JP7269092B2 - Light emission control method and game system - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a light emission control method and the like of an illumination part provided in a game device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, commercial game devices installed in amusement facilities, etc., are well known to be provided with illumination parts such as LEDs and perform lighting effects in order to improve the rate of attracting customers (for example, patent Reference 1). In addition, an effect is also performed in which a plurality of game devices provided with electric decorations are grouped together. Specifically, multiple game devices are connected for communication, and each game device starts emitting light at slightly different timings. Reference 2).

JP 2007-330546 A JP-A-2018-33598

At facilities where game devices are installed, it is important to create a lighting effect that attracts the interest of customers and motivates them to play. directing is effective. However, since the audience will get tired of monotonous performances and performances that do not look the same no matter how many times they are seen, there is a desire to freely change the content of the performances and the grouping of groups.

Also, in facilities, the layout is frequently changed due to the replacement and additional installation of game devices, and it is necessary to reconfigure the grouping of groups and the start order of production within the group according to the layout change. . When the groups are regrouped, it is necessary to confirm whether the grouping is as desired. It was a very time-consuming task. In addition to facilitating grouping, appropriate light emission control for each grouped group has been demanded.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to propose a new technique capable of improving the workability of grouping a plurality of game devices each having an electric decoration. Another object is to facilitate grouping work and to realize appropriate light emission effect control for each grouped group.

A first invention for solving the above problems is
A method for controlling light emission of an illumination part by a game system in which a plurality of game devices having the illumination part are connected for communication,
performing group setting by grouping the plurality of game devices into one or more groups based on a setting operation by an administrator (for example, the group setting unit 204 in FIG. 22, steps S13 and S25 in FIG. 34);
performing group identification light emission control of the illumination unit for identifying the group for each group (for example, the group identification light emission control unit 222 in FIG. 22, steps S15 and S27 in FIG. 34);
For each group, the game devices belonging to the group perform cooperative light emission control of the illumination unit (for example, the cooperative light emission control unit 224 in FIG. 22, for example, step S31 in FIG. 34).
A light emission control method including

According to the first invention, the illumination section of the game device is group-identifying light emission controlled for each group. In addition, cooperative light emission control of the illumination section is performed between the game devices belonging to each group. Therefore, by viewing the group identification light emission of each game device, the administrator of the game device can easily confirm and understand the grouping of groups in which cooperative light emission control between game devices is to be performed. According to the present invention, the workability of grouping work can be improved.

A second invention is based on the first invention,
the communication connection of the plurality of game devices is a cascade connection;
Performing the group identification light emission control means that among the game devices belonging to the group, the game device positioned at the head and/or the tail of the group in the cascade connection is the game device positioned at the end. including performing identification light emission control shown (for example, explanation of group identification light emission in FIG. 12),
A light emission control method.

According to the second invention, a plurality of game devices are cascade-connected, and as group identification light emission control, an identification signal indicating that the game device positioned at the head and/or the tail of the group in the cascade connection is positioned at the end is provided. Light emission control is included. As a result, the manager of the game device can easily grasp the boundaries of the groups, improving the workability of the grouping work.

A third invention is the first or second invention,
the communication connection of the plurality of game devices is a cascade connection;
Setting the group involves setting each of the game devices as a parent device or a child device, and grouping the game device set as the parent device into a group in the order of connection of the cascade connection with the game device set as the parent device being the top game device of the group. including (for example, the description of grouping in FIG. 11),
A light emission control method.

According to the third invention, a plurality of game devices are cascade-connected, and groups are grouped in the order of cascade connection, with the game device set as the master device at the head of the group. As a result, for example, the administrator can easily set grouping by setting a game device to be a parent device from among a plurality of game devices.

A fourth invention is the first or second invention,
the communication connection of the plurality of game devices is a cascade connection;
By setting each of the game devices as a parent device, a child device, or independently, the group setting is performed so that the game devices set as independent become a single group, and the game devices set as independent are set as a single group. For each game device excepted, grouping into groups in the order of connection of the cascade connection with the game device set as the master device being the top game device of the group (for example, explanation of grouping in FIG. 11);
A light emission control method.

According to the fourth invention, the plurality of game devices are cascade-connected. Then, the game devices set as independent are grouped as a single unit. Game devices other than the game devices set as independent are sorted into groups in the order of cascade connection, with the game device set as the master device at the head of the group. As a result, for example, the administrator can set a game device, among a plurality of game devices, for which light emission is to be controlled by itself as an independent device, and set the other game device as a parent device, thereby grouping groups. can be easily set.

A fifth invention is, in any one of the first to fourth inventions,
performing the group identification light emission control includes performing the group identification light emission control when the game system is activated or when the group is set (for example, steps S15 and S7 in FIG. 34);
A light emission control method.

According to the fifth aspect, group identification light emission control is performed when the game system is started or when a group is set. For example, group identification light emission is performed when the game system is activated before the opening of the facility in which the game system is installed, or when a group is set by an administrator performing a setting operation to change the group setting. Therefore, the administrator can confirm at appropriate timing whether the grouping is correct.

A sixth invention is, in any one of the first to fifth inventions,
Performing the linked light emission control includes performing the linked light emission control during an attract mode of the game system or when a game is being played on any of the game devices belonging to the group.
A light emission control method.

According to the sixth invention, when the game system is in the attract mode or when a game is being played on any of the game devices belonging to the group, cooperative light emission control is performed among the game devices belonging to the group. will be

A seventh invention is, in any one of the first to sixth inventions,
Detecting that the play situation in any of the game devices has become a specific play situation (for example, the specific play situation detection unit 208 in FIG. 22);
further comprising
Performing the cooperative light emission control means that the lighting unit of each game device belonging to the group to which the game device in the specific play situation belongs is controlled in a specific play situation preset as light emission control in the specific play situation. including controlling light emission based on time light emission control (for example, the prize acquisition effect in FIG. 14),
A light emission control method.

According to the seventh aspect, when the play state of the game device becomes the specific play state, predetermined specific play state light emission control is started, and cooperative light emission control is performed in each game device of the group to which the game device belongs. done. For example, by setting the success of the game play as the specific play situation, it is possible to perform a lighting effect according to the game play situation, such as raising the player's sense of accomplishment or congratulating the player.

An eighth invention is based on the seventh invention,
The specific play situation light emission control includes light emission control such that light emission propagates to each game device of the group to which the game device belongs, based on the game device in the specific play situation (for example, FIG. 4 optical components whose types are "Wave 1", "Wave 2", and "Wave 3"),
A light emission control method.

According to the eighth aspect, the light emission control at the time of specific play is carried out as light emission control such that light emission propagates to each game device of the group to which the game device belongs, with reference to the game device in the specific play situation. will be

A ninth invention is, in any one of the first to eighth inventions,
detecting that any operating state of the game device has become a specific state (for example, the specific state detection unit 210 in FIG. 22);
Controlling light emission of the illumination section of the game device in the specific state based on specific state light emission control preset as light emission control in the specific state (for example, the case error in FIG. 15). production, communication connection error production in FIG. 16),
A light emission control method including

According to the ninth invention, when the operating state of the game device becomes the specific state, the predetermined specific state light emission control is performed in the game device. For example, by setting the occurrence of an error as a specific state, the administrator can quickly know that an error has occurred in the game device or the game system, so that it is possible to perform lighting effects according to the operating state of the game device. .

A tenth invention is any one of the first to ninth inventions,
The illumination part is configured by arranging a plurality of light emitting elements in a line,
The game device includes the illumination part with the line-shaped arrangement arranged in a horizontal direction.
A light emission control method.

And the eleventh invention is the tenth invention,
Performing the cooperative light emission control is performed by causing the illumination portion to emit light in a wave shape so that a portion emitting light in a given light color propagates in the linear arrangement across the game devices belonging to the group. including performing light emission control,
A light emission control method.

According to the tenth and eleventh inventions, since the game device includes the illumination portion in which the plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged in a line in the horizontal direction, the illumination portions of the plurality of game devices are arranged as cooperative light emission control. A dynamic lighting effect is realized in which light of a given color is propagated as if it were a single illumination part.

A twelfth invention is based on the eleventh invention,
By performing the wavy light emission control, when a predetermined activation light emitting element among a plurality of light emitting elements constituting the illumination section of the game device belonging to the group emits light, the light emitting element belonging to the group belongs to the group. (for example, explanation of cooperative light emission control in FIGS. 19 and 20),
A light emission control method.

According to the twelfth invention, the wavy light emission control is performed such that when the predetermined activation light-emitting element of the electric decoration portion of the game device emits light, the electric decoration portion of the other game device emits light. As a result, for example, when light emission of a given emission color is propagated to the edge of the illumination portion of a certain game device, the illumination portion of another adjacent game device starts to emit light at the edge. By doing so, it is possible to realize light emission control in which the propagation of the light emission color is connected between the game devices in the lateral direction, which is the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements in the electrical decoration portion.

A thirteenth invention is, in any one of the tenth to twelfth inventions,
The game device is a device for executing a prize-winning game in which a player operates a prize-winning unit to win a prize in a game space,
The illumination part is provided on the periphery of the case that defines the game space,
A light emission control method.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, in the game device for executing the prize acquisition game, the light emission effect of the illumination section provided on the periphery of the case defining the game space attracts spectators around the device. effects, effects that arouse desire to play, effects that give the player a sense of accomplishment in playing the game, and the like.

A fourteenth invention is
A game system in which a plurality of game devices having an illumination part are connected for communication,
performing group setting by grouping the plurality of game devices into one or more groups based on a setting operation by an administrator;
performing group identification light emission control of the illumination unit for identifying the group for each of the groups;
performing cooperative light emission control of the illumination unit between the game devices belonging to the group for each of the groups;
is a game system that executes

According to the fourteenth invention, it is possible to realize a game system that provides the same effects as those of the first invention.

A fifteenth invention is based on the fourteenth invention,
comprising a server device communicatively connected to the plurality of game devices;
It's a game system.

According to the fifteenth invention, it is possible to realize a game system that provides the same effects as those of the first invention.

