JPH11253639A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reasonably output information concerning identifying information and to eliminate the increase of the burden of inspection in a game controller in a game machine where a display controller controls the variable display of identifying information in a variable display device based on a control signal from a game controller and also information (display part information) concerning identifying information which is variably displayed in the variable display device is outputted to an external part. SOLUTION: The display controller 30 is provided with a connection terminal to an external device and a display part information from an output interface 25 is synchronized with a strobe signal and outputted with the connection terminal 26. Besides, a stop information request signal from the external device is inputted to an input interface 23 through the connection terminal 26, and the display part information for specifying stop patterns and a direction state at the time of stopping is outputted in accordance with the stop information request signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display control device which controls variable display of identification information on a variable display device based on a control signal from a game control device, and information relating to display of identification information on the variable display device. The present invention relates to a game machine capable of outputting (display section information) to the outside.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game machine such as a ball-and-ball game machine (pachinko machine) has been provided with a variable display device for displaying a plurality of variable symbols (identification information). There is a game that generates a specific game state (for example, a big hit state) according to the combination of the symbols that have been set.

In such a gaming machine, information relating to the display of identification information on the variable display device (display unit information), for example, the history of combinations of symbols stopped and displayed on the variable display device is stored in a device external to the gaming machine (for example, If data can be recorded in the data collection device), it is effective for inspection and management of gaming machines.

[0004] For example, in the development stage or the inspection stage of a gaming machine, the characteristics of the gaming machine (for example, the frequency of application of symbols) are analyzed based on the history of combinations of stopped symbols output from the developed gaming machine to an external device. (See, for example, JP-A-5-317502).

[0005] Also, in a game store that manages a ball game machine,
If the data on the stop symbol (big hit symbol) corresponding to the big hit state among the symbols displayed in the stopped state is output to the central management device, it is effective for the management of the so-called lucky number (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H08-08380). 721
No. 8, JP-A-7-100248).

Here, the lucky number indicates a specific big hit symbol that allows the player to continue playing with the ball at that time when the big hit state ends. Specifically, when a jackpot is won with a lucky number (for example, “777”), the player can continue the game with the acquired ball at that time even after the end of the jackpot state, but has a jackpot symbol that is not a lucky number (eg, When the player wins at "444"), the player must exchange the acquired ball at that time for a prize after the end of the jackpot state.

[0007]

In recent gaming machines, variable display devices are mainly composed of a liquid crystal display or a cathode ray tube, and a display control circuit for controlling such a variable display device is a game control device. It is being provided separately from and independent of a game control device for integrally controlling various electric components of the machine. In this case, control for determining a specific game state such as a big hit is performed by the game control device, and the display control device performs a corresponding symbol based on display control data (for example, data indicating occurrence of the big hit state) from the game control device. Display (for example, a big hit symbol) is performed.

[0008] In such a gaming machine, the game control device has an important function for controlling the entire game, and therefore needs to be inspected in detail by an inspection organization. Therefore, in order to reduce the burden of the inspection, it is desired to simplify the configuration of the accessory control device as much as possible.

However, in the conventional game control device,
Since the function of outputting the stop symbol data to the external device as described above was provided, the game control device became complicated with respect to this output function part, and the burden of the inspection was increased.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and a display control device controls variable display of identification information on a variable display device based on a control signal from a game control device. In a gaming machine capable of outputting information (display unit information) related to display of identification information on a variable display device, information related to identification information can be output rationally, and an increase in inspection load on a game control device is eliminated. The purpose is to provide what you get.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game control device for integrally controlling a game, display means for variably displaying identification information, and variably displaying identification information on the display means. And a display control device for performing control based on a control signal from the display device. The display control device further includes a display unit information output unit that outputs information related to the display of the identification information on the display unit to the outside.

In the second invention, the information on the display of the identification information on the display means includes information on the identification information stopped and displayed.

In the third invention, the display control device is provided with a request signal input means capable of inputting a request signal from the outside, and the information on the identification information stopped and displayed is related to the input of the request signal. Output at the timing.

