JP4849436B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that displays an image including a character image.

  As this type of gaming machine, there is a gaming machine that displays a character image based on character data stored in advance in a ROM (hereinafter referred to as “character ROM”) as the game progresses, such as a pachinko machine. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

In such a known pachinko machine, as an effect display operation according to the progress of the game, a character image is displayed based on the character data acquired from the character ROM, so that a player who is in contact with the character image is visually informed. It is known to give a positive effect. In order to enhance such visual effects, some recent pachinko machines are equipped with a so-called video display processor (VDP) that displays a character image. The video display processor (VDC) displays a video including a character image based on the character data read from the character ROM.
JP 2004-81504 A

  However, in recent gaming machines, the image quality of the displayed video has been improved and various displays have been requested. Therefore, the character ROM has a tendency to increase in capacity to store more character data. Yes. Since the character ROM generally has a low character data reading speed, even if the character ROM can be increased in capacity and thus a large amount of character data can be prepared, the video display processor is prepared in the character ROM after all. It was not possible to read a large amount of the character data read at high speed. For this reason, the video display processor cannot make use of a large amount of prepared character data and cannot realize various displays.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a gaming machine that can realize a variety of effect displays by utilizing a large amount of prepared material image data by using a volatile dynamic video memory.

(Solution 1)
The gaming machine of the present invention includes a game control unit that controls a game operation using a game medium, an effect control unit that controls an effect operation linked to the game operation by the control of the game control unit, and the effect control unit And a display device that executes a display operation under the control of a non-volatile video memory that stores material image data used to display a material image necessary for video, and is read from the non-volatile video memory Volatile dynamic video memory that temporarily stores material image data, and material image data read from the nonvolatile video memory is stored in the volatile dynamic video memory, while the material is already stored in the volatile dynamic video memory A bus control unit that provides image data to the video display processor described later, and the volatile data in accordance with the video to be displayed. An operation instruction processor for specifying material image data to be read from the dynamic video memory, a control memory for storing a control program for controlling the operation of the operation instruction processor, and from the volatile dynamic video memory according to instructions of the operation instruction processor A video display processor for causing the display device to display video based on the read material image data on the display device, and a memory refresh unit for performing a refresh operation on the volatile dynamic video memory. The memory refresh unit performs a refresh operation on the volatile dynamic video memory. Here, the production control unit alone performs the production operation related to the display as well as a mode for controlling the production operation other than the production operation related to the display and the production operation related to the display. A mode may be employed in which only a presentation operation other than the presentation operation related to the display is controlled by a separate and separately provided display control unit. In the following description, storing data in the volatile dynamic video memory is also referred to as “development”.

  First, it is generally known that a non-volatile video memory has a low capacity but a large capacity although the reading speed of material image data stored is lower than that of a volatile dynamic video memory. Therefore, this nonvolatile video memory has a feature that can store a large amount of material image data. Therefore, in the gaming machine of the present invention, video can be displayed using many material images based on many material image data prepared in advance in the nonvolatile video memory.

  The gaming machine of the present invention further includes a volatile dynamic video memory in addition to such a nonvolatile video memory, and temporarily stores the material image data read from the nonvolatile video memory in the volatile dynamic video memory. I am letting. Since this volatile dynamic video memory is faster to read than the non-volatile video memory, this video display processor reads the material image data from the volatile dynamic video memory rather than directly reading the material image data from the non-volatile video memory. The readout time is shorter.

  For this reason, in the gaming machine of the present invention, if the volatile dynamic video memory is provided, the video display processor can display more material images based on the more material image data that is quickly read from the volatile dynamic video memory. Therefore, it is possible to display various effects. Here, the volatile dynamic video memory needs to perform a refresh operation in order to maintain a normal storage state with respect to the stored material image data.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, the memory refresh unit performs a refresh operation on the volatile dynamic video memory in accordance with an instruction from the operation instruction processor. Therefore, the operation instruction processor can execute a refresh operation on the volatile dynamic video memory at a desired timing.

  Furthermore, in the gaming machine of the present invention, if the operation instruction processor issues an instruction to the memory refresh unit at a desired timing while considering the time required from the start of refreshing the volatile dynamic video memory to the completion thereof, The refresh operation of the volatile dynamic video memory started by the memory refresh unit can be surely completed.

(Solution 2)
In the gaming machine described in the above solution 1, it is desirable that the gaming machine of the present invention is a ball-type gaming machine. Here, as the basic configuration of the ball-type game machine, the launching means for launching the game ball into the game area, and the winning detection means for detecting that the game ball launched into the game area has won the start winning opening; , The symbol display means for starting the variable display of the symbol in response to the winning at the start winning opening and executing the internal lottery and displaying the stop symbol according to the lottery result, and the stop symbol is a specific display When it is an aspect, it includes special game state transition means for shifting from the normal game state to the special game state.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, based on more material image data read out more quickly from the volatile dynamic image memory, more material images can be included in the video and displayed. Various effect displays can be realized with respect to the effect display and the effect display in the special gaming state. Moreover, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, the refresh operation can be reliably executed on the volatile dynamic video memory at a desired timing.

(Solution 3)
In the gaming machine described in the above solution 1, it is desirable that the gaming machine of the present invention is a ball-type gaming machine. Here, as a basic configuration of the ball-type game machine, a launching means for launching the game ball into the game area, a winning detector for detecting that the game ball has won the start winning opening provided in the game area, and A winning device that opens and closes the movable piece in response to a winning at the start winning opening and accepts a game ball, and a game ball that is received by the winning device along with the opening and closing operation of the movable piece, Special game state transition means for transitioning to the special game state triggered by having passed through the specific area.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, based on more material image data read more quickly from the volatile dynamic image memory, more material images can be displayed in the video, and the game accepted by the winning device Various effect displays can be realized with respect to an effect display that gives a player a sense of expectation that a ball may pass through a specific area, an effect display in a special gaming state, and the like. Moreover, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, the refresh operation can be reliably executed on the volatile dynamic video memory at a desired timing.

(Solution 4)
In the gaming machine described in the above solution 1, it is desirable that the gaming machine of the present invention is a revolving gaming machine. Here, as a basic configuration of the swing type gaming machine, the game is started and stopped according to the player's operation in a state where a predetermined number of game values are multiplied for each game, and the display of the symbols is performed by the start. While changing, a symbol display means for displaying a combination of a plurality of symbols at the time of stopping, a start operation means capable of accepting a start operation for starting the symbol display means, and a stop for stopping the symbol display means A game value that gives a player a number of game values according to the type of combination of symbols when a combination of a predetermined symbol is displayed when the symbol display unit is stopped when the stop operation unit can accept an operation. And a special game state transition means for shifting to the special game state advantageous to the player when a combination of specific symbols is displayed when the symbol display means is stopped. It is provided. Note that the predetermined number of game values to be multiplied for each game may be one or more.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, based on more material image data read out more quickly from the volatile dynamic video memory, more material images can be displayed in the video and may be shifted to a special gaming state. Various effect displays can be realized with respect to an effect display that gives the player a sense of expectation that the game will not be performed, an effect display in a special gaming state, and the like. Moreover, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, the refresh operation can be reliably executed on the volatile dynamic video memory at a desired timing.

(Solution 5)
In the gaming machine described in the above solution 1, the gaming machine of the present invention may be applied to a revolving gaming machine that uses a game ball as a gaming medium. Here, as a basic configuration of the swing-type game machine, game value counting means that collects a predetermined number of game balls as game media to make one unit of game value, and the game value count for each game. The game is started and stopped in accordance with the player's operation with a predetermined number of game values multiplied by 1 unit by means, and the display of the symbols is changed by the start, while a plurality of symbols are displayed at the time of stoppage. Symbol display means for displaying in combination, start operation means capable of accepting a start operation for starting the symbol display means, stop operation means capable of accepting a stop operation for stopping the symbol display means, When a predetermined symbol combination is displayed when the symbol display means is stopped, the player is given a number of game balls corresponding to the number of game values corresponding to the type of symbol combination. A game value providing means, when said specific combination of symbols on the time of stopping the symbol display unit is displayed, and a special game state transition means for shifting Advantageously the special game state for the player. Note that the predetermined number of game values to be multiplied for each game may be one or more.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, based on more material image data read out more quickly from the volatile dynamic image memory, more material images can be displayed in the video and specified when the symbol display means is stopped. Realize a variety of performance displays, such as performance displays that give the player a sense of expectation that a transition to a special gaming state may occur due to the combination of symbols displayed, Can do. Moreover, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, the refresh operation can be reliably executed on the volatile dynamic video memory at a desired timing.

  The gaming machine of the present invention can realize a variety of presentations by utilizing a large amount of prepared material image data by using a volatile dynamic video memory.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine will be described with reference to the corresponding drawings.
(1. First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration example of a pachinko machine 1 to which a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. Hereinafter, a schematic configuration example of the pachinko machine 1 will be described first.

  The pachinko machine 1 is configured with a wooden outer frame as a base of an outer shape, and a frame body such as a base frame or a front frame (collectively referred to as “main body frame 17”) is mounted on the inside thereof. . Among these, the game board 2 is detachably fitted in the base frame, and a substantially circular game area is formed on the front surface thereof. The game board 2 is provided with a number of guide nails (not shown) arranged in a predetermined gauge arrangement, and a windmill, various winning holes 15, a gate port 13, a decoration lamp, and the like are disposed as board surface components. (No reference sign). Each of the various winning openings 15 is provided with a winning detector (not shown in FIG. 1) for detecting the winning of a game ball. In addition, on the back surface of the game board 2, various boards and electronic components such as a main control board, a sub control board, and a symbol control board (not shown in FIG. 1) are mounted.

  In addition, an upper plate 4 and a lower plate 6 are provided on the front surface of the pachinko machine 1 for containing game balls, and game balls contained in the upper plate 4 are sequentially fired at the lower right corner position. A firing handle 8 is provided. An effect button 10 that can be appropriately pushed by the player is disposed at the left side of the upper plate 4. In addition, a large number of frame lamps (such as frame decoration lamps) are decoratively arranged on the front surface (glass frame 5) of the pachinko machine 1, and a speaker device for performing sound output as the game progresses is installed. (No reference sign). The glass frame 5 is configured to be able to open and close the front surface of the main body frame 17 via a hinge mechanism (not shown).

A plurality of pachinko machines 1 are usually installed side by side on an island facility of a game arcade, and a card unit (in the case of a CR machine) is provided as a sand 12 between the machines.
A ball stage 14a is formed at the lower edge of the center accessory 14, and when a game ball is guided on the ball stage 14a, the movement is changed while staying there temporarily. When the game ball to which movement is given in the ball stage 14a falls to the entrance of the ball guide path 14b formed in the ball stage 14a, the game ball is guided to the ball guide path 14b and provided directly below the prize detector ( The winning is detected by (not shown in FIG. 1).

  In addition, a decorative symbol display device 16 is arranged in the center accessory 14, and the display content of the decorative symbol display device 16 changes, for example, when a winning at a start winning opening is made. Thus, an image or the like representing the variation of the symbol is displayed. The symbol stops after it fluctuates over a certain period of time. At this time, if it becomes a predetermined stop symbol mode (for example, a display mode in which three symbols of the same kind are arranged), it becomes a big hit and the pachinko machine 1 shifts to a special gaming state. .

  When the special game state is entered, the display content on the decorative symbol display device 16 is switched to a round display with a big hit, and a round effect (such as counting the number of winning prizes or the number of continuous rounds) is executed. In addition, information indicating that a special game is being played (such as “probable change” or “short time”) may be displayed when a special game (such as “probability change” or “short time”) is entered. is there.

  A special symbol display device 41 including, for example, four light emitting diodes (LEDs) is provided on the lower edge portion of the center accessory 14 in the game board 2. The special symbol display device 41 is connected to the main control board 3 and is configured to change the lighting state over a predetermined time in response to the start winning. In addition, a normal symbol display device 42 including, for example, two light emitting diodes (LEDs) is provided at the lower edge of the center accessory 14. The normal symbol display device 42 is also connected to the main control board 3 and is configured to change the lighting state over a predetermined period when the gate port 13 passes.

  A special symbol holding lamp 43 including, for example, four light emitting diodes (LEDs) is provided at the lower edge of the game board 2. The special symbol holding lamp 43 is connected to the main control board 3 and is configured to hold the start winning while the lighting state by the special symbol display device 41 as the symbol display means is changing and to display the holding status. It has become. Further, a normal symbol holding lamp 44 including, for example, four light emitting diodes (LEDs) is provided at the lower edge of the game board 2. The normal symbol hold lamp 44 is connected to the main control board 3 and is configured to hold the passage of the gate port 13 while the lighting state of the normal symbol display device 42 is changing and to display the hold status. Yes. A main control board, a sub control board, a payout control board, a prize ball payout device, etc., not shown in FIG.

(2. Electric configuration example of pachinko machine)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration example of the pachinko machine 1.

  The main body frame 17 is provided with a payout control board 25 and a firing control board 47. On the other hand, on the back side of the game board 2, a main control board 3 (game control unit) and a sub control board 35 (production control unit) are provided in the upper part. Further, a symbol control board 30 is provided on the back of the game board 2, and the symbol control board 30 is connected to the decorative symbol display device 16.

  The main control board 3 is connected to a board such as the sub control board 35 and the payout control board 25. The payout control board 25 is also connected to the launch control board 47 and the prize ball payout device 21, and the sub control board 35 is also connected to the symbol control board 30 that controls the display operation. The sub control board 35 may have a function of the symbol control board 30.

  The sub control board 35 transmits an effect display command for controlling an effect display operation according to the progress of the game to the symbol control board 30 during the game operation. The symbol control board 30 receives the effect display command, and displays a character image corresponding to the progress of the game on the decorative symbol display device 16 provided almost at the center of the game area. The sub-control board 35 controls lighting of the panel decoration lamp 12 and the frame decoration lamp 31 via the lamp relay board 32 and the lamp relay board 34.

  Here, it is implied that the character image may have a predetermined stop symbol pattern (for example, a display pattern in which three symbols of the same type are arranged), for example, a video related to a variable symbol display. It includes images related to implied productions. For example, a reach display variation display pattern (combination video group) that has two symbols of the same type in the middle of the variation display is a scene from when all symbols start to change until one symbol stops, and then the same type of symbols. It consists of a combination of multiple scenes, such as scenes (videos) up to two. These scenes are continuously displayed in a predetermined order.

  Each scene includes at least one of a moving image and a sprite. For example, each scene is a video image with a scene of a movie as a background and a pattern superimposed as a sprite on the foreground. In the present embodiment, this video group is displayed as a video whose display mode is dynamically changed by continuously switching and displaying these frames one after another at a frame rate obtained by dividing the video frame by 60 frames per second. In the present embodiment, a moving image and a sprite used when creating this frame (frame) are hereinafter referred to as a scene material. In the present embodiment, sprites are mainly exemplified as scene materials except for portions that need to touch moving images.

  The illustrated variation display pattern of reach production has a plurality of patterns according to the type of reach production, and each scene is used by combining several scenes according to the variation display pattern to be displayed. Some scenes are used only once depending on each variation display pattern, and some scenes are used in common.

Next, the speaker 29 is disposed, for example, on the front frame of the pachinko machine 1 or inside the upper plate 4, and the speaker 29 outputs sound effects, sounds, and the like accompanying the progress of the game.
The main control board 3 includes electronic components such as a CPU 3a (hereinafter referred to as “main CPU”), a RAM 3b, a ROM 3c, an input / output interface, etc. (all not shown). The main control board 3 is connected with a prize detector 15a as a prize detection means. The prize detector 15a is a variety of prize-winning holes 15 (start prize-winning holes, big prize-winning mouths, It is detected that there has been a ball entering a winning opening etc., and the detection signal is output to the main control board 3. Further, when a game ball passes through the gate port 13, the passage of the game ball is detected by the gate passage detector (gate switch) 13a, and a gate passage signal is generated.

