effect control CPU 63 acquires a control command CMD based on an interrupt processing program (interrupt handler) activated by receiving the receive interrupt signal IRQ_CMD.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the input buffer 44 of the staging interface board 22 receives the chance button 11 and the switch signal of the volume switch VLSW from the frame relay boards 35 and 36, and outputs each switch signal to the CPU of the staging control board 23. It is transmitted to the circuit 51. Specifically, a 3-bit length of the encoder output indicating the contact position (0 to 7) of the volume switch VLSW and a 1-bit length indicating the ON / OFF state of the chance button 11 are transmitted to the CPU circuit 51.

Further, the lamp drive board 30 and the motor lamp drive board 31 are connected to the effect interface board 22, and are also connected to the lamp drive board 37 via the frame relay boards 35 and 36. As shown in the figure, the output buffer 42 is arranged corresponding to the lamp drive board 30, and the input buffer 43a and the output buffer 43b are arranged corresponding to the motor lamp drive board 31. In FIG. 4A, for convenience, the input buffer 43a and the output buffer 43b are collectively referred to as an input / output buffer 43. The input buffer 43a receives the outputs SN0 to SNn of the origin sensor that grasps the current position (rotational position of the effect motors M1 to Mn) of the accessory that is the movable effect body, and transmits the output to the CPU circuit 51 of the effect control board 23. There is.

A driver IC of the same type is mounted on the lamp drive board 30, the motor lamp drive board 31, and the lamp drive board 37, and the effect interface board 22 receives a serial signal received from the effect control board 23 for each driver IC. Transferring to. Specifically, the serial signal is a lamp (motor) drive signal SDAT and a clock signal CK, and the drive signal SDAT is transmitted to each driver IC by a clock synchronization method, and a large number of LED lamps and illuminated lamps are used for lamp production. , The effect effect is executed by the effect motors M1 to Mn.

In the case of this embodiment, the lamp effect is executed by the lamp groups CH0 to CH2 of the three systems, and the lamp drive board 37 clocks the lamp drive signal SDAT0 of CH0 via the frame relay boards 35 and 36. Received in synchronization with signal CK0. The series of lamp drive signals SDAT0 transmitted as serial signals are simultaneously updated in the lighting state by being output from the driver IC to the lamp group CH0 at the timing when the operation control signal ENABLE0 changes to the active level.

The above points are the same for the lamp drive board 30, the driver IC of the lamp drive board 30 receives the lamp drive signal SDAT1 of the lamp group CH1 in synchronization with the clock signal CK1, and the operation control signal ENABLE1 is at the active level. At the timing when it changes to, the lighting state of the lamp group CH1 is updated all at once.

On the other hand, the driver IC mounted on the motor lamp drive board 31 receives the lamp drive signal transmitted in the clock synchronous manner to drive the lamp group CH2, and also receives the motor drive signal transmitted in the clock synchronous manner to drive the lamp group CH2. It drives the effect motor groups M1 to Mn composed of a plurality of stepping motors. The lamp drive signal and the motor drive signal are a series of serial signals SDAT2, which are serially transmitted in synchronization with the clock signal CK1. Then, the drive states of the lamp group CH2 and the motor groups M1 to Mn are updated.

Subsequently, the voice circuit SND will be described. As shown in FIG. 4A, the effect interface board 22 includes a voice processor (voice synthesis circuit) 27 that reproduces a voice signal based on an instruction received from the CPU circuit 51 (effect control CPU 63) of the effect control board 23. A voice memory 28 for storing compressed voice data, which is the original data of the voice signal to be reproduced, and a digital amplifier 29 for receiving the voice signal output from the voice processor 27 are mounted.

The voice processor 27 is configured by incorporating a WDT circuit that automatically resets the set value of the internal circuit to a default value (initial value) when the internal circuit operates abnormally, and a voice control register SRG. Then, the voice processor 27 accesses the voice memory 28 based on the operation parameter (set value by the voice command) received from the effect control CPU 63 to the voice control register SRG, and reproduces and outputs the necessary voice signal. ..

As shown in FIG. 4A, the voice processor 27 and the voice memory 28 are connected by a voice address bus having a length of 26 bits and a voice data bus having a length of 16 bits. Therefore, 1 Gbit (= ²²⁶ * 16) of data can be stored in the voice memory 28.

The voice control register SRG is divided into register banks 1 to register banks 6, and each is specified by a register number of 00H to FFH. Therefore, the predetermined setting operation is realized by specifying the register bank and then writing the operation parameter of 1 byte length to the voice control register SRG of the predetermined register number (1 byte length) by the effect control CPU 63. To.

In the case of this embodiment, the register numbers (00H to FFH) of the voice control register SRG correspond to the address space CS3 of the effect control CPU 63. For example, the operation parameter YYH is set in the voice control register SRG of the register number XXH. In this case, the effect control CPU 63 writes XXH in the zero address of the address space CS3, and then writes YYH in the first address. That is, the staging control CPU 63 writes XXH and YYH to the data bus in this order. In the present specification, the subscript H and the prefix of 0X / 0x indicate that the numerical value is displayed in hexadecimal.

Further, in the present specification, the address spaces CS0 to CS7 refer to the external memory for the CPU circuit 51 in which the memory type including the presence or absence of volatility and the data bus width (8/16/32 bits) can be specified respectively. Means (excluding internal memory). The address spaces CS0 to CS7 are selected by different chip select signals CS0 to CS7, and are configured to be configurable so that the READ / WRITE control signal functioning at the time of READ / WRITE access can be optimized according to the memory type. This setting operation is executed for the bus state controller 66.

FIG. 4E illustrates the setting operation of the sound register SRG by the effect control CPU 63, and shows the contents of the 2-bit length address bus A1-A0 and the 1-byte length data bus D7-D0. There is. In this embodiment, the chip select signal CS3 is set at power-on so that it is automatically activated when accessing the address space CS3. This point will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 12.

In any case, in the case of this embodiment, the compressed voice data stored in the voice memory 28 is phrase compressed data specified by the phrase number NUM (000H to 1FFFH) having a length of 13 bits, and is a series of backgrounds. A maximum of 8192 types (= 2 ¹³ ) of music songs (BGM) and a set of directing sounds (notice sounds) are stored corresponding to the phrase number NUM. The phrase number NUM is specified by a set value (operation parameter) of a voice command transmitted from the effect control CPU 63 to the voice control register SRG of the voice processor 27.

As described above, the voice memory 28 having the above configuration is power-reset by the reset signal RT3, and the voice processor 27 is power-reset by the reset signal RT4. As shown in FIG. 4C, the reset signal RT4 rises to the H level after a predetermined assert period ASRT (L level section) after the power is turned on. In this embodiment, after that, the internal circuit of the voice processor 27 rises. Is configured to function automatically to perform the initialization sequence process. Note that this initialization sequence processing is an internal operation executed by a predetermined procedure, and the staging control CPU 63 cannot access the voice register SRG during the operation of the initialization sequence processing.

Then, when the initialization sequence processing, which is an internal operation, is completed, the interrupt signal IRQ_SND for the CPU circuit 51 changes to the L level, and the CPU circuit 51 (effect control CPU 63) executes the interrupt processing program based on the interrupt signal IRQ_SND. Then, the interrupt signal IRQ_SND is returned to the H level based on a predetermined instruction, and the details thereof will be described later with reference to FIG. 14 (c).

As shown in FIG. 4A, the data bus and address bus of the CPU circuit 51 of the effect control unit 23 extend to the clock circuit (real time clock) 38 and the effect data memory 39 mounted on the liquid crystal interface board 24. I'm sorry. The clock circuit 38 is connected to the lower 4 bits of the address bus of the CPU circuit 51 and the lower 4 bits of the data bus. When the clock circuit 38 is selected by the chip select signal CS4, the CPU circuit 51 has a (4 bit length). It is configured to allow arbitrary access to internal registers (which have an address value).

Further, the effect data memory 39 is a memory element SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) that can be accessed at high speed, and is connected to 16 bits of the address bus of the CPU circuit 51 and 16 bits of the lower 16 bits of the data bus, and is connected to the chip select signal CS4. In the state where the chip is selected in, the game record information and the like stored in the SRAM (effect data memory) 39 are appropriately R / W accessed from the CPU circuit 51. In the address space CS4 selected by the chip select signal CS4, addresses 0 to 15 are numbered in the clock circuit 38, and are not used in SRAM 39.

The clock circuit 38 and the effect data memory 39 are driven by a secondary battery (not shown), and the secondary battery is appropriately charged by the power supply voltage from the power supply board 20 during the game operation. Therefore, even after the power is cut off, the timekeeping operation of the clock circuit 38 is continued, and the game performance information stored in the effect data memory 39 is permanently stored and retained (non-volatileity is imparted). The clock circuit (RTC) 38 is configured to be able to output an interrupt signal IRQ_RTC to the CPU circuit 51 (RTC interrupt). This RTC interrupt includes an alarm interrupt that can specify the day, day, hour, minute, and second, and a timer interrupt that is activated after a predetermined time has elapsed. It utilizes alarm interrupts that update game performance information.

As shown on the right side of FIG. 4A, the effect control board 23 includes a composite chip 50 incorporating a CPU circuit 51 and a VDP circuit 52, a control memory (PROM) 53 for storing a control program of the CPU circuit 51, and a control memory (PROM) 53. It is equipped with a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 54 that can access a large amount of data at high speed, and a CGROM 55 that stores a large amount of CG data required for effect control.

As will be described later with respect to FIG. 7, the control memory (PROM) 53 is positioned in the address space CS0 selected by the chip select signal CS0 in this embodiment. Further, the DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 54 composed of DDR (Double-Data-Rate 3) is positioned in the address space CS5 selected by the chip select signal CS5.

FIG. 5A is a circuit block diagram showing the composite chip 50 constituting the staging control unit 23, including related circuit elements. As shown in the figure, the composite chip 50 of the embodiment is driven by a CPU circuit 51 that issues a display list DL at predetermined time intervals and display devices DS1 and DS2 that generate image data based on the issued display list DL. It has a built-in VDP circuit 52. The CPU circuit 51 and the VDP circuit 52 are connected to each other through a CPUIF circuit 56 that relays transmission / reception data to each other.

The VDP circuit 52 has a built-in voice circuit SND that exhibits the same function as the voice processor 27, but the voice circuit SND is not used in the first embodiment described below. However, if the voice circuit SND built in the VDP circuit 52 is utilized as in the last embodiment, the voice memory 28 and the voice processor 27 do not need to be arranged.

First, the CPU circuit 51 receives the oscillation output (for example, 100/3 MHz) of the oscillator OSC1 at the HCLKI terminal and multiplies it by frequency (for example, 8 times) to obtain a CPU operating clock of about 266.7 MHz. Here, the oscillator OSC1 is configured to output a spectrum diffused wave to take measures against EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) to prevent radio interference / electromagnetic interference.

On the other hand, the VDP circuit 52 receives the oscillation output (for example, 40 MHz) of the oscillator OSC2 at the PLLREF terminal, appropriately multiplies the frequency by the PLL (Phase Locked Loop) circuit, and then uses the system clock of the VDP circuit 52 and the display device. It is used as a display clock (dot clock, etc.) and a DDR clock of the external DRAM 54. That is, the output of the oscillator OSC2 functions as a reference clock for the entire VDP circuit 52. The frequency multiplication ratio of the PLL circuit is defined by a set value for a predetermined setting terminal.

Therefore, in consideration of the importance of this reference clock, in this embodiment, the oscillator OSC2 is operated at the same power supply voltage of 3.3V as the VDP circuit 52, and the output enable terminal OE is set to H level (= 3.3V). It is configured to oscillate and output the reference clock on condition that there is. Then, in the unlikely event that the power supply voltage 3.3 V drops to a predetermined level or less, normal effect operation cannot be expected thereafter, so that an unmaskable interrupt (NMI) is configured to occur.

Further, the composite chip 50 is provided with an HBTSL terminal, and is the boot program (initial setting program) executed after the power is turned on (CPU reset) stored in the CGROM 55 based on the logic level of the HBTSL terminal (HBTSL)? = H), or whether it is stored in other memory (HBTSL = L) is specified. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, HBTSL = L level is set, and the zero address of the address space CS0 of the effect control CPU 63 is assigned to other than the CGROM. Specifically, the address space CS0 is the control memory 53. Is assigned to.

On the other hand, when the HBTSL terminal = H level is set (see the broken line), the zero address of the address space CS0 of the effect control CPU 63 is assigned to the CGROM 55. In this case, the memory type of the CGROM 55 and the bus width (64/32/16 bit) are specified based on the input values to the HBTBWD terminal having a 2-bit length and the HBTRMSL terminal having a 4-bit length. These points will be further described later based on FIG. 34.

Subsequently, the CPU IF circuit 56 that relays transmission / reception data between the CPU circuit 51 and the VDP circuit 52 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5A, the CPUIF circuit 56 includes a control memory (PROM) 53 that non-volatilely stores a control program and necessary control data, and a work memory (RAM) 57 having a storage capacity of about 2 Mbytes. Are connected to each other and are configured to be accessible from the CPU circuit 51. As described above, the control memory (PROM) 53 is positioned in the address space CS0 selected by the chip select signal CS0, and the work memory (RAM) 57 is positioned in the address space CS6 selected by the chip select signal CS6. Has been done.

In the work memory (RAM) 57, a DL buffer BUF for temporarily storing a display list DL in which a series of instruction commands for specifying each frame of the display devices DS1 and DS2 are described is secured. In the case of this embodiment, a series of instruction commands include a texture load command such as a TXLOAD command for reading an image material (texture) from the CGROM 55 and decoding (expanding) it, and a VRAM area (index) of the decoding (expanding) destination. Texture setting commands such as the SET INDEX command, which have functions such as specifying the space in advance, and primitive drawing commands such as the SPRITE command for arranging the decoded (expanded) image material at a predetermined position in the virtual drawing space. Of the images drawn in the virtual drawing space by drawing commands, environment setting commands such as the SETDAVR command and SETDAVF command for specifying the drawing area actually drawn on the display device, and the index table IDXTBL that manages the index space. Contains index table control commands (WRIDXTBL) for.

Note that FIG. 9C shows a virtual drawing space (horizontal X direction ± 8192: vertical Y direction ± 8192), a drawing area that can be arbitrarily set in the virtual drawing space, and outputs to the display devices DS1 and DS2. The relationship with the actual drawing area in the frame buffers FBa and FBb for primary storage of the image data to be performed is illustrated.

Next, the CPU circuit 51 is a circuit having the same performance as a general-purpose one-chip microcomputer, and the effect control CPU 63 that comprehensively controls the image effect based on the control program of the control memory 53 and the program go into a runaway state. A watchdog timer (WDT) that forcibly resets the CPU, a built-in RAM 59 that has a storage capacity of about 16 kbytes and is used as a work area of the CPU, and a DMAC (Direct Memory Access) that realizes data transfer without going through the CPU 63. Controller) 60, a serial input / output port (SIO) 61 having a plurality of input ports Si and an output port So, a parallel input / output port (PIO) 62 having a plurality of input ports Pi and an output port Po, and the above-mentioned parts. It is configured to have an operation control register REG or the like in which a set value is set to control the operation. However, in this embodiment provided with the external WDT circuit 58, the watchdog timer (WDT) built in the CPU circuit 51 is not utilized.

In this specification, the term “input / output port” is used for convenience, but in the effect control unit 23, the input / output port includes an input port and an output port that operate independently. This point is the same for the input / output circuit 64p and the input / output circuit 64s described below.

The parallel input / output port 62 is connected to an external device (effect interface board 22) through the input / output circuit 64p, and the effect control CPU 63 has a chance with the encoder output 3 bits of the volume switch VLSW via the input circuit 64p. The switch signal of the button 11, the control command CMD, and the interrupt signal STB are received. The encoder output 3 bits and the switch signal 1 bit are supplied to the parallel input / output port (PIO) 62 via the input / output circuit 64p.

Similarly, the received control command CMD is supplied to the parallel input / output port (PIO) 62 via the input / output circuit 64p. Further, the strobe signal STB is supplied to the interrupt terminal of the staging control CPU 63 via the input / output circuit 64p to activate the reception interrupt processing. Therefore, the staging control CPU 63 that grasps the control command CMD based on the reception interrupt processing uniformly controls the voice staging, the lamp staging, the motor staging, and the image staging corresponding to the control command CMD through the staging lottery and the like. Will be done.

Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the SMC unit (Serial Management Controller) 78 of the VDP circuit 52 is used for the lamp effect and the motor effect. The SMC unit 78 is a composite controller having a built-in LED controller and Motor controller, and is configured to be able to output a serial signal by a clock synchronization method. Further, the Motor controller is configured to be able to output a latch pulse at an arbitrary timing based on a set value in a predetermined control register 70, and is configured to be able to input a serial signal by a clock synchronization method.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the motor drive signal and the LED drive signal are output from the SMC unit 78 in synchronization with the clock signal, while the latch pulse is output as the operation control signal ENABLE at an appropriate timing. .. Further, the origin sensor signals SN0 to SNn from the effect motor groups M1 to Mn are configured to be serially input by a clock synchronization method.

As described with respect to FIG. 4A, the clock signals CK0 to CK2, the drive signals SDAT0 to SDATA2, and the operation control signals ENABLE0 to ENABLE2 pass through the output buffers 41 to 43, and the predetermined drive boards 30, 31, It is transmitted to 37. Further, the origin sensor signals SN0 to SNn are serially input to the SMC unit 78 from the motor lamp drive board 31 via the input / output buffer 43.

However, it is not essential to use the SMC unit 78 in this embodiment. That is, since the CPU circuit 51 has a built-in general-purpose serial input / output port SIO61, it is also possible to execute a lamp effect and a motor effect by using these.

Specifically, it is as shown by the broken line in FIG. 5A, and in the configuration shown by the broken line, the clock signals CK0 to CK2, via the input / output circuit 64s internally connected to the serial input / output port SIO61. The drive signals SDATA0 to SDATA2 are output, and the operation control signals ENABLE0 to ENABLE2 are output via the input / output circuit 64p. For convenience, it is expressed as an input / output port or an input / output circuit, but what actually functions is an output port or an output circuit.

Here, the serial output port SO is configured to have a built-in 16-stage FIFO register. Then, the DMAC circuit 60 is activated by receiving an operation start instruction (see ST18 in FIG. 17 (b)) from the staging control CPU 63, and the necessary drive data are ordered from the lamp / motor drive table (see FIG. 17 (b)). It is configured to read to and transfer to the FIFO register of the serial output port SO by DMA. The drive data stored in the FIFO register is serially output from the serial output port SO by a clock synchronization method. Although there are a plurality of (for example, 7) DMA channels in the DMAC circuit, the lamp drive data is DMA-transferred by the third DMA channel, which is inferior in priority, and the motor is driven by the first DMA channel, which has the highest priority. It is configured to transfer data by DMA.

The operation control register REG built in the CPU circuit 51 is an 8-bit, 16-bit, or 32-bit long register whose register number (address value) is numbered after 0xFF400000, and can be appropriately WRITE / READ accessible from the staging control CPU 63. (See FIG. 7). Therefore, due to the influence of noise or the like, the operation control register REG may be set to an unreasonable value.

However, for example, the composite chip 50 can be abnormally reset by intentionally executing an infinite loop process to activate the external WDT circuit 58. In this case, the value of the operation control register REG is returned to the same default value (initial value) as after the power is turned on, and the value of the VDP register RGij is also returned to the default value (initial value) for the VDP circuit 52. This will eliminate the abnormal condition.

FIG. 4B is a circuit configuration related to this reset operation, and is a drawing illustrating a reset mechanism characteristic of the present embodiment. In this specification, the VDP register referred to as RGij is not the operation control register REG built in the CPU circuit 51, but any of the control register group 70 (see FIG. 7) that controls the internal operation of the VDP circuit 52. Means. Further, the system control circuit 520 shown in FIG. 4B means an internal control circuit of the VDP circuit 52 that functions based on a set value in the VDP register RGij (any of the control register group 70 in FIG. 7). (See FIG. 4 (a)). The VDP register RGij is positioned in the address space CS7 selected by the chip select signal CS7 in the address map of the staging control CPU 63.

Explaining the reset mechanism based on the above, as shown in FIG. 4B, the composite chip 50 has an internal circuit via three OR gates G2 to G4 that receive the logically inverted system reset signal SYS bar. Is configured to be resettable. However, in this embodiment, as shown by the broken line, the built-in WDT is not enabled, so that the input terminal and the output terminal of the OR gate G2 are directly connected.

In any case, a pattern check circuit CHK is provided between the CPU circuit 51 and the VDP circuit 52, and the pattern check circuit CHK is a predetermined keyword string (a code string for resetting) from the parallel input / output port (PIO) 62. ) Is received, and the reset signal RST is output.

The internal circuit of the composite chip 50 is divided into (1) a CPU circuit 51, (2) a display circuit 74 of the VDP circuit 52, and (3) a display circuit other than the display circuit of the VDP circuit 52, and each of them is OR. It is configured to receive the reset signals of the first reset path to the third reset path from the gates G2 to G4.

First, the OR gate G2 in which the input / output terminals are directly connected is related to the first reset path, and is configured to system reset the entire CPU circuit 51 based on the system reset signal SYS bar. Further, the OR gate G3 is related to the second reset path, and can reset the entire VDP circuit 52 based on the OR logic by receiving the system reset signal SYS bar and the reset signal RST from the pattern check circuit CHK. It is configured in.

This second reset path is used not only for the power reset operation when the power is turned on, but also for the effect control CPU 63 that has detected a predetermined abnormality to perform an abnormality reset of the entire VDP circuit 52 and return it to the initial state. Specifically, when it is determined that a serious abnormality has occurred based on the predetermined status register RGij indicating the internal operation of the VDP circuit 52, the reset signal RST is generated from the pattern check circuit CHK. , The entire VDP circuit 52 is abnormally reset. The display circuit 74 is abnormally reset in the second reset path → the third reset path via the OR gate G4.

On the other hand, the internal circuit built in the VDP circuit 52 is configured to be individually reset when necessary in the fourth reset path. The internal circuits that can be reset individually include the index table IDXTBL shown in FIG. 5A, the data transfer circuit 72, the preloader 73, the display circuit 74, the drawing circuit 76, the SMC circuit 78, and the audio circuit SND. The ICM circuit shown in No. 10 is included.

The method for realizing the individual reset operation is as described in the lower part of FIG. 4 (b). For example, the display circuit 74 writes the first reset value to a predetermined VDP register RGij (system command register). As a result, the system is reset via the 4th reset path 4A → the 3rd reset path.

Further, each internal circuit (72, 73, 74, 76, SND, ...) Of the VDP circuit 52 sets (1) a set value for specifying the target circuit in the first VDP register RGij (reset RQ register). After writing, (2) the second reset value is written to the predetermined VDP register RGij (system command register), so that the reset values are individually reset (fourth reset path 4B). Although not used in this embodiment, the voice circuit SND can be reset not only by resetting by the fourth reset path 4B but also by writing a reset value to a predetermined VDP register (circuit setting command register) (No. 1). 4 Reset path 4C).

Since this embodiment has the above configuration, not only the entire VDP circuit 52 automatically returns to the initial state when the power is turned on or the program runs out of control, but also each part is returned to the initial state as necessary to cause an abnormal situation. Can be recovered. For example, when the drawing circuit 76 has no READ / WRITE access to the built-in VRAM 71 for a certain period of time, the drawing circuit 76 is individually initialized via the fourth reset path 4B (FIG. 17D). See ST16a). The same applies to the preloader 73 and the data transfer circuit 72. In the event of a predetermined abnormality, the preloader 73 is initialized via the fourth reset path 4B (see ST27 in FIG. 24) and via the fourth reset path 4B. Then, the data transfer circuit 72 is initialized (see ST27 in FIGS. 19 and 24).