[0014] In the fourth aspect, the information on the stop-displayed identification information output at a timing related to the request signal is displayed in the previous stop until the identification information fluctuates again and stops. This is information related to the identified identification information.

In the fifth invention, the information relating to the display of the identification information on the display means includes information indicating an effect mode when the identification information is stopped.

In the sixth invention, the display control device is provided with request signal input means capable of inputting a request signal from the outside, and the information indicating the effect at the time of stopping the identification information is obtained by inputting the request signal. Is output at the timing related to.

In the seventh invention, the information indicating the presentation mode when the identification information is stopped, which is output at the timing related to the request signal, is changed until the identification information fluctuates again and stops. This is information indicating an effect mode in a stop.

In the eighth invention, the information relating to the display of the identification information on the display means includes information relating to the start and the timing of the change of the identification information and information relating to the stop of the change of the identification information and the timing thereof. .

In the ninth invention, the display control device determines the start and stop of the variable display of the identification information, selects the identification information to be stopped and displayed, and specifies the specific information from the game control device. The variable display of the identification information on the display means is controlled based on the control signal indicating the occurrence of the game state.

In the tenth aspect, the communication between the game control device and the display control device is one-way communication from the game control device to the display control device.

[0021]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the display control device is provided with the display section information output means for outputting information (display section information) relating to the display of the identification information on the display means to the outside. Inspection, management, and analysis of the variable display on the display means can be performed based on the display unit information, but since the game control device does not need to be provided with a function for outputting the display unit information, the processing load of the game control device is reduced. Is reduced and the configuration of the game control device is simplified, so that the inspection of the game control device is facilitated and the efficiency is improved.

Further, in the second invention, the display unit information includes the identification information stopped and displayed, and in the fifth invention, the display unit information includes information indicating a presentation mode when the identification information is stopped. Therefore, the external device can perform detailed inspection, management, and analysis based on the information.

In the third and sixth aspects, the display unit information is output according to the request signal. Therefore, the external unit can collect the display unit information at a desired timing. Processing can be streamlined.

Further, in the fourth and seventh aspects, the display unit information is kept the same until the identification information starts to fluctuate again and stops, so that the external device can collect data with a margin by the request signal. It can be performed. Also,
It is sufficient that the storage area of the display unit information is provided by the number of the display unit information.

In the eighth invention, the display unit information includes information related to the start and timing of the change of the identification information and information related to the stop of the change of the identification information and the timing thereof. It is possible to measure the time from the start to the end of the fluctuation,
Can manage and analyze.

In the ninth aspect, the display control device determines the start and stop of the variable display of the identification information, selects the identification information to be stopped and displayed, and displays a specific game state from the game control device. Since the variable display of the identification information on the display means is controlled based on the control signal indicating the occurrence (for example, occurrence of the jackpot state), the processing load on the game control device can be reduced, while the output of the display unit information is output from the display control device. It is performed directly on the external device, and can be performed without any problem without complicating the display control device and the game control device.

Further, by outputting the display section information from the display control device to the outside as in the first to ninth aspects, the game control apparatus and the display control apparatus are provided as in the tenth aspect. May be one-way communication from the game control device to the display control device. This allows
The configuration of the game control device can be simplified and the game control device can be inspected on the assumption that no data is received by the game control device, so that the labor required for the inspection can be reduced.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the ball game machine according to the present embodiment.

As shown, an inner frame 3 is attached to the front of a machine frame (outer frame) 1 of a ball game machine by an upper hinge 2A and a lower hinge 2B, and a game board 4 is mounted on the inner frame 3. It is attached. In addition, a glass frame 5 on which a transparent glass is mounted is attached to the front of the inner frame 3, so that the front of the game board 4 is covered with glass, and the game board 4 can be seen through the glass. The game board 4 is detachable from the inner frame 3, and the ball game machine main body (the game board 4 of the ball game machine)
Game board 4).
Can be changed by exchanging the game board 4.

At the lower part of the game board 5, a supply plate (upper plate) 6 for a game ball, a receiving plate (lower plate) 7, and an operation section 8 of a hitting ball firing device are provided. A game ball as a prize ball is introduced into the supply plate 6 from a prize ball port 6A. The receiving tray 7 receives surplus game balls when the supply tray 6 is full of game balls, and the game balls in the tray 7 can be discharged downward by operating the operation lever 7A. ing.