  The main control board 3 is connected with a big prize opening solenoid 18, and when the big winning lottery becomes a big hit and shifts to a special game state, the special winning opening solenoid 18 is operated to open and close the big prize opening.

  Control of the gaming operation by the main control board 3 is performed, for example, by the main CPU executing a predetermined control program (hereinafter referred to as “main control program”). The main CPU generates a random number on the software in accordance with the execution of the main control program. When the main CPU detects a winning at the start winning opening, the main CPU acquires the random number as a trigger. When the random number value obtained at this time matches the predetermined winning value (lottery), the main CPU 3a outputs a command signal for displaying a symbol in a big hitting manner to the sub-control board 35. The combination of symbols is displayed on the decorative symbol display device 16 in a big-hit manner, and the big-hit. On the other hand, if the acquired random number value does not coincide with the predetermined hit value, the main CPU 3a outputs a command (effect display command) for displaying the symbols in a manner that is off the sub-control board 35, and thereafter Normal game continues. The main CPU determines the lottery result and the variation pattern, and the main CPU outputs commands related to the lottery result and the variation pattern to the sub-control board 35.

  The sub control board 35 includes electronic components such as a CPU 35a (hereinafter referred to as “sub CPU”), a RAM 35b, a ROM 35c, and an input interface. The sub-control board 35 has a command reception buffer (not shown), and stores the received commands (such as lottery results and commands related to variation patterns) in the command reception buffer. The sub control board 35 acquires and analyzes the command stored in the command reception buffer. The sub-control board 35 outputs a sound from the speaker 29 based on the analysis result, turns on or off the panel decoration lamp 12 in a predetermined color via the lamp relay board 32, or passes the lamp relay board 34. Thus, the frame decoration lamp 31 is turned on or off in a predetermined color.

  In addition, the sub CPU 35a of the sub control board 35 determines an effect item that the main CPU does not determine, such as reach notice or reach effect. Then, the sub CPU 35a transmits an effect display command related to a visual effect operation to the symbol control board 30 from the contents of the analyzed command. This effect display command includes information related to the effect item according to the content of the effect command (variation pattern command etc.) from the main control board 3, and the symbol control board 30 receives the received effect display command and effect. The effect display operation is controlled by the decorative symbol display device 16 based on the information related to the item. Hereinafter, a command that the sub control board 35 outputs to the symbol control board 30 is referred to as an “effect display command”.

  When the big hit is reached, the main control board 3 (the main CPU 3a) shifts to the special gaming state to operate the solenoid 18 to open and close the opening / closing door of the big winning opening in a predetermined pattern. A player can win a lot of prize balls by winning a game ball as an example of a game medium during the opening. In addition to the above, the control of the game operation by the main control board 3 has various contents, but since all are well known, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The payout control board 25 also includes a CPU 25a (hereinafter referred to as “payout CPU”), a RAM 25b, a ROM 25c, an input / output interface and the like (all not shown). In particular, the payout control board 25 is the main control board 3. Are connected so that bidirectional communication is possible. That is, between the main control board 3 and the payout control board 25, serial signal upper and lower lines Su, Sd and ACK signal transmission lines Au, Ad are laid in parallel therewith.

  For example, when a prize ball command for instructing the payout of a prize ball is transmitted from the main control board 3 in a serial format via the down line Sd, an ACK signal is received from the payout control board 25 that has received the command via the transmission line Au. To be sent to. Conversely, when a status command indicating the state of the payout control board 25 is transmitted from the payout control board 25 to the main control board 3 via the up line Su (for example, during the payout process), the main control board 3 that receives this command receives an ACK. The signal is transmitted to the dispensing control board 25 through the transmission line Ad.

  The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a prize ball payout device 21 in its main body frame 17, and the payout operation of the game ball by the prize ball payout device 21 is controlled by a payout control board 25. That is, the payout control board 25 receives the prize ball command from the main control board 3 and operates the payout motor 20 of the prize ball payout device 21 to perform the number of payout operations designated by the prize ball command. At this time, the number of prize balls actually paid out is detected one by one by the payout ball detector 22 and fed back to the payout control board 25. On the other hand, the rotation state (rotation angle) of the payout motor 20 is detected by the motor drive sensor 24 and fed back to the payout control board 25.

  In addition, the launch control board 47 has a function of controlling the launch operation of the game ball when the launch permission signal output by the card unit as the inter-bed sand 12 is input. In addition to the firing motor 49, the firing handle 8 is connected to the firing control board 47. The firing handle 8 includes a touch detection unit 48 that detects the contact of a human body (player) and outputs a touch detection signal to the firing control board 47. The reflection handle 8 has a built-in launch switch (not shown), and outputs an ON signal to the launch control board 47 as the launch handle 8 rotates. The launch control board 47 permits the drive of the launch motor 49 only after receiving the launch control permission signal, the touch detection signal, and the ON signal, thereby allowing the game ball to be launched.

  The payout CPU 25a of the payout control board 25 displays error information corresponding to the type of the fault on the payout control board 25 when various troubles such as a connection abnormality between the main control board 3 and the payout control board 25 are detected. . Specifically, the payout control board 25 is provided with a 7-segment LED 4a, and the 7-segment LED 4a displays, for example, an error number for each of the various types of failures.

  The payout control board 25 is provided with an operation switch 4b as an error canceling means, and the operation switch 4b is disposed at a position where it can be operated from the outside. The operation switch 4b is used to check a countermeasure for each failure when the various failures occur, or to clear error information (numerical display) displayed on the 7-segment LED 4a after the failure is recovered. Can be used.

(3. Pattern control board)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a simplified electrical configuration of the symbol control board 30, and FIG. 6 shows an electrical configuration example of the video display processor (VDP) 330 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram.
The symbol control board 30 shown in FIG. 3 includes a character ROM 340, a first character RAM 321, a second character RAM 322, a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “symbol CPU”) 311, a control ROM 325, a video display processor 330, and a memory interface control. A circuit 324 is provided.

  The symbol control board 30 has a function of controlling the effect display operation based on the effect display command from the sub-control board 35. In the symbol control board 30, the effect display operation is controlled by executing the symbol display control program. First, the VDP 330 is connected to the decorative design display device 16 and is configured to output drawing data corresponding to the video to be displayed to the decorative design display device 16.

  A symbol CPU (Central Processing Unit) 311 controls display on the decorative symbol display device 16 based on an effect display command from the sub-control board 35. The VDP 330 generates drawing data to be displayed on the decorative symbol display device 16 based on an instruction from the symbol CPU 311 (central processing unit). Various circuits constituting the symbol control board 30 are provided on a single board having, for example, six wiring layers.

  The symbol CPU 311 reads out from the control ROM 325 drawing parameters that define the drawing data generation conditions for realizing the display mode corresponding to the effect display command. The drawing parameters include color palette data that defines drawing color information, sprite attribute data that defines sprite drawing conditions, and background attribute data that defines background drawing conditions. The symbol CPU 311 sets (instructs) the drawing parameters read from the control ROM 325 in various registers of the VDP 330. The VDP 330 generates drawing data to be output to the decorative symbol display device 16 based on the drawing parameters.

  In addition, the symbol control board 30 includes a character ROM 340 and a control ROM 325. The control ROM 325 stores a symbol display control program executed by the symbol CPU 311 and an expansion table for managing expansion information referred to by the symbol CPU 311 and the like. This expansion table is referred to when displaying the above-described variation display pattern, and manages the combination of scenes included in the variation display pattern and the display order of each scene. The symbol display control program may include the function of this expansion table.

  On the other hand, the character ROM 340 stores in advance a group of data (data necessary for video display) related to each scene constituting the variable display pattern. That is, it includes sprite data (or moving image data) as a material necessary for displaying each scene. Here, the expansion table manages an address as a position storing each sprite data (or moving image data) and an address as a position storing each sprite data in the character ROM 340.

  The moving image data is stored in the character ROM 340 in a state where the data structure is compressed by a preset irreversible compression method. On the other hand, the sprite data is stored in the character ROM 340 in a state where the data structure is compressed by a reversible compression method set in advance. In the present embodiment, the compressed moving image data is referred to as “compressed moving image data”.

  Here, the sprite has a non-transparent area that does not visually transmit the moving image and a transmissive area that visually transmits the moving image as the background when superimposed on the moving image as the background. ing. In the present embodiment, the compressed sprite data is referred to as “compressed sprite data”.

  Next, the symbol CPU 311 includes an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 312 as a built-in memory. The symbol CPU 311 (operation instruction processor) is connected to a control ROM 325 (control memory), a VDP 330 (video display processor), and a memory interface circuit 324. The control ROM 325 is a read-only memory for storing not only the expansion table but also a symbol display control program for controlling the effect display operation under the control of the symbol CPU 311.

  The symbol CPU 311 controls the operation of the VDP 330 based on the effect display command from the sub-control board 35 by the operation of the symbol display control program read from the control ROM 325 to the SDRAM 312. The symbol CPU 311 analyzes the effect display command received from the sub-control board 35 and controls the execution of the effect display operation according to the analysis result.

  Specific examples of this effect display include a reach effect display and a round display in a special game state. This reach effect display indicates to the player, etc., that the player is likely to win in the jackpot lottery triggered by the winning of a game ball, or may not win, but as if he will win a jackpot. It is a production display that is expected. On the other hand, the round display represents an effect display in each round in the special game state when, for example, the state is shifted to the special game state.

  When executing such a variable display of symbols related to the reach effect display, the symbol CPU 311 determines each scene to be included in the variable display pattern in the reach effect display or the like and the display order of each scene with reference to the expansion table. To do.

(4. Configuration example of memory interface control circuit 324)
The memory interface control circuit 324 shown in FIG. 3 has a function of controlling an interface related to data exchange between the character ROM 340, the first character RAM 321 and the second character RAM 322, and the VDP 330 under the control of the symbol CPU 311. When the character RAMs 321 and 322 are referred to from the VDP 330 via the memory interface circuit 324, the same sprite data is arranged in the same location (address space) in the character RAMs 321 and 322. Even if the 322 is switched, the character RAMs 321 and 322 are not distinguished from each other, and it looks as if one character RAM exists.

  The memory interface control circuit 324 includes a CPU interface 316, a compressed data memory controller 312, a moving image data decompression controller 327, sprite data decompression controllers 328 and 329, a decompression data memory controller 315, a first character RAM controller 314, and a second character RAM. A controller 317 and a VDP interface 320 are provided. The memory interface control circuit 324 is connected to the character ROM 340, the symbol CPU 311, the VDP 330, and the character RAMs 321 and 322, respectively.

  The CPU interface 316 controls the interface between the symbol CPU 311 and the memory interface control circuit 324. In addition to the symbol CPU 311, the compressed data memory controller 312, the moving image data decompression controller 327, and the sprite data decompression controllers 328 and 329 are provided. And the expanded data memory controller 315.

  These compressed data memory controller 312, moving image data decompression controller 327, sprite data decompression controllers 328 and 329, and decompressed data memory controller 315 are respectively registered in registers 312a, 327a (moving image register), 328a (sprite register), and 329a (sprite register). ), 315a. These registers 312a, 327a, 328a, 329a, 315a are connected to the CPU interface 316.

(4-1. Configuration of CPU interface)
The CPU interface 316 controls writing to the registers 328a and 329a by the symbol CPU 311 as a sprite expansion control processor, and controls writing to the register 327a (moving image register) by the symbol CPU 311 as a moving image expansion control processor. To do.

  The CPU interface 316 controls writing by the symbol CPU 311 to the register 315a of the decompressed data memory controller 315 and the register 312a of the compressed data memory controller 312.

  In other words, the set values are written into the registers 312a, 327a, 328a, 329a, and 315a by the symbol CPU 311 via the CPU interface 316, respectively. The compressed data memory controller 312, the moving image data decompression controller 327, the sprite data decompression controllers 328 and 329, and the decompression data memory controller 315 are controlled by the symbol CPU 311 via registers 312a, 327a, 328a, 329a, and 315a, respectively. It has become.

  The moving image data decompression controller 327 starts or stops the decompression processing of the lossy compressed data for the compressed moving image data according to the set value written in the moving image register 327a. The moving image data decompression controller 327 also reads out the compressed moving image data read start address of the character ROM 340 serving as the transfer source, the number of data to be read (number of bytes), and the character RAM 321 serving as the transfer destination according to the set values written in the moving image register 327a. Alternatively, an expansion data write address to the character RAM 322 is designated. The moving image data decompression controller 327 is provided with a status register for confirming the decompression processing state and the other (execution and stoppage).

  On the other hand, the sprite data decompression controller 328 and the sprite data decompression controller 329 start the decompression process of the lossless compression data for the compressed sprite data or stop the decompression process according to the setting values written in the register 328a and the register 329a, respectively. It has become. Also, the sprite data expansion controllers 328 and 329 read the compressed moving image data read start address of the character ROM 340 that is the transfer source, the number of data to be read (number of bytes), and transfer according to the setting values written in the moving image registers 328 and 329a, respectively. The write address of the decompressed data to the character RAM 321 or the character RAM 322 that is the destination is designated. Each of the sprite data decompression controllers 328 and 329 is provided with a status register for confirming the decompression processing state and others (execution and stoppage).

(4-2. Configuration of two sprite extension devices)
Here, the symbol CPU 311 as a sprite expansion control processor has a function of independently controlling expansion operations by the sprite data expansion controllers 328 and 329 as two sprite expansion devices. These sprite data decompression controllers 328 and 329 respectively follow the preset sprite decompression method based on the registers 328a and 329a written by the symbol CPU 311 as described above and the writing to the registers 328a and 329a by the symbol CPU 311. A sprite decompression unit (not shown) for decompressing the compressed sprite data into the sprite data is included.

  First, if compressed sprite data obtained by compressing sprite data is stored in the character ROM 340, more sprite data can be stored by effectively using the storage capacity of the character ROM 340. When displaying a scene, it is necessary to decompress the compressed sprite data read from the character ROM 340.

  Here, considering that the sprite data is to be decompressed by the sprite data decompression controllers 328 and 329, considering that switching between the storage state and the readout state in the character RAMs 321 and 322 is necessary, at first glance, the decompression control is complicated. It is also possible to become. However, in this embodiment, even when the sprite data decompression controllers 328 and 329 are present, the sprite data is decompressed by decompressing the compressed sprite data by simple control of writing to the sprite registers 328a and 329a by the symbol CPU 311. Since it can generate | occur | produce, expansion | extension control is simplified as a whole.

(4-3. Configuration of moving image expansion apparatus)
The symbol CPU 311 as a moving image expansion control processor has a function of controlling the expansion operation by the moving image data expansion controller 327. The moving image data expansion controller 327 expands the compressed moving image data according to a preset moving image expansion method based on the register 327a written by the symbol CPU 311 as described above and the writing to the register 327a by the symbol CPU 311. And a moving image expansion unit for moving image data.

  First, if the compressed moving image data obtained by compressing the moving image data is stored in the character ROM 340, the storage capacity of the character ROM 340 can be effectively used to store data relating to more moving images. However, when displaying a scene including a moving image as well as a sprite, it is necessary to expand not only the compressed sprite data read from the character ROM 340 but also the compressed moving image data.

  Here, when the sprite data is expanded as described above and the moving image data is to be expanded by the moving image data expansion controller 327, it is necessary to switch between the storage state and the reading state in the character RAMs 321 and 322. Considering this, the extension control may be complicated.