Further, regarding the display circuit 74, when the display timing every 1/60 second is followed by an underrun abnormality in which the display data is not generated in time, the fourth reset path 4A or the fourth reset path 4B is used. Via this, the display circuit 74 is individually initialized (see ST10c in FIG. 17). The individual reset operations will be described later with respect to the program processing described in FIGS. 17 and later.

The reset mechanism characteristic of this embodiment has been described above. However, when any of the reset paths 1 to 4 functions and the internal circuit of the composite chip 50 is reset, the VDP register RGIj corresponding to the internal circuit is performed. The set value of is returned to the same default value as after the power was turned on.

Subsequently, the process returns to the internal configuration of the CPU circuit 51, and the description of the characteristic circuit configuration is continued. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the CPU circuit 51 in a little more detail. The CPU circuit 51 includes many characteristic circuits other than the built-in RAM 59, the DMAC circuit 60, the SIO61, the PIO62, and the WDT described above.

First, the CPU circuit 51 has a CPU fetch bus for instructions and a CPU memory access bus for data separately to realize a Harvard architecture. Therefore, the fetch operation in which the CPU core (effect control CPU) 63 reads an instruction from the memory does not conflict with the memory access operation, and high-speed processing is realized by making the fetch operation continuous.

Further, the CPU core 63 is configured to have a plurality of (for example, 15) register banks RB0 to RB14, and is configured to be able to select whether or not to use them. Then, in the operating state in which the use of the register bank RBi is permitted, the register values (each 32-bit length) of the CPU's built-in registers (for example, 19) are automatically saved to the free register bank RBi at the start of interrupt processing. Will be done.

Further, when a predetermined return instruction is executed at the end of the interrupt process, for example, 19 save data are automatically returned to the corresponding built-in register. Therefore, unlike a normal configuration, it is not necessary to execute the PUSH instruction 19 times at the start of interrupt processing and the POP instruction 19 times at the end of interrupt processing, and high-speed processing is realized.

Further, the CPU circuit 51 of the embodiment realizes a harbored cache operation by providing an instruction cache memory 67, an operand cache memory 89, and a cache controller 69, and has been cached when the same address is accessed. We are trying to further speed up the program processing by utilizing the data of. By providing the bus bridge 65, a controller for the peripheral bus (1), a controller for the peripheral bus (2), and a controller for the peripheral bus (3), the internal bus and the peripheral bus (1) are provided. ), Peripheral bus (2), and peripheral bus (3) are connected as appropriate.

Next, in the circuit configuration of FIG. 6, the bus state controller 66 operates based on an appropriate setting value in the operation control register REG, and performs a memory READ operation or a memory with various memory devices connected to the CPU circuit 51. WRITE This is the part that optimizes the operation. The memory READ operation and the memory WRITE operation are executed, for example, at the operation timing illustrated in FIG. 35, but the address data output from the address bus (28Bit), the READ data read to the READ data bus (32Bit), and the READ data are read. The operation timing of the WRITE data written to the WRITE data bus (32Bit) and the control signals such as the chip select signals CS0 to CS7 corresponds to the characteristics of each memory device based on the set value in the operation control register REG. It is stipulated as appropriate.

Since the READ data bus and the WRITE data bus are provided separately, high-speed operation by the Harvard architecture described above is realized. In this specification, the address bus (28Bit), the READ data bus (32Bit), and the WRITE data bus (32Bit) include the internal bus shown in FIG. 6, the peripheral bus (1) to the peripheral bus (3), and the like. In the sense of distinguishing from, it may be collectively referred to as an external bus.

FIG. 7 illustrates the address spaces CS0 to CS7 selected by the chip select signals CS0 to CS7, and illustrates the address map for the staging control CPU 63 accessed via the bus state controller 66. .. First, each of the address spaces CS0 to CS7 is defined as a maximum of 64 Mbytes (= 0x4000000H = 67108864).

As described above, the address spaces CS0 to CS7 mean an external memory for the CPU circuit 51 in which the memory type including the presence or absence of volatility and the data bus width (8/16/32 bits) can be specified respectively. do. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 (b) and 7, the control memory (PROM) 53 is the address space CS0, the voice control register SRG of the voice processor 27 is the address space CS3, and the internal register of the clock circuit 38. The SRAM 39 is located in the address space CS4, the external DRAM (DDR) 54 is located in the address space CS5, the work memory 57 is located in the address space CS6, and the VDP register RGij is located in the address space CS7. The description of the address spaces CS1 and CS2 will be omitted.

By the way, as confirmed from FIG. 7, the address spaces CS0 to CS7 are secured not only in the address values 0x00000000 to 0x1FFFFFFFF (cache valid space) but also in the address values 0x20000000 to 0x3FFFFFFF (cache invalid space). When the address bit A29 = 1, the cache is invalidated based on the internal operation of the CPU circuit 51, while when the address bit A29 = 0, the cache is enabled, so that the utilization of the cache function can be arbitrarily selected. It is something like that.

Therefore, in this embodiment, among all 32 bits of address information (bits A31 to A0), regardless of whether the value of bit A29 is 1 or 0, the remaining 31 bits (bits A31 to A30 and bits A28 to A0). If the values are the same, the same address in the same memory is specified. For example, the same data is read from the zero address of the work memory 57 regardless of whether the address 0x18000000 is READ-accessed or the address 0x38000000 is READ-accessed. When the address 0x18000000 is READ-accessed, the read data is saved in the cache, but FIG. 6B illustrates the cache valid / invalid access operation.

However, it is also possible to invalidate the cache operation for the instruction cache and / or the operand cache based on the set value in the predetermined operation control register REG. However, in this embodiment, after the power is turned on, the cache operation is invalidated by enabling the cache operation for the instruction cache and the operand cache and then accessing the cache invalid space as necessary.

Continuing the description of the memory map of FIG. 7, after address 0x40000000, the bus state controller 66 is an internal memory space in which the bus state controller 66 does not function, and addresses 0xF0000000 to 0xFF3FFFFF are allocated to the cache address array space. Further, addresses 0xFF400000 to 0xFFFF7FFFF and addresses 0xFFFC0000 to 0xFFFFFFFF are assigned to the built-in peripheral module, and specifically, are assigned to the operation control register REG of the CPU circuit. The address range of the built-in RAM 59 is 0xFFF80000 to 0xFFFBFFFF.

Continuing to explain the internal configuration of the CPU circuit 51, the compare match timer CMT and the multifunction timer unit MTU count external signals supplied to the CPU circuit 51, or multiply or divide the internal clock. It is a circuit that counts clocks and generates an interrupt signal or the like when the count result reaches a predetermined value. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the multifunction timer unit MTU is utilized to generate a 1 mS interrupt signal and a 20 μS interrupt signal.

Next, the interrupt controller INTC receives internal interrupts from the VDP circuit 52, DMAC circuit 60, multifunction timer unit MTU, etc., and external interrupts such as IRQ_CMD, IRQ_SND, and IRQ_RCT, and is based on a predetermined priority. This is a circuit that activates interrupt processing (interrupt handler). Here, IRQ_CMD is a command reception interrupt signal to receive the control command CMD, IRQ_SND is an end interrupt signal indicating that the voice processor 27 has completed the initialization sequence, and IRQ_RCT is an alarm interrupt signal.

In this embodiment, the command reception interrupt IRQ_CMD is the highest level for the interrupt priority. Hereinafter, 20 μS interrupt → 1 mS interrupt → interrupt from the VDP circuit (IRQ0, IRQ1, IRQ2, IRQ3) → DMAC interrupt → IRQ_SND → The order is IRQ_RCT (see FIG. 14 (d)). All of these are maskable interrupts, and the non-maskable interrupt NMI is output to the staging control CPU 63 when the reference clock is not output from the oscillator OSC2, as described above.

Then, in any interrupt processing, the register values (each 32-bit length) of the plurality of built-in registers of the CPU are automatically saved in any of the free register banks RBi. Then, when a predetermined return instruction is executed at the end of the interrupt process, the saved data is automatically returned to the corresponding built-in register.

Subsequently, the DMAC circuit 60 will be described. The DMAC circuit 60 of the embodiment is in a predetermined DMA transfer mode from a transfer source (Source) to a transfer destination (Destination) based on a set value in a predetermined operation control register REG, for each predetermined data transfer unit. In addition, it is a circuit that repeats data transfer a predetermined number of times. It should be noted that DMAC0 to DMACn of a plurality of channels having the same internal configuration are prepared and can be operated in parallel. However, the priority is fixed (channel 0 >> ...> channel n), and when the channel arbitration operation mode is operated in parallel, the operation of DMACi, which has a higher priority, is prioritized by the channel arbitration at a predetermined timing.

As for the utilization of the DMAC circuit 60, for example, in the embodiment in which the serial output port SO functions (see the broken line portion in FIG. 7A), the operation control register REG of the CPU circuit 51 has the start address of the lamp / motor drive table. (The start value of the transfer source address), the address of the input register of the serial output port SO (fixed value of the transfer destination address), the data transfer unit (8 bits), and the number of transfers are specified. Then, the DMAC circuit 60, which has received the operation start instruction in the predetermined operation control register REG, transfers the drive data to the predetermined transfer destination address by DMA while updating the transfer source address. Then, when all the DMA transfers are completed, a DMAC interrupt (operation end interrupt) is configured to occur.

This point is almost the same in the case of the embodiment (FIGS. 20 and 24 (c)) in which the display list DL is issued by the DMAC circuit 60. That is, the effect control CPU 63 sets the start address of the transfer source (DL buffer BUF), the address of the transfer destination (transfer port TR_PORT), the DMA transfer mode, and the data transfer unit in the predetermined operation control register REG of the CPU circuit 51. , The number of transfers and other conditions will be set. These points will be described later with reference to FIG. 20.

By the way, in general, the DMA transfer mode includes a cycle steal transfer mode in which the DMA operation does not occupy the memory bus, such as releasing the bus control right in the middle of the unit operation (R operation / W operation) of the DMA transfer, and a plurality of Rs. Between the burst transfer (pipeline transfer) mode in which the bus control right is not released until the specified number of transfers is completed, such as continuous operation and W operation, and the DMA transfer request (demand) received from another device is active. A demand transfer mode that continues the DMA operation can be considered. However, the DMAC circuit 60 of this embodiment functions in the cycle stealing transfer mode in which a memory release period of at least one cycle is provided between the read access activation (R operation) and the write access activation (W operation) at the time of DMA transfer. By doing so, the operation of the staging control CPU 63 is prevented from being hindered.

FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a cycle steal transfer operation (a1) and a pipeline transfer (a2). As shown in FIG. 8 (a1), the DMAC circuit 60 functioning in the cycle stealing transfer mode operates at least one cycle between the read access activation (R) and the write access activation (W) of one data transfer. In this vacant cycle, the bus of the staging control CPU 63 can be used. As is clear from the contrasting relationship between FIGS. 8 (a1) and 8 (a2), in pipeline transfer, the bus is not released to the CPU until one cycle (one operand transfer) is completed, whereas cycle stealing is performed. In the transfer mode, the bus is opened to the CPU for each read access, so that the operation of the CPU is not significantly delayed.

Then, for example, in the embodiment in which the DMAC circuit 60 is used when the display list DL is issued to the VDP circuit 52, the data transfer unit (1 operand) for one cycle is set to 32 × 2 bits, and the display list DL is stored. While increasing the source address of the built-in RAM 59 as appropriate (+8 for each operand transfer), the DMA transfer operation is performed for the transfer port register TR_PORT (see FIG. 10) of the data transfer circuit 72 specified by the fixed address. Is running.

As will be described later, in the embodiment, by adding the required number of NOP (no operation) commands to the display list DL, the entire data size is set to a fixed value (for example, 4 × 64 = 256 bytes or an integer thereof). It is adjusted to double), and the issuance of the display list DL is completed by repeating one operand transfer of 32 bits × 2 times 32 times (or an integral multiple thereof). Even if the drawing circuit 76 executes the NOP command, virtually no change occurs.

Further, when the operation modes are classified with respect to the DMA transfer conditions, generally, single operand transfer (see FIG. 8 (b1)), continuous operand transfer (see FIG. 8 (b2)), and non-stop transfer (see FIG. 8 (b3)). See).

Here, the single operand transfer means, as shown in FIG. 8 (b1), when the byte count for counting the number of transferred bytes becomes zero by repeating the transfer of one operand each time a DMA transfer request is given. This means an operation mode in which a DMA interrupt request is generated. Next, the continuous operand transfer means an operation mode in which the DMA transfer is repeated until the byte count becomes zero with one DMA request, as shown in FIG. 8 (b2).

In these continuous operand transfer (b2) and single operand transfer (b1), channel arbitration is performed every time one operand transfer is completed, and the current channel is provided on the condition that there is no DMA request for the channel with high priority. Transfer continues (channel arbitration operation mode). Therefore, in this embodiment, a single operand transfer method is adopted for issuing the display list DL to the VDP circuit and for DMA transfer of lamp drive data and motor drive data. Then, at the time of parallel operation, for example, DMACi of the optimum channel is used so that the channel arbitration of the priority of motor data> display list DL> lamp data.

On the other hand, non-stop transfer is an operation mode in which channel arbitration is not executed, and as shown in FIG. 8 (b3), DMA transfer is continuously repeated until the byte count becomes zero with one DMA request. Is done. In this embodiment, in the memory section initialization process (SP8 in FIG. 12) when the power is turned on, the program or data is DMA-transferred by non-stop transfer.

Since the CPU circuit 51 has been described above, the VDP circuit 52 will be described next. The VDP circuit 52 includes a CGROM 55 for storing compressed data which is a component of still images and moving images constituting an image effect, and about 4 Gbit. An external DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 54 having a storage capacity of the above, a main display device DS1 and a sub display device DS2 are connected to each other. The DRAM 54 is preferably composed of DDR3 (Double-Data-Rate3 SDRAM).

Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the CGROM 55 is composed of a flash SSD (solid state drive) composed of a NAND flash memory having a storage capacity of about 62 Gbit, and is compressed data required for serial transmission. Is configured to get. Therefore, the problem of skew (difference in transmission speed for each bit data) that inevitably occurs in parallel transmission is solved, and extremely high-speed transmission operation becomes possible. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the CGROM 55 is accessed at high speed by the HSS (High Speed Serial) method compliant with Serial ATA.

Regardless of whether or not the HSS method compliant with SerialATA is adopted, the NAND type flash memory is mechanically more stable than the hard disk and can be accessed at high speed, but is a sequential access memory. Compared to DRAM and SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), there is a problem with random accessibility. Therefore, in this embodiment, by executing a preload operation in which a group of compressed data (CG data) is read out to the DRAM 54 prior to the drawing operation, smooth random access of the CG data during the drawing operation is realized. ing. By the way, the access speed becomes slower in the order of built-in VRAM> external DRAM> CGROM.

In detail, the VDP circuit 52 includes a control register group 70 in which various operation parameters defining the operation of the VDP (Video Display Processor) can be set by the effect control CPU 63, and image data to be displayed on the display devices DS1 and DS2. Regarding the built-in VRAM (video RAM) 71 of about 48 Mbytes used at the time of generation, the data transfer circuit 72 that executes data transmission / reception between each part inside the chip and data transmission / reception with the outside of the chip, and the built-in VRAM 71, the Source and Destination An index table IDXTBL that can specify address information, a preloader 73 that can execute a preload operation that READ-accesses the CGROM 55 prior to the drawing operation, and a graphics decoder that decodes (decodes / decompresses / expands) the compressed data read from the CGROM 55. (GDEC) 75, the drawing circuit 76 that generates image data for each frame of the display devices DS1 and DS2 by appropriately combining the still image data and the moving image data after decoding (decompression), and the operation of the drawing circuit 76. As a part, three systems that can read the image data of the geometry engine 77 that generates a stereoscopic image by appropriate coordinate conversion and the frame buffers FBa and FBb generated by the drawing circuit 76 and execute appropriate image processing in parallel. (A / B / C) display circuits 74A to 74C, an output selection unit 79 that appropriately selects and outputs the outputs of the three systems (A / B / C) display circuits 74, and an image output by the output selection unit 79. The LVDS unit 80 that converts data into an LVDS signal, the SMC unit 78 that can transmit and receive serial data, the CPUIF unit 81 that relays data transmission and reception between the CPUIF circuit 56, and the CG bus IF unit 82 that relays data reception from the CGROM 55. A DRAMIF unit 83 that relays data transmission / reception with the external DRAM 54 and a VRAMIF unit 84 that relays data transmission / reception with the built-in VRAM 71 are provided. The voice circuit SND is also built-in.

FIG. 5B illustrates the relationship between the CPU IF unit 81, the CG bus IF unit 82, the DRAM IF unit 83, and the VRAM IF unit 84, and the control register group 70, the CGROM 55, the DRAM 54, and the built-in VRAM 71. As shown in the figure, the CG data acquired from the CGROM 55 is transferred as preload data to the preload area of the external DRAM 54 via the data transfer circuit 72 and the DRAM IF unit 83, for example.

However, the above-mentioned preload operation is not an essential operation, and the data transfer destination is not limited to the external DRAM 54 and may be the built-in VRAM 71. Therefore, for example, in the embodiment in which the preload operation is not executed, the CG data is transferred to the built-in VRAM 71 via the data transfer circuit 72 and the VRAM IF unit 84 (FIG. 5 (b)).

By the way, in this embodiment, the built-in VRAM 71 stores image data for specifying the expansion area of the compressed data read from the CGROM 55 and each ARGB information (32 bits = 8 × 4) of W × H display pixels of the display device. A frame buffer area to be used, a Z-buffer area for storing depth information of each display pixel, and the like are required. In the ARGB information, A means 8-bit α-plane data, and RGB means 8-bit data of the three primary colors.

Here, each of the above-mentioned areas of the built-in VRAM 71 is indirectly accessed by the staging control CPU 63 based on various instruction commands (such as the above-mentioned texture and SPRITE) described in the display list DL, and the READ / WRITE access thereof. In, it is complicated to specify the Destination address and the Source address of the built-in VRAM 71 one by one. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the initial processing after the CPU reset, a one-dimensional or two-dimensional logical address space (hereinafter referred to as an index space) required for drawing operation is secured, and an index number is assigned to each index space. By doing so, access based on the index number is possible.

Specifically, after the CPU is reset, the built-in VRAM 71 is roughly divided into three types of memory areas, and a required number of index spaces are secured in each memory area. Then, by constructing the index table IDXTBL (see FIG. 9A) that stores the index space and the index number in association with each other, the operation based on the subsequent index number is realized.

It is also necessary to (1) add this index space after the initial processing, and conversely, (2) open it. Therefore, a flag capable of determining whether or not the addition / release processing is possible and whether or not the addition / release processing is actually completed during the operation of the addition / release effect control CPU 63 is possible. The area FG is provided in the index table IDXTBL. The built-in VRAM 71 is roughly divided into three types of memory areas, two AAC areas (a1 and a2), a page area (b), and an arbitrary area (c), which will be described below, and these three types of memory areas. Corresponding to (a1, a2) (b) (c), the index table IDXTBL is divided into three categories (FIG. 9 (a)). As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the first AAC region (a1) and the second AAC region (a2) are secured as the AAC region (a), but the region is not particularly limited, and only one of them is used. But it's okay. In the following description, when the first and second AAC regions (a1, a2) are collectively referred to, they may be referred to as an AAC region (a).

In the case of this embodiment, the built-in VRAM 71 has (a) an AAC area in which an index space and its index number are automatically assigned by internal processing and has a memory cache function, and (b) a two-dimensional space of, for example, 4096 bits × 128 lines. The unit space can be divided into a page area where an index space can be secured within a range of integral multiples thereof, and (c) an arbitrary area where the start address (space start address) STx and the horizontal size Hx can be arbitrarily set. (See Fig. 9 (b)). However, in order to facilitate the internal operation of the VDP circuit 52, the space head address STx of the index space arbitrarily set in the arbitrary area (c) has a lower 11 bits of 0 and a predetermined bit (2048 bits = 256 bytes). Must be a unit.

Then, after the CPU reset, the maximum value of the address space required for each and the area start address (lower 11 bits = 0) are defined, and the AAC area (a1), the second AAC area (a2), and the page area (a2) are specified. b) is secured, and the remaining memory area becomes an arbitrary area (c). In order to facilitate the internal operation of the VDP circuit 52, the maximum value of the address space in the AAC area is defined in units of 2048 bits, and the maximum value of the address space in the page area is an integral multiple of the unit space of the above-mentioned 4096 bits × 128 lines. It is said that.

Next, the required number of index spaces are set in each of the areas (a1, a2) (b) (c) secured in this way. When the arbitrary area (c) is used, the horizontal size Hx of the index space that handles two-dimensional data can be arbitrarily set as a multiple of 256 bits in order to facilitate the internal operation of the VDP circuit 52. Its vertical size is a fixed value (eg, 2048 lines).

In any case, the index space and the index number are automatically assigned to the first and second AAC regions (a1, a2) by the VDP circuit 52. Therefore, for example, by the SETINDEX command of the texture setting command, the index space and the index number are automatically assigned. If the decoding destination is specified in the AAC area (a), the TXLOAD (texture load) command that reads CG data from the CGROM55 only needs to specify the Source address of the CGROM55 and the horizontal / vertical size after expansion (decoding). It will be. Therefore, in this embodiment, the decoding destination of a still image (texture) such as a character that temporarily appears at the time of a preview effect or an I-stream moving image is set to the AAC area (a).

Since the memory cache function is added to each of the AAC areas (a), for example, when the same texture of the CGROM 55 is read into the AAC area (a) multiple times, the second and subsequent times may be performed. The decoded data cached in the AAC area (a) can be utilized, and extra READ access and decoding processing can be suppressed. However, when the AAC area (a) is used up, old data is automatically destroyed. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the AAC area (a) is used, the first AAC area (a1) is used in principle. It is decided to use it, and only a specific texture to be used repeatedly is acquired in the second AAC region (a2).

As the texture to be used repeatedly, for example, a character that repeatedly appears at the time of a predetermined advance notice effect, a background image when the background screen is constructed from a still image, and the like can be exemplified. In such a case, the SETINDEX command of the texture setting command sets the decoding destination to the second AAC area (a2), and the TXLOAD command decodes the texture such as characters and background images to the second AAC area (a2). After that, the decoding result is protected by not using the second AAC region (a2).

After that, if you specify the decoding destination in the second AAC area (a2) with the SETINDEX command and then execute the same TXLOAD command to reacquire the acquired texture, the acquired texture will be cache hit. , READ access to the CGROM 55 and the time required for the decoding process can be deleted. As will be described later, such a cache hit function is also exhibited in the preload data pre-read in the preload area, but the cache hit preload data in the preload area is compressed data before decoding, whereas AAC. It is significant that the cache hit in the area is the expanded data after decoding.

By the way, texture is a concept that generally refers to the texture and texture of the surface of an object, but in the present specification, sprite image data constituting a still image, image data constituting one frame of a moving image, and the like are used. , It is used as a concept that includes not only image data to be pasted on drawing primitives such as triangles and squares, but also image data after decoding. Then, when copying the image data inside the built-in VRAM71 (hereinafter referred to as "move" for convenience), use the SETINDEX command of the texture setting command to set the image data of the move source as a texture and then use the SPRITE command. Will be executed.