An example of the appearance of a game device. Schematic explanatory drawing of production|presentation information. Explanatory drawing of the light emission control by an optical component. An example of optical component types. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of synthesizing light emission by an optical component; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of execution timing of light emission control by an optical component; Explanatory drawing of synthesis|combination of light emission by a light emission pattern. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of execution timing of light emission control based on a light emission pattern; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of interlocking of light emission effect between tape LEDs; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of interlocking setting information that defines interlocking; An example of a game system in which game devices are cascaded. Explanatory drawing of group identification light emission. Explanatory drawing of cooperation light emission production. An example of prize acquisition production. An example of a cabinet error effect. An example of communication connection error rendering. Explanatory drawing of the priority of light emission production|presentation. Explanatory drawing of cooperation light emission production. Explanatory drawing of cooperation light emission production. Explanatory drawing of cooperation light emission production. An example of an attraction effect setting screen. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the game device; An example of communication connection setting data. An example of an attraction production candidate list. An example of a base color candidate list. An example of light emission setting data. An example of light emission priority definition information. An example of group identification light emission setting data. An example of illumination section configuration information. An example of performance information. An example of an optical component registration list. An example of interlock setting information. An example of optical component information. 4 is a flowchart of light emission effect control processing. Another configuration example of the game system. Another configuration example of the game device. An example of a communication connection setting screen.

An example of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described below, but it goes without saying that the form to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the following embodiments.

[External Configuration of Game Device]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a game device 1000 of this embodiment. The game device 1000 is a device that executes a prize-winning game in which a player operates a prize-winning unit 1024 to win a prize in a game space 1020 . Specifically, the game device 1000 includes an operation console 1004 provided on the front surface of the housing, a game space 1020 defined by a case made of a transparent plate such as an acrylic plate or a glass plate in the upper part of the internal space of the housing. A prize acquisition unit 1024 that operates in a game space 1020 in accordance with an operation input on the console 1004 and an illumination unit 1030 provided on the front periphery of the case are provided. Of course, components other than these (for example, a power supply device, etc.) can be provided as appropriate. The operation console 1004 includes a plurality of push-type button switches 1006 for performing instruction operations for game play, a coin slot 1008 for inserting coins to be paid as play price, and a speaker 1010 . Further, although not shown, a touch panel may be provided on the upper surface of the console 1004 to display information about game play and to perform instruction operations.

A coin door 1014 that can be opened with a management key is provided on the lower front surface of the housing. Below the inner space of the housing with the coin door 1014 opened, there are provided a touch panel and switches for management that allow the administrator to perform management operations related to various maintenances. The touch panel and switches for management may be provided on the upper surface of the console 1004 for use by the administrator, or may also be used as the touch panel and button switches 1006 for the player to play the game. As a switching method when the touch panel and the switch are used for both the administrator and the player, for example, a keyhole may be provided in the housing and switching may be performed using a management key, or a changeover switch may be provided in the coin door 1014. Alternatively, a card reader may be provided in the housing to read the management card so that it functions for the administrator.

In addition, the game device 1000 incorporates a control board for integrally controlling the operation of the device. This control board includes various processors such as CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), various IC memories such as RAM and ROM, mobile phone base stations connected to communication lines, and wireless It is equipped with a communication module, an interface circuit, etc. for wireless communication with a LAN base station. Part or all of the control board may be realized by ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or SoC (System on a Chip).

In the lower part of the game space 1020, a prize placing table 1022 is provided at a predetermined height position from the bottom of the section. A part of the prize mounting base 1022 is cut out to form a prize drop opening. This notch communicates with a prize payout port 1012 which is an opening provided in the lower front surface of the housing inside the housing. Also, in the upper part of the game space 1020, a prize acquisition unit 1024 is provided for moving prizes by performing a grasping action according to the player's operation or moving within the game space 1020 according to the player's operation. . The player operates the button switch to instruct the movement of the prize capturing unit 1024 and the opening and closing of the gripping arm so as to drop the prize placed on the prize placing base 1022 into the prize drop opening. The player can win a prize by paying out the prize dropped from the prize drop opening to the outside of the housing from the prize payout opening 1012 (prize winning situation). A passage sensor is attached to the inside of the housing to detect that a prize has fallen into the prize drop opening. It is possible to determine that the acquisition of the prize has succeeded or that the acquisition of the prize has failed.

The illumination part 1030 is realized by a tape LED arranged by arranging a plurality of chip LEDs, which are light-emitting elements, in a line (straight line), and is provided so as to emit light toward the front of the device. . The game device 1000 of this embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped housing, and the case that defines the game space 1020 also has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Tape LEDs 10 are provided along each of the four sides of the rectangular parallelepiped case front surface. That is, an upper tape LED 10a provided on the upper part of the case with the arrangement direction of the LED chips as the horizontal direction, and a lower tape LED 10b provided on the lower part of the case with the arrangement direction of the LED chips as the horizontal direction. With a total of four tape LEDs 10a to 10d, a right tape LED 10c provided on the right side of the case in the vertical direction and a left tape LED 10d provided on the left side of the case with the LED chip arrangement direction in the vertical direction. be.

[Light emission control of illumination]
(A) Overview The illumination of the illumination section 1030 is controlled based on presentation information, which is control data that defines the illumination presentation of the illumination section 1030 . FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of effect information. As shown in FIG. 2, the effect information is composed of a combination of one or more light emission patterns. The light emission pattern is control data for performing light emission control in units of tape LEDs 10, and is composed of a combination of one or a plurality of optical components. An optical component is the minimum unit of control data for performing light emission control in the present embodiment, and is data that is an element of light emission control, so it can also be said to be light emission control element data. Each of the optical parts and the light emission pattern, which is a combination of the optical parts, is control data for changing at least one of the light emission position, the light emission color, and the light emission brightness over time, and can be shared by different presentation information. is. Light components and light patterns are an example of light design that defines various elements of light production.

(B) Optical Component Light emission control by one optical component will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining light emission control by an optical component. In the light emission control by the optical component, first, the light emission color and light emission brightness of one chip LED (hereinafter referred to as "light emission position") in the tape LED 10 are determined. It should be noted that the luminescent color is represented by the HSV color space, which represents color with three elements of hue (Hue), saturation (Saturation), and lightness (Value).

Next, the emission color and emission brightness of the other LED chips are determined according to the emission color and emission brightness of the emission position. As a determination method, for example, the luminescent color and luminescent brightness of the luminescent position are the same as “batch”, the luminescent color is the same as the luminescent position, but the distance from the luminescent position (exactly, the distance from the luminescent position There is a "gradation" that varies to decrease or increase the emission brightness depending on the number of LED chips. In addition, other LED chips that determine the emission color and emission brightness can be controlled within a range based on the emission position, such as all or n-th LED chips counted from the emission position. can.

Light emission control for each LED chip by such an optical component is repeated at unit time intervals. In the LED 10, a light emission effect is produced in which light propagates along the direction in which the LED chips are arranged. As an optical component, various types of "lighting" can be determined by varying the light emission position, light emission color, light emission luminance, and light emission range of the tape LED 10 with time.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of types of optical components. The types of optical parts are named to represent the image of the lighting effect. The light emission position can be controlled, for example, to be unchanged, to change so as to move along the arrangement direction of the LED chips at a propagation speed V, or to change randomly. In addition, the hue (H), saturation (S), and brightness (V) of the luminescent color can be individually controlled so as to change according to a time function such as a cos (cosine) waveform, a rectangular waveform, or an attenuation waveform. can be done. Also, the light emission luminance can be controlled such that it does not change, or is attenuated with an attenuation coefficient α, for example. Also, the light emission range can be controlled, for example, to include only the light emission position or a predetermined number of LED chips counted from the light emission position.

By changing the light emitting position so as to move along the arrangement direction of the LED chips at a propagation speed V, the tape LED 10 emits light in a wave shape so that the part emitting light of a given color propagates in the order of the arrangement of the LED chips. A light emission pattern (types “wave 1”, “wave 2” and “wave 3” in FIG. 4 correspond) can be realized. The directions in which the light emission positions are moved along the arrangement direction of the LED chips are both directions along the linear arrangement direction from the start position of light emission control by the optical component. When the start position of light emission control is the position of the extreme end of the arrangement, the moving direction is only one direction. As described above, regarding the relationship between the start position of light emission control and the movement direction of the light emission control, if the start position of light emission control is the endmost position of the arrangement of the tape LEDs 10, the movement direction is set to one direction, and the start position of light emission control is set to one direction. For other positions, by setting the movement direction to two directions (both directions), there is no need to specify the movement direction for each optical component, reducing the amount of data for the entire effect information, and reducing the amount of data when creating the effect information It has the advantage of reducing human error.

Note that FIG. 4 illustrates an optical component that changes at least one of the light emitting position, the light emitting color, the light emitting luminance, and the light emitting range. It is also possible to configure an optical component that does not allow this to occur. This optical component can realize a light emission pattern that expresses a "fixed background" or a "fixed background color", which will be described later.

(C) Light-Emitting Pattern The light-emitting pattern determines the light-emitting performance of a single tape LED by combining such optical components. Specifically, the light emission of each LED chip is determined by synthesizing the light emission, which is the result of light emission control by each optical component, for each LED chip.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining synthesis of light emission by optical components. FIG. 5 shows an example of a light emission pattern composed of a combination of M optical components (1) to (M). Combining priorities are set for the optical components, and the components are combined in order of decreasing priority. In FIG. 5, the optical components (1) to (M) have the lowest priority, so they are synthesized in the order of the optical components (1) to (M). That is, for each LED chip, the light emission color controlled by the optical component (1) with the lowest priority is synthesized with the light emission color controlled by the optical component (2) with the next lowest priority. Methods of synthesizing emitted colors include, for example, overwrite, addition, α synthesis, and chromakey synthesis based on luminance. Next, for each LED chip, the synthesized emitted color is synthesized with the emitted color by the emission control of the optical component (3) having the next lowest priority.

In this way, by sequentially synthesizing the emitted color by the emission control of the optical component with the higher priority with the emitted color by the emission control of the optical component with the lower priority in the order of lower priority. , the finally obtained emission color obtained by synthesizing the emission colors obtained by the emission control of all the optical components (1) to (M) is the emission control result of the tape LED 10 based on the emission pattern.

A light emission pattern is a combination of one or more optical components, and the start and end of light emission control by the optical components in the light emission pattern can be controlled for each optical component. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining execution timings of optical components in light emission patterns. In FIG. 6, with the vertical direction as the time axis, the execution timing of the light emission control by the light emission pattern and the execution timing of the light emission control by the optical components forming the light emission pattern are shown. The start timing of light emission control by the optical component can be the same as or delayed by a given delay time with respect to the start timing _t1 of the light emission control by the light emission pattern. Also, the end timing of light emission control by the optical component may be the same as the end timing _t2 of light emission control by the light emission pattern, or after a given duration has elapsed from the start of light emission control by the optical component. can.