The hitting ball launching device, in which only the operation section 8 is shown, is a means for launching game balls. The game balls are supplied from the supply tray 6 to the hitting ball launching apparatus, and are fired according to the rotation operation of the operating section 8. . The launched game ball is guided along a guide rail 9 provided on the game board 4 and enters an area surrounded by the guide rail 9 at the front of the game board 4, that is, a game area 10.

The operation unit 8 has a stop switch 8A.
By operating the stop switch 8A, the operator can stop hitting the ball even during the rotation operation of the operation unit 8. The operation unit 8 is provided with a touch switch (not shown), and the touch switch does not detect that the operator is operating the operation unit 8 (the operator's hand is touching the operation unit 8). Occasionally, the launching of the hit ball from the hitting ball firing device is stopped.

At a substantially center of the game area 10, a variable display device (image display device) 11 corresponding to display means is provided. The variable display device 11 performs a display corresponding to a progress state of a game, and displays, for example, three symbols (identification information) representing the game state on a liquid crystal screen. Then, when a game ball wins a starting port 14 described later, the symbol of the variable display device 11 is changed.

Below the variable display device 11, a variable winning device 12 having a large winning opening that can be opened and closed is provided. In addition, a plurality of general winning openings 13 are provided around the variable display device 11 and the variable winning device 12, and a starting opening 14 is provided in an intermediate region between the variable display device 11 and the variable winning device 12.
Are respectively arranged. Further, a discharge port 15 is provided at the lowermost end of the game area 10.

As a result, the game balls hit into the game area 10 flow down the surface of the game area 10 while the rolling direction is changed by the rolling guide members 16 such as windmills arranged at various places in the game area 10. Then, any of the variable winning device 12, the general winning opening 13, the starting opening 14, and the discharging opening 15 is entered.

The winning prize port of the variable prize winning device 12 includes:
A count switch is provided, and the winning of the special winning opening is detected by the count switch. One round of opening of the special winning opening is continued until the number detected (count number) by the count switch reaches a predetermined count (for example, 10 counts).

A V winning opening is provided inside the special winning opening, and when a game ball that has won the special winning opening further wins the V winning opening, it is detected by a V winning detection switch. I have. In this V winning opening, the opening / closing control pattern of the big winning opening is changed depending on the winning situation.
For example, as long as there is a winning in the V winning opening during the opening of the winning opening, the number (round number) of opening of the winning opening in the jackpot is repeated up to a predetermined upper limit number (for example, 16 rounds).

The starting port 14 is provided with a start switch, which detects a winning in the starting port 14. When the winning of the game ball to the starting port 14 is performed at the timing of the big hit, the game is in a big hit state.

When the winning in the starting opening 14 is made at the timing of a big hit, the display of the variable display device 11 changes to accompany the winning in the starting opening 14 and then indicates the big hit (for example, three wins). Further, the large winning opening of the variable winning device 12 which is normally closed is opened, and the game ball can enter the variable winning device 12.

At the left and right ends of the game area 10, side lamps 17 for decoration are provided, and at the top of the inner frame 3, big hit lamps 18 which blink when the variable display device 11 is in a big hit state are provided. Can be

Further, a sound emission port 19 is provided on the front surface of the inner frame 3 below the game board 4, and from this sound emission port 19, a sound effect from a speaker (not shown) is emitted.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the display control device 20 for controlling the variable display device 11.

As shown, the display control device 20 comprises:
Inside, a VDP (video display processor) 2 for drawing a pattern or the like on a variable display device (LCD) 11
2 and a CPU for managing display control by the VDP 22
(Arithmetic processing unit) 21.

The CPU 21 receives a communication interrupt from the game control device 30 via the input interface 23,
Reading of display control signal data (see FIG. 4) transferred from the game control device 30 is started, and the image data is stored in the RAM 24 of the display control device 20. This communication interruption is performed at each time when a predetermined one-cycle process of the game control device 30 is completed.