By executing the SPRITE command, the source image data of the movement source is formally drawn in the virtual drawing space shown in FIG. 9C, but the drawing in the virtual drawing space actually drawn on the display device is performed. If the correspondence between the area and the index space that serves as the frame buffer is set in advance using environment setting commands (SETDAVR, SETDAVF) or texture setting commands (SETINDEX), for example, the SPRITE command can be used to create a virtual drawing space. By drawing, the source image data of the movement source is drawn in the predetermined index space (frame buffer) (see FIG. 9C).

In any case, in this embodiment, the built-in VRAM 71 is roughly divided into an AAC area (a1, a2), a page area (b), and an arbitrary area (c), and an appropriate number of index spaces are secured for each. And each index space is specified by an independent index number for each region (a) (b) (c). The index number is, for example, 1 byte long, and the page area (b) and the arbitrary area (c) (excluding the AAC area (a) automatically assigned by the internal circuit) are produced in the range of 0 to 255. The control CPU 63 can freely assign an index number.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, a pair of frame buffers FBa are secured in the arbitrary area (c) for the display device DS1, and the index numbers 255 and 25 are used in both of the double buffer structures. 254 is given. That is, as the frame buffer FBa for the main display device DS1, the index space 255 and the index space 254 used by switching in a toggle manner are secured. Although not particularly limited, the index spaces 255 and 254 have a horizontal size of 1280 corresponding to the number of horizontal pixels of the display device DS1. Since each pixel is specified by ARGB information 32 bits, the horizontal size 1280 means 32 × 1280 = 40960 bits (a multiple of 256 bits).

Further, for the display device DS2, another pair of frame buffers FBb is secured in the arbitrary area (c), and index numbers 252 and 251 are assigned to both of the double buffer structures. That is, the index space 252 and the index space 251 are secured as the frame buffer FBb for the sub display device DS2. The index spaces 252 and 251 have a horizontal size of 480 corresponding to the number of horizontal pixels of the display device DS2. Also in this case, since each pixel is specified by the ARGB information 32 bits, the horizontal size 480 means 32 × 480 = 15360 bits (multiple of 256 bits).

The frame buffers FBa and FBb are secured in the arbitrary area (c) by setting the arbitrary horizontal size as a multiple of 32 bytes (= 256 bits = 8 pixels) in the arbitrary area (c). This is because, as described above, if the number of horizontal pixels of the display devices DS1 and DS2 is matched, the reserved area is not wasted. On the other hand, in the page area (b), only the horizontal / vertical size that is an integral multiple of the unit space of 128 pixels × 128 lines can be set.

However, the vertical size of the two-dimensional index space secured in the arbitrary region (c) is a fixed value (for example, 2048 lines). Therefore, in the frame buffer FBa, only the area of horizontal size 1280 × vertical size 1024 is an effective data area for the main display device DS1. This point is the same for the sub-display device DS2, and in the frame buffer FBb, only the area of the horizontal size 480 × the hanging size 800 is an effective data area for the sub-display device DS2 (FIG. 9 (c), FIG. 17 (e)).

The above points will be further described later, but in any case, in the frame buffers FBa and FBb, each double buffer (255/254, 252/251) is alternately used as a drawing area for the drawing circuit 76, and the frame buffers FBa and FBb are used alternately. The double buffers (255/254, 252/251) are alternately used as the display area for the display circuits 74A and 74B. In this embodiment, since the Z buffer that stores the depth information of the display pixel is not used, a missing number (253) occurs. However, when the Z buffer is used, the index number 253, 250 in the arbitrary area (c) is used. The index space 253,250 serves as a Z buffer for the display device DS1 and the display device DS2.

Further, in this embodiment, when an additional index space (memory area) is secured in the arbitrary area (c) in which the frame buffers FBa and FBb are secured, an index number starting from 0 is assigned. .. Although not limited in any way, in the present embodiment, as a work area for a preview effect, an effect image composed of a character or other still images is made to appear on a part of the display screen in an appropriate rotation posture as needed. The index space (0) is secured in the arbitrary area (c).

However, it is not essential to use the work area, and instead of the arbitrary area (c), an index space as a work area may be secured in the page area (b). If the page area (b) is used, an index space having an index space that is a multiple of a square unit space having a horizontal size of 128 (= 4096 bits) × a vertical size of 128 can be secured, which is suitable for handling a small staging image.

By the way, in this embodiment, the image is composed of a moving image including a background image, and the image effect is realized only by the moving image. In particular, a large number (usually 10 or more) of moving images are drawn at the same time during the variable effect. All of these videos are stored in the CGROM 55 in a compressed state as a series of video frames, but an I-stream video composed of only I-frames and an IP stream video composed of I-frames and P-frames. It is divided into. Here, the I frame (Intra coded frame) means a frame that compresses the input image as it is, independently of other screens. On the other hand, the P frame (Predictive coded frame) means a frame for performing forward predictive coding, and an I frame or a P frame located in the past in time is required.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the IP stream moving image is developed not in the AAC area (a) where there is a concern about the destruction of old data, but in the page area (b). That is, a large number of index spaces (IDX ₀ to IDX _N ) are secured in the page area (b) where an index space having a multiple dimension of horizontal size 128 × vertical size 128 can be secured, and a series of video frames are each video. The same index space IDXi corresponding to MVi is always used for decoding. That is, the moving image MV1 is expanded in the index space IDX1, the moving image MV2 is expanded in the index space IDX2, and similarly, the moving image MVi is configured to be expanded in the index space IDXi.

To explain the moving image MVi more specifically, the SETINDEX command specifies in advance that the decoding destination of the IP stream moving image MVi is the index space (i) of the index number i in the page area (b). The TXLOAD command to acquire one frame of the IP stream video MVi video is executed.

Then, one video frame (any of a series of video frames) on the CGROM 55 specified by the TXLOAD command is first acquired in the AAC area (a), and then automatically activated by the GDEC (graphics decoder) 75. , One frame of the acquired video is decoded and expanded in the index space (i) of the page area (b).

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the I-stream moving image is treated the same as the still image, and the SETINDEX command is used to specify that "the decoding destination of the I-stream moving image MVj is the first AAC area (a1)". Execute the TXLOAD command. As a result, the moving image frame is acquired in the first AAC area (a1), and then the automatically activated GDEC75 expands the decoded data in the first ACC area (a1). As described above, the index space of the AAC area (a) is automatically generated, so it is not necessary to specify the index number. The expansion volume required for the index space, that is, the horizontal size and vertical size of the decoded texture (video frame), is TXLOAD regardless of whether the expansion destination is the AAC area (a) or the page area (b). Specified by the command.

By the way, the IP stream moving image MVi and the I stream moving image MVj are generally composed of N moving image frames (I frame and P frame). Therefore, in the TXLOAD command, for example, the Source address of the CGROM 55 in which the kth (1 ≦ k ≦ N) moving image frame is stored, the horizontal / vertical size after expansion, and the like are specified. Although not limited in any way, in the embodiment in which the still image is scarcely used, most of the address space 48 Mbytes (about 30 Mbytes) of the built-in VRAM 71 is allocated to the page area (b). In the embodiment in which the still image is hardly used, only the first AAC region (a1) is secured as the AAC region, the second AAC region (a2) is not secured, and the cache hit function of the above-mentioned AAC region is secured. Do not utilize.

In addition, in order to speed up the decoding process of the compressed moving image data, it is conceivable to provide a dedicated GDEC (graphics decoder) circuit. Then, if a dedicated GDEC circuit is built in the VDP circuit 52, it is sufficient to indicate the start address of the video compressed data to the GDEC circuit in the decoding process of the compressed video data composed of N compressed video frames. It is no longer necessary to specify the start address for each of the N compressed video frames.

However, if a plurality of such dedicated GDEC circuits are built in for each compression algorithm, the internal configuration of the VDP circuit 52 is further complicated. Therefore, in this embodiment, software GDEC is used, and decoding processing is realized for data such as IP stream moving image, I stream moving image, still image, and other α values by software processing corresponding to each compression algorithm. The processing time difference between the hardware processing and the software processing does not matter so much, and the processing time becomes a problem mainly in the access (READ) time from the CGROM 55.

Subsequently, returning to FIG. 5A and continuing the description, the data transfer circuit 72 uses a resource (storage medium) inside the VDP circuit and an external storage medium as a transfer source port or a transfer destination port between them. It is a circuit that executes a data transfer operation like DMA (Direct Memory Access). FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the data transfer circuit 72 together with the related circuit configurations.

As shown in FIG. 10, the data transfer circuit 72 is configured to transmit / receive data to / from the CGROM 55, the DRAM 54, and the built-in VRAM 71 via the integrated connection bus ICM having a router function. The CGROM 55 and the DRAM 54 are accessed via the CG bus IF unit 82 and the DMAMIF unit 83.

On the other hand, the CPU circuit 51 issues a display list DL to the drawing circuit 76 and the preloader 73 via the transfer port register TR_PORT built in the data transfer circuit 72. The CPU circuit 51 and the data transfer circuit 72 are connected in both directions, but when the display list DL is issued, the transfer port register TR_PORT is used as a data write port for receiving one unit of data constituting the display list DL. Function. The write unit (one unit data length) of the transfer port register TR_PORT is 32 bits corresponding to the FIFO structure of the CPU bus control unit 72d.

As shown in the figure, the effect control CPU 63 can access the transfer port register TR_PORT by WRITE via the CPUIF unit 81, while when the DMAC circuit 60 is utilized, the DMAC circuit 60 directly accesses the transfer port register TR_PORT. WRITE access will be made. The series of instruction commands written in the transfer port register TR_PORT (that is, the instruction command sequence constituting the display list DL) is a CPU bus having a built-in FIFO buffer having a FIFO structure (32 bits x 130 stages) in units of 32 bits. It is configured to be automatically stored in the control unit 72d.

Further, the data transfer circuit 72 executes a data transmission / reception operation on a transmission path of 3 channels ChA to ChC, and has a FIFO structure (64 bit × N stage) in the ChA control circuit 72a (N = 130). Stage), a ChB control circuit 72b (N = 1026 stages), and a ChC control circuit 72c (N = 130 stages).

The instruction command sequence (display list DL) stored in the CPU bus control unit 72d is the drawing circuit 76 or the drawing circuit 76 based on the set value in the data transfer register RGij (a type of various control registers 70) by the effect control CPU 63. It is transferred to the preloader 73. As shown by the arrow, the display list DL is transferred from the CPU bus control unit 72d to the drawing circuit 76 via the FIFO buffer of the ChB control circuit 72b, and transferred to the preloader 73 via the FIFO buffer of the ChC control circuit 72c. It is configured to be.

In this embodiment, the ChB control circuit 72b and the ChC control circuit 72b are specialized for the transfer operation of the display list DL, and the data stored in the FIFO buffer of the CPU bus control unit 72d is the ChB control circuit. It is transferred to the drawing circuit 76 or the display list analyzer of the preloader 73 as a part of the display list DL, respectively, via the 72b or the FIFO buffer of the ChC control circuit 72c.

Then, the drawing circuit 76 starts a drawing operation based on the transferred display list DL. On the other hand, the preloader 73 executes a necessary preload operation based on the transferred display list DL. By the preload operation, the CG data of the CGROM 55 is read ahead to the preload area secured in the DRAM 54, and the display list DL (hereinafter referred to as the rewrite list DL') in which the source address of the texture is changed is secured in the DRAM 54 with respect to the TXLOAD command or the like. It is saved in the DL buffer area BUF'.

On the other hand, the ChA control circuit 72a and the connection bus access arbiter circuit 72e function for data transfer between storage media such as the CGROM 55, the DRAM 54, and the built-in VRAM 71. Further, the IDXTBL access arbiter circuit 72f functions when the built-in VRAM 71, which requires the address information of the index table IDXTBL, is accessed. Specifically, the ChA control circuit 72a may, for example, (a) transfer the compressed data of the CGROM 55 to the built-in VRAM 71, or (b) preload (pre-read) the compressed data of the CGROM 55 and transfer the compressed data to the external DRAM 54. In some cases, or (c) it functions when transferring the look-ahead data in the preload area to the built-in VRAM 71.

Here, the ChA control circuit 72a is configured to be operable in parallel with the ChB control circuit 72b and the ChC control circuit 72c, and the above-mentioned operations (a) to (c) are the display list DL issuance operations ( It can be executed in parallel with ST8 in FIG. 17 and PT11 in FIG. 22) and the transfer operation of the rewrite list DL'(PT10 in FIG. 22). Further, the ChB control circuit 72b and the ChC control circuit 72c can also be executed at the same time. For example, the processing of step PT10 in FIG. 22 in which the ChB control circuit 72b functions and the processing in step PT11 in which the ChC control circuit 72c functions are performed in parallel. It is feasible. However, since the forwarding port register TR_PORT is single, when one (72b / 72c) is using the forwarding port register TR_PORT, the other (72c / 72b) should access the forwarding port register TR_PORT. Can't.

When the ChA control circuit 72a is operating, the connection bus access arbitration circuit 72e arbitrates data transmission with each storage element (CGROM55, DRAM54) via the integrated connection bus ICM. On the other hand, the IDXTBL access arbitration circuit 72f arbitrates data communication with the built-in VRAM 71 by controlling the ChA control circuit 72a based on the index table IDXTBL. In the case of the embodiment in which the preloader 73 functions, the rewrite list DL'stored in the DL buffer area BUF' of the DRAM 54 is transferred to the drawing circuit 76 via the connection bus access arbiter circuit 72e and the ChB control circuit 72b. (See FIG. 23 (b)).

As described above, the data transfer circuit 72 of the present embodiment has a data transfer source arbitrarily selected from various storage resources (Resource) and a data transfer destination arbitrarily selected from various storage resources (Resource). High-speed data transfer is realized between them. As confirmed from FIG. 10, the storage resource in which the data transfer circuit 72 functions includes not only the built-in VRAM 71 but also an external device via the CPU IF unit 56, the CG bus IF unit 82, and the DRAM IF unit 83.

Then, the amount of data transferred to an external device on which the ChA control circuit 72a functions, such as the amount of data to be acquired from the CGROM 55 at one time (memory sequential READ), is the display on which the ChB control circuit 72b and the ChC control circuit 72c function. It is enormous as compared with the case of the list DL, and the amount of data transfer differs greatly from each other.

Here, for these various types of data transfer, it is conceivable to configure the unit data amount and total transfer data amount to be finely set, but this complicates the control operation inside the VDP and facilitates smooth transfer operation. Be hindered. Therefore, in this embodiment, the minimum data amount Dmin for data transfer is uniquely defined, and the total transfer data amount is limited to an integral multiple of the minimum data amount DTmin, so that high-speed and smooth data transfer operation can be performed. It has been realized. Although not particularly limited, in the data transfer circuit 72 of the embodiment, the minimum data amount Dmin (unit data amount) is 256 bytes, and the total transfer data amount is limited to an integral multiple of this.

Therefore, the instruction command sequence of the display list DL stored in the FIFO buffer of the CPU bus control unit 72d every 32 bits is transferred to the ChB control circuit 72b or the ChC control circuit 72b at the timing when the total amount reaches the minimum data amount Dmin. Will be stored in each FIFO buffer.

The display list DL is composed of a series of instruction commands, but in this embodiment, the command length of the display list DL is an integer N times of 32 bits corresponding to the write unit (32 bits) of the transfer port register TR_PORT. It consists only of the instruction command (N> 0). Therefore, the drawing circuit 76 and the preloader 73 that receive the instruction command of the display list DL via the data transfer circuit 72 can start the command analysis process (DL analyze) quickly and smoothly. It should be noted that the command length of a 32-bit integer N times does not mean that all of them are significant bits, but also includes an involuntary bit (Don't care bit), which means a 32-bit integer N times.

Next, the preloader 73 will be described. As outlined above, the preloader 73 interprets the display list DL transferred from the data transfer circuit 72 (ChC control circuit 72b) and preliminarily converts the CG data on the CGROM 55 referenced by the TXLOAD command into the DRAM 54. It is a circuit to transfer to the preload area of. Further, the preloader 73 stores the rewrite list DL'in which the reference destination of the CG data is rewritten to the address after transfer in the DL buffer BUF' of the DRAM 54 with respect to this TXLOAD command. The DL buffer BUF'and the preload area are reserved in advance at the time of initial processing after the CPU reset (ST3 in FIG. 17).

Then, the rewrite list DL'is a display list analyzer (DL Analyzer) of the drawing circuit 76 via the connection bus access arbiter circuit 72e of the data transfer circuit 72 and the ChB control circuit 72b at the start of the drawing operation of the drawing circuit 76. ). Then, the drawing circuit 76 executes the drawing operation based on the rewrite list DL'. Therefore, based on the TXLOAD command or the like, the CG data that should be originally acquired from the CGROM 55 is acquired from the preload area of the DRAM 54 as the preload data that is pre-read in the preload area. In this case, the preload data can be used repeatedly unless it is overwritten and erased, and the preload data cache-hit in the preload area is repeatedly reused.

In this embodiment, since the preload area is set in the external DRAM 54 having a sufficient storage capacity, the above cache hit function functions effectively. Further, since the storage capacity of the external DRAM 54 is large, for example, multiple preloads that preload CG data for a plurality of frames at once are possible. That is, regarding the operation period of the preloader 73, the operation period of a series of preload operations including the look-ahead operation of CG data is appropriately set within a range of an integral multiple of the operation cycle δ at the time of intermittent operation of the VDP circuit 52. Multiple preloads are realized with.

However, in the following description, for convenience, an embodiment without multiple preloads will be described. Therefore, the preloader 73 of the embodiments will complete the preload operation for one frame during one operation cycle (δ). As will be described later with reference to FIG. 17, in this embodiment, the operation cycle δ during the intermittent operation of the VDP circuit 52 is 1/30 second, which is twice the period of the vertical synchronization signal of the display device DS1.

Next, the drawing circuit 76 sequentially analyzes the instruction command sequence of the display list DL and the rewriting list DL'transferred via the data transfer circuit 72, and cooperates with the graphics decoder 75, the geometry engine 77, and the like. Then, it is a circuit that draws an image for one frame of each display device DS1 and DS2 in the frame buffer formed in the VRAM 71.

As described above, in the embodiment in which the preloader 73 is made to function, the reference destination of the CG data in the rewrite list DL'is not the CGROM 55 but the preload area set in the DRAM 54. Therefore, the sequential access to the CG data generated during the execution of drawing by the drawing circuit 76 can be quickly executed, and even a high-resolution moving image with intense movement can be drawn without any problem. That is, according to this embodiment, as the CGROM 55, it is possible to perform complicated and advanced image production while utilizing an inexpensive SATA module.

By the way, regardless of whether or not the preloader 73 is made to function, even if data garbled occurs during transfer of the display list DL or the rewrite list DL', the drawing circuit 76 cannot detect this. In addition, the drawing circuit 76 may freeze due to the influence of noise or the like, and the READ / WRITE access of the built-in VRAM 71 may stop abnormally. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the drawing circuit 76 detects an irrational instruction command (bit sequence that cannot be analyzed), or if there is no READ / WRITE access to the built-in VRAM 71 for a certain period of time, a drawing error interrupt is interrupted. Is configured to generate (drawing error interrupt is enabled). This point will be described later with respect to FIG. 17 (d).

Next, as described with respect to FIG. 9, the frame buffer FB secured in the arbitrary area (c) of the VRAM 71 is a double buffer divided into a drawing area and a reading area, and the two areas are alternately used. To use. Further, in the present embodiment, since the two display devices DS1 and DS2 are connected, the frame buffers FBa / FBb of two sections are secured as shown in FIG. Therefore, the drawing circuit 76 draws image data for one frame in the drawing area (writing area) of the frame buffer FBa for the display device DS1 and draws the image data for one frame and draws the image data of the frame buffer FBa for the display device DS2 (writing area). In addition, one frame of image data will be drawn. When the image data is written in the drawing area, the display circuit 74 reads the image data in the other read area (display area) and outputs the image data to the display devices DS1 and DS2.

The display circuit 74 is a circuit that reads out the image data of the frame buffers FBa and FBb, performs final image processing, and outputs the image data (see FIG. 11). The final image processing includes, for example, a scaler scaling process for enlarging / reducing the image, a subtle color correction process, and a dithering process for minimizing the quantization error of the entire image. Then, the digital RGB signal (24 bits in total) that has undergone these image processing is output together with the horizontal sync signal and the vertical sync signal. As shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, three display circuits A / B / C that execute the above operations in parallel are provided, and each display circuits 74A to 74C have frame buffers corresponding to the respective display circuits 74A to 74C. The image data of FBa / FBb / FBc is read out, and the above final image processing is executed. However, in this embodiment, since there are two display devices, the frame buffer FBc is not secured and the display circuit 74C does not function.

In connection with this operation, the output selection unit 79 of this embodiment transmits the output signal of the display circuit 74A to the LVDS unit 80a, and transmits the output signal of the display circuit 74B to the LVDS unit 80b (FIG. FIG. 11). Then, the LVDS unit 80a converts the image data (a total of 24 bits of digital RGB signals) into an LVDS signal, adds a pair for transmitting a clock signal, and outputs a total of five pairs of differential signals to the main display device DS1. ing. The main display device DS1 has a built-in LVDS signal conversion receiving unit RV, which restores an RGB signal from the LVDS signal and displays an image corresponding to the output of the display circuit 74A.

This point is the same for the LVDS unit 80b, and for a total of 24 bits of each 8 bits of digital RGB signals, a pair for transmitting a clock signal is added and output to the conversion receiving unit RV as a total of 5 pairs of differential signals, and a sub. The display device DS2 realizes image display by a total of 24 bits of RGB signals received from the conversion receiving unit RV. Therefore, the sub display device DS2 and the main display device DS1 have a resolution of ²⁸ * ²⁸ * ²⁸ .

It is not always necessary to use an LVDS signal. For example, when the transmission distance is short, the digital RGB signal is transmitted to the display device as it is via the digital RGB unit 80c, or when the transmission distance is long. Converts a digital RGB signal into a V-By-one (registered trademark) signal in the conversion transmission unit TR'and transmits it to the conversion reception unit RV', and then returns it to the digital RGB signal in the conversion reception unit RV'. Is also suitable. Although the broken line in FIG. 11 shows this operation mode, the above operation can be performed with any output signal of the display circuits 74A to 74C by appropriately setting the operation of the output selection unit 79. It becomes.

By the way, in the case of this embodiment, the display circuits 74A to 74B are provided with underrun counters URCNTa to URCNTc for counting the Underrun abnormality in which the display data is not generated in time for the display timing (FIG. 11). reference). The counter values of the underrun counters URCNTa to URCNTc are configured to be automatically added for each VBLANK when an underrun abnormality occurs.

Next, the SMC unit 78 (Serial Management Controller) is a composite controller having a built-in LED controller and Motor controller. Then, while outputting the LED drive signal and the motor drive signal in synchronization with the clock signal to the LED / Motor driver (driver IC with a built-in shift register) mounted on the external board, the latch pulse is output at an appropriate timing. It is configured to be outputable.

Regarding the internal circuit of the VDP circuit 52 and its operation described above, the operation content to be executed by the internal circuit is defined by the operation parameters (set values) set by the effect control CPU 63 in the control register group 70, and the execution of the VDP circuit 52. The state can be specified by READing the operation status value of the control register group 70. The control register group 70 means a large number of VDP registers RGij mapped in an address space (0 to FFFFFF) of about 1 Mbyte on the memory map of the effect control CPU 63, and the effect control CPU 63 passes through the CPU IF unit 81. The WRITE (setting) operation of the operation parameter and the READ operation of the operation status value are executed (see FIG. 5 (b)).