In other words, during the execution of light emission control based on the light emission pattern, the optical components that make up the light emission pattern are divided into those that are executing light emission control and those that are not. Only the optical components for which light emission control is being performed are subject to light emission synthesis. Further, the light emission pattern controls the light emission position at the start of execution of the light emission control for each optical component that constitutes the light emission pattern. In other words, each optical component constituting the light emission pattern can start light emission control from a different light emission position. In this way, the optical parts determine various "lighting modes" in the tape LED 10, and the light emission pattern is arranged along the time axis to produce various lighting effects in the tape LED 10. Freely combine and determine various “lighting methods”.

(D) Effect Information The effect information determines the luminescence effect in the illumination section 1030 by combining such variously determined light emission patterns. The effect information allows combinations of light emission patterns that cause the same LED chip to emit light at the same timing. Light emission of the LED chip is determined by synthesizing for each chip.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining synthesis of light emission by light emission patterns. FIG. 7 shows an example of effect information composed of a combination of N light emission patterns (1) to (N). Combining priorities are set for the light emission patterns, and the light emitting patterns are combined in descending order of priority. In other words, by sequentially synthesizing the emission color by the emission control of the emission pattern with the higher priority with the emission color by the emission control of the emission pattern with the lower priority in the order of lower priority, the final The light emission color obtained by synthesizing the light emission colors obtained by the light emission control of all the light emission patterns (1) to (N) is the result of the light emission control based on the effect information for the tape LED.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining execution timings of light emission patterns in effect information. In FIG. 8, the execution timing of the light emission control based on the effect information and the execution timing of the light emission control based on the light emission pattern forming the effect information are shown with the vertical direction as the time axis. The start timing of the light emission control based on the light emission pattern is the same as the start timing _t3 of the light emission control based on the effect information. That is, at the timing _t3 when execution of the light emission control based on the effect information is started, the execution of the light emission control by all the light emission patterns except for the interlocking light emission pattern, which will be described later, is started. Also, the end timing of the light emission control by the light emission pattern can be the same as the end timing _t4 of the light emission control by the effect information, or after the continuation time has elapsed from the start of the light emission control by the light emission pattern.

The light emission control based on the effect information is realized by performing independent light emission control for each light emission pattern that constitutes the effect information, and synthesizing these. The light emission pattern that expresses the light and the light emission pattern that expresses the "effect" such as partial light emission or flowing light are separately created, and these are combined to create the production information. It is possible to easily create performance information for realizing

(E) Interlocking As light emission control of the illumination section 1030 based on the performance information, when light emission from a certain tape LED (hereinafter referred to as "interlocking source") satisfies a predetermined interlock activation condition, another predetermined tape LED ( Hereafter, the light emission effect is interlocked such that a predetermined light emission control is started at the "interlock destination"). The interlocking destination can be another tape LED in the same game device 1000, or can be a tape LED of another game device 1000 in a linked light emission effect, which will be described later in detail.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining interlocking of the light emission effects. In FIG. 9, with the vertical direction as the time axis, the left side shows the tape LED of the interlocking source, and the right side shows the tape LED of the interlocking destination. Although FIG. 9 shows that the interlocking source tape LED and the interlocking destination tape LED are different, they may be the same. As shown in FIG. 9, in the tape LED of the interlocking source, one of the LED chips is determined as the interlocking starting position, which is the light emitting element for activation. Information related to the interlocking destination such as the interlocking destination tape LED, the position of the LED chip that is the interlocking start position in the interlocking tape LED, and the light emission pattern to be executed is associated with the interlocking starting point position. Then, by the light emission control for the tape LED of the interlocking source, the interlocking activation condition is that the light emitting position reaches the interlocking starting point position. Execution of the defined lighting pattern is started as the first lighting position.

It should be noted that the light emission pattern (hereinafter referred to as "interlocking light emission pattern") to be executed in the interlocking tape LED is included in advance in the effect information for controlling the interlocking tape LED. Further, in executing the interlocking light emission pattern, it is not necessary to perform light emission control based on the effect information including the interlocking light emission pattern. Since the effect information and the light emission pattern included therein are control data, it is possible to selectively execute only the interlocking light emission pattern. As a result, it is possible to perform a lighting effect in which the light propagates across the two tape LEDs 10 .

The setting related to interlocking of the light emission effects between the tape LEDs 10 is defined as interlocking setting information, and is included in the effect information that controls the interlocking tape LEDs.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining interlock setting information. As shown in FIG. 10, effect information defining a light emission effect for one tape LED is composed of a combination of a plurality of light emission patterns, and one light emission pattern is composed of a combination of a plurality of optical parts. In the light emission control for the tape LED 10, the light emission position is controlled for each optical component, so it is necessary to specify in the interlocking tape LED which light emission position is controlled by which optical component as the starting point of interlocking. be. Information on the interlocking source such as the optical component that controls the light emitting position as the starting point of the interlocking, the interlocking starting point position, etc., and the interlocking destination such as the tape LED of the interlocking destination, the interlocking start position, the interlocking light emission pattern to be executed, etc. is defined as interlocking setting information.

The light emission control for the tape LED is not performed for each optical component alone, but is performed for each light emission pattern including these optical components. In other words, by performing light emission control based on a light emission pattern including an optical component that controls the light emission position that is the starting point of interlocking, interlocking of the light emission effect between the tape LEDs is performed. For this reason, the optical component that controls the light emission position that is the starting point of this interlocking and the light emission pattern that includes the optical component will be referred to as the interlocking source optical component and the interlocking source light emission pattern in the following description.

[Group production]
(A) Group setting Up to this point, the light emission effect in one game device 1000 has been described. In this embodiment, by constructing a game system in which a plurality of game devices 1000 are serially connected (cascaded) via a communication cable, cooperative light emission effects can be performed between the game devices 1000. .

Specifically, the game device 1000 is provided with an A terminal (IN terminal) and a B terminal (OUT terminal) as connection terminals for communication cables. By connecting the B terminal of one game device 1000 and the A terminal of the other game device 1000 of the two game devices 1000 via a communication cable, the two game devices 1000 are connected. In this manner, a plurality of game devices 1000 are cascade-connected by connecting different connection terminals of the two game devices 1000 with a communication cable. In the cascade connection, the game device 1000 whose A terminal is not connected to another game device 1000 is the first, and the game device 1000 whose B terminal is not connected to the communication cable is the last (last). In the cascade connection, as an initial setting, the first game device 1000 becomes the master device, and the other game devices 1000 become slave devices. The game device 1000 can determine whether the device itself is the head or tail of the cascade connection, or the parent device or the child device, depending on whether or not the communication cable is connected to the connection terminals (A terminal, B terminal). can.

The game device 1000, which is a child device, can be changed to be the parent device or independently by the administrator's setting operation. In other words, the game device 1000 in the middle of the cascade connection can be used as a master device or can be changed independently. Note that the game device 1000 at the top of the cascade connection is fixed as a parent device and cannot be changed to a child device or independent.

A plurality of cascade-connected game devices 1000 are grouped into one or more groups according to parent device, child device, and independent settings (hereinafter referred to as “communication connection settings”). That is, the game devices 1000 that are set independently are grouped as a single game device 1000, and the game devices 1000 that are set as the master device are grouped together for the game devices 1000 that are not set as independent. At the top, the groups are grouped in the order of cascade connection, each group consisting of one parent device and an arbitrary number of game devices 1000, which are child devices. Then, for each group, a device number valid within the group is assigned to each game device 1000 . That is, the device number of each game device 1000 is determined so that the device number of the group head game device 1000 (master device) is a predetermined number (for example, 1) and the numbers are consecutive in the order of cascade connection. .

The game device 1000 independently determines whether the game device 1000 is a parent device, a child device, or an independent device (communication connection setting). It is possible to determine the identification information of the game device 1000 which is the master device of the group to be played, the device number of the own device, and the like.

The game device 1000 that has become the master device transmits a notification that it is the master device to the other game devices 1000 connected to the B terminal. Upon receiving this notification from another game device 1000 connected to terminal A, game device 1000 serving as a slave device determines its own device number based on the notification, and determines the device number of itself based on the notification. A number or the like is added and transmitted to another game device 1000 connected to the B terminal.

The game device 1000 at the end of the cascade connection adds its device number and the fact that it is the end of the cascade connection to the notification received from the other game device connected to the A terminal, and responds to the notification. , to the other game device 1000 connected to the A terminal. The game device 1000 that has received this reply from the other game device 1000 connected to the B terminal transmits (transfers) the reply to the other game device 1000 connected to the A terminal. In this way, the notification from the game device, which is the parent device, is sequentially transmitted to the child devices in the order of cascade connection, and the response from the child device to the notification is transmitted to the parent device. child machine can be grasped.

A game device 1000 that has been changed from a slave device to a master device by an administrator's setting operation transmits a notification to the effect that it is the master device to other game devices 1000 connected to the B terminal. It does not send a reply to the notification received from the other parent device from the other game device 1000 connected to the parent device. Therefore, when another game device 1000 (eg, game device 1000e in FIG. 11) connected to the B terminal is changed from a child device to a parent device by the administrator's setting operation, the game device 1000 (eg, No. 11 game device 1000d) does not receive a response to the notification sent to the other game device 1000 (for example, the game device 1000e in FIG. 11) connected to the B terminal, so it determines that its own device is the end of the group. can.

Also, since the game device 1000 (for example, the game device 1000i in FIG. 11) that has been changed to be independent of the child device by the administrator's setting operation belongs to the group consisting only of the device itself, it is notified that the device is the parent device. , and does not add its device number to the received notification from another master device. Transfer, such as sending a notification or response received from a game device connected to one of two connection terminals (A terminal, B terminal) to the game device connected to the other connection terminal as it is. only.

In the present embodiment, the first game device 1000 in the cascade connection is fixed as the parent device, but it may be changed from the parent device to the child device or independent by the administrator's setting operation. In this case, another game device 1000 may serve as the parent device instead. Specifically, when the administrator sets the game device to an independent or slave device, a notification to that effect is sent to the other game device 1000 connected to the B terminal, and this notification is sent. The game device 1000 that is next in the received cascade connection order becomes the parent device instead. As a result, when the game device 1000 at the head of the cascade connection is changed independently, the game device 1000 alone forms a single group, and when the game device 1000 at the head of the cascade connection is changed to a child device, , another game device 1000 belonging to the same group as the game device 1000, for example, the next game device 1000 in the order of cascade connection becomes the parent device instead.

FIG. 11 is an example of a game system. FIG. 11 shows a game system in which twelve game devices 1000a to 1000j are cascaded. The game device 1000a is the head of the cascade connection, and the game device 1000j is the tail of the cascade connection. In addition, the game device 1000a at the head of the cascade connection is the parent device, and the other nine game devices 1000b to 1000j are child devices in the initial settings. changed, and the game device 1000i is changed independently.