The game control device 30 and the display control device 2
The communication with 0 is performed by one-way communication from the game control device 30 to the display control device 20.
That is, from the display control device 20 to the game control device 30, a response signal (ACK signal) indicating whether the communication data from the game control device 30 has been normally transmitted, a signal for synchronizing the communication, and the like are also provided. Will not be sent at all. Thereby, the processing load of the game control device 30 is reduced, and the game control device 30
It is not possible to perform an illegal act of sending an invalid control signal to the game control device 30. Further, the inspection of the game control device 30 can be easily performed because there is no data reception.

The CPU 21 transfers the image data stored in the RAM 24 to the VDP 22 at the timing of the vertical synchronization interrupt signal from the VDP 22.

A vertical synchronizing signal and a horizontal synchronizing signal are output from the VDP 22 to the variable display device 11, and a horizontal scanning and a vertical scanning synchronized with these synchronizing signals are performed on the scanning area of the liquid crystal screen of the variable display device 11. You. Thus, drawing is performed at each address of the liquid crystal screen based on the image data transferred from the RAM 24.

Further, the display control device 20 has a connection terminal 26 for outputting display section information (information relating to display of identification information on the variable display device 11) and a strobe signal from the output interface 25 as features of the present invention. Is provided. By connecting the connection terminal 26 to an external device, display unit information is input from the display control device 20 to the external device. In connection with the claims, the output interface 25 and the connection terminal 26 correspond to a display unit information output unit.

The display section information is composed of, for example, 7-bit data, and includes the start of symbol display change, the timing of partial stop, the complete stop, the stop symbol numbers of the first to third symbols,
It consists of numerical data corresponding to each of the production state at the time of stop and the external device, by the numerical value of the display unit information,
You can know the meaning of the information.

More specifically, as shown in the chart of FIG. 3, for example, the display section information DA includes a change start code RS (fixed value 01H which is output at the start of change of the first to third symbol displays). ), A partial stop code P output at a timing associated with a partial stop in which the first and second symbols stop sequentially.
S (fixed value 02H), complete stop code AS (fixed value 03H) output at the timing associated with the stop of the third symbol (that is, stop of all symbols), stop symbol number data Z1 of the first symbol (Any numerical data of 10H to 1EH corresponding to the stop symbol number of the first symbol), the stop symbol number data Z2 of the second symbol (any numerical value of 20H to 2EH corresponding to the stop symbol number of the second symbol) data),
Stop symbol number data Z3 of the third symbol (any numerical value from 30H to 3EH corresponding to the stop symbol number of the third symbol),
The effect code EN at the time of a stop is constituted by any one of the numerical data of 40H to 42H corresponding to whether the symbol was stopped in the effect of the normal stop, the stop from the first reach, or the stop from the second reach. Is done.

Each of the three symbols of the variable display device 11 displays, for example, a one-digit hexadecimal number (see FIGS. 6 and 7). In this case, the stop symbols of the first to third symbols are used. By displaying the number of displays on the variable display device 11 with the ones digit value of the numerical data of the number data Z1, Z2, Z3, the stop symbol number data Z1, Z2, Z3 and the display on the variable display device 11 can be just displayed. Can correspond.

Further, in connection with the claims, the numerical data corresponding to the timing of starting the change of the symbol display is:
Numerical data corresponding to the timing of the partial stop and complete stop in the information related to the start and timing of the change of the pattern identification information and the information related to the stop of the change in the identification information and the timing The corresponding numerical data corresponds to information indicating the presentation mode when the identification information is stopped.

FIG. 4 is a table showing the contents of display control signal data sent from the game control device 30 to the display control device 20.

As shown, the display control signal data includes first to seventh control data.

Among these control data, the first control data corresponds to the image display mode (execution mode). Specifically, these execution modes respectively correspond to various types of image display on the variable display device 11 shown in the leftmost column of the diagram, and the display control device 20 follows the execution mode of the display control signal. Type screen display.

The second to seventh control data correspond to details of display in these various types.

