JPH09149376A - Picture display device of pachinko machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance picture display ability even when the capacity of picture data ROM is limited by expanding read compressed picture data by means of sub-CPU, storing picture data in a RAM and displaying the picture data in a picture display part by means of a picture data processor. SOLUTION: Picture data ROM 3 stores compressed data of an encoded still picture and an animation. Sub-CPU 4 expands and processes the compressed picture data and picture data RAM 5 temporarily stores the data. A picture data processor 6 reads data from picture data ROM 3 and executes a picture data processing. A liquid crystal display part 7 displays the picture in accordance with processed data. CPU 8 is mutually connected to input and output interfaces 12 and 13 and a counter 14, etc., so as to manage amusement contents and also executes logical operation for issuing a picture display command to the processor 6. Thus, picture data more than 16M bits is displayed even when the capacity of ROM 3 is limited to 16M bits.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image display device for an elastic game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image display device 102 of an elastic gaming machine shown in FIG. 4 has image data RO in which image data is stored.
M103 and an image data processor 1 for reading image data from the image data ROM 103 and performing image data processing
06, a liquid crystal display unit 107 for displaying an image in accordance with image data from the image data processor 106, and a CPU 108 for controlling game contents and for instructing the image data processor 106 to display an image.
The storage capacity of the image data stored in the image data ROM 103 has an upper limit of 16 Mbit according to the wind management optimization method.

[0003]

However, the amount of image data required for a ball-playing machine is increasing year by year, and in order to display a large amount of image information, the storage capacity of the image data ROM 103 is higher than ever. In the present situation, the image data ROM 103 with the storage capacity limitation as described above cannot cope with it, and the image display capability of the image display device 102 of the elastic machine is naturally limited.
Therefore, the image display device of the elastic game machine according to the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and the capacity of the image data ROM 103 is 16M.
Despite being limited to bits, the problem is to improve the image display capability of the image display device of the elastic game machine.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 relates to a read-only memory in which compressed image data is stored, the compressed image data is read from the read-only memory, and the image thereof is read. An image data decompression unit that decompresses compressed data according to a predetermined standard to generate image data, and an image data processor that causes the image display unit to display the image data based on decompression in the image data decompression unit. And an image display device for an elastic machine. As a result, even though the capacity of the image data ROM is limited to 16 Mbit, more image data can be displayed on the image display unit.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, preferred embodiments for clarifying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the image display device 2 included in the electronic control device 1 of the elastic game machine according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The image display device 2 reads an image data ROM 3 in which compressed image data including a compressed still image and a compressed moving image encoded according to a predetermined standard is stored, and the compressed image data is read from the image data ROM 3 to meet a predetermined standard. Sub CPU 4 as an image data decompression unit for decompressing compressed image data, and image data RAM 5 for temporarily storing the decompressed image data.
An image data processor 6 that reads out image data from the image data ROM 3 and performs image data processing, a liquid crystal display unit 7 as an image display unit that displays an image according to the image data from the image data processor 6, and the contents of the game. And a bus 9a for connecting the above-mentioned respective parts, and a CPU 8 for performing a logical operation for issuing an image display command to the image data processor 6. In this way, the compressed image data read from the image data ROM 3 is expanded by the sub CPU 4, the image data is stored in the image data RAM 5, and is displayed on the image display unit 7 by the image data processor 6. Therefore, the image data ROM 10
Although the capacity of 3 is limited to 16 Mbit, the image display capability for still images and moving images can be enhanced.

Next, details of each part of the image display device 2 will be described. The compressed image data stored in the image data ROM 3 complies with the JPEG and MPEG standards. The compressed image data is composed of encoded data in which a video signal is encoded by an encoder or the like, and the encoded data is pre-stored in the image data ROM 3 in a read-only manner, and the storage capacity of the compressed image data is An upper limit of 16 Mbit is set by the wind management optimization law. JPEG is an international standard for compression / expansion of color still images, and is a method of compressing / expanding still image data while preventing deterioration of image quality as much as possible. DPCM (differential PCM) or discrete cosine transform is used for conversion encoding. (Referred to as DCT) is used, and Huffman coding or arithmetic coding is used for variable length coding. MPEG is an international standard for compression / decompression of color moving images. Basically, DCT and variable length coding are used for intra-frame compression similar to JPEG, and bidirectional motion compensation inter-frame prediction is used for inter-frame compression. It has been adopted. Sub C
The PU serves as an image data decompression unit that decompresses compressed image data according to the JPEG and MPEG standards to generate image data, and performs a process of decompressing encoded data into image data. Upon receiving a command from the CPU 8, the image data processor 6 selects necessary still image data or moving image data from the image data, performs data processing thereof, and displays it on the liquid crystal display unit 7. The liquid crystal display unit 7 has ten types of numbers 0 to 9 and A,
3 consisting of alphabets B, C, E, F, H
Consists of digit patterns, 3375 from 000 to HHH
It is possible to display different kinds of symbol arrangements, and 15 kinds of Zoro pattern arrangements such as [777] are set as big hit arrangements, and still images and moving images of basketball can be displayed in response to big hits or misses. There is. Details of the operations regarding these will be described later.