  However, according to the present embodiment, even when the moving image data expansion controller 327 exists in addition to the sprite data expansion controllers 328 and 329, the simple control of writing to the moving image register 327 a by the symbol CPU 311 As the compressed sprite data is expanded, the compressed moving image data can be expanded to generate moving image data, so that the expansion control is simplified as a whole.

  The compressed data memory controller 312 reads compressed moving image data and compressed sprite data for displaying each scene included in the variable display pattern to be displayed from the character ROM 340 according to the set value written in the register 312a. Take control.

  Here, the symbol CPU 311 sets an access timing according to the type of the character ROM 340, for example, in the register 312a of the compressed data memory controller 312 via the CPU interface 316.

  Specifically, the symbol CPU 311 writes the data to the moving image register 327a of the moving image data expansion controller 327, the register 328a of the sprite data expansion controller 328, and 329a of the sprite data expansion controller 329 according to the contents of the expansion table of the control ROM 325, respectively. The transfer source address of the storage area of the character ROM 340 is designated according to the set value. When the symbol CPU 311 designates the compressed data memory controller 312 in this way, the compressed data memory controller 312 is based on the setting values written to the compressed sprite data and the compressed moving image data from the storage area of the character ROM 340 corresponding to the designated transfer source address. It is read at the timing and delivered to the sprite data expansion controllers 328 and 329 and the moving image data expansion controller 327.

  The moving image data expansion controller 327 has a function of expanding compressed moving image data compressed by an irreversible compression method by an expansion method corresponding to the irreversible compression method. On the other hand, the sprite data decompression controller 328 has a function of reading compressed sprite data compressed by a reversible compression method from the character ROM 340 and decompressing the compressed sprite data by a decompression method corresponding to the reversible compression method.

  In this embodiment, the memory interface control circuit 324 is provided with two sprite data expansion controllers 328 and 329 as expansion means for expanding the compressed sprite data read from the character ROM 340. These sprite data expansion controllers 328 and 329 are not fixedly associated with the character RAMs 321 and 322, but are provided according to the number of character RAMs 321 and 322, respectively. The sprite data decompression controllers 328 and 329 can be set (switched) in correspondence with the character RAMs 321 and 322, respectively, and decompress the compressed sprite data read from the character ROM 340 independently into sprite data.

  The moving image data is expanded by the moving image data expansion controller 327 when the symbol CPU 311 writes to the register 327a, and is transferred from the moving image data expansion controller 327 to the expanded data memory controller 315.

  The sprite data is decompressed independently by the sprite data decompression controllers 328 and 329 when the symbol CPU 311 writes to the registers 328a and 329a. It is delivered to the memory controller 315.

(4-4. Expanded data memory controller)
The expanded data memory controller 315 designates a switching condition between a storage state (also referred to as “development state”) and a reading state in the first character RAM 321 and the second character RAM 322 according to the set value written in the register 315a by the symbol CPU 311. Is done. In the present embodiment, for example, the first character RAM 321 and the second character RAM 322 are switched in synchronization with the rising edge of the external signal.

  The expanded data memory controller 315 controls the first character RAM controller 314 and the second character RAM controller 317 in accordance with the set value written to the register 315a by the symbol CPU 311. The first character RAM controller 314 has a function of controlling the expansion and reading of sprite data and moving image data to the first character RAM 321. On the other hand, the second character RAM controller 317 has a function of controlling the expansion and reading of sprite data and moving image data to the second character RAM 322. In the present embodiment, sprites and moving images are illustrated as scene materials, but in the following description, sprite data is mainly illustrated as scene materials.

  Furthermore, the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 (memory refresh units) have a function of executing a refresh operation on the character RAMs 321 and 322 under the control of the expanded data memory controller 315, respectively. The expanded data memory controller 315 controls the execution of the refresh operation for the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 in accordance with instructions from the symbol CPU 311. In the present embodiment, the first character RAM controller 314 performs a refresh operation on the first character RAM 321 and the second character memory controller 317 performs a refresh operation on the second character RAM 322. It has been.

  The expanded data memory controller 315 (refresh data providing unit) has refresh character data for causing the character RAMs 321 and 322 to perform a refresh operation, and has a function of providing the refresh character data to the VDP 330. Specifically, the expanded data memory controller 315 provides refresh data to the VDP 330 in accordance with, for example, an instruction from the symbol CPU 311. The expanded data memory controller 315 may generate refresh character data and provide it to the VDP 330 instead of providing the refresh character data prepared in advance to the VDP 330 as described above.

  Here, the sprite data is image data for displaying a sprite in 8 bits (256 colors) in a display range of 64 dots × 64 dots, for example. On the other hand, the refresh character data is also image data for displaying the refresh character with 8 bits (256 colors) in a display range of 64 dots × 64 dots, for example. That is, in the present embodiment, the refresh character data and the sprite data have the same data structure although the display contents thereof are different, so that the display range of one sprite is the same as the display range of one refresh character. Yes. Then, the decompressed data memory controller 315 provides sprite data to the VDP 330 via a bus line connecting itself and the VDP 330, for example, a 32-bit wide bus line.

  Character RAM controllers 314 and 317 then perform a refresh operation on character RAMs 321 and 322, respectively. Specifically, the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 perform refresh operations on the character RAMs 321 and 322, respectively, when the VDP 330 reads the refresh character data from the expanded data memory controller 315 in accordance with an instruction from the symbol CPU 311, for example. It is supposed to run.

  Here, the symbol CPU 311 designates an address (for example, “0C00 0000”) for designating a refresh character area in the character RAMs 321 and 322, for example, when the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 cause the character RAMs 321 and 322 to perform a refresh operation. The address “0C00 0000” represents the head address of the refresh character area in the character RAMs 321 and 322 as shown in FIG.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the refresh character data is not actually stored in the refresh character area, and the symbol CPU 311 uses the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 to instruct the timing for executing the refresh operation. An instruction to read refresh character data from the refresh character area is given.

  The character RAM controllers 314 and 317 operate according to the set values of a refresh character number setting section (transparent image number setting section) (not shown) under the control of the development data memory controller 315. In the refresh character number setting section, the number of refresh characters to be displayed is set by the symbol CPU 311 according to the time required for the refresh operation for the character RAMs 321 and 322. The refresh character number setting unit corresponds to, for example, a register 315a provided in the expanded data memory controller 315.

  That is, the symbol CPU 311 presets the number of refresh characters (set value) to be displayed according to the time required for refreshing the character RAMs 321 and 322 in the refresh character number setting unit (register 315a), for example, at the time of initial setting. Keep it. The number of refresh characters is a value set according to the refresh range (capacity to be refreshed) in the character RAMs 321 and 322. The number of refresh characters is also the number of refresh character data that the VDP 330 reads from the memory interface control circuit 324 when executing the refresh operation on the character RAMs 321 and 322.

  Here, as a specific example of the capacity refreshed by one refresh character, for example, it corresponds to the data size of the refresh character data used for displaying the refresh character which is a display range of 64 dots × 64 dots × 8 bits (256 colors). is doing. That is, when it is desired to refresh a wide range (large capacity) in the character RAMs 321 and 322, the number of refresh characters to be displayed increases.

  The register 315a of the expanded data memory controller 315 has register names (REFOFT, REFNOF, REFNCH) as shown in FIG. In these register names, desired setting values are written by the symbol CPU 311 as the operation instruction processor. These register names are set to values based on the specifications of the character RAM connected to the memory interface control circuit 324. The register REFOFT is a register for setting a refresh execution period. On the other hand, the register name REFNOF is a register for setting the number of refreshes that must be executed within the refresh execution period.

  The register name REFNCH is a register for setting the number of refresh times by the refresh character, and sets the number of times the refresh character data is read corresponding to one refresh instruction. The number of times the refresh character data is read here is set according to the specifications of the connected character RAMs 321 and 322.

  Note that “R” in the read / rewrite permission in FIG. 5 means that the symbol CPU 311 as the operation instruction processor cannot rewrite and can only read. “W” means that the symbol CPU 311 can rewrite the symbol. “R / W” means that the symbol CPU 311 can read out the set value and rewrite it.

  The memory interface control circuit 324 manages the number of refreshes and a refresh monitoring counter (corresponding to the time during which refresh is executed). It is determined whether or not the refresh unit 315b has performed the refresh operation by the number of times set by the register name REFNOF within the time set by the register name REFOFT. In the present embodiment, the symbol CPU 311 is illustrated as instructing the refresh unit 315b to repeat the refresh operation four times, for example, every 1024 times every 16 ms.

  In other words, in this embodiment, the refresh operation is executed 4096 times for 64 ms, for example, based on the set value of the register name REFNOF and the set value of the register name REFOFT. Further, in the present embodiment, if the refresh operation for the character RAMs 321 and 322 is not executed for the number of times corresponding to the set values of the register name REFNOF and the register name REFOFT, based on the values set in the register name RENOF and the register name REFOFT. The central refresh is started.

  That is, in the present embodiment, a refresh condition setting unit for setting refresh conditions such as the set value of the register name REFNOF and the set value of the register name REFOFT is prepared, and a refresh monitoring unit (refresh monitoring unit) (not shown) When it is detected that the set value (refresh condition) set in the refresh condition setting unit is not satisfied, an instruction to forcibly start the refresh operation so as to satisfy the refresh condition is issued.

(4-5. Character RAM switching configuration)
The first character RAM 312 and the second character RAM 322 each have a development state (storage state) in which sprite data is temporarily stored and a read state in which stored sprite data is read out under the control of the development data memory controller 315. It becomes the structure switched alternately so that it may become reverse.

  More specifically, the expanded data memory controller 315 is controlled to execute reading from the second character RAM 322 during a period during which the expanded data memory controller 315 is expanded to the first character RAM 321 (hereinafter referred to as “first expanded period”). To do. On the other hand, the expanded data memory controller 315 controls to read out data from the first character RAM 321 during the period of expansion to the second character RAM 322 (hereinafter referred to as “second expansion period”). In the present embodiment, the development data memory controller 315 repeatedly and alternately repeats the first development period and the second development period in response to a vertical synchronization signal (so-called V blank signal) that is an external signal output from the VDP 330. Thus, the switching operation of the first character RAM 321 and the second character RAM 322 is controlled.

(4-6. Management of storage area of both character RAMs)
Here, in the present embodiment, the storage areas of the first character RAM 321 and the second character RAM 322 are managed by the same address. That is, the storage area of the first character RAM 321 and the storage area of the second character RAM 322 have the same storage capacity, and the same address is assigned to each storage area.

  In the first character RAM 321 and the second character RAM 322, the same sprite data is alternately developed in the storage areas managed by the same address. In this way, even if the first character RAM 321 and the second character RAM 322 are switched during reading, the read sprite data can be the same.

(4-7. Multiple common areas)
Here, in the present embodiment, the first character RAM 321 and the second character RAM 322 each include sprite data necessary for displaying a combination of scenes (videos) used for a variable display pattern as an example of a combined video group. A plurality of common areas (a plurality of common areas) that can be temporarily stored are defined.

  The plurality of common areas are areas partitioned by the symbol CPU 311 based on the contents of the expansion table stored in the control ROM 325, respectively. From the plurality of common areas, sprite data necessary for each combination of scenes is independently read out under the control of the development data memory controller 315.

(4-8. Static load)
As an example of the variable display pattern, the symbol CPU 311 as a data expansion processor temporarily stores sprite data necessary for each combination of scenes included in the variable display pattern in any of a plurality of predetermined common areas. Is memorized.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, sprite data necessary for scene display related to a combination of scenes included in the variable display pattern is stored in any one of a plurality of common areas determined in advance based on the contents of the development table. It is designed to be deployed separately. That is, in this embodiment, according to the above expansion table, each sprite data necessary for scene display has a predetermined expansion destination in a plurality of common areas, and is expanded in a different common area among the plurality of common areas. It has become so. In the present embodiment, such fixed development of sprite data in any of a plurality of common areas is referred to as “static load”. That is, the static load indicates that sprite data is temporarily stored in a predetermined common area among a plurality of common areas.

  Here, sprite data necessary for displaying a plurality of scenes at the same time may be developed in one shared area. However, in this embodiment, sprite data necessary for displaying a plurality of scenes is simultaneously displayed in one shared area. The configuration is such that the sprite data necessary for displaying one scene is expanded without being expanded. Here, the sprite data necessary for the scene display developed in the plurality of common areas at the same time is data used to display one variation display pattern.

  In the present embodiment, sprite data necessary for scene display related to a combination of scenes in which the display order is continuous among the scenes included in one variable display pattern is set to a different common area determined in advance among the plurality of common areas. To remember.

(4-9. Resident Area)
Here, when the memory interface circuit 324 reads sprite data necessary for scene display from the character RAMs 321 and 322, the memory interface circuit 324 overwrites the sprite data necessary for scene display read from the character RAMs 321 and 322, respectively. However, in this embodiment, when displaying a plurality of variable display patterns, sprite data necessary for scene display that is frequently used to display each scene is stored in a part of the storage area of the character RAMs 321 and 322. It shall be resident. In this embodiment, the symbol CPU 311 develops, for example, sprite data necessary for scene display frequently used in common by partitioning a resident area (resident area) as a part of a plurality of common areas in the character RAMs 321 and 322. Shall be allowed to.

  In this way, if the character RAMs 321 and 322 are provided with resident areas and the sprite data necessary for scene display is constantly developed, it is not necessary to read from the character ROM 340 frequently. The sprite data necessary for the scene display developed in the resident area includes, for example, sprite data used for displaying a symbol that is always displayed during the symbol variation display. It should be noted that the deployment time may be expanded immediately after the power is turned on. Here, the expansion table includes expansion information used for expanding the sprite data necessary for the scene display into any of a plurality of common areas including the resident area.

(4-10. Data size of each common area)
Here, in each of the plurality of common areas, when a certain variable display pattern of a plurality of variable display patterns having different display modes is displayed, and when a different variable display pattern is displayed. The sprite data necessary for displaying a plurality of different scenes is stored.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the symbol CPU 311 as the data expansion processor controls the expansion data memory controller 315 via the CPU interface 316, thereby allowing a plurality of scenes that can be stored in each common area among the plurality of common areas. Of the sprite data necessary for display, a plurality of common areas are defined in advance on the basis of the data size of sprite data necessary for scene display having the maximum data size. The data size here represents, for example, the data size of sprite data necessary for displaying a sprite as a material necessary for displaying one scene.

  First, since the sprite data that can be stored in each of the plurality of common areas is determined in advance, it may not be partitioned in consideration of the data size of the sprite data that is not expanded in the common area. For this reason, it is not necessary to form an extra data size in the plurality of common areas assuming that sprite data having a large data size may be developed in the future. A partition may be formed based on sprite data having the largest data size. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the data size of each common area among the plurality of common areas to be partitioned in the character RAMs 321 and 322 is suppressed to the minimum according to the sprite data that can be developed in each common area. Therefore, the character RAMs 321 and 322 can be used efficiently.

(5. Configuration example of VDP)
Next, the VDP 330 will be described in detail. 6 includes a CPU interface 383 (abbreviated as “CPU I / F” in the figure), a ROM interface 333 (abbreviated as “ROM I / F” in the figure), a bus 382, a VDP controller 331, a line buffer 336, A color palette register 332c, a sprite attribute register 332s, a background (abbreviated as “BG”) attribute register 332b, a built-in RAM 335, and a DMA controller 384 are included. The built-in RAM 335 may be provided outside the VDP 330.