Specifically, in the display other than the jackpot state (first control data = 01H to 06H), the second
According to the control data to the seventh control data, the first to third figure data to be displayed (data specifying the type of the symbol to be shown in each of the first to third symbols) and the first to third figures
3rd position data (data indicating the deviation of each of the symbols shown in the first to third symbols from the standard position) is shown.

In the display in the jackpot state (second control data = 11H to 15H), the second control data
The seventh control data indicates the jackpot symbol number data to be displayed (data specifying the same symbol type to be shown in the first symbol to the third symbol at the time of the jackpot), the number of rounds, and the number of counts described above. In this case, a predetermined fixed value is inserted in data that is not necessary to indicate the symbol information.

FIG. 5 shows first to third drawing numbers,
FIG. 3 shows an example of a specific numerical range used to represent the third place, the jackpot drawing number, the number of rounds, and the number of counts.

More specifically, in the present embodiment, for example, the symbol numbers of the first to third symbols can take a single-digit hexadecimal number (00H to 0EH). Is the same single digit hexadecimal number, ie, "0", corresponding to each of these symbol numbers.
"1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6",
"7", "8", "9", "A", "B", "C",
"D" and "E" are displayed (FIG. 6,
(See FIG. 7).

FIGS. 6 and 7 show specific examples of screen displays corresponding to the respective execution modes other than the big hit state.

FIG. 6A shows an image display in the execution mode (first control data = 01H) during the symbol standby state. As shown in the figure, in the symbol standby execution mode, the stop display of the first to third symbols other than the big hit display (display in which three symbols match) is performed by the second control data to the seventh control of the display control signal. It is based on data.

FIG. 6B shows an image display in the execution mode (first control data = 02H) while the symbol is changing. As shown in the figure, in the symbol change execution mode, the three symbols change one after another while scrolling.

FIGS. 6C and 6D show the image display in the symbol part stop execution mode (first control data = 03H). In this symbol partial stop execution mode,
For example, as shown in (c), the first symbol at the left end first stops, and after a predetermined time interval, as shown in (d),
For example, the second symbol in the middle stops.

FIG. 6 (e) shows an image display in the symbol complete stop execution mode (first control data = 06H). As shown in the drawing, for example, when shifting from the symbol partial stop execution mode shown in (c) and (d) to the symbol complete stop execution mode, the rightmost third symbol that has not been stopped is stopped, All three symbols are stopped.

FIG. 7F shows an image display in the execution mode of the first reach (first control data = 04H). As shown in the drawing, in the first reach, for example, the third symbol at the right end scrolls slowly while the first and second symbols at the left end and the center are stopped. FIG. 7 (g) shows a scene in which the first reach execution mode is changed to the symbol complete stop execution mode, and a big hit display in which three symbols match is displayed.

FIG. 7H shows an image display in the second reach execution mode (first control data = 05H). As shown in the drawing, in the second reach, for example, the first and second symbols at the left end and the center change color when stopped, and the third symbol at the right end scrolls.

FIG. 8 shows a specific example of image display in various execution modes in the big hit state.

FIG. 8 (i) shows an execution mode (first control data = 1) of the fanfare executed immediately after the big hit.
1H) shows an image display.

(J) and (k) of FIG. 8 show the image display in the execution mode (first control data = 12H, 13H) executed when the big winning opening is opened in the big hit state.
(J) shows the image before winning in the V winning opening, and (k)
Corresponds to the image display after the winning in the V winning opening. As shown, in these image displays, the number of rounds of opening the special winning opening and the number of winnings to the special winning opening are displayed based on the second control data and the third control data of the display control signal, respectively. Is done.

FIG. 8 (l) shows an image display in the execution mode (first control data = 14H) of the interval executed during each round of opening the special winning opening.

FIG. 8 (m) shows the finale execution mode (first control data =
15H).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of display control by the display control device 20.

When control is started upon turning on the power, first, in step S1, initialization processing of the RAM 24 is executed. Thereby, the data of the display control signal stored in the RAM 24 and the value of the animation control pointer (parameter for determining the background screen of the image display)
Is initialized.