The electronic control unit 1 comprises a CPU 10, a ROM 10, a RAM 11, an input interface 12, an output interface 13, a counter 14, etc., which are connected to each other by a bus 9b. The input interface 12 includes a game ball detection switch 12a, a firing stop switch 12b, a touch switch 12c, a handle switch 12d, a tank switch 12e, and a start winning prize detector 3.
4, 35, normal symbol operation gates 30a, 30b, etc. are connected, and the CPU 8 receives an input signal from them via the input interface 12, and the CPU 8 performs initial setting and predetermined arithmetic operations. The output interface 13 includes various lamps 13a and various solenoids 13
b, various LEDs 29a to 29c, etc. are connected, and the CPU 8 supplies an output signal to them via the output interface 13. Counter 14
Is capable of repeatedly calculating 15 ² kinds of count values N from 0 to (15 ² −1) in ascending order and outputting the count value N at that time to the CPU 8 when there is a request from the CPU 8. Although not shown, the CPU 8 has 0 to 14
The winning symbol determination counter that repeatedly calculates the 15 types of numerical values in ascending order and 1 from 0 to (15 ³ -1)
A deviation symbol determination counter for repeatedly calculating 5 ³ kinds of numerical values in ascending order is connected, and the CPU 8 can read the count values of the hit symbol determination counter and the deviation symbol determination counter.

An elastic machine 15 shown in FIG. 2 equipped with the electronic control unit 1 will be described. The elastic-playing game machine 15 is such that a well-known game board 18 is detachably attached to a front frame 17 that is openably and closably attached to an outer frame 16. Below the front frame 17 of the elastic game machine 15, there is arranged a plastic dish member 19 integrally provided with an upper tray 20 and a lower tray 21. The upper tray 20 and the lower tray 21 are respectively provided with an upper tray outlet 22 and a lower tray outlet 23 for ejecting game balls from the inside of the elastic game machine 15. The dish member 19 is provided with a speaker surface 21a having a plurality of small holes, and a speaker (not shown) that produces a sound effect according to the game state is mounted on the back side of the speaker surface 21a. Further, the tray member 19 has a handle 25 for operating a motor (not shown) for launching a game ball supplied from the upper tray 20 to the game area 24.
Also, a stop switch 26 for temporarily stopping the firing of the game balls is installed.

On the surface of the game board 18, a guide rail 27 for guiding the fired ball is set up in a substantially arc shape, and the area defined by the guide rail 27 is a game area 24.
Is composed. At the top of the game area 24, the winning entrance 28
Is provided, and the variable display device 29 is disposed below the variable display device 29. In the variable display device 29, a display frame upper decoration LED 29a and a display frame left and right decoration LED 29b are arranged on the upper and left sides thereof, respectively. Display frame decoration LED
The special symbol variation memory LED 29c is arranged on the lower side of 29a, and the special symbol variation memory LED 29c is the starting opening 3
The number of hit balls in 2 or 33, and the decoration L on the display frame
The number of reservations of the right to variably display the liquid crystal display portion 7 provided below the ED 25a is displayed by lighting. On the liquid crystal display unit 7, special symbols are variably displayed based on the fact that a hit ball has been won at the starting ports 32 and 33, and they are sequentially stopped when a certain time (for example, 6 seconds) has elapsed. And when the combination of the identification information at the time of stop of the special symbol becomes a predetermined big hit symbol (for example, the specific display result of the doublet pattern of 7), it becomes a specific game state and the big hit sound is generated from the speaker 9, The special winning opening 36 is set to be opened for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds elapse or 10 winning balls are generated), and the hit ball that falls in the game area 24 is specified during the opening. It is adapted to be received in the area 37. When the received hit ball turns on a specific ball detector (not shown), the continuation right is established and the above-mentioned open state can be repeated 16 times in succession. The symbol actuating gates 30a and 30b are normally arranged on the left and right of the variable display device 29 so that passage of a hit ball can be detected. Winning openings 31a and 31b are provided at lower left and right sides of the game area 24, respectively.