In the control register group 70 (VDP register RGij), the "system control register" in which the initial setting values related to the system operation such as the interrupt operation are written, and the AAC area (a) and the page area (b) are determined in the built-in VRAM. , "Index table register" related to building or changing index table IDXTBL, and "data transfer" in which setting values related to data transfer processing by the data transfer circuit 72 between the effect control CPU 63 and the internal circuit of the VDP circuit 52 are written. The "register", the "GDEC register" that specifies the execution status of the graphics decoder 75, the "drawing register" in which the setting values related to the instruction command and the drawing circuit 76 are written, and the setting values related to the operation of the preloader 73 are written. A "preloader register", a "display register" in which setting values related to the operation of the display circuit 74 are written, an "LED control register" in which setting values related to the LED controller (SMC unit 78) are written, and a Motor controller (SMC). A "motor control register" in which the setting value relating to the voice circuit SND is written and a "voice control register SRG" in which the setting value relating to the voice circuit SND is written are included. However, in this embodiment, the voice circuit SND is not utilized.

In any case, in the following description, one or more registers RGij included in the control register group 70 may be referred to by the above-mentioned individual names or collectively referred to as VDP register RGij. The staging control CPU 63 controls the internal operation of the VDP circuit 52 by writing an appropriate set value to the predetermined VDP register RGij. Specifically, the effect control CPU 63 realizes a predetermined image effect based on the display list DL updated at an appropriate time interval and the set value in the predetermined VDP register RGij. In this embodiment, since the effect control CPU 63 is in charge of the effect control CPU 63 including the lamp effect and the motor effect, the VDP register RGij also includes the LED control register and the motor control register.

Subsequently, a unified effect control operation of image effect, sound effect, motor effect, and lamp effect realized by the composite chip 50 incorporating the CPU circuit 51 and the VDP circuit 52 described above will be described.

In the case of this embodiment, the operation of the composite chip 50 is started by a power-on reset operation (see FIG. 12A) by turning on the power or performing an abnormal reset, and the initial setting process (SP1 to SP1) by the initial setting program (boot program) Pinit. It is configured to shift to the main control process (SP10) by the effect control program Main and the interrupt process program (vector handler) Reset via SP9). Regarding the main control process, the processing content of the introduction unit is described in FIG. 14A, and the processing content of the main body unit is described in FIG. 17A. The process of step SP27 in FIG. 14 includes the processes of steps ST1 to ST3 in FIG. 17 (a).

Based on the above, the power-on reset operation will be described with reference to FIG. 12 (a). When the system reset signal SYS maintains the L level for a predetermined period (assert period), such as when the power is turned on, all the operation control registers REG and all VDP registers RGij are automatically set to predetermined default values. After that, when the system reset signal SYS changes to the H level (negate level), in this embodiment, first, the 32-bit data from the head address of the address space CS0 is set in the program counter PC of the effect control CPU 63. Subsequent 32-bit data is configured to be set in the stack pointer SP. In FIGS. 7 and 13 (c), the head area of the memory for storing the initial values of the program counter PC and the stack pointer SP is referred to as a vector table VECT.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the vector table VECT stores the vector number for specifying the priority, the interrupt factor, and the like, and the address information in correspondence with each other. The smaller the vector number, the higher the priority. For example, the vector number 11 is an non-maskable interrupt (NMI), and the start address of the interrupt processing program executed at the time of NMI interrupt is stored as address information. Has been done. Further, the vector number 64 is an internal interrupt (VDP_IRQ0) from VDP, and the start address of the interrupt processing program executed at the time of VDP_IRQ0 interrupt is stored as address information.

Since the interrupt priority is as shown in FIG. 14 (d), in the column of the vector number smaller than the vector number 64, the control command reception interrupt IRQ_CMD, the 20 μS timer interrupt, and the 1 mS timer interrupt of the interrupt processing program. Each start address is stored. On the other hand, in the column of the vector number larger than the vector number 64, the start address of the interrupt processing program (IRQ_SND, IRQ_RTC, etc.) having a lower priority than VDP_IRQ 1 is stored.

Further, in the vector table VECT, vector number 0 and vector number 1 are defined as set values that should be automatically set in the program counter of the CPU and the stack pointer at the time of power-on reset. As shown in FIG. 12B, in this embodiment, 4-byte data "*****" is set in the program counter PC as an internal operation at the time of power-on reset (reset assert period), and the 4-byte data ". ++++ "is set in the stack pointer SP. Note that "*****" is the start address value of the initial setting program Pinit (SP1 to SP9 in FIG. 12) that is non-volatilely stored in the address space CS0, and "++++" is secured in the built-in RAM 59. It is also the address value of the tip or end of the stack area that functions in the LIFO (Last-In First-Out) method.

In this embodiment, since the register bank RBi is effectively used, the stack area is not consumed at the time of interrupt processing, and a large amount of memory capacity is not required. That is, in this embodiment, the stack area is exclusively used in function processing and subroutine processing.

As a result of the above operation, after that, the effect control CPU 63 executes the initial setting program Pinit described after the address value "*****". However, the memory READ operation of the address space CS0 is executed based on the default value (initial value) of the operation control register REG that defines the operation of the bus state controller 66 (FIG. 6). The initial value of the operation control register REG is a value automatically set during the reset assert period (the period shown in FIG. 4D in which the system reset signal SYS maintains the L level), and any address space CS0 can be set. It is set to the slowest READ access operation (default access operation) so that READ access can be performed without problems even if it is configured with a memory device.

Therefore, in order to change this default access operation to the optimum access operation, first, an optimum value is set in a predetermined operation control register REG that defines the operation of the bus state controller 66 (FIG. 6) with respect to the address space CS0 (. SP1). That is, in order to optimize the memory READ operation when accessing the initial setting program Pinit (SP1 to SP9), the effect control program MainB (SP10), the PROM 53 storing constant data, etc., the bus width and the like. In addition to setting the presence / absence of page access, the chip selection signal CS0, the READ control signal, the WRITE control signal, and other operation timings are optimally set (see FIG. 35).

As a result of the above settings, the processes after step SP2 are executed by optimally READing the memory stored in the address space CS0. Therefore, next, in order to optimize the READ / WRITE access operation when the effect control CPU 63 accesses the VDP register RGij, a predetermined operation control that defines the operation of the bus state controller 66 (FIG. 6) with respect to the VDP register RGij. The optimum value is set in the register REG (SP2).

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the VDP register RGij is positioned in the address space CS7 of the staging control CPU 63, it is predetermined to optimally set the operation timing of the chip selection signal CS7 and other control signals. A predetermined value is written in the operation control register REG.

Subsequently, the register value of the specific VDP register RGij is read out, and it is determined whether or not the value is a predetermined value (device code) (SP3). This is a confirmation determination that the system clock of the VDP circuit 52 has stabilized. That is, the VDP circuit 52 operates based on the oscillation output of the oscillator OSC2 supplied to the PLLREF terminal, and the VDP circuit 52 normally corrects a command from the CPU circuit 51 (that is, setting to the VDP register RGij, etc.). It is a judgment as to whether or not it can be accepted.

Then, if it is confirmed that the system clock is stabilized by the device code reading process (SP3), then the normal operation of the VDP circuit 52 can be expected, so that the setting process for the predetermined VDP register RGij is executed (SP4). ~ SP6). Specifically, first, the endian setting (big / little) when accessing the VDP register RGij from the staging control CPU 63 and the data bus width are set (SP4).

In this embodiment, the most significant bit of the set value is set to the big endian stored in the most significant bit of the VDP register RGij, and the data 32 bus width is set to 32 bits. If the value is the same as the default value, these setting processes can be omitted (the same applies to the following processes).

Next, for the internal interrupts (VDP_IRQ0, VDP_IRQ1, VDP_IRQ2, VDP_IRQ3) from the VDP circuit to the CPU circuit, the interrupt significance level (H / L) is set, and the clock signal to the PLLREF terminal (see FIG. 5A) (see FIG. 5A). It is set to make the DDR (DRAM54) function based on the reference clock) (SP4). It should be noted that the reference clock of the oscillator OSC2 is supplied to the PLLREF terminal as described with respect to FIG. 5A.

Subsequently, the address spaces CS1 to CS6 are defined (SP5) in order to realize the memory map shown in FIG. 7. As described above, the address space CS3 is assigned to the internal register of the voice processor 27, the address space CS4 is assigned to the internal register of the RTC 38 and the address space of the SRAM 39, and the address space CS5 is assigned to the external DRAM (DDR). The address space CS6 is assigned to 54, and the address space CS6 is assigned to the work memory 57 of the built-in CPU.

Since it is fixedly specified that the VDP register RGij is assigned to the address space CS7, the definition process of the address space CS7 is unnecessary. Further, it is fixedly defined in advance that the address space CS0 is after the memory map address 0x000000000000 of the CPU circuit 51, and on the premise of this specification, the address space CS0 is secured in the CGROM 55 or other memory. Whether it is given to the device is specified by the H / L level of the HBTSL terminal.

As described above, in this embodiment, the HBTSL terminal = L, and it is shown that the address space CS0 is defined in addition to the CGROM55. Since the specific bus width of the control memory 53 other than the CGROM 55 and the optimum access operation have already been set in step SP1, the processing of step SP5 is not necessary for the address space CS0.

Subsequently, for the address spaces CS1 to CS6 defined in the process of step SP5, a predetermined value is written in a predetermined operation control register REG regarding the bus width and the presence / absence of page access when accessing each address space CSi (SP6). ). Further, in order to optimally set the chip selection signal CSi and others, a predetermined value is written in a predetermined operation control register REG (SP6). These processes have the same contents as the processes of steps SP1 and SP2, and are the chip select signal CSi, the READ control signal, and the WRITE by the write process to the operation control register that defines the operation of the bus state controller 66 (FIG. 6). The control signal and other operation timings are optimally set.

Subsequently, a clear signal is output to the WDT circuit 58 to avoid an abnormal reset (SP7). This is in consideration of the fact that the WDT circuit 58 automatically starts operation after the power is turned on, and the same process is repeatedly executed after that. The process of step SP9 is stored in the control memory 53 as the subroutine SP7, but the subroutine SP7 of the control memory 53 is called until the end of step SP9, and after the end of step SP9, the external DRAM 54 stores the process. Another transferred subroutine SP7'is called and executed.

Next, among the programs and data stored in the address space CS0, the vector handler Vopt (interrupt processing program) shown in FIGS. 12 (b) and 13 (c), the error recovery processing program Piram, the effect control program MainB, The variable D with an initial value and the constant data C are transferred to the external DRAM 54 or the built-in RAM 59 (SP8). The variable D with an initial value means the initial value data stored in a predetermined variable area. The memory section initialization process (SP8) is a process for transferring programs and data in order to speed up the effect control process, and is a process for avoiding access to the ROM, which is inferior in access speed.

Then, next, the setting to use the register bank RBi is made (SP9). Therefore, after that, the register banks RB0 to RB14 function at the time of interrupt processing, the interrupt processing is speeded up, and the consumption of the stack area is alleviated.

The above processing is realized by executing the "initial setting program Pinit" stored in the control memory 53 which is the address space CS0 (see FIG. 13C). Then, when the execution of the initial setting program Pinit is completed, the main control process by the staging control program Main is subsequently executed (SP10). Here, the execution of the main control process means the execution of the “staging control program Main” transferred from the control memory 53 to the external DRAM 54 by the transfer process of step SP8 (see FIG. 12 (b)).

The specific contents of the main control process (staging control program Main) will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 (a) and 17 (a), but prior to that, the memory section initialization process (SP8) Will be explained. As shown in FIG. 13A, in the memory section initialization process (SP8), the DMACs of a plurality of channels are first initially set to the operation stop state. Note that this process is just a formal process just in case.

When the above processing is completed, DMACi of a predetermined channel is activated, and the vector handler Vopt (interrupt processing program) stored in the control memory 53 is transferred to the built-in RAM 59 by a non-stop transfer method (see FIG. 8 (b3)). DMA transfer with. In this embodiment, since the interrupt processing program Vopt is transferred to the built-in RAM 59, appropriate abnormality handling processing can be performed even when an abnormality occurs in the external DRAM 54.

Subsequent processing is also the same, and is executed by the non-stop transfer method using DMACi of a predetermined channel, and the error recovery processing program Pilam is DMA-transferred to the built-in RAM 59 (SP62). In this embodiment, since the error recovery processing program Pilam is transferred to the built-in RAM 59, the peripheral circuits can be reliably reset in the error recovery processing. For example, if the error recovery processing program Pilam is transferred to, for example, an external DRAM 54 other than the built-in RAM 59, the external DRAM 54 cannot be reset during the error recovery processing.

Next, the effect control program Main is DMA-transferred to the external DRAM 54 (SP63), and the constant data C is DMA-transferred to the external DRAM 54 (SP64). The constant data includes lottery data used for the staging lottery, lamp drive data, and motor drive data in various drive data tables shown in FIG. 17B. Further, the variable D having an initial value is DMA-transferred to the external DRAM 54 (SP65), and all of these are executed by a non-stop transfer method using DMACi of a predetermined channel.

Finally, the clear data is written at the beginning of the variable area B of the external DRAM (SP66). Assuming that this start address is ADb, in the subsequent DMA transfer processing, the transfer source address is set to ADb, the transfer destination address is initially set to ADb + 1, and then the clear data is incremented while each address value ADb, ADb + 1 is incremented. By spreading the above, the clearing process of the variable area B is executed (SP67).

The processes of steps SP61 to SP66 and steps SP67 described above are all similar operations and are as shown in FIG. 13 (b). That is, first, regarding DMACi of a predetermined channel, as DMA transfer conditions, (1) cycle steal transfer mode, (2) non-stop transfer method is adopted, and (3) the address values of Source and Destination are updated by increment (setting). SP68).

Next, set the initial values of the transfer source source address and transfer destination destination address (SP69), set the transfer size, set interrupt prohibition, etc. (SP70), and then start the DMA transfer operation (SP71). ). The settings of steps SP68 to SP71 are all realized by the setting operation in the predetermined operation control register REG.

In the initialization process of this memory section, the interrupt for the end of DMA transfer is prohibited (SP70). Therefore, after starting the operation of DMA transfer, the status flag of the predetermined operation control register REG is repeatedly READ-accessed. Then, it waits for the end of DMA transfer (SP72). However, in consideration of the processing time until the end of the operation, the clear signal is repeatedly output to the WDT circuit 58 (SP73). Then, at the end of the DMA transfer, the DMACi is stopped and set based on the setting operation in the predetermined operation control register REG.

Subsequently, the operation contents of the main control process will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17. As described above, regarding the main control process, the processing content of the introduction unit (SP20 to SP27) is described in FIG. 14A, and the processing content of the main body unit (ST4 to ST14) is shown in FIG. 17 (ST4 to ST14). It is described in a). The process of step SP27 in FIG. 14 includes the processes of steps ST1 to ST3 in FIG. 17 (a).

As shown in FIG. 14A, in the main control process (introduction unit), first, the bus width and the type of the ROM device of the CGROM 55 are specified (SP20). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15A, READ access is made to a predetermined VDP register RGIj (for example, CG bus Status register) that specifies the operating state of the CG bus that controls the interface with the CGROM 55 (SP80). ), It is determined whether or not the operation can be set for the CG bus (SP81).

Here, if the value of the CG bus Status register is 1, it means that the internal circuit of the CG bus is in the reset operation, and it means that the set value in the VDP register RGij cannot be accepted. Therefore, after confirming that the value of the CG bus Status register has changed from 1 to 0 (SP81), each device section (SPA0 to SPAn) that can be specified corresponding to the memory device constituting the CGROM (SP81) ( 1) Enable / disable each device section SPAi, (2) ROM device type, (3) Data bus width and other operating parameters are set in the predetermined VDP register RGij (SP82).

As shown in FIG. 14A, in this embodiment, the CGROM 55 can be divided into a plurality of areas (device sections), for example, a memory device and a data bus width for each device section (SPA0 to SPAn). Is configured to be selectable. As the memory device, for example, (1) a SATA module (AHSI / F) adopted in this embodiment, (2) a memory element adopting a parallel I / F (Interface) format, and (3) a sequential I / F format are adopted. It is roughly classified into memory elements and the like, but the memory device can be specifically selected for each of the roughly classified memory devices, and the data bus width and the like can be arbitrarily specified.

Next, in order to optimize the memory READ operation with the memory device selected for each device section (SPA0 to SPAn), a predetermined operation parameter is set in a predetermined VDP register RGij (SP83). The operation parameters include setting values that define the operation timing of the chip select signal and other control signals (READ control signal, etc.). Further, when a memory element adopting the sequential I / F format is selected, the output timing of the address latch, the number of read clocks, and the like are specified in order to realize the operation shown in FIG. 15 (b).

Therefore, the CGROM 55 can be configured by combining different types of memory devices. However, in this embodiment, the CGROM 55 is configured by using only the SATA module, only the device section (SPA0) is enabled, and the other device sections (SPA1 to SPAn) are disabled.

In any case, when the setting process of steps SP82 to SP83 is completed, a predetermined value is written in the predetermined VDP register RGij in order to make the setting process effective (SP84). This is in consideration of the fact that it takes a predetermined time for the internal circuit of the CG bus to operate in response to the setting process of steps SP82 to SP83, and the CG bus Status register described above is in operation during the operation of the internal circuit. The value of (see SP80) becomes 0.

Therefore, after that, the CG bus Status register is repeatedly READ-accessed (SP85), and the process is completed after confirming that the value of the Status register returns from 1 to 0 (SP86). In addition, regardless of the determination of a predetermined number of times, if the value of the Status register does not return from 1 to 0, the processing of step SP66 may be completed. However, in that case, since the game process starts in a state where the CGROM cannot be normally accessed, the WDT circuit 58 is activated at any timing thereafter, and the composite chip 50 is in an abnormal reset state. Then, in this case, the power-on reset operation is executed again.

On the other hand, after the processing of step SP20 in FIG. 14 is normally executed, the built-in circuits of the CPU circuit 51 such as the interrupt controller INTC, the DMAC circuit 60, and the multifunction timer unit MTU are individually initialized by software processing. (SP21).

Next, for the multifunction timer unit MTU, after starting the predetermined timer measurement operation (SP22), for the internal interrupt and the internal interrupt, the permission setting value is written in the predetermined operation control register REG and the interrupt enabled state is set. (SP23).

As a result, after that, various interrupts shown in FIG. 14D can occur. Normally, at this timing, the voice processor 27 has completed its initialization sequence, so that the end interrupt signal IRQ_SND should have dropped to the L level, as shown in FIG. 4 (c). Therefore, the interrupt process shown in FIG. 14 (c) is activated, the effect control CPU 63 initially sets the error flag ERR to 1, and READ-accesses the address space CS3 (SP30) to obtain a predetermined voice of the voice processor 27. The value of the register SRG is acquired, and it is determined whether or not the initialization sequence is normally completed (SP31).

If the initialization sequence is not normally completed, the staging control CPU 63 writes a reset command to a predetermined voice register SRG of the voice processor 27 (SP32) and is initially set to 1. Set the existing error flag ERR to 2 (SP33). This error flag ERR defines whether or not to execute the voice processor initialization process (SP26), and the error flag ERR = 1 is an execution condition of step SP26.

On the other hand, the voice processor 27 starts the initialization sequence again in the state of the end interrupt signal IRQ_SND = H level in response to receiving the reset command, and when the initialization sequence is completed, the end interrupt signal IRQ_SND becomes. Lower to L level. As a result, the process of FIG. 14C will be re-executed.

Although the exceptional case where the initialization sequence is not normally completed has been described above, normally, the process of step SP32 is executed following step SP31, and the effect control CPU 63 is set to the predetermined voice register SRG. By writing a predetermined value, the end interrupt signal IRQ_SND is returned from the L level to the H level (SP34).

Finally, by writing a predetermined value to the predetermined voice register SRG, READ / WRITE access to all the voice registers SRG is permitted (SP35). As a result of this processing, in the subsequent voice processor initialization processing (SP26), necessary setting processing can be executed.

Although an example of the Maskable Interrupt corresponding to the interrupt enable setting in step SP23 has been described above, the non-maskable interrupt based on the oscillation stop of the oscillator OSC2 can be started at an arbitrary timing. As described above, the operating clock of the circuit other than the built-in CPU (effect control CPU 63) is generated by multiplying the output clock of the oscillator OSC2 by the frequency by PLL (Phase Locked Loop), and the oscillation of the oscillator OSC2 is stopped. If so, the subsequent normal operation of the VDP circuit 52 is impossible.

On the other hand, the operation clock of the staging control CPU 63 is generated by multiplying the output clock of the oscillator OSC1 by the PLL, and the program processing can be continued. Moreover, the interrupt processing program is stored in the built-in RAM 59. Therefore, the staging control CPU 63 notifies the occurrence of an abnormal situation by voice or a lamp (SP28), and continues to output a clear signal to the WDT circuit 58 (SP29). The abnormality notification is, for example, a voice notification such as "An abnormal situation has occurred. Please contact the staff immediately." The reason why the clear signal is continuously output to the WDT circuit 58 is to avoid an abnormal reset operation. That is, in the case of a serious abnormality in which the oscillator OSC1 stops operating, it is considered that normal recovery of the device cannot be expected even if the abnormality reset process is repeated.

Since FIGS. 14 (b) and 14 (c) have been described above, the description will be continued by returning to FIG. 14 (a). In step SP24, the required area is set to write-protected in order to protect the program area of the external DRAM. Next, the clock circuit 38 driven by the battery when the power is cut off is confirmed to operate normally when the power is turned off, and the alarm interrupt is reset just in case (SP25).

Then, on condition that the error flag ERR = 1, a necessary setting value is written in the built-in register (voice register SRG) of the voice processor 27, and the initialization process is executed (SP26). When the error flag ERR = 0, the process waits for a predetermined time until the error flag ERR = 1, but when the time limit is exceeded, the process shifts to the infinite loop process in order to activate the WDT circuit 58.

Next, the initialization process of the VDP circuit 52 is executed by writing a necessary setting value to the VDP register RGij (SP27). The process of step SP27 includes the processes of ST1 to ST3 of FIG.

Although the embodiment of receiving the end interrupt signal IRQ_SND from the voice processor has been described above, it is also preferable to omit the interrupt processing of FIG. 14 (c). FIG. 16 shows a modified embodiment, in which the 1 ms timer interrupt signal generated by the multifunction timer unit MTU is used instead of the end interrupt signal IRQ_SND.

FIG. 16 illustrates a part of the 1 ms timer interrupt process, and realizes four-step operation based on the value (0/1/2/3) of the operation management flag FLG whose initial state is zero. is doing. The IRQ_SND output terminal of the audio processor 27 is in an open state, and the IRQ_SND input terminal of the CPU circuit 51 is fixed to the H level.

In the 1 mS timer interrupt process, first, when the operation management flag FLG = 0 is determined in the process of step SP42, it is confirmed that the initialization sequence of the voice processor 27 is normally completed (SP43). Then, when the process ends normally, the interrupt signal (IRQ_SND) is cleared (SP46) by writing a predetermined value to the predetermined voice register SRG, and the operation management flag FLG is set to 1 (SP47). The processing of steps SP43 and SP46 is the same as the processing of steps SP31 and SP34 in FIG. 14C.

On the other hand, if the initialization sequence is not completed normally, the reset command is written in the predetermined voice register SRG to activate the initialization sequence in the voice processor 27 (SP44), and the operation management flag FLG is set to zero. Return (SP45). The process of step SP44 corresponds to the process of step SP32 in FIG. 14 (c).

Normally, the operation management flag FLG = 1 is set after the processing of step SP47. Therefore, in the next 1 ms timer interrupt, access to all voice registers is permitted by writing a predetermined value to a predetermined voice register (SP48). ), Set the operation management flag FLG = 2 (SP49). The process of step SP48 corresponds to the process of step SP35 of FIG. 14 (c).