In step S2, it is determined whether or not there is a vertical synchronization interrupt signal from the VDP 22, and while there is no vertical synchronization interrupt signal, the determination in step S2 is repeated.
The process proceeds to step 3 and subsequent steps.

Note that the display control device 20 executes step S1.
After the RAM initialization, a display control signal is transmitted from the game control device 30 at a predetermined communication interrupt timing, and the display control signal data is stored in the reception buffer of the RAM 24. In this case, the timing of the communication interrupt is performed at substantially the same cycle (for example, 16 msec) as the timing of the vertical synchronization interrupt signal in step S2. As a result, the data in the reception buffer of the RAM 24 is replaced by the newly transmitted display control signal data approximately every one cycle of the control in steps S2 to S17 for each vertical synchronization interrupt signal. Has become.

In step 3, the first control data of the display control signal in the reception buffer of the RAM 24 is compared with the numerical data (execution mode data) of the execution mode executed in the previous control.

If the first control data in the reception buffer does not match the (previous) execution mode data in the comparison in step S3, the process proceeds to step S4, where the numerical value of the first control data in the reception buffer is changed to the execution mode. Stored in the data.

In the following step S5, it is determined whether or not the execution mode data is specifically 02H. And
When the execution mode data is 02H, step S
In step 6, the change start code is output as display unit information in synchronization with the strobe signal, and then the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, when the execution mode data is not 02H, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, it is determined whether or not the execution mode data is specifically 03H. When the execution mode data is 03H, a partial stop code is output as display unit information in synchronization with the strobe signal from step S8, and the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, when the execution mode data is not 03H,
Proceed to step S9.

At step S9, it is determined whether or not the execution mode data is specifically 06H. When the execution mode data is 06H, step S10
From, the complete stop code as the display unit information, the first
The stop symbol number data of the third symbol and the effect code at the time of stop are sequentially output in synchronization with the strobe signal, and the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if the execution mode data is not 06H, the process proceeds directly to step S12.

In step S12, an initialization process of the animation control pointer is performed, and the flow advances to step S13.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 3 that the first control data in the RAM reception buffer matches the execution mode data, the process proceeds to step S11, updates one animation control pointer, and proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, background data corresponding to the image output background is determined based on the animation control pointer. Thus, the background screen is updated (changed) when the execution mode does not change from the previous processing for each vertical synchronization interrupt signal, whereas the background screen is updated when the execution mode changes from the previous processing. Is once returned to the initial screen, and the update can be started again from this initial screen.

In the following step S14, it is determined whether or not the execution mode data is equal to or less than 06H.

If it is determined in this step S14 that the execution mode data is equal to or less than 06H, that is, the execution mode before the occurrence of the jackpot state (refer to 01H to 06H in FIG. 4), the process proceeds to step S15, and the first to first steps are performed. The symbol pattern data (pattern number and pattern data) of three symbols are determined based on the second to seventh control data of the display control signal,
Proceed to step S17.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the execution mode data is larger than 06H, that is, the execution mode after the occurrence of the jackpot state (see 11H to 15H in FIG. 4), the process proceeds to step S16, where the round is executed. number,
The number of counts, and the pattern data of the jackpot pattern,
The determination is made based on the second to seventh control data of the display control signal, and the process proceeds to step S17.

In step S17, step S1
Based on the background data determined in Step 3 and the pattern data determined in Step S15 or Step S16, an image is output to the variable display device 11, and the process returns to Step S2.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the output timing of the display section information.

As shown, a display control signal CM is input from the game control device 30 to the display control device 20 at a predetermined communication interrupt timing. Note that FIG.
0 indicates first control data (see FIG. 4) of the display control signal CM, that is, execution mode data.

[0092] N1 to N3 indicate the fluctuation and stop timing of each of the first to third symbols. Specifically, when the first control data of the display control signal CM becomes 02H indicating the symbol variation start mode, the first to third symbols start to vary simultaneously. Subsequently, when the first control data of the display control signal CM becomes 03H indicating the symbol partial stop mode,
The first and second symbols are sequentially stopped. Further, when the first control data of the display control signal CM becomes 06H indicating the symbol complete stop mode, the third symbol is stopped and all three symbols are stopped.