Below the variable display device 29, the game area 2
A starting port 32 that simply accepts a hit ball that drops 4 and a starting port 33 that is controlled to open and close by a solenoid (not shown) are formed below the starting port 32. Below the starting opening 33 is a normal symbol display section 38 and a normal symbol variation storage LED 39.
Is provided. The normal symbol display section 38 is composed of 7-segment LEDs, and the normal symbol operation gates 30a, 30b
In response to the hit ball passing through, variable display is started,
When the vehicle stops after a predetermined time elapses and the display result at the time of the stop becomes the specific display result (7 in the case of the present embodiment), it is determined to be a hit, and in that case, the starting opening 33 The open drive is performed until a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) elapses or a predetermined number (for example, 3) of winning balls are generated. The normal symbol variation storage LED 39 displays the number of hit balls that have passed through the normal symbol actuation gates 30a and 30b, and the reserved number of the right to variably display the ordinary symbol display portion 38, and can store up to four. There is. The winning ball that has won the starting opening 32 or 33 is guided to the back surface of the game board 18, and the starting winning ball detector 3
4, 35, it is possible to detect independently.

On the left and right of the big winning opening 36, there are lower winning openings 40.
a, 40b are provided, and ramp wind turbines 41a, 41b are provided on the left and right of the upper portion of the game area 24. In addition, a sleeve lamp (not shown), a side lamp (not shown), a decorative lamp / decorative LED (not shown), and the like are provided in the game area 24, together with a display frame upper decorative LED 29a, a display frame left and right decorative LED 29b. At the time of a winning start or a specific game state, the light is turned on or blinks to notify the player of the fact. Further, at the lowermost part of the game area 24, there is provided an outlet 42 through which a hit ball that has not won any of the above-mentioned prize areas is guided to the rear of the game board 1.

The structure of the back surface of the game board 18 is well known, and although its explanation is omitted, well-known members such as various detection sensors and lead wires connected to the accessory / lamp are arranged and electronically controlled. A control panel (not shown) housing the device 1 is also provided. Starting openings 32, 33, lower winning openings 40a, 4
The prize balls that have won a prize of 0b are gathered in the prize path to pay out a relatively small number of prize balls (for example, 7), and the balls that have won other prize holes and prize areas are The prize balls are collected in different prize routes and a relatively large number of prize balls (for example, 15 coins) are paid out.

The characteristic operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The main routine shown in FIG. 3 is performed by the electronic control unit 1.
Among the various processes performed by the above, mainly the control operation for the image display of the liquid crystal display unit 7 of the image display device 2 is shown. When the elastic machine 15 is connected to a power source and power is supplied to each circuit from a power source unit (not shown), CP
The U8 performs a series of initializations such as initial setting of the counter (step S100), and based on a command from the CPU 8, the sub CPU 4 reads out various compressed image data including a still image and a moving image stored in the image data ROM 3. Then, the image data is expanded and stored in the image data RAM 5 (step S101). CPU
Based on a command from the image data processor 5, the image data processor 6 generates still image data showing the title screen in the image data RAM 5
Read out from the display and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7 (step S
102).

Then, the input of the ON signal of the starting winning ball detectors 34 and 35 is waited for (step S103). If there is no ON signal here, it may be configured to return to this main routine after a lapse of an appropriate time by going to other processing. When the ON signal is input, the CPU 8
Reads the count value of the counter 14 (step S
104). Since the timing of winning in the starting openings 32, 33 cannot be predicted, the CPU 8 reads the count value N at an unpredictable timing, and the count value N used for the hit determination in the CPU 8 is an unpredictable timing. It is selected by and is actually a random number.

The CPU 8 determines whether or not the count value N read in step S104 is a hit value (step S105). In the present embodiment, one kind of hit value is set, and the probability of winning is 1/225,
The hit probability on the display coincides with 15/3375 = 1/225.

