JPH0433672A - Display controller for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily and surely read out varied display pattern data on a pattern display unit from a ROM at every one screen without using the management executed by a microcomputer, and to freely display the pattern, while scrolling it. CONSTITUTION:When a scroll signal is inputted to an arithmetic circuit 22, in the arithmetic circuit 22, a numerical value corresponding to the number of picture element data of a one-line portion of an image horizontal line in a pattern display unit is added. A result of this operation is synchronized with a vertical synchronizing signal and outputted to an address generating circuit 23, and in the address generating circuit 23, as well, an address generated from a result of this operation is set to the head and pattern data for showing the next one screen of the pattern display unit is read out successively from a ROM 18. In such a way, it is outputted as an address of a first line of an address pattern display which shows a second line until now, and a pattern displayed on the screen of the pattern display unit until now is shifted upward by a one-line portion of a horizontal line and displayed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a display control device for a game machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine, which is equipped with a display function, and in particular, the present invention relates to a display control device for a game machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine. Pachinko that allows
The present invention relates to a highly accurate display control device for gaming machines such as slot machines.

[Prior Art] As an example of a game machine equipped with a display function, a pachinko game machine has a function as shown in FIG.

FIG. 1 shows representative functions of pachinko game machines found on the market.

In Fig. 1, 1 is the panel surface on which the ball that is launched by the spring force of the ball tR ellipse 3 rolls by operating the ball handle 2, 7 is the normal winning hole, and 4 is the first type starting hole. be. When the ball enters the first type starting hole 4, 3 lined up side by side
The symbol display device 6 changes by vertically scrolling the symbols in the row, and when the same predetermined symbols stop in three rows, it becomes a jackpot and the big prize opening 5 is opened.
When a predetermined time has elapsed or a predetermined number of balls have entered the big winning hole 5, the opening of the big winning hole 5 is stopped.

Further, reference numeral 8 represents a plurality of display lamps provided on the panel surface 1, which are turned on or blinked when a predetermined condition is met during the game.

Further, reference numeral 9 denotes a sound generating device, which generates a predetermined sound when a predetermined condition is met during the game.

An example of a circuit of a display control device for carrying out the above-described operation is shown in the block diagram of FIG.

In FIG. 3, 31 is a microcomputer of the main body of the display control device, and 32 is a path line for signal transmission, including address and data lines. 33 is a clock and timing signal generation circuit for synchronizing the operations of the microcomputer and other circuits. 34 is a storage device, including ROM and RAM. 36 is the first type starting port 4 shown in FIG.
Alternatively, sensors for detecting a batted ball entering the big winning hole 5 are collectively described, and 35 is an electronic circuit for processing each signal detected by the sensor 36 and connecting it to the pass line 32. It is written as follows.

Further, numeral 38 includes operating functions including a symbol display device, which opens the display lamp 8, symbol display device 6, sound generator 9, and grand prize opening 5 shown in FIG. The operational functions of solenoids etc. are shown together. 37
These operating functions 38 are connected to the path line 32, respectively.
The electronic circuits for receiving, processing and driving the signals are collectively described.

In the above-described circuit configuration, the microcomputer 31 uses the synchronization signal from the clock and timing signal generation circuit 33 to read the program recorded in the storage device 34,
A signal processing operation is performed based on the input signal from the sensor 36, and IIJ control such as opening of the display lamp 8, symbol display device 6, sound generator 9, and big prize opening 5 is executed.

Among the above-mentioned operations, the variation of the symbols displayed on the symbol display device is executed by selecting the symbol display data recorded in the storage device 34 and the display data through signal processing by the microcomputer 31.

Display control of game machines other than the pachinko game machine described above, such as slot machines, which have a display function, is also performed by means similar to those described above, depending on the respective functions.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] For example, it is desirable for the pattern display of game machines such as pachinko and slot machines to be able to display complex patterns and beautiful colors that change rapidly, but it is difficult to display such complex patterns using a microcomputer. In the above-mentioned conventional display control device, it was necessary to limit the display contents to simple display contents in order to execute the control functions including the processing time and the specifications of the applicable model.

In particular, in order to scroll the symbols on the symbol display device, it is necessary to change the displayed symbols at high speed, but highly accurate scrolling has been difficult for the reasons mentioned above.

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to enable highly accurate scrolling display of symbol images, which can be operated at any speed by simply receiving an activation signal from a microcomputer.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, a display control device for a game machine based on the present invention includes a sensor and a sensor signal conversion means, a symbol display device, a microcomputer, and a clock signal. In a display control device for a pachinko game machine, which includes timing signal generation means including a horizontal and vertical synchronizing signal, and storage means including a ROM and a RAM, a predetermined numerical value outputted in synchronization with the horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals is repeatedly added. and a symbol display signal generating means for setting a start address for reading out symbol data for each screen of the symbol display device from the symbol data recorded in the ROM by a computation output from the computing means. did.