  The VDP 330 (video display processor) has a function of controlling the entire VDP 330 under the control of the symbol CPU 311. The expansion table is managed in the control ROM 325. This expansion table includes expansion information regarding which common area of the plurality of common areas the sprite data necessary for scene display should be expanded in the character RAMs 321 and 322, and the scheduler (display information) in addition to the expansion information. ) Is included. The scheduler here will be described later, such as the start address of the sprite to be displayed by the VDP 330, the number of sheets to be displayed (vertical and horizontal numbers), the identifier of the sprite (character number, etc.), and the priority order when they are superimposed. It includes display information that stores drawing data in display order. Note that the control ROM 325 may have a form in which development information is included and stored in the scheduler, or a form in which the scheduler and the development information exist in parallel.

  Further, the symbol CPU 311 refers to the expansion table of the control ROM 325, and displays the scene display related to the combination of scenes necessary for the display operation of the variable display pattern in any common area of the character RAMs 321 and 322. The expansion information regarding whether the sprite data necessary for the storage is stored is acquired. That is, the symbol CPU 311 specifies a certain common area among the plurality of common areas where the sprite data necessary for necessary scene display is developed based on the development information.

  Next, the symbol CPU 311 further refers to the contents of the expansion table, grasps the sprite used for displaying the scene for each type of scene, and identifies a common area group among a plurality of corresponding common areas. . The specification here means to grasp an address assigned to a specific common area where sprite data necessary for displaying each scene in the character RAMs 321 and 322 is developed.

  When the symbol CPU 311 grasps an address related to sprite data necessary for the scene display necessary for displaying the variable display pattern, the symbol CPU 311 first designates a drawing parameter such as an address where a sprite to be displayed is arranged by the control of the symbol CPU 311. . The VDP controller 331 acquires sprite data via the memory interface control circuit 324 under the control of the symbol CPU 311.

  The color palette register 332c, the sprite attribute register 332s, and the BG attribute register 332b shown in FIG. 6 are registers that the VDP controller 331 refers to when the image display operation is controlled by the VDP controller 331, respectively. That is, the VDP controller 331 refers to the color palette register 332c, the sprite attribute register 332s, and the BG attribute register 332b based on the instruction of the symbol CPU 311 and displays the effect on the decorative symbol display device 16 via the line buffer 336. The operation is controlled.

  Here, the symbol CPU 311 writes the color palette data included in the drawing parameters generated as described above to the color palette register 332c, writes the sprite attribute data to the sprite attribute register 332s, and further outputs the background attribute data to the background. Write to attribute register 332b.

  The color palette register 332c is a register for storing in advance color palette data for 256 palettes corresponding to each palette number represented by, for example, 0 to 255. One pallet is composed of, for example, 16 colors. That is, the color palette register 332c provides color palette data corresponding to the designated palette number when a palette number (for example, 0 to 255) is designated when the sprite is set.

  The sprite attribute register 332s stores sprite attribute data related to sprite attributes such as sprite data. The background (BG) attribute register 332b stores background attribute data regarding the attributes of the background image.

  The built-in RAM 335 is a rewritable volatile memory, for example, an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory). Here, the writing of data from the control ROM 325 to the built-in RAM 335 is executed under the control of the symbol CPU 311, for example, but may instead be executed under the control of the DMA controller 384.

  The line buffer 336 has a function of storing the drawing data generated by the VDP controller 331 in units of scanning lines (lines) of an image to be displayed, and outputs the stored drawing data in units of scanning lines. It has a function. The VDP controller 331 also outputs a synchronization signal SYNC synchronized with the drawing data when outputting the drawing data.

(6. Prefetch control)
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an image of prefetch control. In this prefetch control, for example, it is assumed that the second scene is displayed after the first scene.

  First, the memory interface circuit 324 reads the sprite data from one of the first character RAM 321 and the second character RAM 322 under the control of the symbol CPU 311, and while a scene is displayed among the combinations of these scenes, Sprite data relating to a sprite as a material included in the next scene is pre-read from the character ROM 340 and prepared in advance in the other of the character RAMs 321 and 322. The character RAMs 321 and 322 are pre-read and prepared in advance in this way, not only the sprite data used for displaying sprites, but also the moving image data used for displaying moving images instead of or in addition to this. It may be. In the present embodiment, for example, it is assumed that sprite data necessary for displaying a scene is prefetched.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the memory interface circuit 324 follows the instruction of the symbol CPU 311, for example, while the first scene is actually displayed as shown in FIG. Sprite data necessary for displaying the scene is pre-read from the character ROM 340 and expanded in advance in the first character RAM 321 or the like. In the present embodiment, reading and expanding in advance is referred to as “prefetching deployment” (also referred to as “prefetching deployment” in FIG. 7).

  The control ROM 325 mounted on the symbol control board 30 is information on sprite data related to sprites to be included in the next scene to be displayed next while a certain scene of the combination of scenes is displayed. Stores deployment information. In controlling the display operation of the variable display pattern, the symbol CPU 311 moves to the next scene to be displayed next while a scene of the variable display pattern is displayed based on the development information of the control ROM 325. The sprite data relating to the sprite to be included is pre-read from the character ROM 340 and prepared in advance in the character RAMs 321 and 322.

  In the present embodiment, the character RAMs 321 and 322 are alternately switched so that the storage state of the sprite data and the reading state of the sprite data are opposite to each other for each display switching period of the plurality of frame images. .

(7. Preliminary processing and presentation display operation by pachinko machine 1)
The pachinko machine 1 in the present embodiment is configured as described above. Next, an operation example such as development related to the effect display operation in the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the description proceeds in the following order.

1. 1. Scene washing process and partitioning process such as common area 2. Partition formation processing such as common area Expansion processing4. Display processing of variable display pattern 1. Scene washing process and partitioning process such as common area The partition formation process such as the common area is a process performed in advance when determining the contents of the development table. On the other hand, 3. 3. Expansion processing and The display process of the variable display pattern is a process executed by the symbol CPU 311 while referring to the development table by the operation of the symbol display control program. Further, in the following description, unless there is a particular need to refer to moving image data, the sprite data necessary for displaying one of the scene groups included in the variable display pattern is referred to as “scene display”. This is called “necessary material image data”.

(8. Scene washing process)
In this scene identification process, simply speaking, an operation of finding a connection (continuity) related to the display order of the scene groups constituting the variable display pattern is performed. In the present embodiment, finding a connection between scenes in this way is referred to as “washing out”. Such a washing process is executed in advance by a software tool configured by a program or the like that operates in an electronic device such as a computer.

  In the scene identification process, as described above, the material image data groups necessary for displaying the scenes included in one variation display pattern are the same among the plurality of common areas in the character RAMs 321 and 322. In this common area, in order to prevent the overlapping development from occurring at the same time, it is identified to prevent overlapping development.

  In this embodiment, first, material image data (hereinafter also referred to as “common data”) necessary for scene display that is used in common is identified for each scene in order. Here, “material image data necessary for scene display” represents sprite data used for displaying sprites necessary for displaying each scene. Note that all scenes are first classified into a predetermined list (for example, lists LSC1 and LSC2). The common part classified by this washing-out process includes, as a name, a code (such as “SC1” or “SC2” here) attached to the original scene SC1 or scene SC2 before commonization. A new data list (for example, LSC1_LSC2) is generated.

  This data list represents a list in which material image data necessary for scene display divided by classification is classified. In the present embodiment, this generated common part is referred to as a “common list”. If the material image data necessary for displaying a scene is determined as common data as a result of the identification, the material image data necessary for the scene display determined as the common data is deleted from the original data list. Shall.

List LSC1: ABCDEF
List LSC2: AC EG IK
In this washing process, first, a common part is extracted from each of the lists LSC1 and LSC2.

Then, a list LSC1_LSC2 divided as common data between the list LSC1 and the list LSC2 is created. The contents of this divided list LSC1_LSC2 are as follows.
List LSC1_LSC2: AC

When the contents of the list LSC1_LSC2 (material image data necessary for scene display as common data) are deleted from the list LSC1 and the list LSC2, respectively, the list LSC1 and the list LSC2 are as follows.
List LSC1: BD F
List LSC2: GI K

  Next, including the newly generated list, the common part (common data) of all data lists is further recursively identified. This washing process proceeds with the decomposition of the list (data list) until there is no common part in the material image data necessary for all scene display. Next, an approximate value of the data capacity of each list is calculated. Note that this approximate value is calculated by assigning, for example, a temporary compression or a design approximate compression value of about 50%.

  The code “LSC1” and the like attached to the list decomposed in the above procedure includes the name of each scene SC1 (also referred to as “list name”). When it is desired to display (hereinafter also referred to as “playback”) using a certain scene, for example, the scene SC1, all “material image data necessary for scene display” including “SC1” in the list name is developed in the character RAMs 321 and 322. If so, the VDP 330 can reproduce the scene SC1.

  As a specific example, for example, for reproduction of the scene SC1, all items including “SC1” in the list name are required. Here, among these common lists, a list including reproduction time as information is referred to as a “representative list”.

Representative list LSC1
Common list 1 LSC1_LSC2
Common list 2 LSC1_LSC3_LSC5_LSC6_LSC7
Common list 3 LSC1_LSC9_ROUND
・
・
Common list n LSC1_LSC2_LSC3_LSC4_LSC5_LSC6_LSC7_LSC8_LSC9_ROUND_COMMON

  The common list n including many list names (such as LSC1) in the common list created by such a procedure indicates that it is used in more types of scenes. Accordingly, the sprite data necessary for scene display included in the common list n including many list names is made resident in the resident areas of the character RAMs 321 and 322 rather than being developed in the character RAMs 321 and 322 as necessary. On the other hand, when there is a sprite necessary for displaying a certain scene, it can be read immediately from this resident area, so that the reading efficiency from the character RAMs 321 and 322 is high. In the present embodiment, in consideration of such reading efficiency, the material image data necessary for scene display corresponding to the scenes included in each of the common lists generated in this way is made resident or non-resident in the character RAMs 321 and 322. To decide. Here, non-resident means to expand as necessary.

(8-1. Material image data necessary for scene display to be resident)
Examples of the sprite data (material image data) necessary for the scene display to be made resident here include sprite data necessary for the scene display where it is not known when the scene is reproduced. This is because, after the symbol control board 30 receives the variable display command from the sub control board 35, the sprite data necessary for the scene display related to the scene that needs to be reproduced immediately, the transfer time from the character RAMs 321 and 322 to the VDP 330 is set. Since it cannot wait, it becomes necessary to make it reside in character RAM321,322.

  As sprite data necessary for such a scene display to be resident, for example, the scene SC1 related to the symbol variation start portion, the display ROUND related to the big hit round portion, and the demonstration display start portion in the customer waiting period (for example, after power-on, Data used for display of an effect in which the first effect game is switched after the play is completed can be given. Here, as the scene SC1, there can be mentioned a start of an effect which is started when the start prize is received, for example, high-speed fluctuation display. The display ROUND relating to the jackpot round portion represents an effect display that is switched when the jackpot condition is satisfied.

  For such a scene, if a scene with a long playback time is prepared, the necessary sprite data increases accordingly, and the necessary resident capacity may increase. In this way, for each scene whose playback time is too long, it is better to cut out the first few seconds and manage it separately. For the sprite data necessary for the scene display used for the scene after the first few seconds, the scene of the first few seconds is expanded during reproduction.

  In this way, according to the present embodiment, the data transfer amount for each scene can be reduced by making the list including more scene names in the list name common data that is resident in the character RAMs 321 and 322.

(8-2. Section processing such as common areas)
FIGS. 8A to 8I are image diagrams showing an example of a scene group constituting each variation display pattern, and FIG. 8J represents a round display ROUND. In addition, the length of the arrow of each scene represents the length of the display time of the scene.

  In the present embodiment, it is exemplified that each variation display pattern is configured by combining any of the scenes SC1 to SC9. In each variation display pattern, the scene SC1 is first displayed in common. . The variation display pattern shown in FIG. 8A is a combination of scenes SC1, SC2 and SC3, and the variation display pattern shown in FIG. 8B is a combination of scenes SC1, SC2 and SC4. Yes.

  The variable display pattern shown in FIG. 8C is a combination of scene SC1, scene SC2, scene SC4, and scene SC5. The variable display pattern shown in FIG. 8D is the variable display pattern shown in scene SC1, scene SC2, and scene SC5. It is combined. The variation display pattern shown in FIG. 8E is a combination of scenes SC1 and SC3, and the variation display pattern shown in FIG. 8F is a combination of scenes SC1, SC6, and SC5.

  The variation display pattern shown in FIG. 8G is a combination of scene SC1, scene SC7 and scene SC8, and the variation display pattern shown in FIG. 8H is a combination of scene SC1, scene SC7 and scene SC9. In the variation display pattern shown in FIG. 8I, the scene SC1 and the scene SC8 are combined. Note that the round display pattern ROUND shown in FIG. 8J represents an effect display related to the round display in the special gaming state.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8I, each variable display pattern is configured by combining any of scenes SC1 to SC9 having the same or different display times. As shown in FIG. 8, the display times of the variable display patterns are different as a whole according to the display time of the combined scene SC1 or the like. In the present embodiment, a combination of the scenes SC1 and the like in each variable display pattern shown in FIG.

(8-3. Generate rules after analyzing configuration list)
As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8J, first, the scene SC1 appears unconditionally in the configuration list. As described above, the scene SC1 used in all the variable display patterns is resident in the storage areas of the character RAMs 321 and 322 as the common data.

  Next, this configuration list should not be expanded in the same common area by scanning from left to right in the order of FIGS. 8A to 8J with a tool created by software. Validate scene combinations. In the present embodiment, “spread (or round display)” means that sprite data (or data related to round display) necessary for scene display is expanded in one common area. To do.

From the example shown in FIG. 8, the following rules R1 to R8 are found.
Rule R1. The scene SC1 and the round display ROUND must not be covered, and the data related to the scene SC1 and the round display ROUND are resident in the character RAMs 321 and 322, respectively.
Rule R2. Scene SC2 and scene SC3 must not be covered.
Rule R3. Scene SC2 and scene SC4 must not be covered.
Rule R4. Scene SC4 and scene SC5 must not be covered.
Rule R5. Scene SC2 and scene SC5 must not be covered.
Rule R6. Scene SC6 and scene SC5 must not be covered.
Rule R7. Scene SC7 and scene SC8 must not be covered.
Rule R8. Scene SC7 and scene SC9 must not be covered.

(8-4. Generate rules from configuration list)
Here, the “rule” represents a rule regarding the arrangement of scenes when the character RAMs 321 and 322 are used.
Here, first, common lists to be included in the resident area are grouped. Next, according to the rule R1, all the scenes including “SC1” or “ROUND” in the common list name (symbol attached to each scene) are developed in the resident area.