Here, if it is determined to be a hit in step S105, the CPU 8 reads the count value of the hit symbol determining counter, determines the hit array according to the count value, and proceeds to step S106. The count values 0 to 14 of the hit symbol determining counter and the hit array correspond to each other in a 1: 1 manner, such as a count value 0: hit array [000], a count value 1: hit array [111], and the like. . In step S106, the reach display subroutine is executed,
The CPU 8 instructs the image data processor 6 to display a moving image of the goal success scene (step S107). The image data processor 6 reads the variable display image data of the symbol array from the image data RAM 5, and changes the three symbols displayed one after another in a very short time. Liquid crystal display 7
The large image is displayed in the center of the image, and a static image showing the basketball competition screen is displayed as the background, and of the three symbols, the left and right two symbols are displayed as still images [7? 7].
Reach still image display such as, and then instruct the reduction of the vertical length of the two symbols displayed in the still image, the center symbol during variable display is displayed as a movie in its original size. As a result, the center symbol is conspicuous, and the basket still image display area of the background image is enlarged by the reduction amount of the left and right symbols. Next, the basket player is enlarged and displayed, and a moving image in which the player moving forward by dribbling and the enemy player chasing this is enlarged is displayed, and subsequently, the moving image of the shooting scene is displayed and shot. The liquid crystal display unit 7 displays a moving image of a successful goal scene such as the ball turning on the goal ring. Subsequently, the CPU 8 commands the image data processor 6 to execute the confirmation display of the hit array (step S108), and
Immediately after the moving image of the goal success is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7, the hit array is displayed as a still image, for example, [000]. After that, a well-known special competition subroutine is executed (step S109), and the process returns to step S102.

On the other hand, if it is determined not to hit in step S105, the CPU 8 reads the count value of the deviation symbol determining counter, determines the deviation symbol according to this count value, and proceeds to step S110. The count value of the deviation symbol determination counter is a hit array [777]
Since the numerical value corresponding to is also included, these sequences may be selected by chance. In that case, the CPU 8 selects the deviation array corresponding to the value obtained by adding 1 to the count value of the deviation symbol determining counter. In step S110, it is determined whether the out-of-range array determined as described above is an out-of-reach array. Specifically, this off-array is [X? X], it is determined whether the left and right symbols are the same and only the center is different.

If it is determined in step S110 that the out-of-reach has not occurred, the CPU 8 instructs the image data processor 6 to display the outlying array image, and the image data processor 6 reads the image data from the image data RAM 5 and disconnects it. The array still image is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7 (step S111), and the process returns to step S102.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S110 that the reach is out of reach, the reach display subroutine described above is executed (step S112), and the image data processor 6 is instructed to display the moving image of the goal failure scene (step). S113). The image data processor 6 reads the image data from the image data RAM 5 and displays a moving image of the goal failure scene on the liquid crystal display unit 7. Then, CPU
The image data processor 6 instructs the image data processor 6 to execute the fixed display of the outlying array (step S114).
Reads the image data from the image data RAM 5,
The definite array fixed still image is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7. As a result, immediately after the moving image of the goal failure scene is displayed, a still image with an out-of-order array such as [010] is displayed, and then the process returns to step S102.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, it goes without saying that the configuration of the present invention can be appropriately modified in design without departing from the technical idea of the present invention, and such design modification is also technical in the invention. It belongs to the range. As an example, instead of MPEG, another moving image standard, for example, Mo
It is also possible to use a motion JPEG or the like. Mo
"ition JPEG" is a method in which JPEG is continuously compressed and expanded to support moving images. As the image data decompression unit, a dedicated circuit (for example, JPEG decoder and MPEG decoder) for decompressing compressed image data can be used instead of the sub CPU. Further, although the image data RAM 5 is adopted in the embodiment, a circuit configuration not using the image data RAM 5 may be used, and after the image data read from the image data ROM 3 is expanded by the sub CPU 4 (or an expansion circuit such as a decoder), It is also possible to send the image data to the image data processor 6 and display it from the liquid crystal display unit 7.

[0021]

According to the invention of the claims, even though the capacity of the image data ROM is limited to 16 Mbit, more image data can be displayed on the image display section.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image display device of an elastic-playing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an elastic game machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an “image display routine” executed by the electronic control unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional image display device of a bullet-gun game machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 electronic control device 2, 102 image display device 3, 103 image data ROM 4 sub CPU 5 image data RAM 6, 106 image data processor 7, 107 liquid crystal display unit 8, 108 CPU 9a, 9b bus 10 ROM 11 RAM 12 input interface 13 Output interface

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A read only memory storing image compressed data, and an image data decompression unit for reading the image compressed data from the read only memory and decompressing the image compressed data according to a predetermined standard to generate image data. And an image data processor that causes the image display unit to display the image data based on the expansion in the image data expansion unit.