As shown in the figure, the display section information DA output from the display control device 20 to the external device is as follows.
At a timing related to the start of the change of the first to third symbols in the display control device 20, the change start code RS is output in synchronization with the strobe signal SB. Subsequently, the partial stop code PS is output in synchronization with the strobe signal SB at a timing related to the sequential stop of the first and second symbols. Furthermore, the third symbol is stopped (that is, all symbols are stopped).
The complete stop code AS is output as the strobe signal SB at the timing associated with

In these cases, the output of the display section information DA (variation start code RS, partial stop code PS, complete stop code AS) is directly related to symbol fluctuation and stop in control in the display control device 20. It may be performed at the timing set, or may be performed at a timing related to the input of the display control signal CM from the game control device 30, so that the symbols in the display control device 20 are input from the input timing of the display control signal CM. May be recognized at the start and stop timings of the fluctuation.

Following the output of the complete stop code,
As the display unit information DA, the stop symbol number data Z1 of the first symbol, the stop symbol number data Z2 of the second symbol, the stop symbol number data Z3 of the third symbol, and the effect code EN when stopping,
The signals are sequentially output at a predetermined timing synchronized with the strobe signal SB.

As described above, according to the present invention, the display control device 2
From 0 to the external device, as the display section information DA, together with the information on the symbol stopped and displayed on the variable display device 11, information on the timing of the start and stop of the symbol change,
It is output in synchronization with the strobe signal.

Therefore, the external device can measure the time from the start of the change of the symbol to the stop of the symbol change. For example, the external device can store the measured variable duration and the stopped symbol in an associated state. Become. This allows
The range of the information on the fluctuation and the stop of the symbol in the external device is widened, and more detailed analysis can be easily performed.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, display unit information output from output interface 25 via connection terminal 26, that is, change start signal R
D (pulse signal indicating start of symbol display change), partial stop signal PD (pulse signal indicating partial stop of symbol display), complete stop signal AD (pulse signal indicating stop of all symbol display), first and second , Stop symbol number information D1 of the third symbol,
D2, D3 and the effect information DE at the time of symbol stop are output by parallel communication. The output of each of the display unit information is configured to be performed independently. The other configuration of the display control device 20 is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing the output timing of the display section information in the present embodiment.
As shown, in this embodiment, when the first control data of the display control signal becomes 02H and the first to third symbols are completely stopped, a fluctuation start signal RD is output. Subsequently, when the first control data of the display control signal becomes 03H and the first symbol stops, a partial stop signal PD is output, and the first control data of the display control signal becomes 03H,
When all of the first to third symbols are completely stopped, a complete stop signal A
D is output. Then, simultaneously with the output of the complete stop signal AD, the stop symbol number information D of the first, second, and third symbols is displayed.
The first, second, and third symbols of the stopped symbol number data Z1, Z2, Z3, and the rendering code EN are output as 1, D2, D3, and symbol stopped effect information DE. By outputting the display unit information by the parallel communication in this way, the output processing of the display unit information is performed in comparison with the case where the display unit information is output by the serial communication as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. Can be completed in a short time.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show still another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, a stop information request signal from an external device is input to the input interface 23 of the display control device 20 via the connection terminal 26. ing. The stop information request signal is provided corresponding to each of the stop symbol number data Z1, Z2, Z3 of the first, second, and third symbols and the effect code EN, and is composed of, for example, a 3-bit signal. The other parts of the display control device 20 are configured in the same manner as the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 or the embodiment shown in FIG. Also, in the context of the claims,
The input interface 23 and the connection terminal 26 correspond to request signal input means.

FIG. 14 shows the output timing of the display section information in the present embodiment.