Next, the common area is set. It is assumed that a common list that is not resident is tested by a rule in order and virtually placed in the storage area of the character RAMs 321 and 322.
First, regarding the scene SC2, since the virtually arranged scene does not exist yet, the scene SC2 is arranged in an unconditional common area (referred to as “common area A”).
Common area A scene SC2

Next, regarding the scene SC3, according to the rule R2, the scene SC3 cannot be virtually arranged in the common area A including the scene SC1. Accordingly, the scene SC3 is further arranged as follows.
Common area A scene SC2
Common area B Scene SC3

Next, regarding the scene SC4, according to the rule R3, the scene SC4 cannot be virtually arranged in the common area A including the scene SC2. However, since the scene SC4 can be virtually arranged in the common area B according to the above rules, it is further arranged as follows. Note that “/” represents a break between scenes when a plurality of scenes are stored in the same common area.
Common area A scene SC2
Common area B Scene SC3 / Scene SC4

Next, with respect to the scene SC5, since it cannot be virtually arranged in either the common area A or the common area B according to the rule R4 and the rule R5, the scene SC5 newly establishes the common area C and this newly established common area C. Virtually placed in area C.
Common area A scene SC2
Common area B Scene SC3 / Scene SC4
Common area C Scene SC5

Next, regarding the scene SC6, only the rule R6 is noted with respect to the scene SC6. The scene SC6 can be arranged in the common area A or the common area B. In the present embodiment, for example, the scene SC6 is virtually arranged in the common area A.
Common area A Scene SC2 / Scene SC6
Common area B Scene SC3 / Scene SC4
Common area C Scene SC5

Next, regarding the scene SC7, the scene SC7 can be arranged in any common area even in the light of the above rules. In the present embodiment, for example, the scene SC7 is virtually arranged in the common area A.
Common area A Scene SC2 / Scene SC6 / Scene SC7
Common area B Scene SC3 / Scene SC4
Common area C Scene SC5

Next, regarding the scene SC8, the scene SC8 can be virtually arranged in a common area other than the common area A according to the rule R7. For this reason, in this embodiment, for example, the scene SC8 is virtually arranged in the common area B.
Common area A Scene SC2 / Scene SC6 / Scene SC7
Common area B Scene SC3 / Scene SC4 / Scene SC8
Common area C Scene SC5

Next, regarding the scene SC9, the scene SC9 can be virtually arranged in a common area other than the common area A according to the rule R8. For this reason, in this embodiment, for example, the scene SC8 is virtually arranged in the common area B.
Common area A Scene SC2 / Scene SC6 / Scene SC7
Common area B Scene SC3 / Scene SC4 / Scene SC8 / Scene SC9
Common area C Scene SC5

  After these procedures, when a common area AB, a common area BC, and a common area ABC are further generated for each combination of the generated common areas A and the like, they can be virtually arranged as follows.

Resident area All scenes including SC1 and round display ROUND Common area A All scenes including only SC2, SC6, SC7 Common area B All including scenes SC3, SC4, SC8, SC9 All including common area C Only scene SC5 All common area AB All scenes including only scenes SC2, SC6, SC7, SC3, SC4, SC8, SC9 All common areas BC All including only scenes SC3, SC4, SC8, SC9, SC5 All common areas ABC Scenes SC2 to SC9 All including any

  The common area ABC is included in, for example, a resident area. As a result, the storage areas in the character RAMs 321 and 322 are partitioned as shown on the right side of FIG. Note that these storage areas other than the resident area and the shared area A are referred to as empty areas as empty areas.

(8-6. Common area forming process)
In this way, the sections of the plurality of common areas (the plurality of common areas) in the character RAMs 321 and 322 are each as shown in the memory map on the right side of FIG. Thus, the partitioning process of the common area is completed, and such a partitioning method is incorporated into the control ROM 325 as a development table. That is, the development table of the control ROM 325 includes development information to be developed as follows for each of the scenes SC1 to SC9 and the round display ROUND used in all the variable display patterns to be displayed as shown in FIG. Become.

  That is, the symbol CPU 311 refers to the development table of the control ROM 325 by the operation of the symbol display control program, and displays the scene SC1 and the round display ROUND as shown by the arrows in accordance with the variable display pattern to be displayed, although not simultaneously. If this is the case, the resident area (including the common area ABC) of the character RAMs 321 and 322, the scene SC2, SC6, SC7 is the common area A, the scenes SC3, SC4, SC8, SC9 are the common area B, and the scene SC5. If so, the scene SC1 is developed in the common area C, and the scenes SC1 and the like are not developed in other development destinations.

(9. Effect display processing)
A plurality of common areas such as the character RAM 321 are formed according to the development table as described above. Next, how the effect display process is executed by the operation of the symbol table control program will be described. First, the general operation of the symbol display control program will be described.

(9-1. General operation)
The symbol display control program executes the steady process every 16 ms, for example. In this period of 16 ms, for example, a vertical synchronization signal (so-called V blank signal) which is an external signal output from the VDP 330 is interrupted and generated, and timing is generated. That is, this steady process is executed when a V blank signal is input. For example, drawing data for one frame to be output to the decorative symbol display device 16 using a liquid crystal element is generated.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, drawing data for one frame is output to the decorative symbol display device 16 every 16 ms, and, for example, a display mode in which a decorative symbol display mode is set in advance (for example, a variable display symbol) The control unit controls display of a variable display pattern (reach effect operation related to a reach effect) such as an implied effect operation that implies that it is likely that the same symbol is ready when the operation stops. This variable display pattern (combination video group) is a display related to reach production, and this reach production display is visually constituted by continuous display of a combination of several scenes (videos) as a set of frames. The

  The sub control board 35 transmits the effect display command to the symbol control board 30 in the command transmission process included in the interrupt process every 16 ms based on the lottery result and the effect command from the main control board 3. In this symbol control board 30, in order to control the effect display operation according to the received effect display command, the sprite data for displaying scenes included in several variable display patterns is compressed as the reach effect operation. Compressed sprite data is prepared in the character ROM 340 in advance. These sprite data is an example of material image data for displaying a scene for about several seconds to several tens of seconds, for example.

  Here, each variation display pattern constituted by a combination of these scenes is a sprite data group to be used for displaying each scene by the development table prepared in advance in the control ROM 325, and the display order of each scene. Information about is managed. That is, this expansion table includes expansion information regarding which sprite data is required when, for example, a certain variable display pattern is displayed.

  Further, this expansion table also manages addresses in the storage area of the character ROM 340 relating to sprite data necessary for scene display to be read. This development table may be incorporated in advance in the symbol display control program.

(9-2. Effect display processing)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the effect display process executed by the symbol control board 30, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the expansion process S300 shown in FIG.
First, in the symbol control board 30, it is confirmed whether or not a command (effect display command) indicating that the variable display pattern should be displayed is received from the sub control board 35 (step S201 in FIG. 10). If it has not been received, the effect display process is terminated. If it has been received, the symbol CPU 311 confirms the development table in the control ROM 325 (step S202), and is included in the variable display pattern corresponding to the effect display command. Each scene to be displayed and the display order of each scene are acquired.

(10. Deployment processing)
Next, the expansion process will be described (step S300).

(10-1. Compressed data acquisition process)
At this time, the symbol CPU 311 also acquires information such as an address related to material image data (sprite data and moving image data) used to display each scene. The address here means a position (place) in an address space storing material image data (hereinafter, mainly “sprite data”) in the storage area of the character ROM 340. In the character ROM 340, for example, a compressed sprite data group which is a material used for displaying a total of 10 scenes corresponding to the scenes SC1 to SC9 and the round display ROUND, for example, is stored in advance.

  The symbol CPU 311 first refers to a development table in the control ROM 325 in order to obtain a sprite data group used for displaying each scene included in the variation display pattern. The symbol CPU 311 recognizes in which address space in the character ROM 340 each desired compressed sprite data is stored in advance in the referenced expansion table, and sends an address indicating the address space to the memory interface circuit 324. specify.

  Specifically, the symbol CPU 311 reads the read address from the register 327a of the moving image data decompression controller 327, the register 328a of the sprite data decompression controller 328, and the register 329a of the sprite data decompression controller 329 via the CPU interface 316. Write the setting value. The compressed data memory controller 312 reads compressed sprite data (or compressed moving image data) from the character ROM 340 based on the addresses written in the registers 327a, 328a, and 329a, respectively (step S301).

(10-2. Decompression processing)
Byte to be read by the symbol CPU 311 via the CPU interface 316 to the register 328a of the sprite data decompression controller 328 and the register 329a of the sprite data decompression controller 329, etc. After setting the number and transfer destination address (character RAM 321, 322), etc., writing is performed to instruct the start of expansion. Then, the compressed data memory controller 312 delivers the compressed sprite data from the character ROM 340 to the sprite data expansion controllers 328 and 329 and the like. These sprite data expansion controllers 328 and 329 perform expansion processing on the delivered compressed sprite data to generate sprite data (step S302). On the other hand, similarly, the moving image data expansion controller 327 generates moving image data by performing expansion processing on the transferred compressed moving image data. In the following description, it is assumed that sprite data is mainly handled.

  Here, in the present embodiment, two sprite data expansion controllers 328 and 329 are provided corresponding to the number of first character RAMs 321 and second character RAMs 322. Therefore, even if the switching operation of the first character RAM 321 and the second character RAM 322 occurs in synchronism with the V blank signal, the sprite data expansion controllers 328 and 329 are connected to the character RAMs 321 and 322, respectively. , 329 can be assigned, and complicated decompression control such as sharing the decompression process by time division is not required, so that it is not necessary to manage the progress of the decompression process in detail.

(10-3. Deployment processing)
The generated sprite data is delivered to the expanded data memory controller 315. The expanded data memory controller 315 executes expansion processing on the sprite data in response to writing from the PU 311 to the register 315a (step S303).

(10-3-1.2 Switching of two character RAMs)
The development data memory controller 315 controls the first character RAM controller 314 and the second character RAM controller 317 by using the writing from the symbol CPU 311 to the register 315a as a trigger to switch and develop the character RAMs 321 and 322 as transfer destinations ( And read).

  Specifically, the expanded data memory controller 315 expands the sprite data necessary for displaying the scene in one of the character RAMs 321 and 322, and the sprite data necessary for displaying the expanded scene from the other of the character RAMs 321 and 322. Switching control is performed to enable reading. In the present embodiment, the same sprite data is developed in the first character RAM 321 and the second character RAM 322, respectively.

  Specifically, the development data memory controller 315 develops sprite data necessary for scene display in the first character RAM 321 and switches the sprite data necessary for scene display from the second character RAM 322 so as to be readable. In the present embodiment, this period is referred to as a “first development period” (steps S303 and S304). On the other hand, the expanded data memory controller 315 expands the sprite data necessary for scene display in the second character RAM 322 and switches the sprite data necessary for scene display from the first character RAM 321 so that it can be read. In the present embodiment, this period is referred to as a “second development period” (steps S305 and S306).

(10-3-2 Static load)
Here, in the present embodiment, the static load is executed in the expansion process. This static load represents that the sprite data necessary for scene display is developed in the above-described rules in a predetermined development destination in the storage areas of the character RAMs 321 and 322.

  Specifically, the control ROM 325 stores an expansion table corresponding to this static load. In this static loading, the symbol CPU 311 refers to the expansion table in the control ROM 325 and expands sprite data necessary for each scene display according to the contents of the expansion table.

  Specifically, the development data memory controller 315 generates sprite data necessary for scene display related to the combination of scenes constituting the variable display pattern, based on the contents of the development table, each of a plurality of predetermined common areas. One of them is temporarily stored (developed). In other words, the sprite data necessary for the scene display has a predetermined development destination in each of the plurality of common areas, and is temporarily developed in a different common area among the plurality of common areas. (Static load). In this embodiment, the sprite data necessary for displaying a plurality of scenes is not expanded simultaneously in one shared area, and only the sprite data necessary for displaying one scene is expanded.

  The sprite data necessary for displaying each scene developed in this way is temporarily developed in each predetermined common area as shown in FIG. More specifically, the sprite data necessary for each scene display includes the scenes SC2, SC6 and SC6 in the resident areas (including the common area ABC) of the character RAMs 321 and 322 in the case of the scene SC1 and the round display ROUND as shown in the figure. If SC7, the scene SC3, SC4, SC8, SC9 is temporarily expanded to the common area B. If the scene SC5, the scene SC1 is temporarily expanded. It will not be deployed to other deployment destinations.

(10-3-4. Prefetch processing)
Here, in the present embodiment, the memory interface circuit 324 controls any one of the combinations of these scenes based on the sprite data read from the first character RAM 321 and the second character RAM 322 under the control of the symbol CPU 311. While is displayed, the sprite data used for displaying the sprite necessary for the next scene is prefetched.

  If the pre-reading process is executed in this way, even if the character ROM 340 is a low-speed memory, the sprite data used to display the next scene is displayed in advance while displaying a certain scene. Can be prepared.

  Further, the symbol CPU 311 confirms again the development table of the control ROM 325, and determines whether or not there is a scene to be displayed next (step S307). When it is determined that the next scene exists, the symbol display control program returns to step S301, and when it is determined that the next scene does not exist, the development process ends. As described above, sprite data necessary for displaying each scene is developed in the common area according to the variable display pattern to be displayed.

(11. Drawing process)
FIG. 12 is a control flowchart showing an example of the drawing processing procedure, and FIG. 13 is a control flowchart specifically showing the refresh processing shown in FIG. This drawing process is executed as part of the steady process every 16 ms.
First, the symbol CPU 311 designates a display mode for the VDP 330 (step S401). The symbol CPU 311 designates this display mode based on the development information of the development table managed by the control ROM 325 in the display operation of the variable display pattern as the combination video group. Specifically, the VDP 330 uses the instruction of the symbol CPU 311 to specify an address indicating the storage area of the character RAMs 321 and 322 in which sprite data to be included in the video displayed according to the display mode is expanded. The ROM interface (ROM I / F) 333 is set, and the sprite data is read from the corresponding storage area in the character RAMs 321 and 322.

  At this time, the symbol CPU 311 sets “0C00 0000 (refresh character area)” as this address as shown in FIG. 15 when the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 should perform the refresh operation on the character RAMs 321 and 322. Instruct VDP 330 to The symbol CPU 311 writes the refresh character number to the register 315a in order to designate the refresh character number in accordance with the time required for the character RAMs 321 and 317 to be refreshed by the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 at the initial setting when the power is turned on. .

  Next, the VDP 330 determines whether or not a refresh character is included in the display mode designated by the symbol CPU 311 (step S402). If the result of this determination is that the character is not a refresh character, the VDP 330 reads sprite data from the character RAMs 321 and 322 (step S406).

  As described above, in the character RAMs 321 and 322, the symbol CPU 311 forms a common area A or the like according to the contents of the expansion table, and each of the common areas A and the like has sprite data necessary for displaying one scene. It has been developed in advance. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is that the VDP 330 is a refresh character, the VDP 330 reads the refresh character data from the memory interface control circuit 324 (step S403).

  As described above, the expanded data memory controller 315 of the memory interface control circuit 324 has refresh character data (refresh data). When the refresh character data is read out by the VDP 330 in accordance with an instruction from the symbol CPU 311, the decompressed data memory controller 315 reads the decompressed data memory controller 315 from the character RAMs 321 and 322 as an original operation. The refresh character data that the user owns to read the sprite data is read out. That is, the VDP 330 reads the refresh character data from the memory interface control circuit 324 in accordance with an instruction from the symbol CPU 311.

  Next, when executing the refresh process, the symbol CPU 311 first initializes the number of refreshes to 0, and initializes the refresh monitor counter (counter for counting up to the set value of the register name REFNCH) to 0. (Step S404). Next, the symbol CPU 311 causes the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 to perform a refresh process (step S405), and then causes the VDP 330 to execute step S406.

  The refresh process will be specifically described with reference to FIG. Here, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that SDRAMs (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) that require 4096 refreshes every 64 ms are used as the character RAMs 321 and 322. In this case, the symbol CPU 311 writes 64 ms (823555H) in the register name REFOFT and 4096 times (FFFH) in the register name REFNOF as the set values of the register 315a of the expanded data memory controller 315.

  In this embodiment, the memory interface control circuit 324 performs burst access to the character RAMs 321 and 322 to refresh. Specifically, the expanded data memory controller 315 controls the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 in one burst access, and performs refresh four times in one burst access. The setting of four times is realized by writing to the register name REFNCH of the register 315a by the symbol CPU 311.

  First, when one sprite of 256 colors (8 bits) is displayed (access to the refresh character area is generated), in this embodiment, the data size of sprite data used for this display is 64 dots × 64 dots × 8. Bit = 32768 bits. Therefore, burst access occurs 32768 bits / (64 bits × 8 accesses) = 64 times, and 256 refreshes are executed. In this embodiment, if four refresh characters are to be displayed, refresh can be executed 1024 times (4096 times / 64 ms) every 16 ms.

  Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG. The expanded data memory controller 315 of the memory interface control circuit 324 grasps (monitors) the operation status of the character RAM controllers 314 and 317. First, it is determined whether or not the refresh monitoring counter is 4 or more (step S501). If the refresh monitoring counter is 4 or more, step S506 described later is executed, while the refresh monitoring counter is less than 4. In that case, the refresh operation of the character RAMs 321 and 322 is executed (step S502). Specifically, the expanded data memory controller 315 controls the first character memory controller 314 and the second character memory controller 317 to cause the character RAMs 321 and 322 to perform a refresh operation, respectively.

  When the refresh is executed once, the refresh count is incremented (step S503), and it is determined whether or not the total refresh count (1024 times) to be executed every 16 ms is executed. In the memory interface control circuit 324, the character RAMs 321 and 322 are repeatedly refreshed until the refresh count reaches the total refresh count to be executed every 16 ms (step S504).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the refresh count has reached the total refresh count to be executed every 16 ms, the refresh monitoring counter is incremented (step S505). This refresh monitoring counter is a counter for determining whether or not refreshing 1024 times every 16 ms is repeated four times. Here, if the character RAMs 321 and 322 are refreshed for the total number of refreshes to be executed every 16 ms, the refresh monitoring counter should be 4 or more.

  Therefore, when it is determined that the refresh monitoring counter is 4 or more, it is determined whether or not refresh has been executed 4096 times within 64 ms (step S506). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the refresh count is 4096 times or more every 64 ms (16 ms × 4 times), and a predetermined count value for counting the total number of times the refresh is actually executed is 4096 times or more. If so, the refresh process is terminated. On the other hand, if the number of refreshes every 64 ms is less than 4096, the memory interface control circuit 324 instructs the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 to execute the centralized refresh process (step 317). S507).

  This centralized refresh process does not occur when the refresh is executed the number of times set by the register name REFNOF within the time set by the register name REFOFT, but when the refresh process is not executed 4096 times for any reason. The refresh process is forcibly executed instead of the refresh process to be originally executed.

  In this centralized refresh process, the expanded data memory controller 315 is unable to write sprite data or the like to the character RAMs 321 and 322, and writing waits for a certain period of time, and the expanded sprites that have been expanded to the character RAMs 321 and 322. Data and the like cannot be read out, and waiting for reading occurs for a certain time.

  In this centralized refresh process, the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 of the expanded data memory controller 315 originally lack the number of times that the character RAMs 321 and 322 should be refreshed, and therefore, the number of times based on the register name REFOFT and the register name REFNOF, This is a process for forcibly executing a refresh operation on the character RAMs 321 and 322.

  Next, the development information of the development table acquired from the control ROM 325 by the symbol CPU 311 is set in the VDP 330, so that the VDP 330 develops to any of a plurality of common areas in the character RAMs 321 and 322 via the memory interface control circuit 324. The completed sprite data and the like are successively read out in synchronization with the V blank signal (step S406).

  Here, the character RAMs 321 and 322 are managed by the same address in the storage area. For this reason, the VDP 330 can easily read sprite data one after another by the same read control regardless of which of the character RAMs 321 and 322 is switched. The VDP controller 331 built in the VDP 330 generates drawing data for display based on the acquired sprite data (step S407).

  As described above, the character RAM controllers 314 and 317, when instructed by the symbol CPU 311 to read the refresh character data from the memory interface control circuit 324, are triggered by the reading of the refresh character data, respectively. A refresh operation is being performed on During this refresh operation, the VDP controller 331 generates drawing data for display based on the refresh character data.

  In this drawing, the VDP 330 generates drawing data based on drawing parameters that define drawing data generation conditions for realizing the display mode selected by the symbol CPU 311. The drawing parameters include color palette data that defines drawing color information, sprite attribute data that defines sprite drawing conditions, and background attribute data that defines background drawing conditions. It can be illustrated.

  Here, for example, when one frame is displayed by overlapping a plurality of layers, at least one sprite can be arranged in each layer as necessary. Based on the generated drawing data, the VDP controller 331 stores a video signal for displaying one frame, for example, in one of the line buffers 336 adopting a so-called double buffer structure in units of scanning lines (lines). The VDP controller 331 simultaneously outputs the drawing data from the other side of the line buffer 336 that has accumulated the drawing data in units of scanning lines to the decorative symbol display device 16 in synchronization with the synchronization signal SYNC. On the other hand, in the decorative symbol display device 16, when drawing data is received from the VDP 330 while being synchronized with the synchronization signal SYNC as described above, it is displayed in units of scanning lines (lines) based on the drawing data.

  In this way, when the decorative symbol display device 16 receives the drawing data for one frame and continuously displays it successively in accordance with the frame rate, a scene is displayed in the display area of the decorative symbol display device 16. Is done.

  Further, the VDP 330 similarly acquires sprite data prepared in advance for the character RAMs 321 and 322 for the next scene, and similarly displays one scene on the decorative symbol display device 16 in a similar manner. By displaying each scene on the decorative symbol display device 16 in this way, the display area of the decorative symbol display device 16 continuously displays these scenes as shown in FIGS. 14 (A) to 14 (C). Thus, a visually changing display pattern is displayed.

  On the other hand, when the VDP 330 reads the refresh character data from the memory interface control circuit 324, the display area of the decorative symbol display device 16 includes a sprite SP as shown in FIG. 15 according to the same procedure as the sprite data. A refresh character 99 that is transparent to the background and cannot be visually recognized by the player is displayed over the video.

  Specifically, the VDP 330 repeatedly displays a frame composed of at least one layer on which the sprite SP can be arranged for each scanning line. From the first scanning position on each scanning line, the scanning direction is displayed. The refresh characters 99 are arranged and displayed along a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction (vertical direction in the case of the video shown in FIG. 15).

  At this time, under the control of the expanded data memory controller 315 of the memory interface control circuit 324, the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 allow the VDP 330 to display the refresh character 99 based on the refresh character data on the decorative design display device 16, while A refresh process for the character RAMs 321 and 322 is executed. The refresh character 99 is a transparent image with a transparent background, and a character image such as a sprite can be visually recognized through the background including the background image.

  In the present embodiment, when a plurality of refresh characters 99 are displayed, the VDP 330 may arrange the plurality of refresh characters 99 on the same layer, or alternatively, each of the plurality of refresh characters 99 may be arranged on a plurality of layers. It may be arranged in a distributed manner.

(12. Reference to usefulness by refresh)
First, it is generally known that the character ROM 340 is inexpensive but has a large capacity although the reading speed of the sprite data stored is lower than that of the character RAMs 321 and 322. Therefore, the character ROM 340 has a feature that can store a lot of sprite data. For this reason, in this embodiment, it is possible to display an image using many sprite SPs based on a lot of sprite data prepared in advance in the character ROM 340.

  In this embodiment, in addition to the character ROM 340, character RAMs 321 and 322 are further provided, and sprite data read from the character ROM 340 is temporarily stored in the character RAMs 321 and 322. Since the character RAMs 321 and 322 are read faster than the character ROM 340 as described above, the VDP 330 reads the sprite data from the character RAMs 321 and 322 shorter than the sprite data read directly from the character ROM 340. Become.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, when the character RAMs 321 and 322 are provided, the VDP 330 can display more sprites SP in the video based on more sprite data read out faster from the character RAMs 321 and 322. Therefore, it is possible to realize various presentation displays. Here, the character RAMs 321 and 322 need to perform a refresh operation in order to maintain a normal storage state with respect to each stored sprite data.

  In the present embodiment, the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 perform a refresh operation on the character RAMs 321 and 322 in accordance with instructions from the symbol CPU 311, respectively. More specifically, in this embodiment, the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 execute refresh operations triggered by the VDP 330 reading refresh data from the expanded data memory controller 315 in accordance with instructions from the symbol CPU 311, respectively. Yes. For this reason, the symbol CPU 311 can indirectly perform a refresh operation on the character RAMs 321 and 322 at a desired timing. That is, the symbol CPU 311 cannot directly execute the refresh operation on the character RAMs 321 and 322, but can indirectly execute the refresh operation on the character RAMs 321 and 322 at a desired timing.

  In this embodiment, the symbol CPU 311 controls the expanded data memory controller 315 in consideration of the time required from the start of the refreshing of the character RAMs 321 and 322 to the completion of the character RAM 321, 322, so that the character RAM can be processed at a desired timing. If an instruction is issued to the controllers 314 and 317, the refresh operations of the character RAMs 321 and 322 started by the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 can be surely completed.

  In the present embodiment, the refresh character data (refresh data) is transparent image data used for displaying a transparent image through which the background is transparent, and the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 use the refresh character 99 based on the refresh character data by the VDP 330. Since the refresh operation related to the character RAMs 321 and 322 is executed while being displayed on the decorative symbol display device 16, the following utility is exhibited.

  That is, when refreshing the character RAMs 321 and 322, since the refresh character 99 displayed by the VDP 330 is transparent, an image including the refresh character 99 in addition to a certain sprite SP (for example, a variable display pattern) is displayed as a decorative design. Even when displayed on the display device 16, the refresh character 99 cannot be visually recognized.

  For this reason, according to the present embodiment, since the player can perform a refresh operation for the character RAMs 321 and 322 in a secret manner without being recognized by the player, the player's game is affected. Can not be.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the VDP 330 is configured to repeatedly display a frame constituted by at least one layer on which the sprite SP can be arranged for each scanning line, and from the first scanning position in each scanning line, Since the refresh characters 99 (refresh images) are arranged and displayed over at least one column along the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, the following utility is exhibited.

  In general, for example, when there are too many material images to be arranged in a frame, at first glance, the interval from when the VDP 330 generates drawing data for one frame to generation of drawing data for the next frame Within the so-called frame rate, drawing data relating to the frame may be output to the display device before the arrangement of some of the material images to be originally arranged in the frame is not completed. Conceivable.

  When this happens, at first glance, when the symbol CPU 311 causes the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 to perform a refresh operation on the character RAMs 321 and 322, the read process is not in time, and the VDP 330 There may be a situation in which incomplete drawing data in which the refresh character 99 is not arranged in the frame is generated in the buffer before the refresh character data is read from the character RAMs 321 and 322 within the frame rate. If this occurs, at first glance, there is a possibility that the character RAMs 321 and 322 may not be reliably refreshed.

  However, according to the present embodiment, when the VDP 330 tries to display the frame repeatedly for each scanning line in accordance with the display of the video, the refresh character 99 is displayed before the sprite data in each scanning line. Refresh data for display is read out. For this reason, according to the present embodiment, the VDP 330 reads the refresh character data before the sprite data in accordance with the instruction of the symbol CPU 311, and as a result, the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 ensure that the character RAM 321, A refresh operation for 322 can be performed.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 16A, each frame constituting the video is visually configured by superimposing a plurality of layers L on which the sprite SP can be arranged. In the present embodiment, the VDP 330 arranges the sprite SP in the upper layer Lu of the plurality of layers L as shown in FIG. 16B according to the video to be displayed, while the lower layer of the plurality of layers. A refresh character 99 may be arranged and superimposed at a position where the sprite SP of the upper layer Lu in Ld overlaps, and an image may be displayed based on the frame F configured as shown in FIG. .

  In this way, when the refresh operation is executed for the character RAMs 321 and 322, the refresh character 99 arranged in the lower layer Ld is arranged in the upper layer Lu as a result of the VDP 330 overlapping each layer L to form the frame F. It is concealed by the sprite SP. For this reason, even if a video including the refresh character 99 is displayed in addition to a certain sprite SP, the refresh character 99 can be prevented from being visually recognized by the player's eyes E. In addition, examples of the image that hides the refresh character 99 by overlapping the image include not only the sprite SP but also a background image.

  Therefore, since the player can perform a refreshing operation on the character RAMs 321 and 322 in a secret manner without being recognized by the player, the player's game can be prevented from being affected. .

(13. Reference to usefulness by static loading)
In the present embodiment, sprite data necessary for each combination of scenes used for the variable display pattern is temporarily stored in any of a plurality of predetermined common areas. Therefore, sprite data necessary for displaying a specific scene used for a certain variable display pattern is temporarily developed in a predetermined specific common area among the plurality of common areas.

  That is, sprite data necessary for scene display is temporarily stored in a plurality of common areas. In this way, when displaying a scene, the VDP 330 has all the sprite data necessary for this display already prepared in the plurality of common areas, so it can immediately read out the sprite data necessary for scene display. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the sprite data necessary for video display can be continuously read from the character RAMs 321 and 322, the time from the start of reading sprite data required for video display to the completion of reading is short. Become. For this reason, in the present embodiment, since more sprite data necessary for video display can be used, more materials (at least one of moving images and sprites) can be included in each scene. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since a larger number of materials are included in each of the plurality of scenes and the variable display pattern can be displayed by a combination of the plurality of scenes, various presentation displays can be realized.

  In the present embodiment, since only the sprite data necessary for scene display need be prepared from the character RAMs 321 and 322, the storage capacity of the character RAMs 321 and 322 can be made as small as possible. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the time from the start of reading sprite data necessary for scene display from the character RAMs 321 and 322 to the completion of reading is shortened, and when a scene is drawn in a predetermined drawing unit, each frame rate ( The time required for actual drawing within the drawing unit time) can be shortened, and drawing can be performed using more layers within each frame rate. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform more drawing within each frame rate and realize more various presentation displays.

  In the present embodiment, the symbol control board 30 includes a control ROM 325 (control memory), and the control ROM 325 includes a development table. This development table manages a development table relating to which common area among the plurality of common areas the sprite data used for displaying the scene in the character RAMs 321 and 322 is to be stored. Further, the symbol CPU 311 refers to the expansion table of the control ROM 325, and forms a plurality of common areas in the character RAMs 321 and 322 according to the expansion table, and displays a combination of scenes in the formed plurality of common areas. Each of them stores necessary sprite data.

  In this way, the symbol CPU 311 simply partitions and forms the plurality of common areas in the character RAMs 321 and 322 according to the referenced development table, without making a determination one by one regarding how the plurality of common areas should be partitioned. Therefore, the character RAMs 321 and 322 can be efficiently partitioned and used. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, more sprite data can be stored in a plurality of common areas formed in the character RAMs 321 and 322, and thus more sprite data necessary for scene display is stored. Based on this, more various displays can be realized.

  In this embodiment, the VDP 330 reads sprite data necessary for displaying a scene used for a certain variable display pattern from a plurality of common areas in the character RAMs 321 and 322 based on a read instruction from the symbol CPU 311.

  First, sprite data necessary for each scene is developed in a plurality of common areas. For this reason, the VDP 330 can continuously read out the sprite data necessary for displaying each scene used for the variable display pattern from the plurality of common areas in a short time, so that the processing load to be executed by the VDP 330 is reduced. Get smaller. Accordingly, the VDP 330 reads the sprite data necessary for displaying more scenes from a plurality of common areas as much as the processing load is reduced, and the sprite data necessary for displaying scenes that are read more in this way. Based on the above, it is possible to realize more various effects display.

  In the present embodiment, since the sprite data necessary for scene display from the character RAMs 321 and 322 is read efficiently, when drawing in a predetermined drawing unit (frame), the VDP 330 uses each frame rate (drawing unit time). Since the time required for actual drawing in () can be shortened, drawing can be performed using more layers within each frame rate. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform more drawing within each frame rate and realize more various presentation displays.

  In the present embodiment, the character RAMs 321 and 322 have a resident area (resident area) in which sprite data necessary for displaying scenes frequently used in common in a plurality of variable display patterns is resident as a part of the plurality of common areas. It is formed as.