Therefore, group A to which the parent game device 1000a and child game devices 1000b, 1000c, and 1000d belong, and the parent game device 1000e and child game device 1000f belong to it. Four groups A to D: group B, group C to which the master game device 1000g and slave game devices 1000h and 1000j belong, and group D to which the independent game device 1000i belongs. are grouped into. A device number is assigned to each game device 1000 for each group in a serial number with the parent device being "1".

(B) Group identification light emission When grouping is performed, group identification light emission for identifying the group is emitted. FIG. 12 is an example of group identification light emission. FIG. 12 shows an example of group identification light emission corresponding to grouping shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, light emission of the illumination section 1030 of each game device 1000 is controlled as group identification light emission. Specifically, depending on whether the game device 1000 is a parent device, a child device, or an independent device, the portion of the illumination section 1030 that emits light (specifically, which of the four tape LEDs 10a to 10d is emit light) is different. In this embodiment, all the game devices 1000 have in common that the upper tape LED 10a emits light. However, for the game device 1000 at the head of the group, the left tape LED 10d emits light in addition to the upper tape LED 10a. For the game device 1000 at the end of the group, the right tape LED 10c emits light in addition to the upper tape LED 10a. As for the independent game device 1000, in addition to the upper tape LED 10a, the left tape LED 10d and the right tape LED 10c emit light.

In this embodiment, as connection terminals for communication cables in the game device 1000, an A terminal is provided on the left side and a B terminal is provided on the right side when the game device 1000 is viewed from the front. When two game devices 1000 are connected by a communication cable, the two game devices 1000 are usually placed close to each other. In this case, it is conceivable to connect the B terminal of the game device 1000 installed on the left side as viewed from the front of the device and the A terminal of the game device 1000 installed on the right side with a communication cable. Therefore, when a plurality of game devices 1000 are cascade-connected in a store such as an arcade, the game device 1000 on the left end as viewed from the front of the device is the head of the subordinate connection, and the game device 1000 on the right end is the end of the cascade connection. Be natural.

Therefore, by causing the left tape LED of the game device 1000 at the head of the group to emit light and the right tape LED of the game device 1000 at the end of the group to emit light, the left tape LED and the right tape LED emit light. Since the place where the group is marked becomes the boundary of the group, the administrator can easily visually grasp the classification of the group (from where to where the game devices 1000 are included in one group). Also, the color of light emitted from the illumination section 1030 of each game device 1000 is a color corresponding to the number of devices belonging to the group to which the game device 1000 belongs. This allows the administrator to visually grasp the number of units belonging to each group. It should be noted that different colors may be emitted for each group instead of the colors corresponding to the number of devices.

(C) Collaborative Light-Emitting Effect A cooperative light-emitting effect is performed in which the illumination units 1030 of the respective game devices 1000 cooperate with each other to emit light for each group grouped as described above.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the cooperative light emission effect. As shown in FIG. 13, the cooperative light-emitting effect is set as a feeling of unity for the entire group, although the timing and content of the light-emitting effect are different for each game device 1000 . For example, first, after the parent device performs a predetermined lighting effect, the child device connected to the parent device performs the same lighting effect, and then another child device connected to the child device performs the same lighting effect. A representative example is an effect in which light emission is propagated from the parent device to the child device in the order of connection, such as "doing". Note that the cooperative light emission effect is not limited to an effect in which light emission propagates between the game devices 1000. For example, the same or different light emission effect is performed at the same timing. Although there is no production, it also includes production with a sense of unity as a group as a whole.

Various types of light emitting effects are performed in the game device 1000, and the cooperative light emitting effects include an attract effect and a prize winning effect. The attract effect is a effect that is performed in an attract state, which is a state in which no game play is being performed. 1030 are performed in conjunction to emit light. Also, the prize win effect is a effect performed when a prize is won (game play is successful), and is based on the game device 1000 (regardless of master device or slave device) on which the prize is won. , from the game device 1000 to each of the other game devices 1000 in the order of connection so that the illumination section 1030 of each game device 1000 cooperates to emit light.

14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining the prize acquisition effect. In FIG. 14, in a group consisting of five game devices 1000a to 1000e, the game device 1000b, which is a child device, enters a prize winning situation in which a prize has been won by a player, and a prize winning effect is being performed. there is From the reference game device 1000b in the prize winning situation, the direction toward the head side of the cascade connection (the side of the game device 1000a that is the master device) and the direction toward the end side (the side of the game device 1000e) are: A prize winning effect is performed such that the illumination units 1030 of the respective game devices 1000 emit light in cooperation with each other according to the order of connection.

Note that the prize winning effect is not limited to the effect that light emission propagates from the game device 1000 in the prize winning situation to the other game devices 1000. By performing different light emission effects at the same timing or at different timings, the light emission effect is not propagated, but the game device 1000 in the state of winning a prize is conspicuous. good.

(D) Other Light-Emitting Effect Operation modes (operation states) of the game device 1000 include a test mode, a setting mode, and an attract mode, which can be switched by the administrator's switching operation. There is a light emission effect for each operation mode, and effect information is defined for each type of effect.

A test mode is an example when the operating state is a specific state. There is a test effect as a light emission effect in the test mode (specific state). A test effect is performed when the operation mode of the game device 1000 is the test mode. The test mode is a mode for checking the operation of the game device 1000, such as the operation of the prize acquisition unit, control panel display, operation input, and sound output. A test effect is performed only on the game device 1000 in the test mode.

The setting mode is a mode in which the administrator makes various settings related to the game device 1000 . Specifically, it includes settings related to the prize winning game such as the range of movement of the prize winning unit, the play fee and the number of times played, and the settings related to effects such as BGM, sound volume, and light emission. In the setting mode, the administrator can change the slave device to the master device or independent (change the communication connection settings). When the communication connection setting is changed, the grouping described above is performed again, followed by group identification light emission.

The attract mode is an operating state mode in which the player is not playing the prize acquisition game and is still able to play the game. In this attract mode, the above attract effect is performed. Also, in the attract mode, when the play situation becomes a prize winning situation, which is an example of the specific play situation, the prize winning effect described above is performed.

Also, when the operation state becomes an operation error, an error effect is automatically activated. An operational error condition is an example of a specific condition. Errors include chassis errors and communication connection errors.

Case errors include, for example, prizes being caught in the machine, mechanical/electrical failures, and the like, and are detected by various error detection sensors installed in the game device 1000 . When a case error occurs, a case error presentation is performed. 15A and 15B are diagrams for explaining the case error effect. FIG. 15 shows an example in which a housing error has occurred in the game device 1000c. The error effect (cabinet error) is performed only in the game device 1000c in which the cabinet error has occurred.

A communication connection error is a so-called loop connection state in which a communication cable is connected to both connection terminals (A terminal, B terminal) of all game devices 1000 connected for communication. Game device 1000 determines whether its own device is a parent device or a child device in the initial settings depending on whether or not a communication cable is connected to terminal A of its own device. Since there is no game device 1000 to be the parent device as the initial setting, the initial setting cannot be performed, and since none of the game devices 1000 receives the notification from the parent device, it can be determined that the loop connection is established. . When a communication connection error occurs, a communication connection error presentation is performed. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the communication connection error rendering. FIG. 16 shows an example in which five game devices 1000a to 1000e are loop-connected. The communication connection error rendering is performed in all game devices 1000 connected in a loop.

(E) Priority of Luminous Effect These luminous effects performed by the game device 1000 are prioritized. Specifically, the order of priority is higher in order of test effect, error effect, prize win effect, and attract effect. In the game device 1000, when performing a plurality of types of light emitting effects, the effect with the higher priority is overwritten over the effect with the lower priority. That is, apparently, only the effect with the highest priority is being performed.

17A and 17B are diagrams for explaining the order of priority of the lighting effects in the game device 1000. FIG. In FIG. 17, changes in the operation mode (operation state) and play situation in a certain game device 1000 and the types of light emission effects at that time are shown with the vertical direction as the time axis.

According to FIG. 17, when the power of the game device 1000 is first turned on, since the initial setting of the operation mode is the attract mode, the attract effect is started. At this point, the group is not set, so the attraction performance follows the initial setting of the device itself, for example. Then, when the group is set, the lighting effect is switched according to the setting in the master machine of the own group. A plurality of light-emitting effects may be performed in parallel, and the light-emitting effects executed in parallel are overwritten in accordance with the order of priority. Therefore, the attract effect is always executed, and when a light-emitting effect other than the attract effect is performed, it looks as if the light-emitting effect has been switched. However, the attraction effect is always executed in the background. Therefore, when the light emission effect with the higher priority ends and the execution of the light emission effect ends, it looks as if the game has switched to the attract effect.

Next, communication connections with other game devices 1000 are confirmed, and grouping is performed. At this time, when a communication connection error is detected, a communication connection error presentation is performed. When the communication connection error is resolved by redoing the communication connection or the like, the communication connection error rendering ends. Further, when grouping is completed in the setting mode, group identification light emission is performed for a predetermined period of time.

After that, if the operation mode is switched to the test mode, the test effect is started. When the test mode ends by switching to another operation mode, the test effect ends.

Also, when a prize is won by the own device in the attract mode or another game device 1000 belonging to the same group (prize win situation), a prize win effect is performed for a predetermined time. Further, when a housing error of the own device is detected, a housing error presentation is performed.

FIG. 17 shows an example in which two types of effects are performed at the same time, but the same applies when three or more types of effects are performed at the same time. will be Then, when the power of the game device 1000 is cut off, all the lighting effects that are being performed are terminated.

Note that overwriting when a plurality of types of light-emitting effects are simultaneously executed in parallel is performed in units of tape LEDs 10 that constitute the illumination section 1030 . The illumination section 1030 is composed of four tape LEDs 10, but it is possible to change the tape LEDs 10 targeted for the light emission effect for each type of effect. In this embodiment, the attraction effect, the prize winning effect, and the test effect target all four tape LEDs 10, and the error effect (communication connection error, housing error) targets only the upper tape LED 10a. Group identification light emission targets the upper tape LED 10a, the right tape LED 10c, and the left tape LED 10d. Therefore, for example, when the attraction effect and the error effect are performed at the same time, since the error effect has a higher priority than the attract effect, the error effect is performed only for the upper tape LED 10a, and the other lower tape LED 10b and the right part are displayed. The tape LED 10c and the left tape LED 10d produce an attraction effect.