Next, in the 1 ms timer interrupt with the operation management flag FLG = 2, the necessary setting values are written in the built-in register (voice register SRG) of the voice processor 27 as in the case of step SP26 in FIG. 14 (a). The initialization process is executed (SP50), and the operation management flag FLG = 3 is set.

The operation management flag FLG = 3 means a normal voice control state, and voice control is advanced by setting necessary operation parameters in the necessary voice register SRG (SP52).

As described above, the method of confirming the normal termination of the initialization sequence of the voice processor 27 by the interrupt processing caused by the interrupt signal (IRQ_SND) (SP31 in FIG. 14C) and the method of confirming by the 1mS timer interrupt processing (FIG. 16). Although SP43) of the above has been described, the present invention is not limited to these methods. For example, it is also preferable to determine whether or not the initialization sequence of the voice processor 27 has been normally completed as part of the processing of step SP26 in FIG.

Since the introduction unit of the main control process (SP20 to SP27 in FIG. 14) has been described above, the operation of the main body unit of the main control process will be described below with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, the operation of the effect control CPU 63 includes a main control process (a), a timer interrupt process (b) that is activated every 1 mS, and a reception interrupt process (not shown) that is activated by receiving the control command CMD. , VBLANK interrupt processing (c) that is activated by receiving the VBLANK signal that occurs at the start timing of the V blank (vertical return period) of the display device DS1, and drawing abnormality interrupt processing that occurs when the operation freezes or an irrational instruction command is detected ( d) and is configured to include. The description of 20 μS interrupt processing will be omitted.

In the receive interrupt process, the control command CMD received from the main control unit 21 is stored in a predetermined receive buffer so that it can be referred to in the main control process (ST13), and the process ends. Further, in the VBLANK interrupt process (FIG. 17 (b)), the interrupt counter VCNT is incremented for each VBLANK interrupt (ST15), and at the start timing of the main control process, 1/30 second based on the value of the interrupt counter VCNT. After grasping the operation start timing of, the interrupt counter VCNT is cleared to zero (ST4).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17B, the timer interrupt processing includes the progress processing (ST18) of the lamp effect and the motor effect, and the sensor signal acquisition process for acquiring the origin sensor signals SN0 to SNn signals, chance button signals, and the like. (ST19) and is included. The lamp effect and the motor effect are controlled based on the effect scenario that centrally manages all the effect operations, and when the effect counter EN manages the effect start time, the effect scenario update process (ST11) includes the motor drive table and The lamp drive table is designed to be specified.

After that, the motor effect proceeds based on the specified motor drive table, and the lamp effect proceeds based on the specified motor drive table. As described above, there is also an embodiment in which the DMAC circuit (first and second DMA channels) 60 functions during the operation of step ST18. The motor effect progresses every 1 mS, but the lamp effect progresses at an appropriate timing longer than 1 mS.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17D, in the drawing abnormality interrupt processing, the status register RGij indicating the operating state of the drawing circuit 76 is READ-accessed to identify the interrupt cause. Specifically, it is specified whether it is (1) a drawing abnormality interrupt due to detection (garbled bit) of an abnormal instruction command or (2) a drawing abnormality interrupt due to an operation abnormality (freeze) of the drawing circuit 76 (ST16a). Then, in the case of a drawing abnormality interrupt based on the detection of an abnormal instruction command, the drawing circuit 76 is initialized by writing a predetermined value to the predetermined system control register RGij (ST16b). This operation is nothing but the individual reset operation of the reset path 4B shown in FIG. 4 (b).

Next, after confirming the normal termination of the individual reset operation with the predetermined status register RGij, a group of operation parameters defining the operation of the drawing circuit 76 is reset to the predetermined drawing register RGij to end the process (ST16c). .. Then, after adjusting the stack area for storing the return destination address (opening process for erasing the return destination address after the interrupt process), the process proceeds to the process of step ST13 (ST16c).

On the other hand, in the case of a drawing abnormality interrupt based on an operation abnormality of the drawing circuit 76, the WDT circuit 58 is activated by shifting to the infinite loop processing (ST16d), and the entire composite chip 50 is reset. If the CPU circuit 51 is not desired to be reset, a predetermined keyword string may be output to the pattern check circuit CHK and only the VDP circuit 52 may be reset by the reset signal RST (see FIG. 4B). .. In this case, after confirming the normal end of the reset operation of the VDP circuit 52, the process proceeds to steps ST4 and ST13. In addition, in order to avoid over-reading of the control command CMD as much as possible, it is better to shift to step ST13 rather than step ST4, including other cases.

When the entire composite chip 50 is reset, the effect up to that point disappears and the effect control completely returns to the initial state (power-on state). However, when resetting only the VDP circuit 52, the reset operation of the VDP circuit 52 is performed. A series of staging control can be continued, although a predetermined waiting time is generated until the above is completed. Since the effect control CPU 63 controls the image effect, the lamp effect, and the sound effect in a unified manner, there is no unnatural deviation in each effect.

Subsequently, the main control process (a) will be described with respect to an embodiment in which the preloader does not function. As shown in FIG. 17A, the main control processing includes the introduction initial processing (ST1 to ST3) executed after the CPU reset, and the regular processing (ST4 to ST14) repeatedly executed every 1/30 second thereafter. It is classified into. The initial processing (ST1 to ST3) is a part of the introduction unit of the main control processing, and the steady processing means the main body portion of the main control processing.

Since the steady processing is started at the timing when the interrupt counter VCNT becomes VCNT ≧ 2 (ST4), the operation cycle δ of the steady processing is 1/30 second. This operation cycle δ is nothing but a substantial operation cycle δ of the VDP circuit 52 that operates intermittently based on the control of the staging control CPU 63. The determination condition is VCNT ≧ 2, considering the possibility that the steady processing (ST4 to ST14) is abnormally prolonged and the timing of VCNT = 2 is overlooked, but the situation is that VCNT = 3. Is designed not to occur.

Continuing the description of the main control process (FIG. 17 (a)) based on the above, in the present embodiment, in the initial process, the built-in VRAM 71 having a storage capacity of 48 Mbytes is referred to the ACC region (a) having an appropriate storage capacity. , The page area (b) and the arbitrary area (c) are appropriately divided (ST1). Specifically, for the ACC area (a1, a2) and the page area (b), the area start address and the required total data size are set in the predetermined index table register RGij (ST1). Then, the reserved ACC area (a1, a2) and the residual area not included in the page area (b) become an arbitrary area (c).

Here, the lower 11 bits of each of the first and second ACC areas (a1, a2) and the page area (b) must be 0, but they can be arbitrarily selected in units of 2048 bits. There is (1 address = 1 byte, selection for each 256 addresses). The total data size is also arbitrarily selected in the range of an integral multiple of the unit size. Although not particularly limited, the unit size of the ACC area (a) is 2048 bits, and the unit size of the page area (b) is 512 kbit.

As described above, in this embodiment, certain conditions are set for the area settings of the ACC area (a1, a2) and the page area (b), but this is as wasteful as possible for the built-in VRAM 71 having a limited memory capacity. This is to facilitate the internal operation of the VDP circuit 52 while eliminating the region. That is, if the storage capacity of the built-in VRAM 71 is increased indiscriminately, there is a concern that the manufacturing cost will rise and the chip area will increase. This is because it becomes complicated and the processing time for VRAM access cannot be shortened. For the same reason, certain restrictions are placed on securing the index space described below.

Continuing the explanation based on the above, following the process of step ST1, the necessary index space IDXi is secured for the page area (b) and the arbitrary area (c) (ST2). Specifically, the index space IDXi of each area (b) (c) is secured by setting necessary information in the predetermined index table register RGij.

For example, when the index space IDXi is provided in the page area (b), the multiple information of the arbitrary horizontal size Hx and the arbitrary vertical size Wx corresponding to the arbitrary index number i (vertical and horizontal multiple information with respect to the unit space). ) Is set in the predetermined index table register RGij (ST2).

As described above, the index space IDXi in the page area (b) has a horizontal size of 128 × a vertical size of 128 lines as a unit space, and one pixel is specified by 32 bits of information, so that it is perpendicular to the horizontal size Hx. Based on the setting of the size Wx, the index space IDXi of the data size (bit length) = 32 × 128 × Hx × 128 × Wx is secured. The start address (space start address) of the index space IDXi in the page area (b) is automatically assigned internally.

Further, when the index space IDXi is provided in the arbitrary area (c), the arbitrary start address (space start address) STx and the multiple information of the arbitrary horizontal size Hx are predetermined corresponding to the arbitrary index number i. It is set in the index table register RGij of (ST2). Here, "arbitrary" is premised on a predetermined condition, and the horizontal size Hx is arbitrarily determined in units of 256 bits, the lower 11 bits of the head address STx is 0, and is arbitrarily determined in units of 2048 bits. As explained above, the vertical size of the arbitrary area is fixed to the 2048 line, so based on the setting of the horizontal size Hx, after the start address STx, the data size (bit length) = 2048 x Hx index. Space has been secured.

Specifically, as the frame buffer FBa of the main display device DS1, a pair of index spaces of horizontal size 1280 × vertical line 2048 are set in one or a plurality of predetermined index table registers RGij by specifying each index number. As the frame buffer FBb of the sub-display device DS2, a pair of index spaces of horizontal size 480 × vertical line 2048 are set in one or a plurality of predetermined index table registers RGij, each specifying an index number. If the number of horizontal pixels of the display device does not match an integral multiple of 256 bits / 32 bits, the horizontal size of each index space is larger than the number of horizontal pixels of the display device, and 256/32 = 8. Set to a value that is an integral multiple of, to minimize the occurrence of wasted memory area.

As described above, the required number of index space IDXi is generated by setting the required size information and address information for the page area (b) and the arbitrary area (c) in the predetermined index table register RGij. (ST2). Then, in response to this setting process (ST2), an index table IDXTBL that specifies the address information and size information of each index space IDXi is automatically constructed. As shown in FIG. 9A, the start address of each index space IDXi is stored in the index table IDXTBL together with other necessary information, and is stored at the time of data transfer inside the VDP circuit 52 or as an external storage resource (Resource). ) Is referred to when the data is acquired (see FIG. 10). Since the index space IDXi in the AAC area (a) is automatically generated and automatically disappears when necessary, the setting process of step ST2 is unnecessary.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, each pair of frame buffers FBa and FBb are secured in the arbitrary area (c), and each is assigned an index number. In the embodiment in which the Z buffer is not used, a pair of index spaces 255 and 254 to which the index numbers 255 and 254 are assigned are secured as the frame buffer FBa. Further, as the frame buffer FBb, a pair of index spaces 252 and 251 to which the index numbers 252 and 251 are assigned are secured. In this embodiment, a work area (index space 0) having an index number of 0 is also secured in the arbitrary area (c).

Further, in the present embodiment, the required number of index space IDXi, which is the decoding area of the IP stream moving image, is secured in the page area (a), and the index number i is assigned. However, initially, only the index space IDX ₀ for the background moving image (IP stream moving image) is secured. Then, the index space IDXj in the page area (a) is increased based on the setting process in the index table register RGij and the instruction command of the display list DL according to the necessity in the image effect (variation effect or advance notice effect). After that, when it becomes unnecessary, the index space IDXj is released. That is, FIG. 9A shows the index table IDXTBL during steady operation.

The index space of the ACC area (a) is automatically generated when necessary based on the instruction command described in the display list DL, and the index table IDXTBL contains the start address of the automatically generated index space IDXj. And other necessary information is set automatically. In this embodiment, this AAC region (a) is used as a decoding region for still images and other textures.

The above operation of securing the index space is realized exclusively by the setting operation to the index table register RGij included in the control register group 70, but following the processing of steps ST1 to ST2, the other VDP registers RGij By executing the necessary setting operation, the steady operation (intermittent operation) of the VDP circuit 52 shown in FIGS. 25 to 26 is enabled.

For example, the number of display lines and the number of horizontal pixels are set for each display device DS1 and SD2 by writing a predetermined operation parameter (number of lines and number of pixels) to a predetermined display register RGij that defines the operation of the display circuit 74. (SS30). As a result, in each frame buffer FBa and FBb, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the effective data area (broken line portion in FIG. 17E) to be READ-accessed by the display circuit 74 are specified.

Next, a predetermined operation parameter (address value) is written in the predetermined display register RGij to specify the vertical display start position and the horizontal display start position for each frame buffer FBa and FBb (SS31). As a result, the effective data area whose vertical and horizontal dimensions are specified in the process of step SS30 is determined on the frame buffers FBa and FBb. Here, the vertical display start position and the horizontal display start position are relative address values in each index space, and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 17 (e), the display start position is (0,0).

Subsequently, the display register RGij (DSPAINDEX) relating to the display circuit 74A driving the main display device DS1 and the display register RGij (DSPBINDEX) relating to the display circuit 74B driving the sub display device DS2 are respectively "display area (0)". And "display area (1)" are set to define each display area (SS32).

Here, the "display area" means an index space (frame buffers FBa, FBb) in which image data should be read in order for the display circuits 74A and 74B to drive the display devices DS1 and DS2, and each has a double buffer structure. It means either one of the double buffers in the frame buffers FBa and FBb. However, the display circuits 74A and 74B actually read the image data only in the "effective data area" specified in steps SS30 to SS31 in the display area (0) or the display area (1).

Although not limited in any way, in this embodiment, for the frame buffer FBa, the index space 254 of the index number 254 in the VRAM arbitrary area (c) is defined as the “display area (0)”, and the index number in the VRAM arbitrary area (c) is defined. The index space 255 of 255 is defined as a "display area (1)" (SS32).

Further, regarding the frame buffer FBb, the index space 251 of the index number 251 in the VRAM arbitrary area (c) is set as the “display area (0)), and the index space 252 of the index number 252 in the VRAM arbitrary area (c) is set as the “display area (display area (0)). 1) ”(SS32). The definition of the "display area" in the initial processing (SS3) is not particularly limited, and the index space (display area) in which the display circuit 74 should READ access the image data is toggled for each operation cycle δ. It may be switched.

In this embodiment, once the above initial processing (SS30 to SS32) is completed, the first type of prohibition setting is made so that the set value in the predetermined system control register RGij is not changed due to the influence of noise or the like. A predetermined prohibition value is set in the register RGij (first prohibition setting SS33).

Here, the setting values for which future writing is prohibited include (1) setting values related to the display clocks of the display devices DS1 and DS2, (2) setting values related to the sampling clock of the LVDS, and (3) selection of the output selection circuit 79. It includes setting values related to operation, (4) synchronization relations of a plurality of display circuits DS1 and DS2 (the display circuit 74B is dependent on the operation cycle of the display circuit 74A), and the like. Although there is a software process for canceling the first prohibition setting, it is not used in this embodiment. However, it is also preferable to use it as needed.

Next, by setting a predetermined prohibition value in the second type prohibition setting register RGij, the write prohibition setting is set for the VDP register RGij of the initial setting system (second prohibition setting SS34). Here, the prohibited setting includes the VDP register RGij according to steps SS30 to SS32.

On the other hand, by setting a predetermined prohibition value in the third type prohibition setting register RGij, it is possible to set prohibition to a large number of VDP registers including the VDP register related to the setting process of steps ST1 to ST3 (the first). Prohibition setting of 3). However, in principle, it is not used in this embodiment. In any case, the second prohibition setting and the third prohibition setting can be arbitrarily canceled by writing the release value in the predetermined release register RGij, and the set value is changed during steady operation. Is also possible.

The initial setting process of steps ST1 to ST3 described above is executed based on the initial value setting table SETTABLE (see FIG. 31) in which the register address value of the VDP register RGij and the set value of the register RGij are associated with each other. Will be done. Since the initial setting process has been described above, next, before the steady process (ST4 to ST14) is described, the steady operation (intermittent operation) of the VDP circuit 52 controlled by the staging control CPU 63 is shown in FIGS. 25 (a) and 25 (a). A brief description will be given based on FIG. 26 (b).

The intermittent operation of the VDP circuit 52 is as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. In the embodiment in which the preloader 73 is not used, as shown in FIG. 25 (a), the display list DLi completed by the staging control CPU 63 is It is issued to the drawing circuit 76 in the operation cycle (T1), and the drawing circuit 76 completes the image data in the frame buffers FBa and FBb by the drawing operation based on the display list DLi. Then, the image data completed in the frame buffers FBa and FBb is output to the display devices DS1 and DS2 by the display circuit 74 in the next operation cycle T1 + δ, and based on the subsequent drawing operation of the display devices DS1 and DS2. , The display screen is detected by the player.

On the other hand, in the embodiment using the preloader 73, as shown in FIG. 26A, the display list DLi completed by the staging control CPU 63 is issued to the preloader 73 in the operation cycle (T1), and the preloader 73 is , Interpret the display list DLi, perform the necessary look-ahead operation, and rewrite a part of the display list DLi to complete the rewrite list DL'. The pre-read CG data and the rewrite list DL'are stored in appropriate places in the DRAM 54.

Next, the drawing circuit 76 acquires the rewrite list DL'from the DRAM 54 in the next operation cycle (T1 + δ), and completes the image data in the frame buffers FBa and FBb by the drawing operation based on the rewrite list DL'. .. Then, the image data completed in the frame buffers FBa and FBb is further output to the display devices DS1 and DS2 by the display circuit 74 in the next operation cycle (T1 + 2δ), so that the subsequent display devices DS1 and DS2 are drawn. The display screen is detected by the player based on the movement.

Although the intermittent operation of the VDP circuit 52 has been schematically described above, in order to realize the above-mentioned operations of FIGS. 25 to 26, the staging control CPU 63 has the value of the interrupt counter VCNT after the initial processing (ST1 to ST3). Is repeatedly referred to, the operation start timing is waited to be reached, and when the operation start timing (one-step V blank start timing) is reached, the interrupt counter VCNT is cleared to zero (ST4).

After that, steady operation is started, but in this embodiment, it is first determined whether or not the operation start condition for starting steady operation is satisfied (ST5). The determination timing is the timing of T1, T1 + δ, T1 + 2δ, ..., That is, the start timing of the vertical blanking interval (VBLANK) of the display device DS1 shown in FIGS. 25 to 26. The display timing of the display device DS2 is set at the time of initial setting (ST3) so as to depend on the display timing of the display device DS1.

Since the operation start condition determined at the start timing of the vertical blanking interval (VBLANK) differs depending on whether or not the preloader 73 is used, an embodiment (FIG. 17) in which the preloader 73 is not used will be described first. In this case, the circuit configuration and program are originally designed so that the internal operation of the VDP proceeds as shown in the time chart of FIG. 25 (a). That is, based on the display list DL1 completed in the operation cycle (T1), the drawing circuit 76 should finish the drawing operation during the operation cycle (T1 to T1 + δ). However, for example, as in the display list DL3 completed in the operation cycle (T1 + 2δ) of FIG. 25A, it cannot be said that the drawing operation may not be completed during the operation cycle (T1 + 2δ to T1 + 3δ). Further, with respect to the display circuit 74, there is a possibility that an Underrun abnormality has occurred in which the display data is not generated in time for the display timing.

The determination process in step ST5 takes such a situation into consideration, and the staging control CPU 63 accesses the status register RGij (a type of control register group 70) indicating the operating state of the drawing circuit 76, and at the timing of step ST5, The drawing circuit 76 determines whether or not the required operation has been completed and whether or not there is an Underrun abnormality. The presence or absence of the Underrun abnormality is determined based on the underrun counters URCNTa to URCNTc. Further, in the embodiment in which the preloader 73 is not utilized, for example, at the timing T1 + δ in FIG. 25A, the status information of the drawing register related to the drawing circuit 76 is READ-accessed, and the drawing operation based on the display list DL1 is completed. To confirm.

Then, when the operation start condition is not satisfied (abnormality / nonconformity), the abnormality flag ER for counting the number of abnormalities is incremented, and the steps ST6 to ST8 processing are skipped. The abnormality flag ER is determined in the processing of steps ST9 and ST10 together with the other serious abnormality flag ABN, and if the number of continuous abnormalities is not large (ER ≦ 2) on the premise that the serious abnormality flag ABN is in the reset state. The effect command analysis process is executed in the same manner as in the normal state (ST13).

Similarly, in the case of an Underrun abnormality, the processes of steps ST6 to ST8 are skipped. Then, the display clock (frequency) and the display circuit 74 are initialized by writing a predetermined clear value to the predetermined system control register RGij (ST10c). After confirming the normal completion of this initialization process, the frequency of the display clock and the value of the group of system control registers RGij that regulate the operation of the display circuit 74 are reset to the specified values (ST10c). The effect command analysis process is executed (ST13).

In the effect command analysis process (ST13), it is determined whether or not the control command CMD is received from the main control board 21, and if the control command CMD is received, the control command CMD is analyzed and necessary processing is executed. (ST13). Here, the necessary processing includes a process for preparing to start a new variation effect based on the control command CMD instructing the start of the variation effect, and a process for starting error notification based on the control command CMD indicating the occurrence of an error. Subsequently, a clear pulse is output to the WDT circuit (ST14), and the process returns to the process of step ST4.

The case where the error flag ER is ER ≦ 2 has been described above when there is a slight Underrun abnormality or when the operation start condition is incompatible, but in such a case, the display circuit 74 is used in the operation cycle. The process of switching the toggle of the display area read by the user (ST6) and the process of creating the display list (ST7) are skipped, and the effect scenario does not proceed (see ST8 to ST12). This is because the image data of the frame buffers FBa and FBb in an incomplete state is not output. Therefore, for example, in the operation cycle (T1 + 3δ) of FIG. 25A, the image effect does not proceed, and the original screen (screen based on DL2) is redisplayed with a frame drop.

Here, in order to avoid dropping frames, a configuration that waits until the operation start condition is satisfied is also conceivable. However, since there are many control processes (ST6 to ST12) to be executed by the staging control CPU 63 and it is necessary to secure each processing time, in this embodiment, a frame drop occurs when the operation start condition is not satisfied. There is.

However, even if a frame is dropped, the progress of the image effect is only delayed by about 1/30 to 2/30 seconds as compared with the lamp effect and the motor effect that are progressed by the interrupt processing (FIG. 17 (b)). Yes, this is not noticed by the player. Moreover, when the frame is dropped, the effect scenario processing (ST11) including the update process of the effect counter EN and the voice progress process (ST12) are also skipped, so that the reach effect, the advance notice effect, and the character that are started after that are also skipped. In the production, there is no possibility that the start timings of the image production, the voice production, the lamp production, the motor production, and the like are shifted.

That is, in the staging scenario, the start timing of the image staging, the sound staging, the lamp staging, and the motor staging and the staging content to be executed after that are centrally managed, and the staging counter EN, which is updated only when normal, starts. Since the timing is controlled, the synchronization of various productions will not be out of sync. For example, if there is an effect operation that combines an explosion sound, an explosion image, movement of an accessory, and a lamp flash operation, each of the above effect operations is started correctly in synchronization even after a frame drop occurs. To.

The above is a description of a relatively minor abnormality. However, when the serious abnormality flag ABN is set, the number of continuous abnormalities is large (ER> 2), or when an underrun abnormality occurs repeatedly, step ST10 is performed. After the determination, an infinite loop state is set (ST10b). As a result, the timekeeping operation of the WDT circuit 58 progresses, the composite chip 50 including the staging control CPU 63 is abnormally reset, and then the initial processing (ST1 to ST3) is re-executed, so that an abnormal situation occurs. It is expected that the root cause will be resolved.