  In this way, according to the present embodiment, the symbol CPU 311 stores the sprite data necessary for displaying a scene frequently used in common in displaying a plurality of variable display patterns one after another in the character RAMs 321 and 322. There is no need to expand to any one of the plurality of common areas. For this reason, the symbol CPU 311 can store more sprite data necessary for displaying more scenes in any one of the plurality of common areas defined in the character RAMs 321 and 322 as much as the processing load is reduced. . For this reason, in the present embodiment, it is possible to realize more various presentation displays based on the sprite data necessary for scene display stored more in a plurality of common areas.

(14. Reference to usefulness by prefetch control)
In the present embodiment, instead of displaying the material image based on the sprite data directly read from the character ROM 340, the material image data read from the character ROM 340 is temporarily stored in the character RAMs 321 and 322, and the character stored once. Sprites based on the sprite data read from the RAMs 321 and 322 are displayed. Here, the character RAMs 321 and 322 generally have a feature that data is read faster than the character ROM 340, respectively. For this reason, in this embodiment, it is possible to read more sprite data within a unit time by reading the sprite data from the character RAMs 321 and 322 than reading from the character ROM 340. Note that the prefetching as the material image data is not limited to such sprite data, but may include moving image data used to display a moving image instead of or together with the sprite data.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, while a scene is being displayed, materials (sprite data and the like) necessary for displaying the next scene are pre-read from the character ROM 340 and prepared in the character RAMs 321 and 322 in advance. When the next scene is to be displayed, the preparation for the sprite data already used for displaying the necessary sprite has been completed. Note that the prefetching here is, for example, a so-called double buffer structure in a line buffer 336 or a frame buffer, which has been created from the other buffer while drawing data is being created in one buffer immediately before display. Unlike reading and displaying drawing data, when you try to display a scene, it is still the first time you actually display that scene, but you need to collect in advance the materials needed to display that scene. It shows that preparations are made in advance.

  In this way, in this embodiment, even if it takes time (hereinafter referred to as “development time”) to store the sprite data in the character RAMs 321 and 322, the VDP 330 is used regardless of whether this expansion time is long or short. Can efficiently read out the sprite data necessary for displaying a scene from the character RAMs 321 and 322 and immediately procure it.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when a certain scene is to be displayed, the VDP 330 can read all the sprite data necessary for displaying the scene from the character RAMs 321 and 322 reliably and efficiently. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even if there are a large number of sprite data necessary for displaying a certain scene, the VDP 330 surely reads the large number of sprite data from the character RAMs 321 and 322, and the large number of sprite data. Since a scene including a large number of sprites based on the scene can be continuously displayed and the variable display pattern can be displayed, a variety of presentation displays can be realized.

  In this embodiment, since the efficiency of reading sprite data from the character RAMs 321 and 322 is high, when a scene is drawn including a sprite in a predetermined drawing unit, the actual rate within each frame rate (rendering unit time). Since the time required for drawing can be shortened, drawing can be performed using more layers within each frame rate. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform more drawing within each frame rate and realize more various presentation displays.

  In the above embodiment, the symbol CPU 311 performs control so that the sprite data is pre-read from the character ROM 340 and prepared in advance in the resident areas of the character RAMs 321 and 322 when the power is turned on. .

  In this embodiment, even when an attempt is made to suddenly start displaying a scene after the power is turned on, the sprite data necessary for displaying the scene is surely prepared in the resident areas of the character RAMs 321 and 322. For this reason, even when the VDP 330 attempts to display a screen on which display is suddenly started after power-on, this screen can be displayed reliably.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of common areas are formed in the character RAMs 321 and 322, a development table exists in the control ROM 325, and the symbol CPU 311 changes to a plurality of common areas with reference to the development table in the control ROM 325. Sprite data used for the display pattern is pre-read from the character ROM 340 and developed. Therefore, in this embodiment, when a certain scene is to be displayed, all necessary sprite data can be surely prepared in a plurality of common areas in the character RAMs 321 and 322 before the scene is displayed. Not only can the sprite data required for displaying this scene be continuously read out from multiple common areas in a short period of time, enabling a variety of effects to be displayed with scenes that reliably include more materials. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, the control ROM 325 stores a development table regarding which common area of the plurality of common areas should store sprite data necessary for scene display, and the symbol CPU 311 controls the control ROM 325. The character RAMs 321 and 322 are partitioned with reference to the development table of FIG. 5 to form a plurality of common areas, and the sprite data used for each variable display pattern is stored in one of the plurality of common areas to be prepared in advance. I have control.

  First, in this embodiment, when a certain scene is to be displayed, all necessary sprite data can be surely prepared in a plurality of common areas of the character RAMs 321 and 322 before the scene is displayed. On the other hand, the VDP 330 can continuously read out the sprite data necessary for displaying each scene used for the variable display pattern from the plurality of common areas in a short time, thereby reducing the processing load to be executed. Is done. Therefore, the VDP 330 can read more sprite data from a plurality of common areas as much as the processing load is reduced, and based on the sprite data read more and more reliably in this way, Furthermore, a variety of presentation displays can be realized.

  In this embodiment, the VDP 330 reads out sprite data necessary for displaying a scene to be used for the variable display pattern from a plurality of common areas in which the sprite data is pre-read and prepared in advance based on an instruction from the symbol CPU 311. Yes.

  First, in this embodiment, when a certain scene is to be displayed, all necessary sprite data can be surely prepared in advance in a plurality of common areas of the character RAMs 321 and 322 before the scene is displayed. . On the other hand, since the VDP 330 can continuously read out the sprite data necessary for displaying each scene image used for the variable display pattern from the plurality of common areas in a short time, the VDP 330 should be executed. The processing load is reduced. Therefore, the VDP 330 can read more sprite data from a plurality of common areas as much as the processing load is reduced, and based on the sprite data read more and more reliably in this way, Certainly, it is possible to realize more various presentation displays.

  In the present embodiment, the character RAMs 321 and 322 have a resident area in which sprite data frequently used in common in a plurality of variable display patterns is resident as part of a plurality of common areas. It demonstrates the following usefulness in relation to

  First, in this embodiment, when a certain scene is to be displayed, sprite data that is frequently used in a plurality of variable display patterns is surely displayed in the resident areas of the character RAMs 321 and 322 before the scene is displayed. It can be prepared in advance. In addition, in the present embodiment, when displaying a plurality of variable display patterns one after another, the symbol CPU 311 displays sprite data necessary for displaying a scene frequently used in common in a plurality of common areas of the character RAMs 321 and 322. Eliminates the need to deploy to one of our common areas. For this reason, the symbol CPU 311 can surely develop more sprite data in any one of the plurality of common areas in the character ROM 340 as much as the processing load is reduced. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to surely realize more various presentation displays based on the sprite data that is more surely stored in the plurality of common areas.

(15. Reference to the usefulness of having two sprite extension devices)
First, in this embodiment, instead of providing one sprite data decompression controller, two sprite data decompression controllers 328 and 329 are provided. Compared to the case where decompression processing is executed using one sprite data decompression controller. Thus, the decompression processing of the data (for example, compressed sprite data) related to the sprite necessary for displaying the scene is accelerated. In this embodiment, instead of providing the two sprite data decompression controllers 328 and 329, a plurality of moving image data decompression controllers 327 may be provided to decompress the compressed motion image data to obtain motion image data. In the present embodiment, a sprite or the like is illustrated as an example of a material image necessary for displaying a scene. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the data development efficiency necessary for displaying the scene from the character ROM 340 to the character RAMs 321 and 322 is improved. On the other hand, at first glance, it seems that expansion control by the two sprite data expansion controllers 328 and 329 is complicated.

  However, in this embodiment, since the two sprite data expansion controllers 328 and 329 are provided so as to be able to be associated with the number (two) of the character RAMs 321 and 322 so as not to be switched, the expansion processing load is increased. On the other hand, each time the two character RAMs 321 and 322 alternately switch between the storage state and the read state, the sprite data expansion controllers 328 and 329 temporarily stop the expansion processing. However, the sprite data expansion controllers 328 and 329 After the interruption, it knows where to start the decompression process next.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, by providing the two sprite data expansion controllers 328 and 329, the load of the expansion process can be reduced, and even if the expansion process is speeded up, the expansion control is simplified. Therefore, the development efficiency of the sprite data necessary for displaying the scene from the character ROM 340 to the character RAMs 321 and 322 is improved. For this reason, when the VDP 330 tries to display a certain video, the efficiency of developing the sprite data necessary for displaying the scene from the character ROM 340 to the character RAMs 321 and 322 is improved, so that the preparation is completed quickly. Therefore, more sprite data can be expanded within a certain time.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the VDP 330 tries to display a certain scene, more scenes can be displayed based on sprite data necessary for displaying a more expanded scene. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, more scenes can be displayed within a certain period of time, so that a variety of effects can be displayed.

  In the present embodiment, the character RAMs 321 and 322 have the same storage area managed by the same address, and the VDP 330 designates a desired address and the character RAM 321 corresponding to the designated address. The stored sprite data is read from the storage area 322, and in this way, the following usefulness can be exhibited.

  First, since a plurality of character RAMs 321 and 322 are provided in the present embodiment, at first glance, the VDP 330 becomes complicated regarding data acquisition control when acquiring moving image data and sprite data from the character RAMs 321 and 322. Looks like.

  However, the storage areas of the character RAMs 321 and 322 are managed by the same address, and sprite data is further stored in the storage areas assigned the same address. That is, the sprite data stored in the character RAMs 321 and 322 can be managed at the same address in the character RAMs 321 and 322.

  More specifically, the same sprite data is managed by the same address in the storage areas of the character RAMs 321 and 322. Therefore, the VDP 330 acquires sprite data having the same contents from the storage area corresponding to the address from any character RAM 321, 322 if a desired address is designated regardless of which character RAM 321, 322 is switched to. can do.

  In this way, the VDP 330 can acquire sprite data by the same simple data acquisition control as in the case where there is only one character RAM 321 regardless of how many character RAMs 321 exist. For this reason, for example, when the operation of the VDP 330 is controlled by a program, it is not necessary to create a program relating to the control of the VDP 330, and the development effort of the developer of this program is saved. be able to.

(16. Second embodiment)
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the symbol control board 30b mounted on the pachinko machine 1a as the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The pachinko machine 1a as the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the symbol control board 30 in the pachinko machine 1 as the first embodiment and includes the symbol control board 30b that performs substantially the same operation. The description of the configuration and operation of this will be omitted, and different points will be mainly described below. Note that, in the second embodiment, when the same configuration and operation as in the first embodiment are described, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used.

  First, in the pachinko machine 1a as the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the VDP 330 outputs a vertical synchronizing signal (hereinafter referred to as “V blank signal”) used for controlling the decorative symbol display device 16. As a trigger, the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 as the memory refresh unit 319 cause the character RAMs 321 and 322 to perform a refresh operation.

  Specifically, first, in the first embodiment, when the VDP 330 reads refresh character data from the memory interface control circuit 324, the character RAM controllers 314 and 317 execute refresh operations on the character RAMs 321 and 322, respectively. Yes. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the character RAM controller 314 is triggered when the VDP 330 outputs a so-called vertical synchronization signal (hereinafter referred to as “V blank signal”) used for display control of the decorative symbol display device 16. 317 performs a refresh operation on the character RAMs 321 and 322, respectively. That is, in the second embodiment, the character RAMs 321 and 322 are refreshed using a period during which the VDP 330 is not drawn. The term “period during which the VDP 330 is not drawing” refers to a period during which the VDP 330 is not reading sprite data from the character RAMs 321 and 322 via the memory interface control circuit 324. That is, in the second embodiment, the character RAMs 321 and 322 are not refreshed during the drawing period, but the character RAMs 321 and 322 are refreshed during the period when the drawing is not performed.

  According to the second embodiment, substantially the same utility as the first embodiment can be exhibited, and in addition to this, the symbol CPU 311 should execute a refresh operation on the character RAMs 321 and 322, respectively. Since it is not necessary to generate a special signal for triggering, it is possible to simplify the control related to triggering the refresh operation.

  In this way, the design CPU 311 reduces the processing load, and thus the reduced processing capacity can be concentrated on the processing of developing the sprite data in the character RAMs 321 and 322. Can be developed in the character RAMs 321 and 322. Therefore, the VDP 330 can read sprite data expanded more within the frame rate from the character RAMs 321 and 322, and can display many sprites based on a lot of sprite data in a video. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to realize more various presentation displays.

(17. Third embodiment)
The pachinko machine as the third embodiment includes the display control board (production control unit, display control unit) having substantially the same configuration and operation as the above-described symbol control board 30, and the second embodiment from the first embodiment. Since the configuration and operation are substantially the same as those of the pachinko machine as a form, the description of the same configuration and operation is omitted, and different points will be mainly described below. In the third embodiment, when the same configuration and operation as in the first embodiment are described, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used.

  This pachinko machine belongs to a so-called “feather” type. Pachinko machines are roughly composed of a main frame and a game board, and a game board is detachably installed inside the main frame. A substantially circular game area is formed on the front surface (board surface) of the game board. Note that the external configuration other than the game board is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In the game area of the game board, a center accessory that is extremely eye-catching is arranged almost in the center, and this center accessory functions as a winning device. A normal winning opening is arranged on the left and right sides of the center role, and a pair of left and right one-time start ports and a two-time start port are arranged at the center. In addition, various ornamental bodies, decorative lamps, windmills, and a number of obstacle nails (not shown) are provided in the game area, but well-known components can be applied to these components. Therefore, the individual description is omitted here.

  The center accessory has a pair of left and right movable pieces (movable members), and these movable pieces can be displaced between a state opened in the left-right direction and a position closed toward the inside. When these movable pieces are in the open position, the large winning opening of the center accessory is opened. A large winning opening solenoid (not shown) is disposed behind the center character, and the pair of left and right movable pieces are driven by the large winning opening solenoid.

  Normally, when the center combination is not actuated, the movable piece is in the closed position, and therefore the special winning opening is closed. On the other hand, if a prize is won at the above-mentioned one-time start port or two-time start port during the game, the center accessory is activated. As a result, the pair of movable pieces move to the open position, and the big prize opening is opened for a predetermined time, thereby allowing the game ball to be won. The opening / closing operation of the movable piece is performed by the number of opening / closing times (one or two times) respectively assigned to the once-starting port and the twice-starting port.

  In the center role, there are provided big winning port count switches corresponding to the left and right big winning ports, respectively. A game ball that has won a prize winning opening is detected for passage by the corresponding prize winning count switch, that is, the number of winning prizes is counted. When the game ball is received in the center role in this way, the game ball rolls in the center role. A predetermined specific area (not shown) exists in the center combination, and when a game ball passes through the specific area, the game proceeds to a special game state that is advantageous to the player.

  In this special game state, for example, for a maximum of 15 rounds, the opening and closing operation (round operation) of the movable pieces provided on the left and right pairs of the center role is repeated so that the game ball can be received in the center role 6 and received. A prize ball corresponding to the number of game balls played is given to the player. In this way, the player can enjoy more benefits in the special gaming state.

  Each reel 110a, 110b, 110c has a reel band extending around its outer periphery, and various patterns are attached to its surface. Although not shown in the figure, for example, the figure “7” is designed, a specific alphabet (or its character string) is designed, a bell or other auspicious material is designed, watermelon, apple In addition, there is a design of fruits and vegetables such as cherries, or a design of characters, figures, symbols, and the like that characterize the model of the slot machine 101.

  The slot machine 101 can change or stop the display mode of the symbols by rotating or stopping these reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. From the front of the slot machine 101, only a part of the reels 110a, 110b, 110c is visible through the display window 8, and three symbols are effectively displayed for each reel 110a, 110b, 110c when the reels are stopped. It is supposed to be.