(F) Details of Cooperative Light-Emitting Effect The cooperative light-emitting effect performed in units of groups is realized as follows. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the cooperative light emission effect. As shown in FIG. 18, each game device 1000 stores effect information for performing the effect for each type of effect such as an attract effect, a prize win effect, an error effect, and a test effect. When the cooperative light-emitting effect is performed, the game device 1000 as the parent device transmits cooperative activation information that instructs the type and start timing of the light-emitting effect to be executed to the game device 1000 as the child device. The game device 1000, which is a child machine, performs a light emission effect based on the effect information corresponding to the specified type of effect at the specified start timing according to the cooperative activation information.

Since the cooperative lighting effect is performed in the attraction effect and the prize acquisition effect, the timing at which the master device transmits the cooperative activation information is after the group is set or any game device in the group (the own device). (regardless of whether it is a master or a slave) is in a state of winning a prize. At the former timing, the start of the attraction presentation is instructed, and at the latter timing, the start of the prize winning presentation is instructed.

The cooperative light-emitting effect is realized by linking the light-emitting effect between the tape LEDs 10 described above (see FIGS. 9 and 10). FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the linked light emission effect. In FIG. 19, two game devices 1000a and 1000b, which are connected for communication and form the same group, are connected from one game device 1000a (hereinafter referred to as “cooperation source”) to the other game device 1000b (hereinafter referred to as “cooperation destination”). ”), an example of linking the light emission effect is shown. Both of the game devices 1000a and 1000b store effect information for performing the cooperative light emission effect. This effect information includes an interlocking light emission pattern to be executed when the own device becomes a cooperation destination, and interlocking setting information regarding cooperation when the own device becomes a cooperation source. Although one interlocking light emission pattern is illustrated, there may be a plurality of patterns for each device number.

The interlocking setting information includes, as information about the interlocking source, the interlocking source tape LED (one of the tape LEDs in the device itself), the interlocking start point position (one of the LED chips in the interlocking source tape LED), and an optical component that controls the light emission position that is the starting point of interlocking (becomes any optical component that constitutes the light emission pattern that controls the light emission of the tape LED that is the interlocking source). Also, as information about the interlock destination, the interlock destination tape LED (one of the tape LEDs in the interlock destination game device 1000) and the interlock start position (one of the interlock destination tape LED chips). and an interlocking light emission pattern to be executed.

In the effect information, the game device to be linked can be designated by the device number within the group. Since the device number is a value that indicates the number of the device in the group counting from the parent device, the end of the group from the viewpoint of the device itself depends on whether the device number is larger or smaller than the device number n of the device itself. Also, it is possible to determine the number of the device counting from the self device in order of connection from the difference from the device number n of the self device.

Also, the tape LEDs 10 for interlocking the light emitting effect as cooperation between the game devices 1000 may be upper tape LEDs 10a and lower tape LEDs 10b in which LED chips are arranged in the horizontal direction. As a result, for example, of two game devices 1000 arranged side by side, when the game device 1000 on the left side as viewed from the front of the device is the link source and the game device 1000 on the right side is the link destination, the interlock start position is set to , the rightmost LED chip of the interlocking source tape LED 10 in the cooperation source game device 1000, and the interlocking start position is the leftmost LED chip of the interlocking destination tape LED 10 in the cooperation destination game device 1000. The two tape LEDs 10 of the arranged game device 1000 are aligned in the horizontal direction, and light emission propagates in the horizontal direction from the left end to the right end as if it were a single tape LED as a whole. It is possible to perform a staggering performance. Then, in a group consisting of a plurality of game devices 1000, it is possible to realize a lighting effect in which light emission propagates from the parent device at the head of the group to the child device at the end of the group in the order of connection. Of course, it is also possible to realize a lighting effect in which light is propagated from the child device at the end of the group to the parent device at the head of the group.

In addition, if there are interlocking light emission patterns for each device number, by specifying the light emission pattern to be executed by the device number of the cooperation destination in the interlock setting information, as a light emission effect for the entire group, along with the propagation of light emission It is possible to realize a light emission effect in which the light emission color changes.

More specifically, in the cooperative light emitting effect in a group of a plurality of game devices 1000, one game device 1000 serving as a reference becomes the first game device 1000 to cooperate with, and the other game devices 1000 sequentially cooperate with each other. This is done by becoming the first and cooperation source game device 1000 . The game device 1000 that serves as a reference for the cooperative light emission effect is the master device in the attract effect, and the game device 1000 that has won a prize (is in a prize winning situation) in the prize acquisition effect.

As shown in FIG. 20, in the effect information for performing the cooperative light emission effect stored in each game device 1000, in the interlock setting information for cooperation, the light emission pattern for interlocking is defined as the light emission pattern of the interlock source. In other words, when the light emission effect between the tape LEDs 10 is interlocked as a cooperative light emission effect between the game devices 1000, the light emission pattern for interlocking with the tape LED as the control object is the light emission that becomes the interlock destination when the own device is the cooperation destination. This is because, regarding the pattern, when the own device subsequently becomes the link source, the light emission pattern must be the link source. Further, the effect information for cooperation further includes a light emission pattern for starting cooperation, and the light emission pattern for cooperation is executed with the light emission pattern for starting cooperation as an interlocking source and the tape LED of the device itself as an interlocking destination. and interlocking setting information for coordinating start that defines

Then, when the reference game device 1000 performs light emission control according to the effect information for cooperation, light emission control according to the light emission pattern for starting cooperation is started, and the tape LED determined by the interlock setting information for starting cooperation is started. As interlocking between the tape LEDs of the self device, light emission control by the light emission pattern for interlocking is started. Next, by light emission control based on this interlocking light emission pattern, the tape LEDs, the interlocking start position, and the interlocking light emission pattern are transmitted to the other game device 1000 as a cooperation destination as interlocking between the tape LEDs determined by the interlocking setting information for cooperation. Coordination activation information that instructs a light emission pattern or the like is transmitted. In the linked game device 1000, light emission control by the interlocking light emission pattern is started. By repeating this, the light emission effects are performed such that the light emission effects based on the interlocking light emission patterns are coordinated between the game apparatuses in order, starting with the game apparatus that serves as the reference.

(G) Attract effect setting In this embodiment, the administrator can set the contents of the attract effect. This setting can be made in the setting mode.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of an attract effect setting screen in the game device. There are two types of attraction effect setting methods. FIG. 21(a) is an example of a screen in which the setting method is “simple setting”, and FIG. 21(b) is an example of a screen in which the setting method is “original setting”. be. As shown in FIG. 21(a), in the simple setting, it is possible to select and set the effect and color of the attraction effect from a plurality of theme candidates predetermined for each theme. Also, as shown in FIG. 21(b), in the original setting, it is possible to select and set the effect and color of the attraction rendering from detailed candidates.

The effect information is configured as a combination of a light emission pattern expressing a "background" (hereinafter referred to as a "background light emission pattern") and a light emission pattern expressing an "effect" (hereinafter referred to as an "effect light emission pattern"). be. A light emission pattern representing a “background” is, for example, a light emission pattern for controlling light emission over the entire tape LED. A light emission pattern that expresses an “effect” is, for example, a light emission pattern for controlling partial light emission or flowing light. By giving the effect light emission pattern a higher priority for synthesis than the background light emission pattern, it is possible to perform a light emission presentation in which the "effect" is expressed in front of the "background".

A plurality of types of effect information are prepared in advance according to themes, each of which is a combination of effect light emission patterns and background light emission patterns. The production information is given a name that expresses the image of the combination of the "effect" expressed by the effect lighting pattern and the "background" expressed by the background lighting pattern. Information names are suggested. In the original setting, the name of the "effect" expressed by the light emission pattern for effect used in the effect information is presented as a candidate. Then, in the effect information including the effect light emission pattern expressing the selected effect, the light emission color of the background light emission pattern is changed to a color corresponding to the selected base color, or combined with the base color to attract. Effect information for effect is determined, and light emission control (attract effect) based on the effect information is performed. Here, the base color composition method includes, for example, overwrite, addition, α composition, and chromakey composition based on luminance.

In addition, in the “original setting”, it is also possible to select a combination of the effect and color of the attraction effect for each tape LED 10 . This enables the administrator of the game device 1000 to design the content of the presentation more freely, and can provide a variety of lighting presentations. Also, regarding the prize acquisition effect, the administrator may similarly set the content of the effect.

[Functional Configuration of Game Device]
FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the game device 1000. As shown in FIG. 22, game device 1000 includes administrator operation unit 102, administrator display unit 104, player operation unit 106, player display unit 108, sound output unit 110, and communication unit 112. , an illumination unit 1030 , a prize acquisition unit 1024 , a processing unit 200 and a storage unit 300 .

The administrator operation unit 102 is an operation unit for the administrator of the game device 1000 to perform management operations related to various types of maintenance, and outputs operation signals to the processing unit 200 according to various operation inputs made by the administrator. do. This function is implemented by, for example, input devices such as button switches, joysticks, and touch panels, and various sensors such as acceleration sensors. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to the touch panel, switches, etc. for the administrator provided in the inner space of the housing when the coin door 1014 is opened. Note that the administrator's operation unit 102 may also be used as the player's operation unit 106 .

The administrator display unit 104 is a display unit for displaying various information related to maintenance to the administrator, and displays various images and text based on display signals input from the processing unit 200 . This function is implemented by, for example, an image display device such as a flat panel display or touch panel. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to the touch panel for the administrator provided in the inner space of the housing when the coin door 1014 is opened. Note that the administrator display unit 104 may also be used as the player display unit 108 .

The player operation unit 106 is an operation unit for the player to perform various operations related to game play, and outputs operation signals to the processing unit 200 according to various operation inputs made by the player. This function is implemented by, for example, input devices such as button switches, joysticks, and touch panels, and various sensors such as acceleration sensors. In FIG. 1, the button switch 1006 corresponds to this.

The player display unit 108 is a display unit for displaying various information related to game play to the player, and displays various images and text based on display signals input from the processing unit 200 . This function is implemented by, for example, an image display device such as a flat panel display or touch panel.

The sound output unit 110 outputs various game sounds such as sound effects and BGM based on sound signals input from the processing unit 200 . This function is implemented by, for example, a sound output device such as a speaker, which corresponds to the speaker 1010 in FIG.

The communication unit 112 realizes communication with an external device by connecting to a given communication network. This function is realized by, for example, a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a wired communication cable jack, a control circuit, or the like. In this embodiment, the communication unit 112 includes two connection terminals (A terminal, B terminal) for connecting a communication cable for communication connection with another game device 1000 .