Since this reset operation is executed by starting the WDT circuit 58, the entire composite chip 50 including the CPU circuit 51 is in the reset state (FIG. 4B). Therefore, in order to avoid resetting the CPU circuit 51, the effect control CPU 63 outputs a predetermined keyword string (for example, three 1-byte data) to the pattern check circuit CHK and outputs the reset signal RST to the VDP circuit 52. Is also suitable (see ST100 in FIG. 31). Also in this case, after confirming the normal termination of the reset operation of the VDP circuit 52 (ST101), the process proceeds to the processes of steps ST4 and ST13.

In any case, at the time of this abnormality, the audio circuit SND is also abnormally reset, so that the image effect, the sound effect, the lamp effect, and the motor effect all return to the initial state. However, since these reset operations have no effect on the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 25, there is no possibility that a situation such as the disappearance of the jackpot state or the disappearance of the prize ball will occur.

Although the abnormal situation has been described above, in reality, the above-mentioned abnormality rarely occurs even in a minor case, and after the processing of step ST5, the setting to the predetermined display register RGIj (DSPACTL / DSPBCTL) is performed. Based on this, the "display area" of the frame buffers FBa and FBb for storing the image data to be read by the display circuit 74A and the display circuit 74B is toggled (ST6). As described above, since the "display area (0)" and the "display area (1)" are defined in advance in the initial processing (ST3), in the processing of step ST6, the frame buffers FBa and FBb are used this time. It is specified whether the "display area" of the above is the display area (0) or the display area (1).

By executing this step ST6, the display circuit 74A alternately outputs image data from the index space 254 (display area (0)) and the index space 255 (display area (1)) for each operation cycle δ. It will be read out and the display device DS1 will be driven. Similarly, the display circuit 74B alternately reads image data from the index space 251 (display area (0)) and the index space 252 (display area (1)) at each operation cycle δ to display the sub-display device DS2. It will be driven. As described above, the display circuit 74 actually performs READ access only to the effective data area in the display area (0) / display area (1).

In any case, in this embodiment, since the "display area" is switched for each operation cycle, the display circuits 74A and 74B use the display devices DS1 and DS2 for the image data completed by the drawing circuit 76 in the immediately preceding operation cycle. The output process to is started. However, since the processing in step ST5 is started from the start of the vertical blanking interval (V blank) of the main display device DS1, the image data output processing is actually started after the vertical blanking interval is completed. Will be done. In FIG. 25A, the arrow shown in the column of the display circuit indicates the operation cycle of this output processing.

When the processing of step ST6 having the above significance is completed, the staging control CPU 63 subsequently completes the display list DL that specifies the image data to be output to the display device by the display circuit 74 in the next operation cycle. (ST7). Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the list buffer area (DL buffer BUF) of the RAM 59 is secured, and the display list DL is completed there (see FIG. 10).

The display list DL is configured by listing a series of instruction commands in an appropriate order, and is configured to end with an EODL (End Of DL) command. Then, in this embodiment, in order to realize smooth operation of the data transfer circuit 72, the drawing circuit 76, and the preloader 73, all the instruction commands including the EODL command are executed by an integer N times (N> 0) having a command length of 32 bits. It is limited to the instruction command of. As described above, the instruction command composed of a 32-bit integer N times may include a don't care bit.

As described above, since the display list DL of the embodiment is composed of only instruction commands having a command length of 32 bits and an integer N times (N> 0), the data volume value (total amount of data) of the entire display list DL is determined. It is always an integral multiple of the minimum unit of command length (32 bits = 4 bytes). Further, in this embodiment, the data volume value of the display list DL is set to an integral multiple (1 or more) of the minimum data amount Dmin in consideration of the minimum data amount Dmin of the data transfer circuit 72, and the instruction command is used. It is adjusted to be an integral multiple of the minimum unit (4 bytes). For example, if Dmin = 256 bytes, the data volume value of the display list DL is adjusted to any value of 256 bytes, 512 bytes, and so on.

Here, it is also preferable to appropriately adjust to 256 bytes or 512 bytes according to the complexity of the effect content, but in this embodiment, there are two display devices, and the sub display device DS2 is The data volume value of the display list DL is always adjusted to 256 bytes in consideration of not performing such a complicated image effect.

However, this method is not limited in any way, and is adjusted to 512 bytes or 768 bytes in the case of three or more display devices or in the case of a gaming machine that executes complicated image production including the sub display device DS2. Will be done. Further, during a normal effect, the data volume value of the display list DL is adjusted to 256 bytes, and the data volume value of the display list DL is adjusted to 512 bytes or 768 bytes only when a special effect is executed. Is also suitable.

However, in the case of this embodiment, the data volume value of the display list DL is adjusted to a predetermined byte length (256 bytes) specified in advance in each operation cycle δ. The adjustment method is a simple method (A) that fills the 32-bit length NOP (No Operation) command after the 32-bit length EODL command, or after filling the shortage area with the 32-bit length NOP command. Finally, a standard method (B) in which a 32-bit length EODL command is described can be considered. It should be noted that the data volume value (total data amount) of the display list DL is terminated by the EODL command without any adjustment, and dummy data is additionally transferred during the operation of the data transfer circuit 72, which is an integral multiple of the minimum data amount Dmin. An unadjusted method (C) for securing the transfer amount of the data can be considered.

Here, when the standard method (B) is adopted, first, the command counter CNT is initially set to a specified value (64-1 corresponding to 256 bytes), and every time a significant instruction command is written to the DL buffer area BUF. A method is conceivable in which the command counter CNT is appropriately subtracted, and when the writing of a series of significant instruction commands is completed, the NOP command is described until the command counter CNT becomes zero, and finally the EODL command is described. In the case of this embodiment, since the command length is limited to an integer N times (N> 0) of 32 bits, the above processing is easy, and the subtraction processing of the command counter CNT is an integer. It is a subtraction process corresponding to N.

On the other hand, when the simple method (A) is adopted, it is sufficient to first fill the entire list buffer area (DL buffer BUF) with the NOP command when creating the display list DL, so at first glance, it is better than the standard method (B). Seems to be excellent. Further, from the viewpoint of simplicity, the non-adjustment method (C) seems to be excellent. However, in this embodiment, the standard method (B) is basically adopted, and the actual data amount from the beginning of the display list DL to the EODL command, that is, the data amount up to the EODL command is always the data transfer circuit 72. The minimum data amount of Dmin is adjusted to be an integral multiple of Dmin.

This is in consideration of an embodiment using the preloader 73, and if the simple method (A) or the non-adjustment method (C) is adopted, the actual data amount of the display list DL up to the EODL command is random. This is because the value becomes a value, and problems occur when transferring the rewrite list DL'rewritten by the preloader 73 to the DRAM 54 or when transferring the rewrite list DL'from the DRAM 54 to the drawing circuit 76. The ChA control circuit 72a of the data transfer circuit 72 functions when the rewrite list DL'is transferred to the DRAM 54, and the ChB control circuit 72b functions when the rewrite list DL'is transferred to the drawing circuit 76 (FIG. 23). (See), in either case, only the rewrite list DL'up to the EODL command will be transferred.

The advantages of the standard method (B) for adjusting the data volume value of the display list DL have been described above, but in the embodiment in which the preloader 73 is not used, the issued display list DL is only processed by the drawing circuit 76. Therefore, the use of the simple method (A) and the non-adjustment method (C) is not prohibited at all.

However, in the following description, the details of the display list DL will be described with reference to FIG. 18 on the premise that the standard method (B) is adopted in principle regardless of whether or not the preloader 73 is used.

Although not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, the instruction command sequence (L11 to L16) relating to the main display device DS1 is first described in the display list DL, and then the instruction command sequence (L17 to L20) relating to the sub display device DS2 is described. I am trying to describe it. Further, the standard method (B) is adopted to adjust the data volume value of the display list DL to a fixed length (256 bytes). Note that FIG. 18 also shows, in effect, the procedure in which the staging control CPU 63 writes an instruction command to the list buffer area of the RAM 59, and the operation of the drawing circuit 76 based on the display list DL.

As shown in FIG. 18, at the beginning of the display list DL, an instruction command (SETDAVR) of the environment setting system is described, and the upper left base point address (X, Y) on the index space IDX is set for the frame buffer FBa of the display device DS1. Specify (L11). As described with respect to FIG. 9A, in this embodiment, a pair of frame buffers FBa are secured in the arbitrary area (c) for the display device DS1. Then, normally, by setting the base point address (X, Y) = (0,0) corresponding to the effective data area for the display circuit 74, the drawing circuit 76 is utilized from the head position of the frame buffer FBa. ..

In FIG. 9 (c), L11 is attached to the actual drawing area on the lower left side thereof, which means that the actual drawing area on the frame buffer FBa is set to the base point address (0,) of the frame buffer FBa by the instruction command L11. 0) It means that it was specified to start from the position. However, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the actual drawing area and the index number that specifically specifies the actual drawing area are still undecided, and are determined by the instruction command (SETINDEX) L13 described later. The instruction command L11 also specifies whether or not to use the Z buffer.

Next, the upper left base point coordinates (Xs, Ys) and the lower right diagonal point coordinates (Xe, Ye) are set on the virtual drawing space by the instruction command (SETDAVF) of the environment setting system, and the W × H dimension is set. The drawing area of is defined (L12). Here, the virtual drawing space is a virtual two-dimensional space in the X direction ± 8192 and the Y direction ± 8192 that can be drawn by an instruction command for drawing (SPRITE command or the like) (see FIG. 9 (c)). ..

By this instruction command L12 (SETDAVF), the virtual drawing space is divided into a drawing area in which the drawing contents are actually reflected on the display device DS1 and other non-drawing areas. Further, the instruction command L12 (SETDAVF) associates the actual drawing area whose start position (base point address) is defined by the instruction command L11 with the drawing area on the virtual drawing space.

In other words, the instruction command L12 defines a W × H actual drawing area starting from the base point address, which corresponds to the drawing area on the virtual drawing space, in the frame buffer FBa (index space is undecided). It will be. Therefore, the drawing area specified by the instruction command L12 needs to be the same as or smaller than the horizontal size of the frame buffer FBa. Normally, the drawing area and the actual drawing area are defined so as to have the same dimensions as the effective data area (FIG. 17 (e)) for the display circuit 74.

Then, after the drawing circuit 76 executes the instruction commands L11 and L12, only the drawing contents drawn in the virtual drawing space, which are included in the drawing area, are reflected in the actual drawing area of the frame buffer FBa. become. Therefore, the drawing contents of the portion protruding from the drawing area and the portion described as the work area in FIG. 9C are not reflected in the frame buffer as they are. When securing a work area in the virtual drawing space, the non-drawing area of the virtual drawing space is used.

Next, in this operation cycle, the drawing circuit 76 defines where to draw the drawing content to be drawn based on the display list DL to be completed (L13). Specifically, for the frame buffer FBa of the display device DS1 having a double buffer configuration, the index space IDX which is the "write area" of the drawing contents based on the display list DL this time is specified (L13). Specifically, by the SETINDEX command, which is a texture setting command, (1) the frame buffer FBa is secured in an arbitrary area, and (2) the index space IDX _N that becomes the "write area" is arbitrary. The index number N on the area is specified.

When, for example, N = 255 is specified by this instruction command L13, the actual drawing area corresponding to the drawing area defined on the virtual drawing space is specifically in the frame buffer FBa having a double buffer structure. It is defined as the index space IDX ₂₅₅ .

In the case of this embodiment, the index number of the frame buffer FBa is 255 or 254 (FIG. 9 (a)), and either toggled switch is specified (L13). Note that this index number is an index number that is not the display area (0) / (1) specified in step ST6 of the main control process. For example, in the process of step ST6, when the display area (0) is designated for the display circuit 74, the display area (1) becomes the “write area” for the drawing circuit 76.

As described above, after the correspondence between the actual drawing area (W × H logical space) and the drawing area (W × H virtual space) is generally defined by the instruction command L11 and the instruction command L12, By the instruction command L13 (SETINDEX) that specifically specifies the index space IDX, the virtual space of W × H is associated with the logical space of W × H in the specific index space IDX.

In other words, in the future, the content virtually drawn in the W × H virtual space based on a series of instruction commands will be inside the VDP that defines the correspondence between the virtual space and the real address of the built-in VRAM 71. Based on the conversion table, it becomes the image data of the built-in VRAM 71 (frame buffer).

Subsequently, as a "write area", an instruction command for executing a frame buffer clear process for filling the specified index space IDX with black, for example, is described (L14, L15). This is nothing but the erasing process of the image data written in the frame buffer FBa before the two operation periods.

Specifically, the SETFCOLOR command, which is a type of environment setting command, selects black, for example, and the RECTANGLE command, which is a primitive drawing command, specifies that the rectangular area should be filled. In the RECTANGLE command, the XY coordinates of the upper left end point and the right lower end point of the drawing area (virtual space corresponding to the frame buffer FBa) set in the virtual drawing space are specified (see FIG. 9 (c)). ..

Since the drawing preparation process is completed by the above processing, next, instruction commands for drawing an appropriate texture such as a still image or a moving image frame in the virtual drawing space are listed. Typically, first, the index space IDX to which the texture is expanded is specified by the SETINDEX command of the texture setting system, and then the TXLOAD command, which is the instruction command of the texture load system, is described and read from the CGROM 55. The texture is described in the display list DL so as to expand into a predetermined index space IDX.

As described above, in this embodiment, the background moving image is composed of the IP stream moving image. Therefore, for example, for the background video, the index space IDX to be expanded is specified as the index space IDX ₀ in the page area (b) by the SETINDEX command of the texture setting system, and then the TXLOAD command of the texture load system is described. do. In the TXLOAD command, it is necessary to specify the start address (texture source address) of the CGROM 55 and the expanded data size (horizontal x vertical) for the video frame to be loaded this time.

When the above TXLOAD command is executed in the VDP circuit 52, one moving image frame (texture) of the background moving image is first acquired in the AAC area (a), and then automatically activated by the GDEC75 in the page area (texture). b) Expands to index space IDX ₀ in. Next, this one moving image frame will be drawn in the virtual drawing space. In this case, the SETINDEX command (texture setting system) may be used to set "index space IDX ₀ in the page area (b) is the texture to be processed thereafter", but the TXLOAD command is continuously processed. If so, the description of this SET INDEX command can be omitted.

In any case, in the state where "the index space IDX ₀ in the page area (b) is the texture to be processed after that" is specified, then the parameters for the α blend processing are set, and so on. Describe the instruction command of the appropriate inter-drawing operation system. The α-blending process relates to a transparent / semi-transparent process between an image already described in the drawing area (frame buffer FBa) and an image to be overwritten. Therefore, it is not necessary to use the instruction command of the inter-drawing calculation system in the drawing operation of the first sheet as in the moving image frame of the background moving image.

Then, by using the SPRITE command, which is an instruction command for primitive drawing, "texture of index space IDX ₀ in page area (b) (one video frame of background video)" is set in place in the virtual drawing space (rectangular destination area). Describe the SPRITE command to draw in. For the SPRITE command, it is necessary to specify the upper left end point and the right lower end point of the Destination area of the virtual drawing space.

This Destination area is the whole or a part of the drawing area (virtual space defined on the virtual drawing space) associated with the actual drawing area (FBa) in advance by the instruction commands L11 and L12. However, since the background moving image is usually drawn on the entire display screen, the Destination area in such a case is the entire drawing area or more. The case where the Destination area is larger than the entire drawing area is, for example, the case where the background moving image is zoomed up.

Since the drawing of the video frame of the background video is completed by the above processing, the instruction commands such as the texture load system, the texture setting system, the inter-drawing calculation system, and the primitive drawing system commands are listed in an appropriate order. A display list DL will be configured to draw various textures on top of the background video. As described above, a large number of moving images are required at the time of variable production. In that case, the index table control system is instructed to increase the index space IDX for the page area (b) of the built-in VRAM 71. The command (NEWPIX) will be described.

For example, for the second IP stream video, the NEWPIX command allocates an additional index space IDX ₁ in the page area (b), then specifies this index space IDX ₁ (SETINDEX), and then the second Instructs the expansion of one frame of the video (TXLOAD), and places the expanded texture in the appropriate place in the drawing area (SPRITE). Normally, the Destination area in this case becomes a part of the drawing area.

The same applies to the following. If the index space IDX _k is secured one after another by the NEWPIX command and then a plurality of IP streams are drawn in the drawing area while performing appropriate α-blending processing, the drawing contents in the drawing area will be the same. , It will be sequentially accumulated as image data in the frame buffer FBa which is the actual drawing area. When a plurality of N IP stream moving images are drawn, a plurality of N index spaces are functioning in the page area (b).

Then, when a series of fluctuation effects are completed, the DELPIX command is used to release the index space IDX that is considered unnecessary among the large number of index spaces IDX ₁ to IDX _k secured in the page area (b). The unnecessary index space IDX may be deleted.

When drawing a still image or I-stream movie, use the SETINDEX command to specify that the decoding destination of these textures is the AAC area (a), and then execute the TXLOAD command to execute the AAC area. The texture acquired in (a) is then expanded into the ACC area (a) by the automatically activated GDEC75. Then, the expanded texture may be drawn in a suitable place in the drawing area by the SPRITE command. The first AAC region (a1) or the second AAC region (a2) is used depending on whether or not the cache hit function is utilized.

In the description so far, each texture is directly drawn in the drawing area of the DS1 for the main display device, but is not necessarily limited to such an operation. For example, if an appropriate drawing area is provided (FIG. 9 (c)) in a state where it does not overlap with the drawing area already reserved for the display device DS1, and this drawing area is associated with the work area of the built-in VRAM 71, it is intermediate. It is possible to construct an appropriate drawing area and complete an appropriate staging image. Here, the reason why the drawing area does not overlap with the drawing area for the display device DS1 is that the later association setting is prioritized for the overlapping area and the drawing contents in the area are not reflected in the frame buffer FBa.

As shown in FIG. 9 (c), the work area of this embodiment is the index space IDX ₀ in the arbitrary area (c). Then, in the effect timing using this work area, an instruction command for associating the drawing area for the effect image (see FIG. 9C) with the work area (actual drawing area of index space IDX ₀ ) is preceded. Describe the columns (SETDAVR, SETDAVF, SETINDEX). As shown in FIG. 9C, the drawing area for the effect image is secured in the area not included in the drawing area for the main display device DS1.

Then, after that, the same instruction command as the instruction command sequence L16 regarding the frame buffer FBa may be listed, and an appropriate effect image may be completed in the index space IDX ₀ . In the case of this embodiment, since the staging image is composed of a still image, an instruction command (SETINDEX) is described so that the decoded data is expanded in the first AAC region (a1), and then the index space IDX ₀ A primitive drawing-type instruction command (SPRITE) with the destination in the drawing area will be used. It should be noted that such an operation is repeated once or a plurality of times depending on the content of the effect.

Then, after positioning the index space IDX ₀ that completes the effect image as a texture (SETINDEX), the effect image (texture) of the index space IDX ₀ is drawn at an appropriate position in the drawing area of the DS1 for the main display device by the SPRITE command. Just do it. In such a case, it is conceivable to decompose the effect image of the index space IDX ₀ into triangular drawing primitives, rotate them at an appropriate angle, and then draw them in the drawing area. The rotation angle of the texture is associated with, for example, the reliability of the advance notice effect.

The instruction command sequence (L11 to L16) for completing one frame of the main display device DS1 has been described above, but the instruction command sequence (L17 to L12) for completing one frame of the sub display device DS2 has also been described. The same is true. That is, the start XY coordinates of the frame buffer FBb are specified (L17), defined (usually X = 0, Y = 0), and on the virtual drawing space shown in FIG. 9 (c), for the sub-display device DS2. A drawing area is defined (L18).

By the way, in this embodiment, after the generation of the image data for the main display device DS1 is completed, the process shifts to the generation process for the sub display device DS2, so that the drawing area for the sub display device DS2 is for the main display device DS1. There is no problem even if it overlaps with the drawing area of, and the drawing area can be set freely. Therefore, when developing a display list DL generation program, for example, when pasting an appropriate texture to a newly set drawing area with the SPRITE command, set the operation parameters (Destination area) of the SPRITE command and so on. It can be stylized to some extent.

After the definition of such an arbitrary drawing area is completed (L18), next, for the frame buffer FBb of the display device DS2 having a double buffer configuration, the index space becomes the "write area" of the drawing contents based on the display list DL this time. Identify the IDX (L19). The index number of the index space IDX is the index number of the frame buffer FBb that does not correspond to the display area (0) / (1) specified in step ST6 of the main control process.

After that, the instruction command sequences L20 to L22 for the sub display device DS2 are listed in the same manner as the instruction command sequences L14 to L16 for the main display device DS1. It is also possible to use the effect image completed in the index space IDX ₀ .

As described above, all the instruction commands of L11 to L22 constituting the display list DL are limited to those having a command length that is an integral multiple of 32 bits in this embodiment. Then, as described above, the data volume value (total amount of data) of the display list DL of this embodiment is adjusted to a fixed length (256 bytes), and the required number of NOP commands (L23) as dummy commands are added. After that, it is terminated by the EODL command (L24). That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 18, the above-mentioned standard method (B) is adopted.

However, even when the standard method (B) is adopted, it is not always essential to fix the total amount of data in the display list DL to 256 bytes in all operation cycles. That is, in another embodiment, when the total amount of data in the display list DL excluding the NOP command exceeds 256 bytes (for example, during a special effect period), the total amount of data in the display list DL is added with the NOP command. Is adjusted to 512 bytes or more, N × 256 bytes. As described above, when the standard method (B) is adopted, the end of N × 256 bytes is terminated by the EODL command.

Although the configuration of the display list DL has been described in detail above, the staging control CPU 63 will issue the completed display list DL having a fixed byte length to the VDP circuit (ST7 to ST8). FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a DL issuing process (ST8 in FIG. 17) in which the effect control CPU 63 directly accesses the transfer port register TR_PORT of the transfer circuit 72 to issue a display list DL to the drawing circuit 76. The transfer port register TR_PORT is a type of data transfer register RGij that defines the operation content of the data transfer circuit 72.

In order to realize the DL issuance process, it is first necessary to set necessary setting values in a plurality of data transfer registers RGij that define the operation contents of the data transfer circuit 72. Specifically, the transfer operation mode of the data transfer circuit 72 and the transmission via the inside of the data transfer circuit 72 are specified in the predetermined data transfer register RGij. The setting contents are not particularly limited, but here, when the data transfer operation is executed while checking the remaining amount of the FIFO buffer with respect to the CPU IF unit 56 via the ChB control circuit 72b and the CPU bus control unit 72d. Set (ST20). In the following description, the ChB control circuit 72b may be abbreviated as "transfer circuit ChB" for convenience.

Next, the total transfer size is set in the predetermined data transfer register RGij. As described above, in this embodiment, the total amount of data in the display list DL is adjusted to an integral multiple of 256 bytes, so that value is set. The total amount of data = 256 × N is also an integer N times the minimum amount of data Dmin of the data transfer circuit 72. Normally, the multiple N is 1 or 2, but in the following description, it will be described as N = 1.

Here, since the transfer port register TR_PORT (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as a transfer port) is a 32-bit length register, the effect control CPU 63 executes a register WRITE operation for the transfer port TR_PORT every 32 bits. It will be. Therefore, the value of the management counter CN that manages the number of register WRITEs is initially set to 64 (ST21). When the non-adjustment method (C) is adopted, the data transfer amount that is an integral multiple of the minimum data amount Dmin is determined at this timing, and the management counter CN is set.