[Function] According to the above configuration, changing display pattern data on the pattern display device is easily and reliably read out from the ROM for each screen without using management by a microcomputer, and the patterns are displayed while freely scrolling. Now I can do it.

[Example] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Figure 2 shows one of the game machines equipped with the display function shown in Figure 1.
This is a schematic block diagram of an example of a circuit mainly showing functions necessary for image processing based on the present invention for an example of a pachinko machine, including a power supply circuit, detailed transmission lines for signal transmission, gate circuits, etc. Detailed devices and elemental circuits are omitted.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a microcomputer in the main body of the display control device, including peripheral circuits of the microcomputer. Reference numeral 11 designates sensors including the sensor that detects that a ball has entered the first-class starting port 4, as explained with reference to FIG. It is included. 12 is a clock and timing signal generation circuit for synchronizing the operations of the microcomputer and other circuits; 13 is a clock and timing signal generation circuit that operates in synchronization with the signal output from the clock and timing signal generation circuit 12; Processing signals for creating and outputting symbol display processing signals such as horizontal and vertical synchronization signals, including the symbol scroll signal creation function of the symbol display device 6, and various signals necessary for this device in conjunction with the symbol display processing. It is a circuit. Further, 14 and 15 are address buses and data buses for transmitting various signals between the microcomputer 1° and each element circuit.

18 is a program for operating the microcomputer 1o, predetermined symbol display data (hereinafter referred to as symbol data), fixation of audio data for audio display to be supplied to the sound generator 9 shown in FIG. ROM to record data
28 is a readout circuit for reading predetermined data from the ROM 18, 19 is a RAM for temporarily recording predetermined data while the control device is in operation, and two are RAMs.
This is a read/write circuit for writing and reading predetermined data into M19.

Address data for reading predetermined symbol data from the ROM 18 is created by combining output data from the RAM 19 with predetermined signals such as horizontal and vertical synchronization signals output from the processing signal creation circuit 13.

6 is the pattern display device shown in FIG. 1, for example, a color TV LC having three primary color colored layers arranged in a mosaic arrangement.
The normal image displayed on a pachinko machine is divided into an upper 1/3 and a lower 2/3, with a fixed image at the top and a fixed image at the bottom. As described above, the screen is horizontally divided into three sections, and under predetermined conditions, images of seven or eight different patterns are scrolled, stopped, and displayed in the three divided sections.

22 is an arithmetic circuit for setting the start address for reading out the symbol data for each screen on the symbol display device 6 from the symbol data recorded in the ROM 18; 23 is the arithmetic result of the arithmetic circuit 22; Based on ROM
24 is an address creation circuit for creating an address for reading out the symbol data from 18, and 24 is a circuit for sequentially operating each pixel on the screen of the symbol display device 6 by the symbol data read out from the ROM 18 according to the address mentioned above. This is a signal processing circuit that outputs a symbol signal as a serial signal in synchronization with a predetermined signal such as a horizontal and vertical synchronization signal outputted from the processed signal generation circuit 13 described above. Also,
25 is a drive circuit that operates the symbol display device 6 by symbol signals output from the signal processing circuit 24.

Next, the operation in the above configuration will be explained.

As explained in FIG. 1, when the batted ball is operated by the batting handle 2, the batted ball launched by the spring force of the batted ball 1iI3 rolls on the panel surface and enters the first type starting port 4.
The sensor 11 provided in the first type starting port 4 detects the passage of the batted ball, and the memory is stored in the RAM by the processing of the microcomputer 10.
A scroll signal is output to the arithmetic circuit 22 via 19.

Until the scroll signal is input, the arithmetic circuit 22 always outputs zero as an output value to the address generation circuit 23, so the address generation circuit 23 uses a predetermined value corresponding to the playing situation of the pachinko game machine. An address is created for reading out from the ROM 18 the pattern data necessary for displaying the pattern determined by the processing by the specified function. That is, the address generation circuit 23 synchronizes with the horizontal synchronization signal from the processed signal generation circuit 13, and further synchronizes with the vertical synchronization signal, starting with the address on the ROM 18 that indicates the data of the upper leftmost pixel of the symbol display device. While maintaining synchronization, addresses for reading out image data corresponding to each pixel from the ROM 18 in the order of the first line and the second line from the top of the symbol display device are continuously output.

When the scroll signal is input to the arithmetic circuit 22, the arithmetic circuit 22 adds a numerical value corresponding to the number of pixel data for one column of the image horizontal line in the symbol display device. This calculation result is output to the address creation circuit 23 in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal, and in the address creation circuit 23, pattern data indicating the next screen of the pattern display device is generated with the address created from this calculation result at the beginning. are sequentially read from the ROM 18.