The processing unit 200 executes various arithmetic processes based on programs and data stored in the storage unit 300, operation signals from the administrator operation unit 102 and the player operation unit 106, data received by the communication unit 112, and the like. and controls the operation of the game device 1000 in an integrated manner. This function is realized by electronic components such as microprocessors such as CPUs and GPUs, ASICs, and IC memories. In this embodiment, the processing unit 200 includes a communication connection setting unit 202, a group setting unit 204, a lighting effect setting unit 206, a specific play situation detection unit 208, a specific state detection unit 210, and a light emission control unit 220. , and a prize acquisition game control unit 230 .

The communication connection setting unit 202 sets whether the game device itself serves as a parent device or a child device with respect to the other game devices 1000 . Specifically, depending on whether or not the communication cable is connected to the connection terminal (A terminal), the initial setting is made as to whether the device itself is the parent device or the child device. That is, if a communication cable is not connected to the A terminal, it is initialized as a master unit, and if it is connected, it is initialized as a slave unit. Also, if the communication cable is not connected to the connection terminal (B terminal) of the own device, it is determined that the own device is the end of the subordinate connection. Further, when the device itself is a child device, the communication connection setting unit 202 changes the communication connection setting as the parent device or independently according to the administrator's setting operation from the administrator operation unit 102 .

The group setting unit 204 performs group setting by grouping a plurality of game devices into one or more groups based on the setting operation of the administrator. In the group setting, the game devices set as independent are treated as a single group, and for each game device excluding the game device set as independent, the game device set as the master device is connected in tandem as the game device at the top of the group. are sorted into one group in the order of connection.

Specifically, if the own device is the parent device, a notification to the effect that the own device is the parent device is transmitted from the B terminal, and from the response of each child device to this notification, the device is assigned to the own group with the own device as the head of the group. Identify other game devices (child devices) to which they belong. If the local device is a child device, the device number of the game device 1000 as the parent device or the local device is determined based on the notification from the parent device received from the A terminal, and the device number of the local device, etc. is added to the notification. and transmit from the B terminal. Also, if the own device is at the end of the cascaded connection or if no response to the notification is received from the B terminal, it is determined that the own device is at the end of the group, and that fact is added to the notification from the master device. , is transmitted from the A terminal as a response to the notification. If the self device is independent, the self device itself is regarded as one group. Notifications and responses received from one of the connection terminals (A terminal, B terminal) are transmitted (transferred) from the other as they are.

The settings made by the communication connection setting section 202 and the group setting section 204 are stored as communication connection setting data 370 . FIG. 23 is an example of the communication connection setting data 370. As shown in FIG. According to FIG. 23, the communication connection setting data 370 includes a parent-child type indicating whether the own device is a parent device, a child device, or an independent device, the device number of the device in the own group, and the number of devices belonging to the own group. and

A lighting effect setting unit 206 sets selected effect information from among a plurality of pieces of effect information defining the light emitting effect of the electrical decoration. Specifically, an attract effect setting screen (see FIG. 21) for setting the contents of the attract effect is displayed on the administrator display unit 104, and the effect content is displayed according to the administrator's setting operation by the administrator operation unit 102. The performance information 380 associated with the attract performance is set from among a plurality of candidates of the performance information 380 having different values. If the own device is the master device, it notifies each game device 1000 (child device) of the own group of the effect number and the base color of the effect information set in association with the attract effect.

Candidates for the effect information 380 presented on the attract setting screen are predetermined as an attract effect candidate list 340 . Base color candidates presented in the original setting are predetermined as a base color candidate list 350 .

FIG. 24 is an example of the attraction effect candidate list 340 . According to FIG. 24, the attraction effect candidate list 340 stores the name of effect and the effect number of the effect information in association with each setting method. The setting method is either a simple setting that selects the content of the rendering or an original rendering that selects a combination of the “effect” and “color” of the rendering. The name represents an image (theme) of the content of the effect, and this name is displayed as a candidate for the effect information on the attract effect setting screen.

FIG. 25 is an example of base color candidate list 350 . According to FIG. 25, base color candidate list 350 stores candidate base colors and hues to be emitted colors in association with each other.

The setting content by the lighting effect setting unit 206 is stored in the lighting effect setting data 360 . FIG. 26 is an example of the lighting effect setting data 360. As shown in FIG. According to FIG. 26, the luminous effect setting data 360 stores the type of luminous effect and the effect number of the effect information in association with each other for effects other than the attract effect. This correspondence is preset. In addition, the attraction effect can be changed from the initial setting, and the effect information effect number and the base color and are stored in association with each other. When a base color is set, the hue of the color emitted by a given optical component included in the associated effect information is changed to the set base color, and light emission control is performed according to the effect information. . Which optical component is to change its emission color is designated by the emission color changeability flag 407 of the optical component registration list 400 that defines the optical components included in the effect information 380 (see FIG. 31).

A specific play situation detection unit 208 detects that the play situation in the own device has become a specific play situation. For example, it is assumed that the specific play situation is when a prize is won in the attract mode (prize winning situation).

The specific state detection unit 210 detects that the operating state of its own device has become a specific state. For example, it is assumed that the specific state is when a housing error or communication connection error occurs and when the operation mode is the test mode.

The light emission control section 220 controls light emission of the electric decoration section based on the selection effect information. Also, after changing the light emission color based on the light emission design included in the selection effect information based on the base color, the light emission of the electrical decoration is controlled. Further, in place of the light emission control of the illumination portion based on the selection effect information, or in combination with the light emission control of the illumination portion based on the selection effect information, a specific play predetermined as effect information in a specific play situation Light emission control of the illumination part is performed based on the time effect information. Further, in place of the light emission control of the illumination section based on the selection presentation information, or in combination with the light emission control of the illumination section based on the selection presentation information, a specific state predetermined as presentation information in the specific state Light emission control of the illumination part is performed based on the performance information. Further, the light emission of each electric decoration part is controlled based on the selection effect information determined to be applied to the electric decoration part.

Specifically, a predetermined type of light emission effect is performed according to the operation mode, operation state, and play situation of the own device according to the effect information 380 associated with the light emission effect. Correspondence between the type of lighting effect and the effect information 380 is stored as light emitting effect setting data 360 . That is, when the group setting is made, the attraction effect is started. The attract effect follows the effect information 380 notified and set by the parent device of the own group if the own device is a slave device, and follows the effect information 380 set in the own device if the own device is the parent device or independent. In addition, when a prize acquisition situation, which is a specific play situation, occurs, a prize acquisition presentation is performed. Also, when a communication connection error, which is a specific state, occurs, a communication connection error presentation is performed. When a case error, which is a specific state, occurs, a case error presentation is performed. Also, in the test mode, which is a specific state, a test effect is performed.

When performing a plurality of performances at the same time, performances of higher priority are overwritten on performances of lower priority in accordance with the order of priority determined for each type of performance. The priority of the light emission effect is predetermined as light emission effect priority definition information 330 . FIG. 27 is an example of the light emission effect priority definition information 330. As shown in FIG. According to FIG. 27 , the light emission effect priority order definition information 330 defines the priority order of the types of light emission effects performed by the game device 1000 .

The light emission control section 220 also has a group identification light emission control section 222 and a cooperative light emission control section 224 .

The group identification light emission control unit 222 controls the group identification light emission of the illumination unit for identifying the group by group. Identification light emission control is performed to indicate that the game device to be played is the game device positioned at the end of the group. Also, when the game system is activated or when groups are set, group identification light emission control is performed.

Specifically, when a group is set by the group setting unit 204, light emission control is performed according to the effect information 380 predetermined in association with group recognition light emission. At this time, the hue of the light emission color of a given optical component included in the effect information 380 is changed to the light emission color according to the number of game devices belonging to the same group, and light emission control is performed according to the effect information 380 . Which optical component is to change its emission color is designated by the emission color changeability flag 407 of the optical component registration list 400 that defines the optical components included in the effect information 380 (see FIG. 31).

The corresponding effect information 380 and emission color are stored as group identification emission setting information 320 . FIG. 28 is an example of group identification light emission setting information 320. As shown in FIG. According to FIG. 28, the group identification light emission setting information 320 stores the effect number of the effect information associated with the group light emission identification, and also stores the number of devices belonging to the own group and the light emission color in correspondence. .

The cooperative light emission control section 224 performs cooperative light emission control of the illumination section between the game devices belonging to the group for each group. Further, cooperative light emission control is performed during the attract mode of the game system or during game play on any of the game devices belonging to the group. In addition, as cooperative light emission control, the illumination portion of each game device belonging to the group to which the game device in the specific play situation belongs is controlled based on light emission control in a specific play situation predetermined as light emission control in the specific play situation. light emission control. Further, cooperative light emission control includes light emission control such that light emission is propagated to each game device of the group to which the game device belongs, based on the game device in the specific play situation. In addition, as cooperative light emission control, wavy light emission control is performed by causing the electric decorations to emit light so that the portion emitting light in a given color spreads across the game devices belonging to the group in a linear arrangement. . In addition, as cooperative light emission control, when a preset activation light emitting element among a plurality of light emitting elements constituting the illumination section of the game device belonging to the group emits light, another game belonging to the group is activated. Lights up the illumination part of the device.

Specifically, the attraction effect and the prize acquisition effect are performed as the linked light emission effect. That is, when the own device is the parent device, when the operation mode becomes the attract mode, light emission control is started according to the effect information 380 associated with the attract effect. In this light emission control, when the interlock activation condition that the tape LED of another game device 1000 in the same group is the interlock destination is satisfied, the interlock destination tape LED and the interlock start position for the interlock destination game device 1000 are satisfied. , transmits cooperative activation information that specifies a light emission control pattern.

In addition, when a prize win situation occurs in which a prize is won in game play on the own device, light emission control is started according to the effect information 380 associated with the prize win effect. In this light emission control, when the interlock activation condition that the tape LED of another game device 1000 in the same group is the interlock destination is satisfied, the interlock destination tape LED and the interlock start position for the interlock destination game device 1000 are satisfied. , transmits cooperative activation information that specifies a light emission control pattern.

Further, when the own device is a child device, upon receiving cooperation activation information from another game device 1000 belonging to the same group, light emission control is performed according to this cooperation activation information. That is, in the tape LED designated as the interlocking destination, the light emission control by the designated interlocking light emission pattern is started from the designated interlocking start position.

The prize acquisition game control unit 230 controls the operation (movement, gripping arm opening/closing, etc.) of the prize acquisition unit 1024 in accordance with an operation signal from the player operation unit 106, and performs various functions for performing the game play of the prize acquisition game. control.