Since the initial setting is completed by the above processing, next, the data transfer operation via the transfer circuit ChB is set to the start state (ST22), and the setting to the predetermined drawing register RGij that regulates the operation of the drawing circuit 76 is set. The drawing operation is started based on the value (ST23). As a result, after that, the effect control CPU 63 guarantees a quick and smooth Analyze process by the drawing circuit 76 (display list analyzer) for the instruction command sequence in which the register WRITE operation is performed on the transfer port TR_PORT.

It should be noted that the fact that the instruction commands listed in the display list DL are limited to the instruction commands having a command length of 32 bits, which is an integral multiple of the command length, also contributes effectively to the quick and smooth Analyze processing. The timings t1, t2, t3, and t4 in FIG. 25A indicate the operation timing of step ST23. Since the display list DL issuance process (ST8) is completed quickly, the time width required for the issuance process is not described in FIGS. 25 to 26.

Then, it is confirmed whether or not the setting of step ST22 has worked (ST24). This is because the initial setting of each part of the data transfer circuit 72 takes more processing time than the register WRITE operation (setting operation) by the effect control CPU 63, so a subsequent instruction is given to the data transfer circuit 72 in an incomplete state. Because there is no such thing. Then, if the operation start state is not reached even after waiting for a predetermined time, the critical abnormality flag ABN is set and the DL issuance process is completed (ST25). As a result, after that, the WDT circuit 58 functions and the composite chip 50 is abnormally reset (ST10).

The effect control CPU 63 may output a predetermined keyword string to the pattern check circuit CHK and abnormally reset only the VDP circuit 52 based on the reset signal RST in order to avoid resetting the CPU circuit 51. As mentioned above.

However, since the setting of step ST22 is normally completed quickly, it is subsequently confirmed that the FIFO buffer (32 bits x 130 stages) of the CPU bus control unit 72d is not full (ST26). , Write the instruction command to the transfer port TR_PORT line by line in order from the first line constituting the display list DL (ST28).

Then, while decrementing the management counter CN (ST29), the processes of steps ST26 to ST29 are repeated until the management counter CN becomes zero (ST30). In the case of this embodiment, since the minimum data amount Dmin is specified in the data transfer circuit 72, the data transfer operation is executed at the timing when the minimum data amount Dmin is accumulated in the FIFO buffer, which is intermittent. Transfer operation.

In any case, in this embodiment, the DL issuance process (ST28) is completed quickly, but if the settings to the VDP register RGIj are inconsistent due to the influence of noise or the like, step ST26 is performed. In the determination, the state of the FIFO buffer Full may not be resolved even after waiting for a predetermined time. Then, in such a case, the initialization data is set in the predetermined VDP register RGij, the drawing circuit 76 and the data transfer circuit 72 are initialized, and then the serious abnormality flag ABN is set and the DL issuance process is performed. Finish (ST27).

By the way, at this timing, the data transfer circuit 72 and the drawing circuit 76 have already started operation and have completed some processing. Therefore, in the initialization processing of the drawing circuit 76, the contents of the drawing register RGij are used. While maintained, (1) set all internal parameters that may be set by the display list DL to the initial values, (2) set all internal control circuits to the initial state, (3). It includes initializing the GDEC75 and (4) initializing the cache state of the AAC area. Similarly, the initialization process of the data transfer circuit 72 includes the initialization process of the entire data transfer up to that point, such as clearing the FIFO buffer. As a result, the status information indicating the operating state of the data transfer circuit 72 changes to a predetermined value (a value indicating that the entire data transfer is being initialized).

In the initialization process of step ST27 described above, the contents of the drawing register RGij are maintained, but the contents of the predetermined drawing register may be initialized. The predetermined drawing registers that are cleared to the initial values include (a) an execution control register that sets the start of drawing execution (see ST23 in FIG. 19), (b) a status register that indicates the execution status of the drawing circuit 76, and ( c) Contains a status register that identifies the location of the display list currently being processed.

In any case, as a result of setting the serious abnormality flag ABN, the WDT circuit 58 and the effect control CPU 63 function thereafter, and the composite chip 50 or the VDP circuit 52 is abnormally reset (ST10a), so that the drawing circuit 76 And the process of initializing the data transfer circuit 72 is not always essential. On the other hand, when the drawing circuit 76 and the data transfer circuit 72 are initialized, as a result, abnormal recovery can be expected. Therefore, the DL issuance process is repeated by returning to the process of step ST20 without setting the serious error flag ABN. It is also suitable to carry out.

This point is the same in the process of step ST25, and it is preferable to initialize the data transfer circuit 72 and the drawing circuit 76 and then return to the process of step ST20 without setting the serious abnormality flag ABN. However, in such a case, the number of re-executions of the DL issuance process is counted, and if the number of re-executions exceeds the limit value, the serious abnormality flag ABN is set and the DL issuance process is completed.

FIG. 19B is a confirmatory illustration of a normal operating state. As shown in the figure, the issued display list DL is analyzed by the drawing circuit 76 (display list analyzer) in the order of the listed instruction commands, and the operation based on each instruction command is executed. This operation is executed in parallel with the display list DL issuance process and the data transfer operation (ST26 to ST30) of the data transfer circuit 72.

For example, when the instruction command (TXLOAD) is executed, the necessary texture is read from the CGROM 55 and acquired in the AAC area (a), and then the GDEC75 is automatically started to execute the decoding operation and decode. Later data is expanded into a given index space. Further, depending on the instruction command, the geometry engine 77 and others function, but in any case, the image data corresponding to the display list DL is completed in the frame buffers FBa and FBb by the cooperation of each part of the drawing circuit 76. Will be.

Subsequently, a case where the display list DL is issued via the DMAC circuit 60 will be described with reference to FIG. Although not limited in any way, the third DMA channel among the first to fourth DMA channels built in the DMAC circuit 60 will be used.

In the embodiment of FIG. 20, first, the data transfer circuit 72 and the drawing circuit 76 are initialized by setting clear values in the predetermined data transfer register RGij and the predetermined drawing register RGij, respectively (ST20). This processing is the same as the error processing in step ST27 of FIG. 19, and the internal circuit of the data transfer circuit 72 including the FIFA buffer is initialized, and the status bit of the data transfer register indicating the progress status of the data transfer is the initial value. And the bit indicating that the entire data transfer is being initialized becomes a predetermined value.

The same applies to the drawing circuit 76, and the above-mentioned (1) setting the internal parameters to the initial values, (2) setting the internal control circuit to the initial state, (3) initializing the GDEC75, and (4) ) A process to initialize the cache state of the AAC area is included. Further, in the initialization process of the drawing circuit (ST20 in FIG. 20), the predetermined drawing register RGij may be initialized. In the process of FIG. 19, such an initialization process may be executed first.

In the process of FIG. 20, next, it is confirmed by READing the predetermined status register RGij that specifies the operating state of the data transfer circuit 72 and the drawing circuit 76 that the initialization process is completed normally (ST21). If the initialization cannot be performed, the serious abnormality flag ABN is set and the process is completed (ST22). However, such a situation rarely occurs in reality.

Next, the transfer operation mode of the data transfer circuit 72 and the transmission via the inside of the data transfer circuit 72 are set in the predetermined data transfer register RGij. The setting content is not particularly limited, but here, it is set to follow the setting to the DMAC circuit 60 regarding the transfer protocol from the CPUIF unit 56 to the CPU bus control unit 72d via the ChB control circuit 72b (ST23). ).

Next, the total transfer size is set in the predetermined data transfer register RGij. As in the case of FIG. 19, the total amount of data = 256. When the non-adjustment method (C) is adopted, the total transfer size, which is an integral multiple of the minimum data amount Dmin, is determined and set at this timing. Next, the drawing operation of the drawing circuit 76 is started based on the set value in the predetermined drawing register RGij (ST25). The timings t1, t2, t3, and t4 in FIG. 25A are also the operation timings of step ST25. Then, after starting the operation of the DMAC circuit 60 (ST26), the data transfer operation of the data transfer circuit 72 is started (ST27).

The process of starting the operation of the DMAC circuit 60 is as shown in FIG. 20 (b). First, with the DMAC transfer prohibited, the transfer of one cycle of the data transfer unit (1 operand) is waited for to be completed (1). ST40). The detailed operation content is the same as the process shown in FIG. 21, and is divided into a process for prohibiting DMAC transfer (ST53) and a subsequent standby process (ST54).

Such processing is provided (1) In another embodiment, the DMAC circuit 60 (third DMA channel) may be used in the main control processing and the timer interrupt processing (FIG. 17). (2) In another embodiment in which the process of step ST5 of FIG. 17 is not provided, the DMAC circuit 60 that has started issuing the display list DL may not be able to end the DL issuing operation within the operation cycle (δ). It takes into consideration the possibility.

In the above exceptional situation, if a new setting value (inconsistent setting value, etc.) is additionally set for the DMAC circuit 60 in operation, normal DMA operation is not guaranteed at all, and serious trouble occurs. Although there is concern, by providing the process of step ST40, normal operation based on the subsequent set value is guaranteed. That is, even in the modified embodiment in which the present embodiment is partially modified, the subsequent normal DMA operation can be realized regardless of the preceding trouble.

After executing the process of step ST40 having the above significance, the operating conditions of the DMAC circuit 60 are next set (ST41). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the cycle steal transfer mode is selected, and one operand transfer is set to 32 bit transfer × 2 times. Further, it is stipulated that the Source address should be recognized as increasing sequentially because it is the address of the list buffer area (DL buffer BUF) of the RAM 59, while the Destination address should be a fixed value because it is the transfer port TR_PORT. ..

Next, the start address of the DL buffer BUF of the RAM 59 is set in the predetermined operation control register REG that defines the operation of the DMAC circuit 60 (ST42), and the address of the transfer port TR_PORT, which is the transfer destination address, is set (ST43). ). Further, after setting the total transfer size, that is, the total amount of data in the display list DL to 256 bytes (ST44), the DMA operation of the DMAC circuit 60 is started (ST45).

By the way, the description so far is based on the premise that the actual bit lengths of the instruction commands are all integral multiples of 32 bits. However, since the configuration of the display list DL and the instruction command is not necessarily limited, such a case will be described below.

For example, when the total data amount X of the display list DL is an arbitrary value X that is not an integral multiple of 32 bits, including the case where the above-mentioned non-adjustment method (C) is adopted, the arbitrary value X is processed in step ST44. Is adjusted to an appropriate transfer amount MOD, and then the transfer total size setting process is executed. Here, the appropriate transfer amount MOD is defined based on the setting contents for one operand transfer and the minimum data amount Dmin (bytes) of the data transfer circuit 72.

Specifically, if one operand transfer setting is N bytes × M times, the transfer amount MOD is adjusted to an integer multiple of N × M (bytes) and an integral multiple of Dmin (bytes). Will be done. For example, if N × M = 8 × 4 and Dmin = 256, the arbitrary value X (= 300) bytes are adjusted to the transfer amount MOD (= 512) bytes.

As described above, the DMA operation of the DMAC circuit 60 has started the cycle steal transfer operation as shown in FIG. 6, and the display list DL is the embodiment without particularly disturbing the operation of the CPU. In this case, it is transferred to the transfer port TR_PORT every 32 bits. Then, the transferred data is transferred to the drawing circuit 76 via the transfer circuit ChB.

In order to realize such an operation, in this embodiment, following the process of step ST45, the transfer operation of the data transfer circuit 72 is started and the process is completed (ST27). After that, the data transfer circuit 72 receives the instruction command sequence of the display list DL from the DMAC circuit 60 with the minimum data amount Dmin as one unit, and transfers this to the drawing circuit 76. Then, the drawing circuit 76 executes the drawing operation based on the instruction command of the display list DL. Therefore, after the process of step ST27, the effect control CPU 63 can start the process of step ST11 of FIG. 17, and the sound effect is performed in parallel with the drawing operation by the VDP circuit 52 (DL issuance process by the DMAC circuit 60). It is possible to control the lamp effect and the motor effect.

FIG. 20 (c) illustrates this operation content. Prior to the DMA transfer, the operation of the drawing circuit is started (ST25), the display list analyzer of the drawing circuit 76 executes the Analyze process quickly and smoothly, and other operations such as the GDEC75 and the geometry engine 77 are performed. Based on this, in the frame buffers FBa and FBb, image data for each frame is generated for each display device DS1 and DS2.

By the way, the configuration of FIG. 20 in which the DL issuance process is completed by the process of step ST27 is not necessarily limited. For example, as shown in FIGS. 27 to 28, when another CPU controls the sound effect, the lamp effect, and the motor effect, the DMAC circuit 60 and the data transfer circuit 72 normally operate after the processing of step ST27. It is preferable to confirm. FIG. 21 is an operation following step ST27 in FIG. 20, and is a flowchart illustrating a confirmation process of normal operation.

First, it is confirmed that the transfer operation of the DMAC circuit 60 is normally completed by referring to a predetermined status register (ST50). Further, it is confirmed that the data transfer circuit 72 has finished the transfer operation (ST51). Normally, the DL issuance process of FIG. 20 is completed by such a route.

On the other hand, even if you wait for a predetermined time. If the operation of the DMAC circuit 60 is not completed, or if the data transfer circuit 72 has not completed the transfer operation, a clear value is set in the predetermined VDP register RGij for the drawing circuit 76 and the data transfer circuit 72. Then, the DL issuance process is initialized (ST52). This is an operation based on the fact that the display list DL issuance process has not been completed normally, and specifically, it has the same contents as the error process in step ST27 in FIG. 19 and the initial process in step ST20 in FIG. be.

That is, in this case as well, the drawing circuit 76 has already started operation and has completed some processing, so that the initialization processing of the drawing circuit 76 may be set by (1) the display list DL. Set all internal parameters to the initial values, (2) set all internal control circuits to the initial state, (3) initialize the GDEC75, (4) initialize the cache state of the AAC area. Is included.

Next, after prohibiting a new DMA transfer operation (ST53), it waits for the transfer operation of one operand being executed to end (ST54). As described above, in this embodiment, 32 bit transfer × 2 times is set as one operand, and this is to avoid sudden initialization of the DMAC circuit 60 in operation.

Then, when this preparatory work is completed, a clear value is set in a predetermined operation control register REG that defines the operation of the DMAC circuit 60, and the DMAC circuit 60 is initialized (ST52). Then, the serious abnormality flag ABN is set and the DL issuance process is completed. In this case, since abnormal recovery can be expected by the processing of steps ST52 and ST55, it is also preferable to return to step ST20 of FIG. 20 and re-execute the DL issuance processing without setting the serious abnormality flag ABN. be. However, it is necessary to count the number of re-executions of the DL issuance process (ST23 to ST27), and if the number of re-executions exceeds the limit value, set the serious abnormality flag ABN and finish the DL issuance process.

Subsequently, the main control process when the preloader 73 is used will be described with reference to FIG. 22. The process of FIG. 22 is similar to the process of FIG. 17, but first, the content of the start condition determination (ST5') is different. That is, in the embodiment using the preloader, the status information of the drawing circuit 76 and the preloader 73 is READ-accessed at the start of each operation cycle to complete the drawing operation based on the display list DL1 and the display list DL2. Confirm that the preload operation based on is completed (ST5').

As shown in the time chart of FIG. 26A, for example, the preloader 76 has a look-ahead operation (preload operation) during the operation cycle (T1 to T1 + δ) based on the display list DL1 issued in the operation cycle (T1). Should have finished. Further, the drawing circuit 76 should have completed the drawing operation based on the display list DL1 during the operation cycle (T1 + δ to T1 + 2δ) based on the operation start command instructed in the operation cycle (T1 + δ), for example.

Therefore, in (ST5'), the status information of the VDP register RGij regarding the drawing circuit 76 and the preloader 73 is READ-accessed to confirm the above-mentioned normal operation. FIG. 26A shows a state in which normal operation is confirmed at the determination timing of the operation cycle T1, T1 + δ, T1 + 2δ, T1 + 4δ, but the preload operation is not completed at the determination timing of the operation cycle T1 + 3δ. ..

Then, at the time of such an abnormality, the abnormality flag ER is incremented (ER = ER + 1), and then the process is shifted to the process of step ST9. Therefore, as in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 17, frame dropping occurs. That is, since the display area switching process (ST6) is skipped, the same screen is redisplayed. The operation period (T1 + 3δ to T1 + 4δ) shown in FIG. 25 (a) indicates the operation state.

Further, in the determination of step ST5', if the start condition is not satisfied, the drawing operation start instruction (PT10) based on the rewrite list DL'is not executed for the drawing circuit 76, so that the drawing circuit 76 does not operate. It is in a state and no new display list is generated. In FIG. 26A, the timings t0, t2, and t4 indicate the operation timing of the drawing operation start instruction (PT10), or more accurately, the timing of step ST26 in FIG.

The case where the determination in step ST5'is incompatible has been described above, but in a normal case, after switching the display areas of the frame buffers FBa and FBb in a toggle manner (ST6), the rewrite list DL is applied to the drawing circuit 76. 'The drawing operation based on'is started (PT10). The specific contents are as shown in FIG. 23, and the drawing circuit 76 is based on the control of the staging control CPU 63, via the data transfer circuit 72 (transfer circuit ChB), from the DL buffer BUF'of the external DRAM 54. The rewrite list DL'is acquired and the drawing operation is executed.

Prior to explaining the flowchart of FIG. 23 that realizes this operation, when the operation of the preloader 73 is confirmed, the preloader 73 preloads the CGROM 55 based on the display list DL acquired one operation cycle before. The pre-read data has already been stored in the preload area secured in the external DRAM 54. Further, for the texture load type command (TXLOAD) described in the display list DL, the source address is rewritten to the address of the preload area, and the rewrite list DL'is stored in the DL buffer BUF' of the external DRAM 54. ing.

In this rewriting process, the total amount of data in the display list DL does not change, and the total amount of data in the rewriting list DL'is the same as that in the display list DL. Further, the display list DL is created by the standard method (B), and the end of the rewrite list DL'is an EODL command as in the case of the display list DL.

Based on the above, FIG. 23 will be described. First, the staging control CPU 63 sets clear values in the predetermined data transfer register RGij and the predetermined drawing register RGij, respectively, and sets the data transfer circuit 72 and the drawing circuit 76. Initialize (ST20). This process has the same contents as the process of ST20 in FIG. Next, it is confirmed that this initialization process is completed normally (ST21), and if the initialization is not completed even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the serious abnormality flag ABN is set and the process is completed (ST21). ST22).

Normally, the initialization of the data transfer circuit 72 and the drawing circuit 76 is normally completed, so that the transmission route inside the data transfer circuit 72 is subsequently set in the predetermined data transfer register RGij (ST23). Specifically, it is set to transfer data from the external DRAM 54 to the drawing circuit 76 via the ChB control circuit 72b (ST23). Next, the start address of the DL buffer BUF'of the external DRAM 54 in which the rewrite list DL'is stored is set in the predetermined data transfer register RGij (ST24).

Further, for this rewrite list DL', the total transfer size is set in the predetermined data transfer register RGij (ST25). As described above, the total amount of data in the rewrite list DL'is the same as the total amount of data in the display list DL, and specifically, for example, 256 bytes.

Next, the drawing operation of the drawing circuit 76 is started based on the set value in the predetermined drawing register RGij (ST26). The timings t1, t2, t3, and t4 in FIG. 25A are also the operation timings of step ST26. Then, the operation of the data transfer circuit 60 is started and the process is completed based on the set value in the predetermined data transfer register RGij (ST27). After that, the staging control CPU 63 shifts to the display list generation process (ST7) that is effective in the next operation cycle without being particularly involved in the operation of the data transfer circuit 72 or the drawing circuit.

On the other hand, the drawing circuit 76, which starts the operation at the timing of step ST26, executes the drawing operation based on the rewrite list DL'and generates image data based on the rewrite list DL'in the frame buffers FBa and FBb. In this operation, the drawing circuit 76 exclusively READ-accesses the preload area without READ-accessing the CGROM 55, so that a series of drawing operations can be completed quickly.

Since the processing contents of step PT10 have been described above, returning to FIG. 22 and continuing the explanation, in the embodiment in which the preloader 73 is utilized after the processing of step PT11, the display list DL to be activated in the next cycle is displayed. Created based on the standard method (B) (ST7). For example, in the operation cycle (T1) shown in FIG. 26A, the display list DL referred to by the drawing circuit 76 is created in the operation cycle (T1 + δ) which is the next cycle.

Next, the staging control CPU 63 issues the created display list DL to the preloader 73 instead of the drawing circuit 76 (PT11). The specific operation contents are as shown in FIG. 24. First, regarding the embodiment (FIG. 17) in which the preloader 73 is not used, when the staging control CPU 63 directly issues the display list DL to the drawing circuit 76 (FIG. 19), the staging control CPU 63 is directly issued to the drawing circuit 76 (FIG. 19) and via the DMAC circuit 60. Although the case of issuing (FIG. 20) is shown, substantially the same operation is shown in FIGS. 24 (b) and 24 (c) except that the issuing destination is the preloader 73. ..

FIG. 24A is a flowchart illustrating the operation of FIG. 24B, which is almost the same as the flowchart of FIG. However, it is set that the data transfer operation is executed from the CPU IF unit 56 via the ChC control circuit 72c and the CPU bus control unit 72d while checking the remaining amount of the FIFO buffer (ST20). In the following description, the ChC control circuit 72c may be abbreviated as "transfer circuit ChC" for convenience.

Next, the total transfer size (for example, 256 bytes adjusted by the standard method (B)) is set to the predetermined data transfer register RGij, and the management counter CN is initially set to 64 (ST21). Next, the data transfer operation via the transfer circuit ChC is set to the start state (ST22), and the preload operation is started based on the set value in the preload register RGij that defines the operation of the preloader 73 (ST23).

As a result, after that, the preloader 73 executes necessary analysis (Analyze) processing for each instruction command written to the transfer port TR_PORT by the effect control CPU 63, and detects an instruction command (TXLOAD) that should be READ-accessed to the CGROM 55. , The texture is preloaded and stored in the preloaded area of the DRAM 54. Further, the rewrite list DL'with the source address of the texture changed is saved in the DL buffer area BUF' of the DRAM 54.

The timings t1, t3, and t5 in FIG. 26A substantially indicate the operation timing of step ST23 in FIG. 24. However, also in this embodiment, if any abnormality occurs in the process of issuing the display list DL, the processes of step ST25 and step ST27 are executed. Specifically, the operations of the data transfer circuit 72 and the preloader 73 are initialized, and the display list DL issuance process (ST20 to ST30) is re-executed to the extent possible. The initialization process of the preloader 73 includes a process of erasing the rewrite list DL'in an unfinished state and a process of clearing the preload area in which the preload data is newly stored.

Although the case where the preloader 73 is used and the case where the preloader 73 is not used have been described in detail above, the specific operation content is not particularly limited. FIG. 25B shows an embodiment in which the display list generated by the staging control CPU 63 is issued to the drawing circuit 76 with a delay of one operation cycle δ instead of the generated operation cycle. In the case of such an embodiment, since the drawing circuit 76 can use almost the entire time of one operation cycle (δ), the possibility of frame dropping is reduced.

Further, FIG. 26B shows an embodiment in which the display list generated by the staging control CPU 63 is issued to the preloader 73 with a delay of one operation cycle instead of the generated operation cycle. In this case, since the preloader 73 can execute the pre-doed operation using almost the entire time of one operation cycle (δ), the possibility of frame dropping is reduced in this case as well.

In the description so far, the composite chip 50 is used, but it is not always necessary to integrate the staging control CPU 63 and the VDP circuit 52 into one element. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the entire effect control is controlled by a single CPU (effect control CPU 63), but the upstream CPU and the downstream effect control CPU 63 cooperate with each other to produce the effect. Control operations may be performed.