As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the information relating to the specification of the stop symbol (the information whose output timing does not matter) of the display unit information is the stop symbol request signal R.
Each time Q is input, it is sequentially output. In particular,
Stop symbol number data Z1, Z for the first, second, and third symbols
2, Z3 are the first symbol request data R1 (01H), the second symbol request data R2 (02H), and the second symbol request data R3 (0) corresponding to the stop symbol request signal RQ.
3H), but is output subsequently. Also,
The production code EN at the time of stoppage is the production information request data RE
(04H) is made following the input. The illustration does not show the input of the third symbol request data R3 effect information request data RE, and the output of the third symbol stop symbol number data Z3 and the effect code EN following these inputs.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the information relating to the specification of the stop symbol is output for the first time based on the request signal from the external device 40. Information related to identification can be collected at a desired timing, and information collection, management, and analysis processing in an external device can be rationalized. In addition, the collection of information related to the specification of the stopped symbols is performed by the game control device 30.
Independently from the external device 40 (for example, the game control device 30
(A request signal is not input via the PC), so that an incorrect signal is not input to the game control device 30 at the time of collecting information.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the display control device 20 changes the symbol display based on the display control signal data from the game control device 30 (see FIG. 4), and stops and stops the symbols. Although the numbers and positions are controlled, the present invention is not limited to such a form. That is, for example, the display control signal data from the game control device 30 is constituted only by the identification data indicating the occurrence of a specific game state (for example, the occurrence of a big hit state), and the timing of starting and stopping the fluctuation of the symbols is determined and stopped. The selection of the symbol number and the symbol position of the symbol may be all performed by the CPU 21 of the display control device 20. Thereby, the processing load on the game control device 30 can be reduced, but in this case, the output of the display unit information is performed by the display control device 20.
Since the processing is directly performed from an external device to the external device, the display control device 20 and the game control device 30 can be performed without complication and without any problem.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a ball game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the display control device.

FIG. 3 is a chart showing contents of display unit information.

FIG. 4 is a table showing contents of a display control signal.

FIG. 5 is a table showing a possible numerical range of each data.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of image display.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of image display.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of image display.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of display control.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing output timings of display section information.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing output timings of display section information.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing output timings of display section information.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Machine frame 2A Upper hinge 2B Lower hinge 3 Inner frame 4 Gaming board 5 Glass frame 6 Supply tray 7 Receiving tray 8 Operation part 8A Stop switch 9 Guide rail 10 Game area 11 Variable display device 12 Variable winning device 13 General winning opening 14 Starting opening Reference Signs List 15 discharge port 16 rolling guide member 17 side lamp 18 jackpot lamp 19 sound discharge port 20 display control device 21 CPU 22 VDP 23 input interface 24 RAM 25 output interface 26 connection terminal 30 game control circuit 40 external device

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A game control device for integrally controlling a game, a display means for variably displaying identification information, and a display for controlling the variable display of identification information on the display means based on a control signal from the game control device. A gaming machine comprising: a display device; and the display control device further comprising: a display unit information output unit that outputs information relating to display of identification information on the display unit to the outside. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the information on the display of the identification information on the display means includes information on the stopped and displayed identification information. 3. The display control device further comprises request signal input means capable of inputting a request signal from the outside, and the information on the identification information, which has been stopped and displayed, is output at a timing related to the input of the request signal. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The information on the stop-displayed identification information output at a timing related to the request signal is the identification information displayed in the previous stop until the identification information fluctuates again and stops. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the information is information related to the gaming machine. 5. The information according to claim 1, wherein the information on the display of the identification information on the display means includes information indicating a presentation mode when the identification information is stopped.
The gaming machine according to any one of the above. 6. The display control device further comprises request signal input means capable of inputting a request signal from the outside, wherein the information indicating the presentation mode when the identification information is stopped includes a timing associated with the input of the request signal. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the output is: 7. The information indicating the presentation mode when the identification information is stopped, which is output at a timing related to the request signal, is the presentation mode in the previous stop until the identification information changes again and stops. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein the information indicates information. 8. The information relating to the display of the identification information on the display means includes information relating to the start of the change of the identification information and its timing, and information relating to the stop of the change of the identification information and its timing. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein 9. The display control device determines start and stop of variable display of the identification information, selects identification information to be stopped and displayed, and generates a specific game state from the game control device. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein variable display of identification information on display means is controlled based on the control signal shown. 10. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein communication between said game control device and said display control device is one-way communication from said game control device to said display control device. The gaming machine according to any one of the above.