Therefore, the address that previously indicated the second line will be output as the address of the first line of the symbol display, and the symbol that was previously displayed on the symbol display screen will be shifted up by one horizontal line. Is displayed.

When the display of one screen is finished, the numerical value corresponding to one horizontal line of pixels of the pattern display device is added to the arithmetic circuit 22 again, and the first address or one column is used to read out the pattern data of the next screen from the ROM 18. The symbol that has been displayed on the symbol display device screen is further shifted upward by one horizontal line and displayed.

The above-mentioned operation is repeated, and each time one screen of the symbol display device is displayed, the number of pixels corresponding to one horizontal line of the symbol display device is repeatedly added to the arithmetic circuit 22, so that the symbols on the symbol display device are sequentially displayed. Move up to be displayed.

In the above explanation, it was explained that the arithmetic circuit 22 adds a value corresponding to the number of pixel data for one horizontal line of the symbol display device, but in response to the scroll speed, that is, when scrolling at high speed, , add a value indicating the number of pixel data for several columns, and indicate the number of pixel data for one horizontal line for each multiple screen corresponding to the predetermined speed required when slowing down before scrolling stops. By adding a value, you can change the scrolling speed.

The scrolling speed determined by the calculation result of the calculation circuit 22 described above may be set in advance so that the function of the calculation circuit 22 changes in conjunction with the timekeeping function, or it can be changed continuously according to the specifications of the game machine. The speed may be set to change automatically, or instructions may be issued based on the processing results of the microcomputer 10.

Furthermore, in the above explanation, it was explained that the arithmetic circuit 22 adds a numerical value corresponding to the number of pixel data for one horizontal line of the symbol display device, but in the conventional technology, as explained with reference to FIG. When symbols are displayed in parallel on the symbol display device, the above-mentioned process is performed for each symbol, and by switching each created address at the boundary between the symbols, the symbols in the three rows can be displayed independently. You can scroll.

Further, in the processing in the address creation circuit 23 for setting the start address for reading out the symbol data for stopping scrolling from the ROM 14, the symbol can be stopped by ignoring the input value from the arithmetic circuit 22. .

In addition, in the above explanation, it has been explained that the arithmetic circuit 22 adds the numerical values representing pixel data for one horizontal line, or the adding timing and the numerical values are determined appropriately according to the display conditions of the symbol display device. Setting the elemental circuits that make up the arithmetic device, such as setting the timing and the subtracted value appropriately to perform the subtraction process, and appropriately shifting the recorded value to the arithmetic device made up of a shift register. By setting the calculation timing, it is possible to change the scrolling direction and the situation, and also to cause horizontal scrolling and other changes in addition to vertical scrolling in the symbol display.

Furthermore, by making the various processing contents described above in the arithmetic circuit 22 selectable based on the processing results in the computer, etc., the images on the symbol display device can be changed in accordance with the playing situation of the pachinko game machine. It can produce complex changes.

In the circuit shown in FIG. 2, the address generation circuit 23 is connected to the ROM 18 via the signal processing circuit 24, but the output circuit of the address generation circuit 23 is connected directly to the address bus 14. You can also do it.

Although the above description of the embodiment of the present invention was made with respect to a pachinko game machine, detailed operation specifications can also be applied to a game machine equipped with other display functions, such as a slot machine. The present invention can be implemented by adapting to the following.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, for example, in the display function of a game machine such as a bar or slot machine, changing display on a symbol display device can be performed without using management by a microcomputer. Since the symbol data can be easily and reliably read out from the ROM for each symbol, it is possible to display a predetermined position on the screen without scrolling freely, and therefore, it is possible to display any desired position according to the conditions of the game machine. By freely flowing the symbols at the screen positions, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect of increasing interest in the game machine.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of one example of a pachinko game machine, FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of one implementation circuit example based on the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a circuit example of a conventional control device for a pachinko game machine. be. 1... Panel surface, 6... Pattern display device, 10... Microcomputer, 12...
...Clock and timing signal generation circuit, 13
...Processed signal creation circuit, 18...ROM, 22...Arithmetic circuit, 23...Address creation circuit, 24...・
...Signal processing circuit, 25... Drive circuit. 1st Ward Figure 3 1: Pal 2 Lu side 18: ROM6°■
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Claims (1)

[Claims] A sensor and a sensor signal conversion means, a pattern display device,
A microcomputer, a timing signal generating means including a clock signal and a horizontal/vertical synchronizing signal, a ROM and an R
In a display control device for a game machine, the display control device includes: a storage means including an AM; 1. A display control device for a game machine, comprising: symbol display signal creation means for setting a start address for reading symbol data for each screen of the device using a calculation output from the calculation means.