The storage unit 300 stores a system program for realizing various functions for the processing unit 200 to integrally control the game device 1000, programs and data for realizing various functions in this embodiment, and the like. , is used as a work area for the processing unit 200, and stores the results of calculations executed by the processing unit according to various programs, operation signals from the administrator operation unit 102 and the player operation unit 106, received data from the communication unit 112, and the like. Store temporarily. This function is realized by storage devices such as various IC memories, hard disks, optical disk drives, ROMs, and RAMs, for example. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 300 includes a light emission control program 302, illumination section configuration information 310, group identification light emission setting information 320, light emission priority definition information 330, an attraction effect candidate list 340, A base color candidate list 350, lighting effect setting data 360, communication connection setting data 370, effect information 380, and optical component information 420 are stored.

The lighting effect control program 302 is a program for controlling the lighting effect in the game device 1000 .

The electrical decoration section configuration information 310 is information relating to the tape LEDs that constitute the electrical decoration section 1030, and is set and stored in advance. FIG. 29 shows an example of the illumination section configuration information 310. As shown in FIG. According to FIG. 29, the electrical decoration section configuration information 310 stores the number of arranged LED chips, the arrangement direction, and the like for each of the plurality of tape LEDs that constitute the electrical decoration section 1030 .

The effect information 380 is control information that defines the light emission effect of the illumination section 1030 , and is set and stored in advance for each type of effect to be performed in the game device 1000 . FIG. 30 shows an example of effect information 380. As shown in FIG. According to FIG. 30, the effect information 380 includes a effect number 381 which is an identification number, a effect name 382 which is text information for identifying the effect, a effect type 383, a duration 384 of light emission control according to the effect information, A light emission pattern registration list 390 is stored. The effect type 383 is a type of light emitting effect such as an attract effect, a prize win effect, an error effect, and a test effect.

The light emission pattern registration list 390 includes a light emission pattern number 391, which is an identification number in the effect information, a target tape LED 392, an effect start position 393, a synthesis priority 394, and Synthesis method 395, duration 396 of light emission control by the light emission pattern, interlock flag 397 indicating whether the light emission pattern is an interlock light emission pattern, optical component registration list 400, and interlock setting information 410 are stored. do. The target tape LED 392 is a tape LED to be subjected to light emission control in the light emission pattern among the tape LEDs constituting the electrical decoration section 1030, and any number of the target tape LEDs 392 can be specified, not limited to one. The effect start position 393 is the start position of light emission control on the target tape LED 392, and is designated by a position in units of chip LEDs. The synthesis priority 394 is set so as not to overlap within one effect information 380 . The synthesizing method 395 is a synthesizing method for synthesizing the light emission control by the light emission pattern with the light emission control by the light emission pattern having a low priority for synthesis, for example, overwrite, addition, α synthesis, chromakey synthesis, and the like. One synthesis method selected from among is set. The optical component registration list 400 is information on optical components that constitute the light emission pattern (see FIG. 31). The interlocking setting information 410 is information that defines the interlocking of the light emitting effect with the target tape LED 392 as the interlocking source (see FIG. 32).

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of the optical component registration list 400. As shown in FIG. According to FIG. 31, the optical component registration list 400 includes an optical component number 401 and a delay of the start timing of light emission control by the optical component with respect to the start timing of light emission control by the light emission pattern for each optical component constituting the light emission pattern. A time 402, a duration 403 of light emission control by the optical component, a priority of synthesis 404, a synthesis method 405, an interlocking source flag 406, and a light color change enable/disable flag 407 are stored. The synthesis priority 404 is set so as not to overlap within one emission pattern. The synthesis method 405 is a synthesis method for synthesizing light emission control by the relevant optical component with light emission control by an optical component with a low priority for synthesis. One synthesis method selected from among is set. The interlocking source flag 406 is a flag indicating whether the light emission by the optical component is set as the starting point of the interlocking. The light emission color changeability flag 407 is a flag indicating whether the light emission color of light emission control by the optical component can be changed.

The optical components defined as the optical component registration list are selected from the optical components prepared in advance as the optical component information 420 and registered. In one emission pattern, it is possible to duplicately register the same optical component.

FIG. 32 is an example of interlock setting information 410 . According to FIG. 32 , the interlocking setting information 410 stores the interlocking starting point position 411 in the target tape LED 392 as the interlocking source setting, and stores the interlocking destination tape LED 412 and the interlocking destination tape LED 412 as the interlocking destination setting. , and the interlocking start position 413 and the interlocking light emission pattern number 414 in the tape LED 412 of . The linked tape LED 412 is specified including the device number of the game device 1000 in which the tape LED is provided. The interlocking light emission pattern number 414 is specified including the effect number including the light emission pattern.

FIG. 33 is an example of the optical component information 420. As shown in FIG. According to FIG. 33, the optical component information 420 includes an optical component number 421 which is an identification number of the optical component, a type 422, a luminescent color determination method 423, a luminescent range 424, luminescent color definition information 425, and a propagation Velocity 426 and damping factor 427 are stored. The type 422 represents an image of "lighting" by light emission control by the optical component, and the type 422 determines how the light emission position, light emission color, light emission luminance, and light emission range change over time (see FIG. 4). The emission color determination method 423 is a method for determining the emission color and emission luminance at each position other than the emission position. For example, the emission color and emission brightness of the light emission position are assumed to be the same, or the emission color is the same as the light emission position, but the distance from the light emission position (exactly, the number of the LED chip counted from the light emission position) or ), gradation, etc., that changes so as to decrease or increase the light emission luminance. The light emission range 424 is the range for which the light emission color and light emission luminance are to be determined among the LED chips of the tape LED, and is determined, for example, as all or the number of LED chips based on the light emission position. The emission color definition information 425 is information that defines the emission color of the emission position. Since the emitted color is represented by the HSV color space, the hue (H), saturation (S), and brightness (V) can be set to initial values at the start of light emission control by the optical component, or to values that change over time. It defines the change cycle etc. The propagation speed 426 indicates the speed of change when the light emission position is changed over time, and is defined as, for example, the length of change per unit time or the number of LED chips. The attenuation coefficient 427 indicates the speed of change when the light emission luminance of the light emission position is changed over time, and is determined, for example, as the rate of increase/decrease with respect to the light emission luminance at the start of the light emission control.

[Process flow]
FIG. 34 is a flowchart for explaining light emission effect control processing executed by the game device 1000. FIG. This processing is realized by the processing unit 200 executing processing according to the light emission effect control program 302 .

First, when the device itself is powered on (step S1), the communication connection setting unit 202 confirms the communication connection settings such as whether the device is a parent device, a child device, or an independent device (step S5). ). At this time, if a communication connection error is detected (step S7: YES), the light emission control unit 220 performs a communication connection error presentation until the communication connection error is resolved (step S11: NO). (Step S9). If a communication connection error is not detected (step S7: NO), the process proceeds to step S16, and the light emission control unit 220 starts an attract effect (step S16).

When the communication connection error is resolved (step S11: YES), group setting unit 204 then transmits a predetermined notification if the device itself is the parent device, and if the device is the child device sends a response to the notification from the parent device, sets the device numbers of other game devices belonging to the same group and the own device, and sorts the groups (step S13). When the grouping is completed, the light emission control unit 220 performs group identification light emission in a color corresponding to the number of game devices belonging to the own group for a predetermined time (step S15). After that, the light emission control section 220 starts the attraction effect (step S16).

If the operation mode is switched to the test mode (step S17: YES), the light emission control section 220 starts the test effect (step S19). The test performance continues until the test mode ends (until it is switched to another operation mode).

If the operation mode is switched to the setting mode (step S21: YES), and the communication connection setting is changed in this setting mode (step S23: YES), the group setting unit 204 again sorts groups. (step S25). Then, the light emission control unit 220 performs group identification light emission in a light emission color corresponding to the number of game devices belonging to the new own group for a predetermined time (step S27).

Also, if any game device 1000 in its own group is in a prize winning state (step S29: YES), the light emission control section 220 performs a prize winning effect (step S31). That is, when the play status of the own device becomes a prize winning situation, the prize winning effect is performed by starting the light emission control based on the effect information associated with the prize effect, and the other game devices of the own group perform the light emission control. When the play situation becomes a prize winning situation, a prize winning presentation is performed in accordance with cooperation activation information received from another game device.

Further, if the occurrence of a housing error in the device itself is detected (step S33: YES), the light emission control unit 220 causes the housing error effect until the housing error is resolved (step S37: NO). (Step S35).

After that, it is determined whether or not an instruction to shut off the power is given, and if not (step S39: NO), the process returns to step S7. If power shutdown is instructed (step S39: YES), after finishing all the effects being executed (step S41), the power supply of the own device is shut down (step S43).

[Effect]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the effect information that defines the light emission effect of the illumination portion 1030 provided in the game device 1000 can be easily created by combining light components and light emission designs that are defined as light emission patterns. It becomes possible to Since the optical parts and the light emission pattern are control data for changing at least one of the light emission position, the light emission color, and the light emission brightness over time, the light emission position, the light emission color, and the light emission brightness can be changed depending on the combination of the optical parts and the light emission patterns. can be created. As for the optical parts, it is also possible to use control data in which none of the light emitting position, the light emitting color, and the light emitting luminance changes with the passage of time, thereby expressing a "fixed background" or a "fixed background color." . In addition, since the optical components and light emission patterns can be shared by different presentation information, by creating a plurality of optical components and light emission patterns, it is possible to combine them to create presentation information with various contents related to the light emission presentation. It is possible to increase the degree of freedom in designing the lighting effect of the illumination part 1030 .

In addition, even after the game device 1000 is installed in the facility, it is easy to add or change the effect information, and it is possible to create an original effect by freely combining effects and colors. It is possible to provide a variety of/abundant light emitting effects according to the type of game, event, season, target customer base, lighting in the store, installation location, number of installations, layout change of game devices, etc.

Further, in a game system configured by connecting a plurality of game devices 1000 in cascade, the illumination units 1030 of the game devices 1000 are group-identifying light emission controlled for each group. In addition, cooperative light emission control of the illumination section 1030 is performed between the game devices 1000 belonging to each group. Therefore, by looking at the group identification light emission of each game device 1000, the administrator can easily confirm and understand the grouping for which cooperative light emission control between the game devices 1000 is to be performed.

[Modification]
It goes without saying that the embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

(A) Configuration of Game System In the above-described embodiment, the game system is configured by cascade-connecting a plurality of game devices 1000 with communication cables. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 35, a server device 1200 and a plurality of game devices 1000 may be connected via a communication network N to form a game system.

In the case of the game system as shown in FIG. 35, the server device 1200 bears some of the functions of the master device. In other words, the server device 1200 sorts the groups according to the communication connection setting of the game device 1000 (parent device, child device, independent). For example, a provisional number is registered in advance in each game device 1000 according to the arrangement of the game devices 1000, etc., and groups are grouped by regarding this provisional number as corresponding to the connection order in the cascade connection, and each game in the group is divided. Determine the device number of device 1000 . The communication connection settings for the game device 1000 may be made by the administrator of the device, or may be set by the server device 1200 .