27 to 28 are block diagrams showing such an embodiment. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the effect control CPU on the upstream side controls the sound effect, the lamp effect, and the motor effect. On the other hand, the CPU circuit 51 on the downstream side controls only the image effect based on the control command CMD'received from the effect control CPU.

When such a configuration is adopted, the CPU circuit 51 does not need to execute the process of step ST12 in FIG. 17 (a) and the process of FIG. 17 (b), and takes a sufficient time to perform a complicated display. A list DL can be generated, and more complicated and advanced image effects such as 3D (Dimension) can be realized. In such a case, the display list becomes large, but in that case, the total amount of data in the display list DL is adjusted to 512 bytes or more by adding a dummy command to N × 256 bytes. ..

Further, since the operation of the CPU circuit 51 on the downstream side is specialized in image effect control, it is possible to confirm that the drawing operation is completed after the display list DL is issued. The lower part of FIG. 19 shows an operation control example in this case, and if the drawing operation is not completed even after the time limit is exceeded, the serious abnormality flag ABN is set and the process is completed (ST32). Since the processing of the CPU circuit 51 on the downstream side is only the image effect control, the completion of the drawing operation may be simply waited in an infinite loop.

When such a configuration is adopted, the start condition determination (ST5) in FIG. 17A can be repeated for a predetermined time. Even with this configuration, if the delay in completing the drawing operation is not so long, only the problem that the switching between the display area (0) and the display area (1) is delayed occurs. That is, as shown in the operation cycle T1 + 3δ shown in FIG. 29 (a), in one operation cycle in which the display operation is repeated twice, the frame is dropped only in the first half, and the normal frame is displayed in the second half.

This point is the same when the preloader is used, and the start condition determination (ST5') in FIG. 22A can be repeated for a predetermined time. Then, if there is a slight delay, as shown in the operation cycle T1 + 3δ shown in FIG. 29B, the frame is dropped only in the first half, and a normal frame is displayed in the second half. However, if the completion of the drawing operation is significantly delayed, a complete frame drop will occur as in the operation cycle T1 + 3δ in FIG. 25 (a), and if such a situation continues, the WDT circuit 58 will be used. It will start. This point is the same even when the preloader is not used.

Further, when the control operation of the CPU circuit 51 is specialized for image effect control, in the embodiment in which DMA transfer is adopted, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 21, the drawing operation of the drawing circuit 76 is completed and the data transfer circuit 72 is completed. It is determined that the operation of the DMAC circuit 60 is completed and the operation of the DMAC circuit 60 is completed (ST50'to ST52'). If any of the operations is not completed normally, the operations of the data transfer circuit 72 and the drawing circuit 76 are initialized, and the same processing (ST55'to ST57') as the processing of steps ST53 to ST55 is executed. To. Also in this case, it is preferable to re-execute the DL issuance process a predetermined number of times.

As described above, an example of constructing a horizontal size index space that completely matches the number of horizontal pixels of each display device as the frame buffers FBa and FBb of the main display device DS1 and the sub display device DS2 has been described. FIG. 30A is a confirmatory illustration of this relationship, in which a drawing area (W × H) on the virtual drawing space and an effective data area (actual drawing area W × H) on the index space are shown. , Both show cases that match the number of horizontal / vertical pixels of the display device.

In such a correspondence, the drawing operation in the virtual drawing space by the display list DL is not necessarily limited to the drawing area (W × H), and therefore, for example, as shown by the left inclined line in the upper part of FIG. 30A. By moving the drawing position of the drawn image (W'xH') that exceeds the drawing area (WxH) in time, the actual drawing area WxH shown by the right inclined line at the lower part of FIG. 30A. It is possible to appropriately move the contents drawn on the screen vertically / horizontally / diagonally.

Further, in order to execute such an effect, for example, as shown in FIG. 30B, an index space having a horizontal size W larger than the number of horizontal pixels of the display device may be provided. In this case, the drawing area W × H on the virtual drawing space defined by the instruction command L12 (SETDAVF) of the display list DL is larger than the actual drawing area w × h corresponding to the number of horizontal / vertical pixels of the display device. Set. In the lower part of FIG. 30B, the actual drawing area w × h is shown by a right inclined line.

The vertical and horizontal dimensions of the actual drawing area w × h are specified as the number of display lines and the number of horizontal pixels of the display device in the process of step SS30 in FIG. 17, and the upper left end point of the actual drawing area w × h is shown in the figure. In the process of step SS31 of 17, the vertical / horizontal display start position is set in a predetermined display register.

On the other hand, the base point address (X, Y) in the index space is set in a predetermined drawing register by the instruction command L11 of the display list. As described above, specifically, the upper left base point address on the index space IDX is defined as (0,0) by the instruction command L11 (SETDAVR) of the environment setting system. Then, if the upper left end point of the actual drawing area w × h is appropriately moved in the steady processing, the drawing content of the actual drawing area W × H shown by the right inclined line at the lower part of FIG. Will move appropriately.

As described with respect to FIG. 17, the VDP registers RGij related to steps SS30 to SS32 are write-protected after the initial setting (second prohibition setting SS34), but the timing for executing the above effect is predetermined. By writing the release value to the VDP register RGij of, this prohibition setting is released.

By the way, in the above embodiment, the predetermined system control register RGij and the predetermined VDP register RGIj of the initial setting system are uniformly put into a write-protected state by utilizing the type 1 and type 2 prohibition setting registers. It was set (see SS33 and SS34 in FIGS. 17 and 22) so that the set values for these registers would not be changed due to the influence of noise or the like thereafter. However, it is also preferable to repeat the setting process at predetermined time intervals for the important setting value of the system control register RGij without making such a write-protection setting.

FIG. 31 is a drawing for explaining the processing in such a case, and the setting values to be set in the initial setting processing (ST3) are summarized in the setting value table SET TABLE stored in the control memory 53 (PROGMROM). .. In step ST3 of FIG. 17, although the description is omitted, (a) the initial setting process is executed based on the initial value setting table SETTABLE, and (b) the contents of the initial value setting table SETTABLE are described. , The embodiment of FIG. 17 is also substantially the same as the content described below.

In any of the embodiments, the set value table SETTABLE is composed of a plurality of sets (N sets) in which the register address value of the VDP register RGij and the set value for the register RGij are set as one set. Although not particularly limited, the register address value is fixed to 16 bit length and the set value is fixed to 32 bit length, and each has a fixed length, so that the data capacity of the initial value setting table SETTABLE is 6 × N bytes (= 48t). × Nbit) length, VDP register RGij is N pieces.

However, in the embodiment of FIG. 17, the initial value setting table SETTABLE is READ-accessed only once, and all N VDP registers RGij are initialized only once, whereas in the embodiment of FIG. 31, all of them are initialized. The N VDP registers RGij are divided into N1 VDP registers RGij, which are initially set only once, and N2 VDP registers RGij, which are repeatedly initialized every 1/30 second after the first initial setting. It is classified.

Then, in the embodiment of FIG. 31, the set values that are repeatedly initially set include (1) a set value for the DMA transfer operation, (2) a set value for the VRAM, (3) a set value for an interrupt, and (4) a display. The set value related to the circuit 74 and (5) the set value related to the drawing circuit 76 are included.

(1) The set value related to the DMA transfer operation is, for example, a set value that is a precondition for the operating condition specified in step ST41, and is fixed regardless of the difference in the operating condition in FIGS. 20 (c) and 24 (c). It is a basic setting value that is applied to the target. Specifically, (a) a threshold value (for example, 1/2 stage of the whole) of how much the FIFO buffer (N stage) built in the DAMC circuit 60 is released to make a transfer request to the transfer source, ( b) Includes settings such as whether or not to perform a handshake operation with the transfer destination or transfer source (for example, No).

Further, (2) the set value of VRAM includes the refresh cycle of the refresh operation. The built-in VRAM 71 operates in this refresh cycle to prevent spontaneous discharge of stored data. Next, (3) the setting value related to the interrupt is a value that specifies an error type that causes an interrupt request and an output terminal (internal terminal of the built-in CPU) of the interrupt signal. For example, (a) the drawing circuit 76 If it freezes, a drawing error interrupt occurs in the CPU circuit 51 (interrupt enabled state, see FIG. 17D), (b) When the VBLANK of the display device DS1 starts, a VBLANK start interrupt occurs in the CPU circuit 51. It includes set values such as what happens (see FIG. 17 (c)).

In this embodiment, the composite chip 50 in which the CPU circuit 51 and the VDP circuit 52 are integrated is used, but when a separate chip is used, the output terminal from which the VDP circuit 52 outputs an interrupt signal is a CPU circuit. It is connected to the external interrupt input terminal of 51.

In addition, (4) the set values related to the display circuit include (a) the horizontal / vertical start position of each frame buffer (see SS31), (b) the set values related to the horizontal synchronization signal of each display device, and (c) each display device. The set value for the vertical synchronization signal, (d) the set value for the scaler, (e) the set value for the number of horizontal pixels and the number of display lines of each display device (SS30), and the like are included.

(5) The setting value related to the drawing circuit 76 includes the setting value of the freeze time until the drawing abnormality interrupt occurs. This set value is set, for example, as an integral multiple of the period of the vertical synchronization signal. As described in FIG. 17D, if the drawing circuit 76 does not access the VRAM during the freeze period specified here, the drawing circuit 76 is individually reset (ST16b) and the operating parameters for the drawing circuit 76 are set. It is reset (ST16c).

As described above, in this embodiment, the important set values are repeatedly reset at predetermined time intervals, so even if the set values are garbled due to the influence of noise or the like, the abnormality is immediately detected. Will be recovered. Further, in this embodiment, unlike the case of the embodiment of FIG. 17, the type 1 and type 2 prohibition setting registers RGIj are not set to the write-protected state, so that a slightly complicated prohibition release process is not performed. , You can freely execute the rewriting process.

As described above, in the examples so far, when (1a) the operation freeze state of the drawing circuit 76 after a predetermined freeze time has elapsed, or (1b) the drawing circuit 76 detects an irrational instruction command in the display list DL, , The configuration in which a drawing abnormality interrupt occurs from the drawing circuit 76 of the VDP circuit 52 to the CPU circuit 51 has been described (see FIG. 17D). Then, at the time of a drawing abnormality interrupt, a configuration (ST16c to ST16d) is adopted in which the cause of the interruption is determined (ST16a in FIG. 17D) and the processing is executed according to the determination result.

However, according to the experiment of the present inventor, an abnormal drawing interrupt hardly occurs even under harsh operating conditions with a lot of noise. Therefore, in order to reduce the control load, it is possible to uniformly shift to the infinite loop processing without providing the interrupt cause determination processing (ST16a) (see FIG. 22B), or the pattern check circuit CHK (FIG. It is also preferable to make 4 (b) work (see ST17a in FIG. 22 (c)).

In this case, after that, the WDT circuit 58 is activated after a predetermined time, and the entire composite chip 50 is reset, or only the VDP circuit 52 is reset immediately after that (FIG. 4B). reference). When the VDP circuit 52 is reset based on the reset keyword output process (ST17a), after confirming the normal end of the reset operation and rearranging the stack area for storing the return address (ST17b). For example, the process is shifted to step ST4 or ST13.

Further, in this embodiment, since the abnormality determination process (ST5 in FIGS. 17 and 22) is provided to determine the completion of the operation of the drawing circuit 76 every 1/30 second, the control load is substantially reduced. A drawing abnormality interrupt process (FIG. 22 (d)) that does not execute anything may be provided. As shown in FIG. 22D, in this configuration, the IRET (Interrupt Return) instruction is immediately executed and the process returns to the main control process at the time of a drawing abnormality interrupt, so that the freeze state of the drawing circuit 76 is continued as it is. become. However, in this embodiment, in the process of step ST5 of FIGS. 17 and 22, the number of frame drops is counted by the abnormality flag ER, and eventually the WDT circuit 58 or the pattern check circuit CHK is activated. Therefore, FIG. 22 The configuration of (d) is substantially the same as the configuration of FIGS. 22 (b) and 22 (c).

Further, in order to further reduce the control load, it is also preferable to set the VDP circuit 52 to the drawing abnormality interrupt prohibition state at the time of initial setting (see step ST3 in FIGS. 17 and 22). If the default state when the power is turned on is the drawing abnormal interrupt prohibition state, (a) write the predetermined system control register RGij for which the permission / rejection value that defines the permission / prohibition of the abnormal interrupt should be set. The prohibition state is set, or (b) the prohibition value is repeatedly written to the system control register RGij at predetermined time intervals.

At first glance, this configuration seems to be superior to the configurations of FIGS. 22 (b) and 22 (b). However, for all models of this type of gaming machine, (a) drawing error interrupts are uniformly set to the disabled state, and (b) the drawing error interrupt is uniformly set to the permitted state for each model. It is better to select whether to adopt the configuration of FIG. 17 (d) or the configuration of FIGS. 22 (b) to 22 (d) from the viewpoint of generalization of the control program. In the former configuration (a), it is necessary (complexity) to change the initial setting routine (see step ST3 in FIGS. 17 and 22) for each model.

As a further modification example, it is also preferable to utilize the voice circuit SND built in the composite chip 50. FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing such an embodiment. As is clear when FIG. 32 is compared with FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the voice processor 27 and the voice memory 28 are unnecessary, and the data bus (8 bits) and the address bus (2 bits) of the CPU circuit 51 are unnecessary. No need for external wiring to the audio circuit. Further, since the transmission line of the underflow signal UF does not exist, it is possible to avoid the possibility that the composite chip is erroneously reset abnormally due to the noise superimposed on the UF transmission line.

Further, in this embodiment, the voice data to be stored in the voice memory 28 is stored in the CGROM 53 in response to the elimination of the voice memory 28. FIG. 33 (d) illustrates the stored contents of the CGROM 53, and the CGROM 53 includes sound ROM header information, phrase header information HD, a large number of phrase data PH obtained by compressing a group of voice data, and a voice circuit. A large number of sound commands SCMD, which define the operation of the SND, are fixedly stored.

As shown in the figure, the sound ROM header information is stored from the head address SNDst, and subsequently, the phrase header information HD having a data size HDvl is stored from the head address HDst. Further, the phrase data PH of the data size PHvl is stored from the head address PHst, and the sound command SCMD of the data size SCMDvl is stored from the head address SCMDst.

Here, the sound ROM header information is specifically the start address HDst of the phrase header HD area, the data size HDvl of the phrase header HD area, the start address PHst of the phrase data area PH, and the phrase data area PH. It means the data size PHvl, the head address SCMDst of the sound command area SCM, and the data size SCMDvl of the sound command area SCMD. Then, these information are acquired in the internal circuit of the voice circuit SND when the power is turned on (see step SD4).

Further, the phrase header information HD and the phrase data PH are transferred to the external DRAM 54 at the time of turning on the power to speed up the subsequent READ access (step SD6). As described above, in this embodiment, the voice processor 27 and the voice memory 28 are eliminated to reduce the size and manufacturing cost, and the CGROM 53 is inexpensive and easy to increase in capacity, but has a slow access speed. Overcoming weaknesses.

Based on the above, the initial setting process at the time of turning on the power will be described with reference to FIG. 33 (a). It should be noted that these processes are executed as a part of the process of step ST3 in FIGS. 17 and 22.

As described with respect to FIG. 4 (b), when the power is turned on or when the WDT 58 is activated abnormally, the voice circuit SND is hardware reset along the reset path 2 (step SD1). When the effect control CPU 63 detects an abnormality in the voice circuit SND, the voice circuit SND is hardware reset along the reset path 4B or 4C (step SD1). When the effect control CPU 63 functions the pattern check circuit CHK, the audio circuit SND may be hardware reset together with other circuits (72, 73, 74 ...) (Step SD1).

In any of these cases, the staging control CPU 63 next confirms that the reset operation has been completed normally (step SD2), and then first controls the head address SNDst of the sound data area to the system control of the voice circuit SND. Set to the register RGij (step SD3). Next, by setting a predetermined value in a predetermined system control register, the sound ROM header information HD is stored in the internal circuit. The sound ROM header information HD is the above-mentioned 6 elements (HDst, HDvl, PHst, PHvl, SCMDst, SCMDvl), and is as shown in FIG. 33 (c).

Then, it is confirmed that the processing up to this point has operated normally, and if it cannot be completed normally, the voice circuit is individually reset by the reset path 4B or 4C. However, since normal termination can be confirmed normally, the phrase header information HD and the phrase data PH are subsequently transferred to the external DRAM 54 using the data transfer circuit 72 (step SD6). In the data transfer circuit 72, the head address BGN of the transfer destination, the head address HDst of the transfer source, the total amount of transfer data HDvl + FDvl, and the like are appropriately designated.

Next, the phrase header information HD and the phrase data PH exist in the external DRAM 54 instead of the CGROM 55, which is set in the predetermined system control register RGij (step SD7), and then transferred to the external DRAM 54. The data start address BGN (sound RAM start address) is set in a predetermined system control register (step SD8). After that, by completing the other initial setting processing (step SD9), the voice control operation becomes possible.

As described above, the sound ROM header information, that is, the six pieces of information (HDst, HDvl, PHst, PHvl, SCMDst, SCMDv) are stored in the internal circuit of the audio circuit SND (step SD4), and then thereafter. , The effect control CPU 63 can instruct necessary information such as phrase data by a relative value with the sound RAM start address BGN, and the voice circuit SND receiving this instruction converts the relative address value into an absolute address value. Then, the necessary voice processing will be executed. Since the audio data such as phrase data is READ-accessed from the external DRAM 54 instead of the CGROM 55, even a complicated and advanced audio effect can be smoothly realized.

Although various examples have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the ball game machine, the spinning machine, and the like, and the specific description content is not limited to the present invention. For example, the power-on reset operation shown in FIG. 12 was started based on the information of the vector table VECT secured after the address 0x00000000 of the control memory 53, but the HBTSL terminal = H level was set and the head area of the CGROM 55 was set. It is also preferable to arrange the vector table VECT in. FIGS. 34 (a) and 34 (b) show an address map in such a case, and the address space CS0 of the staging control CPU 63 is secured in a part (head area) of the CGROM 55.

Since the main body of the CGROM 55 is not accessed from the staging control CPU 63 (inaccessible) and is accessed exclusively from the VDP circuit 52, it is not positioned in the address space CSi. As described above, the main body of the CGROM 55 can be composed of a plurality of memory devices. In such a case, the device section of SPA0 to SPA1 is divided by the process of step SP20 in FIG. 14 (a). By doing so, the optimum READ access suitable for the characteristics of the memory device becomes possible.

In any case, when the HBTSL terminal = H level is set, the memory type of the CGROM55 and the bus width (64/32/16 bit) correspond to the HBTBWD terminal having a length of 2 bits. It needs to be specified in advance based on a fixed input value to the 4-bit length HBTRMSL terminal.

Then, in this embodiment, following the vector table VECT, it is necessary to store the bus parameter for optimizing the READ access from the CGROM 55 in the head area of the CGROM 55. Although it is not essential, it is also preferable to store the obfuscation parameter for decoding the obfuscation when it is obfuscated in order to make the illegal analysis of the staging control program difficult.

When such a configuration is adopted, the following operations 1 to 4 are automatically executed without going through the program processing during the reset assert period after the power supply is reset. First, the bus width of the address space CS0 is specified based on the input value to the HBTRMSL terminal, and the memory type is automatically specified based on the input value to the BTBWD terminal, and each is set in the predetermined VDP register RGIj. (Operation 1). The memory type in this case is roughly classified into a memory element that adopts the parallel I / F (Interface) format and a memory element that adopts the sequential I / F format.

Next, the obfuscation parameter stored in the CGROM 55 is loaded, and the information necessary for canceling the obfuscation is automatically set in the internal circuit (operation 2). Further, the bus parameters stored in the CGROM 55 are automatically acquired in the VDP register RGij (operation 3). Note that this operation 3 is an operation corresponding to the program processing of step SP63 in FIG. 15, and is automatically executed by the internal circuit.

Finally, in order to implement the bus parameters set in the operations 1 to 3, the operation corresponding to the program processing in step SP64 of FIG. 15 is automatically executed by the internal circuit (operation 4). Then, when the bus parameter settings are activated, the values of the program counter PC and the stack pointer SP are automatically set based on the information in the vector table, and the execution of the boot program (initial setting program) is started. To.

According to the configuration shown in FIG. 34 (a), the program processing of step SP1 in FIG. 12 (a) becomes unnecessary, and the operations 1 to 4 are automatically executed, so that the program processing load is greatly reduced. .. Then, also in this case, the programs and data after the vector handler Vopt are transferred to an appropriate RAM area based on the operation of the initial setting program Pinit.

The programs and data after the vector handler Vopt do not necessarily have to be stored in the head area of the CGROM 55, and may be stored in the control memory 53, for example (FIG. 34 (b)). Further, the programs and data after the vector handler Vopt do not necessarily have to be transferred to the RAM area, and if they are not transferred, the memory section initialization process (SP8 in FIG. 12) in the initialization setting program becomes unnecessary.

GM gaming machine 63 CPU
CS0 to CS7 Memory space CS0 Boot space CS0
Main production control program CS5 Program space CS5
Pinit initialization program

Claims (2)

A CPU circuit having a CPU for executing program processing, a DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) circuit controlled by the CPU, and an operation control register in which a setting value defining the operation of the DMAC circuit is set. Provide,
The CPU is a gaming machine that controls all or part of the lamp effect, the motor effect, the sound effect, and the image effect.
The memory space located outside the CPU circuit and accessible from the CPU is first accessed after the CPU is reset, and has a boot space composed of non-volatile memory and an effect control that realizes a predetermined effect operation. It contains a program space, which is composed of volatile memory that can store programs.
The initial setting program stored in the boot space is realized by appropriately operating the DMAC circuit, and the first means for DMA-transferring the staging control program to the program space.
The effect control program DMA-transferred by the first means is realized by appropriately operating the DMAC circuit, and is configured to include a second means for DMA transfer of data necessary for the effect operation. ,
The DMAC circuit can be operated in parallel and is divided into a plurality of channel circuits having defined priorities.
As DMA transfer conditions when multiple channel circuits operate in parallel, one or more modes of arbitration mode in which channel arbitration is performed based on the priority at each predetermined timing during transfer operation, and non-stop mode in which channel arbitration is not performed during transfer operation. And are configured to be selectable based on the settings in the operation control register.
The transfer operation of the first means is a gaming machine set to be executed in the non-stop mode . A CPU circuit having a CPU for executing program processing, a DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) circuit controlled by the CPU, and an operation control register in which a setting value defining the operation of the DMAC circuit is set. Provide,
The CPU is a gaming machine that controls all or part of the lamp effect, the motor effect, the sound effect, and the image effect.
The memory space located outside the CPU circuit and accessible from the CPU is first accessed after the CPU is reset, and has a boot space composed of non-volatile memory and an effect control that realizes a predetermined effect operation. It contains a program space, which is composed of volatile memory that can store programs.
The initial setting program stored in the boot space is realized by appropriately operating the DMAC circuit, and the first means for DMA-transferring the staging control program to the program space.
The effect control program DMA-transferred by the first means is realized by appropriately operating the DMAC circuit, and is configured to include a second means for DMA transfer of data necessary for the effect operation. ,
The DMAC circuit can be operated in parallel and is divided into a plurality of channel circuits having defined priorities.
As DMA transfer conditions when multiple channel circuits operate in parallel, one or more modes of arbitration mode in which channel arbitration is performed based on the priority at each predetermined timing during transfer operation, and non-stop mode in which channel arbitration is not performed during transfer operation. And are configured to be selectable based on the settings in the operation control register .
The transfer operation of the second means is a gaming machine set to be executed in any operation mode included in the arbitration mode .

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