The cooperative light emission effect between the game devices 1000 on a group basis can be performed by communication within the group via the communication network in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. That is, the attraction effect is started based on the parent device, and the prize win effect is started based on the game device in the prize winning state.

(B) Configuration of illumination part, part 1
Further, the number and locations of the tape LEDs provided as the illumination section 1030 in the game device 1000 are not limited to this, and can be arbitrarily provided according to the size and shape of the housing. The game device 1000 in the above embodiment is a one-player game device in which one player plays a game, but it can also be configured as a two-player game device 1000A shown in FIG. 36, for example.

In the game device 1000A shown in FIG. 36, two game spaces partitioned by a case are formed as the inner space of the housing, and two players can play the prize-winning game side by side at the same time. In the game device 1000A, the illumination section 1030A includes two upper tape LEDs 10a, 10a arranged side by side along the upper side of the case, and a case LED 10a, 10a arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Two lower tape LEDs 10b, 10b provided side by side in the left-right direction along the lower side, a right tape LED 10c provided along the right side of the case, and a left tape LED 10d provided along the left side of the case. , and six tape LEDs 10 .

(C) Configuration of illumination part, part 2
In the above-described embodiment, the electrical decoration part 1030 is realized by the tape LED, but it is not limited to the tape LED. It is also possible to employ a form in which the LEDs are used in group units as one group, like the tape LEDs in the above-described embodiment.

(D) Unit of light emission control by effect information, part 1
In the above-described embodiment, the effect information (more precisely, the light emission pattern and the optical parts that constitute this) is controlled by the physical one tape LED 10 as a unit. This may be treated as an arbitrary number of tape LEDs by software, regardless of the physical configuration. Specifically, one physical tape LED 10 is divided into two and handled as "two tape LEDs", or two tape LEDs are physically connected to form "one tape LED". It is also possible to treat it as

For example, in the game device 1000A shown in FIG. 36, physically two upper tape LEDs 10a, 10a and physically two lower tape LEDs 10b, 10b are provided. can be handled as "one tape LED" in which the adjacent ends are connected to each other in terms of software. Alternatively, although not shown, in the game device 1000A, the upper tape LED 10a and the lower tape LED 10b are each physically realized by one tape LED, and software-wise, they are divided into two at the central part. It can be treated as "two tape LEDs".

(E) Unit of light emission control by effect information, part 2
In addition, the unit of light emission control based on the effect information (more precisely, the light emission patterns and optical parts that make up this) is not a tape LED in which chip LEDs, which are multiple light emitting elements, are arranged in a line, but regardless of the arrangement position. Instead, an "LED group" made up of chip LEDs, which are a plurality of light-emitting elements, may be used as a unit. For example, in the game device 1000, a plurality of tape LEDs 10 can be provided in parallel to form an "LED group" composed of a plurality of chip LEDs arranged in a matrix. Also, in one tape LED, it is possible to form an "LED group" consisting of odd-numbered chip LEDs and an "LED group" consisting of even-numbered chip LEDs counting from one end.

(F) Collaborative Light-Emitting Effect Two types of “effect modes” may be implemented as cooperative light-emitting effects performed in units of a group consisting of a plurality of game devices 1000 . Specifically, all the game devices 1000 belonging to one group perform the same light emission effect at the same timing in a "synchronization effect mode", and the game device described as a representative example of the cooperative light effect effect in the above-described embodiment. It is a “cooperation effect mode” in which the timing and content of light emitting effects can be different for each 1000. Which presentation mode is to be implemented is set by an administrator in the game device 1000 which is the master device of the group. In the game device 1000, in the setting mode, the administrator can change the child machine to the master machine or independent (change the communication connection setting). It is preferable to select and set the presentation mode in accordance with the change of the communication connection setting in the setting mode.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for communication connection setting. FIG. 37(a) is an example of a screen in which the initial setting by cascade connection is the parent device, and FIG. 37(b) is an example of a screen in which the initial setting by cascade connection is the slave device. As shown in FIG. 37(a), the game device 1000, which is the master device, is fixed to the master device, so that it is possible to select and set from two types of effect modes of the cooperative light emission effect. Further, as shown in FIG. 37(b), the game device 1000 as a child device remains a child device (indicated as "subordinate" in FIG. 27(b)), or is changed to an independent or parent device. You can select and set In the case of changing to the parent device, it is possible to select and set from two types of effect modes of cooperative light emission effect.

In addition, the game device 1000 stores effect information for realizing the light emitting effect. Two kinds of performance information are stored. In the above-described embodiment, the cooperative lighting effect includes the attraction effect and the prize acquisition effect. memorize Furthermore, the content of the attraction effects can be set by the administrator, and a plurality of theme-based effects information are prepared as candidates that can be selected by the administrator. Therefore, the effect information for the synchronous effect mode and the effect information for the cooperative effect mode are stored for each of the plurality of effect information. Specifically, in the attraction effect candidate list 340 (see FIG. 24), two types of effect numbers for the synchronous effect mode and for the cooperative effect mode are associated with the name of the effect as the effect number of the effect information.

Furthermore, the same applies to the case where the administrator can set the content of the prize acquisition effect. That is, in this case, a plurality of pieces of effect information for each theme are prepared as candidates for the contents of the prize acquisition effect that can be selected by the administrator. , and performance information for the cooperative performance mode.

(G) Group Identification Light Emission In the above-described embodiment, the tape LEDs 10a to 10d, which are the illumination portion 1030 of the game device 1000, emit light as group identification light emission (see FIG. 12). The purpose of the group identification light emission is to allow the administrator to easily grasp the classification of the groups, so the following may be used. For example, an effect may be provided in which light emission propagates from the game device 1000 (master device) at the head of the group to the game device 1000 at the end of the group in the order of connection. Also, in order to emphasize the boundaries of the groups, for example, the head game device 1000 of the group and the tail game device 1000 of the group may be controlled to blink, or the head game device 1000 of the group and the tail of the group may be illuminated. For the game device 1000, light emission control is performed such that light emission is propagated only between the tape LEDs 10 in the game device 1000, and light emission control different from that of the game device 1000 at an intermediate connection position in the same group is performed. You can do it.

(H) Type of Game Although the game device in the above-described embodiments is a device for playing a game for prizes, other types of games may be used. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to a game device for playing medal games and various video games.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1000... Game apparatus 200... Processing part 202... Communication connection setting part 204... Group setting part 206... Light emission effect setting part 208... Specific play situation detection part 210... Specific state detection part 220... Light emission control part 222... Group identification light emission control part 224 Linked light emission control unit 230 Prize acquisition game control unit 300 Storage unit 302 Light emission effect control program 310 Illumination unit configuration information 320 Group identification light emission setting information 330 Light emission effect priority order definition information 340 Attract effect candidate List 350 Base color candidate list 360 Light emission setting data 370 Communication connection setting data 380 Effect information 420 Optical part information

Claims (15)

A method for controlling light emission of an illumination part by a game system in which a plurality of game devices having the illumination part are connected for communication,
performing group setting by grouping the plurality of game devices into two or more groups based on a setting operation by an administrator;
performing group identification light emission control of the illumination unit for identifying the group for each of the groups;
performing cooperative light emission control of the illumination unit between the game devices belonging to the group for each of the groups;
A light emission control method comprising: the communication connection of the plurality of game devices is a cascade connection;
Performing the group identification light emission control means that among the game devices belonging to the group, the game device positioned at the head and/or the tail of the group in the cascade connection is the game device positioned at the end. Including performing identification light emission control indicating
The light emission control method according to claim 1. the communication connection of the plurality of game devices is a cascade connection;
Setting the group involves setting each of the game devices as a parent device or a child device, and grouping the game device set as the parent device into a group in the order of connection of the cascade connection with the game device set as the parent device being the top game device of the group. including
The light emission control method according to claim 1 or 2. the communication connection of the plurality of game devices is a cascade connection;
By setting each of the game devices as a parent device, a child device, or independently, the group setting is performed so that the game devices set as independent become a single group, and the game devices set as independent are set as a single group. For each game device excepted, grouping the game device set as the parent device into groups in the order of connection of the cascade connection with the game device set as the top game device of the group;
The light emission control method according to claim 1 or 2. Performing the group identification light emission control includes performing the group identification light emission control at the time of starting the game system or setting the group,
The light emission control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Performing the linked light emission control includes performing the linked light emission control during an attract mode of the game system or when a game is being played on any of the game devices belonging to the group.
The light emission control method according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Detecting that the play situation on any of the game devices has become a specific play situation;
further comprising
Performing the cooperative light emission control means that the lighting unit of each game device belonging to the group to which the game device in the specific play situation belongs is controlled in a specific play situation preset as light emission control in the specific play situation. including controlling light emission based on time light emission control,
The light emission control method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The specific play situation light emission control includes light emission control such that light emission propagates to each game device in the group to which the game device belongs, based on the game device in the specific play situation.
The light emission control method according to claim 7. detecting that any operating state of the game device has reached a specific state;
controlling light emission of the electrical decoration unit of the game device in the specific state based on specific state light emission control preset as light emission control in the specific state;
The light emission control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising The illumination part is configured by arranging a plurality of light emitting elements in a line,
The game device includes the illumination part with the line-shaped arrangement arranged in a horizontal direction.
The light emission control method according to any one of claims 1 to 9. Performing the cooperative light emission control is performed by causing the illumination portion to emit light in a wave shape so that a portion emitting light in a given light color propagates in the linear arrangement across the game devices belonging to the group. including performing light emission control,
The light emission control method according to claim 10. By performing the wavy light emission control, when a predetermined activation light emitting element among a plurality of light emitting elements constituting the illumination section of the game device belonging to the group emits light, the light emitting element belonging to the group belongs to the group. including emitting light from the illumination part of another game device that
The light emission control method according to claim 11. The game device is a device for executing a prize-winning game in which a player operates a prize-winning unit to win a prize in a game space,
The illumination part is provided on the periphery of the case that defines the game space,
The light emission control method according to any one of claims 10 to 12. A game system in which a plurality of game devices having an illumination part are connected for communication,
performing group setting by grouping the plurality of game devices into two or more groups based on a setting operation by an administrator;
performing group identification light emission control of the illumination unit for identifying the group for each of the groups;
performing cooperative light emission control of the illumination unit between the game devices belonging to the group for each of the groups;
A game system that runs comprising a server device communicatively connected to the plurality of game devices;
15. A game system according to claim 14.

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