  Display areas 112 and 114 are formed on both sides of the display window 108 in the glass plate 106, and various character information and symbol information are attached to the display areas 112 and 114 in a predetermined arrangement. . A lamp unit (not shown) is disposed behind the glass plate 106, and information in the display areas 112 and 114 is lit and displayed by the lamp. For example, when a player first inserts medals through the medal insertion slot 115, the number of bets is added according to the number of inserted medals. At this time, the medal line lamp corresponding to the number of bets is lit on the right display area 112. . When the bet number reaches the maximum (for example, 3 bets), the inserted medals are stored as credits, and the credit number is displayed on the display unit 116 as a numerical value.

  The slot machine 101 has a box-shaped housing 102, and is installed in an island facility of a game arcade based on the housing 102. In the island facility, a plurality of slot machines 101 are arranged in a row in the width direction, and usually a medal sand (not shown) is attached between the machines. When, for example, cash is inserted into the medal sand (the inter-sand sand), medals corresponding to the amount of money are lent out, and the player can use them to perform a slot machine game. The game medium is not particularly limited to medals and coins, but may be a mode using game balls or tokens. Alternatively, a mode in which a prepaid card is inserted into the inter-bed sand and the remaining frequency and medals are exchanged may be implemented.

  The casing 102 of the slot machine 101 has a front door 104 on the front surface facing the player, and the front door 104 can be opened forward with one side end (left side end in this example) as the center. The front door 104 has a glass plate (transparent plate) 106 at its middle position, and a rectangular display window 108 is formed at the center thereof. The slot machine 101 of this embodiment is equipped with three reels (left reel, middle reel, right reel) 110a, 110b, 110c as an example of a mechanical symbol display device (symbol display means), and these reels 110a. , 110 b, 110 c are arranged at the back of the front door 104, that is, inside the housing 102.

  Each reel 110a, 110b, 110c has a reel band extending around its outer periphery, and various patterns are attached to its surface. Although not shown in the figure, for example, the figure “7” is designed, a specific alphabet (or its character string) is designed, a bell or other auspicious material is designed, watermelon, apple In addition, there is a design of fruits and vegetables such as cherries, or a design of characters, figures, symbols, and the like that characterize the model of the slot machine 101.

  The slot machine 101 can change or stop the display mode of the symbols by rotating or stopping these reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. From the front of the slot machine 101, only a part of the reels 110a, 110b, 110c is visible through the display window 8, and three symbols are effectively displayed for each reel 110a, 110b, 110c when the reels are stopped. It is supposed to be.

  Display areas 112 and 114 are formed on both sides of the display window 108 in the glass plate 106, and various character information and symbol information are attached to the display areas 112 and 114 in a predetermined arrangement. . A lamp unit (not shown) is disposed behind the glass plate 106, and information in the display areas 112 and 114 is lit and displayed by the lamp. For example, when a player first inserts medals through the medal insertion slot 115, the number of bets is added according to the number of inserted medals. At this time, the medal line lamp corresponding to the number of bets is lit on the right display area 112. . When the bet number reaches the maximum (for example, 3 bets), the inserted medals are stored as credits, and the credit number is displayed on the display unit 116 as a numerical value.

  When the player operates the start lever 124 (start operation means) while the medal line lamp is lit, an internal lottery (internal lottery) is executed and the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c rotate all at once. The design fluctuates for the first time. Further, when the player operates the stop buttons 126, 128, and 130 (stop operation means), the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c corresponding to the right, middle, and left, respectively, stop rotating, and the variation of symbols stops. Here, when the variation of symbols stops, display of a predetermined symbol combination is allowed in accordance with the result of the internal lottery.

  At this time, when a certain symbol combination (for example, a state where specific symbol combinations are arranged in a line) is displayed on the activated line activated in the display window 108, a privilege is given to the player. . As this privilege, for example, a medal can be paid out or a special game state (so-called big bonus game, regular bonus game, or assist time, challenge time, etc.) can be given, and the player executes a special game. This makes it possible to receive more medals.

  When a predetermined symbol combination is displayed on the active line by the above-described gaming operation, the number of medals to be paid out according to the type of symbol combination displayed at that time is displayed on the display unit 132. In addition, when a transition is made to a big bonus game or a regular bonus game, the number of remaining games is displayed on the display unit 134 during the progress. The medals that have been paid out are stored as credits until the number of credits on the display unit 116 reaches a maximum, and medals exceeding the maximum number of credits are paid out to the tray 138 through the payout opening 136. In addition, the player can release the medal storage (credit) by operating the credit check button 140, and can receive the payout of the medal stored until then.

  The slot machine 101 according to the present embodiment has a liquid crystal display device 142 above the display window 108. The liquid crystal display device 142 has an image for a presentation accompanying the progress of the game and various bonus games. The number of medals and the like are displayed. In addition, two speakers 144 are provided on the left and right sides of the payout opening 136 for outputting sound effects, BGM, sounds, and the like accompanying the progress of the game. In addition, lamps 145, 146, and 148 are arranged at various locations on the front door 104, and these lamps 145, 146, and 148 can perform effects by light-emitting decoration according to the gaming state.

  In addition to the main control board 150, the slot machine 101 includes an effect control board 170 and a display control board 30a having substantially the same configuration as the symbol control board 30 in the first embodiment. In addition to the CPU 172, a ROM and a RAM (not shown), an input / output interface, a sound source IC, an audio amplifier, and the like are provided. The effect control board 170 receives various command signals from the main control board 150 and controls the operation of the display units 116, 132, 134 and the speaker 144, and controls the lighting or blinking of the lamps 145, 146, 148. Yes.

  The bet buttons 118, 120, 122, the start lever 124, the stop buttons 126, 128, 130, the settlement button 140, etc. are all connected to the main control board 150, and these operation buttons use sensors (not shown). The operation by the player can be detected and the operation signal can be output to the main control board 150.

  The casing 102 of the slot machine 101 accommodates other devices together with the main control board 150, and various signals are input to the main control board 150 from these devices. The devices include a medal selector 164, a reel device 166, a hopper device 168, etc. Among them, the medal selector 164 detects medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 115 one by one, and the detection signal is sent to the main control board 150. Output.

  The reel device 166 is configured as a unit including the reels 110a to 110c described above. The reel device 166 has a photosensor (not shown) for detecting a reference position related to the rotation of each reel 110a, 110b, 110c, and a detection signal (index signal) from these photosensors is a main control board. 150 is input. The hopper device 168 also has a payout sensor (not shown) that detects paid-out medals one by one, and a detection signal for each medal is input to the main control board 150 from the payout sensor. ing.

  On the other hand, a control signal is output from the main control board 150 to the reel device 166 and the hopper device 168. That is, the reel device 166 has a built-in stepping motor (not shown) for rotating the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c, and a drive pulse signal for controlling the start and stop of these stepping motors is the main control. Output from the substrate 150. The hopper device 168 receives a payout signal from the main control board 150 according to the combination type of symbols displayed on the effective line, and the hopper device 168 performs a medal payout operation based on the payout signal.

  In addition to the main control board 150, the slot machine 101 includes an effect control board 170 and a display control board 30a having substantially the same configuration as the symbol control board 30 in the first embodiment. In addition to the CPU 172, a ROM and a RAM (not shown), an input / output interface, a sound source IC, an audio amplifier, and the like are provided. The effect control board 170 receives various command signals from the main control board 150 and controls the operation of the display units 116, 132, 134 and the speaker 144, and controls the lighting or blinking of the lamps 145, 146, 148. Yes.

  The effect control board 170 is connected to the display control board 30 a, and the display control board 30 a is connected to the liquid crystal display device 142. This display control board 30a has substantially the same function as the symbol control board 30 in the first embodiment and the second embodiment except for the point that the content of the combination video group is different, and exhibits almost the same function. The display operation of the character image etc. by the liquid crystal display device 142 is controlled. The display control board 30a is an effect display different from the variable display pattern such as the reach effect in the first embodiment, and is combined with several scenes (videos) as an effect display accompanying the progress of the game. It has a function of displaying a combination video group.

  That is, the display control board 30a includes, for example, a symbol CPU 311 (data expansion processor, sprite expansion control processor, moving image expansion control processor, control processor, operation instruction processor), RAM 312 and two character RAMs 321 and 322 (volatile dynamic video memory). ), A control ROM 325 (control memory), a character ROM 340 (nonvolatile video memory), a VDP (video display processor) 330 and a memory interface control circuit 324 are mounted.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the memory interface control circuit 324 includes, for example, a CPU interface 316, a compressed data memory controller 312, a moving image data expansion controller 327, sprite data expansion controllers 328 and 329 (two sprite expansion devices), A decompressed data memory controller 315, a first character RAM controller 314, a second character RAM controller 317, and a VDP interface 320 are provided, and substantially the same operation is executed. The memory interface control circuit 324 includes a memory refresh unit 319 as in the second embodiment, and may perform substantially the same operation.

  The display control board 30a may have a form in which the function is mounted on the effect control board 170. That is, the effect control board 170 may include the design CPU 311, the character RAMs 321 and 322, the control ROM 325, the character ROM 340, the VDP 330, and the memory interface control circuit 324.

  In the first character RAM 321 and the second character RAM 322, a plurality of common areas are partitioned as in the first embodiment. As an example of the variable display pattern, the symbol CPU 311 selects sprite data necessary for each combination of scenes included in the variable display pattern from any of a plurality of predetermined common areas, as in the first embodiment. Is stored in a fixed manner (data expansion processor). Also in the fourth embodiment, the prefetch control is executed as in the first embodiment.

  In the slot machine 101, the VDP (not shown) reads character image data (moving image data and sprite data) stored in the character ROM 340 under the control of the CPU (symbol CPU 311) of the display control board 30a. A character image based on the data is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 142 (for example, FIGS. 14A to 14C).

  Further, an external terminal board 174 is connected to the main control board 150, and the slot machine 101 is connected to the hall computer 176 of the game hall via the external terminal board 174. The external terminal board 174 relays the inserted medal signal or the payout medal signal transmitted from the main control board 150, or the signal during the big bonus game or the regular bonus game (JAC game) to the hall computer 176, or conversely. A stop release signal transmitted from the hall computer 176 is relayed to the main control board 150 and the effect control board 170.

  In addition, a power supply box 180 is accommodated in the housing 102. The power supply box 80 takes in power from an external power source and generates power necessary for the operation of the slot machine 101. The electric power generated here is supplied from the power supply box 180 to each unit.

  The power supply box 180 is attached with a power switch 182, a setting key switch 184, a reset switch 186, and the like. None of these switches are exposed to the outside of the housing 102 and can be operated only by opening the front door 104 thereof. Among these, the power switch 182 is for turning on / off the power supply to the slot machine 101, and the setting key switch 184 is for changing the setting of the slot machine 101. A reset switch 186 is used to cancel an error that has occurred in the slot machine 101.

  The CPU 152 of the main control board 150 determines the winning by collating the random value obtained on the software with the winning value of the table data during the normal game, and if a bonus game is hit, the corresponding symbol flag Set to ON. In this case, if the stop button 126, 128, 130 is operated near the symbol aimed by the player, the symbol stops at the stop position within the range (for example, within 4 symbols) possible by the reel control described above. A specific symbol combination corresponding to each bonus game is easily displayed on the top.

  According to the fourth embodiment, substantially the same effects as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be obtained except that the gaming machine is a spinning type gaming machine, and in addition to this, Based on more sprite data read faster from the high-speed character RAMs 321 and 322, more sprites can be included in the video and displayed, and the player is expected to move to a special gaming state. Various effect displays can be realized with respect to the effect display held by the player and the effect display in the special gaming state. Moreover, according to the fourth embodiment, the refresh operation can be reliably executed on the character RAMs 321 and 322 at a desired timing.

(18. Reference to other embodiments)
The above is the description of one embodiment, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. In the following, other embodiments will be described with some examples.
In the above embodiment, two character RAMs 321 and 322 are provided as two volatile dynamic video memories, but a configuration in which at least one character RAM is provided instead may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the variable display pattern related to the reach effect is exemplified as the combination video group. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to other effect displays and displays other than the effect display. In the above embodiment, the material image data (data related to moving images and sprite data) necessary for scene display stored in advance in the character ROM 340 is compressed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say, a form that is not used may be adopted.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as a scene as an image, a mode is illustrated in which a moving image is used as a background and a sprite is displayed in the foreground. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to adopt a form in which at least one of a moving image and a sprite is displayed.

  In each of the above embodiments, display means (decorative symbol display device or the like) that performs a display operation using a liquid crystal element is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and display means using an EL (Electro Luminescence) element. Or you may apply to the display means using plasma.

  In the above embodiment, moving image data and sprite data as material image data necessary for scene display are stored in the character ROM 340 in a compressed state of the data structure, but not limited to this and stored in an uncompressed state. May be. In this case, the configuration related to compression can be omitted.

  Each of the above embodiments can also be applied to a spinning-type game machine (so-called parrot machine, pachislot machine, etc.) that uses a game ball as a game medium. A spinning-type gaming machine using a game ball has substantially the same configuration as a spinning-type gaming machine using medals and coins as a game medium and performs almost the same operation. It is different from a swing-type game machine using coins.

  In other words, a revolving type gaming machine that uses a game ball to play is equipped with a game value counting device (game value counting means) that collects a specified number of game balls as a game medium to make one unit of game value. The game value counting device is different in that it is multiplied by a predetermined number of game values made into one unit. Further, in a revolving type gaming machine that uses a game ball to play, a number of game balls corresponding to the number of game values according to the type of combination of displayed symbols are given to the player (game value giving means) The point is different. Note that there is one predetermined number of game values that can be played for each game in both a spinning-type gaming machine that uses medals and coins and a spinning-type gaming machine that uses gaming balls. However, there may be more than one.

  According to the revolving game machine that uses such a game ball to play, it is possible to display more sprites in a video based on more sprite data read faster from the high-speed character RAM 321. With regard to the effect display that gives the player a sense of expectation that a transition to the special game state may occur by displaying a combination of specific symbols when the three reels are stopped, and the effect display in the special game state A variety of presentations can be realized. Moreover, according to the spinning-type game in which a game is played using such a game ball, the refresh operation can be reliably executed on the character RAMs 321 and 322 at a desired timing.

  In the above-described embodiment, the processing is represented as being executed mainly by hardware, but the processing may be executed by software instead.

It is a front view which shows the structural example of the pachinko machine to which the game machine as 1st Embodiment of this invention was applied. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structural example of a pachinko machine. It is a block diagram which shows an example which simplified and showed the electrical structure of the symbol control board. It is a memory map which shows an example of the storage area of character RAM. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting value of the register | resistor of a expansion | deployment data memory controller. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the VDP illustrated in FIG. 3. It is a figure showing the image of prefetch control. It is a figure which shows an example of the combination of the scene which comprises each fluctuation | variation display pattern. It is an image figure which shows an example of a mode that it expand | deploys to a common area fixedly. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of an effect display process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of an expansion | deployment process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of a drawing process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of a refresh process. It is an image figure which shows an example of a fluctuation display pattern. It is a figure which shows an example of the image | video on which the refresh character was displayed. It is an image figure which shows an example of a mode that a some layer is piled up and a frame is comprised. It is a block diagram which shows an example which simplified and showed the electrical structure of the symbol control board in 2nd Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the structural example of the slot machine to which the game machine as 4th Embodiment was applied. FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically illustrating configurations of various mechanism elements, electronic devices, operation members, and the like equipped in the slot machine illustrated in FIG. 18.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachinko machine (game machine)
1a Pachinko machine (game machine)
3 Main control board (game control unit)
16 Liquid crystal display device (display device)
30 design control board (production control unit, display control unit)
30a Display control board (production control unit, display control unit)
30b Symbol control board (production control unit, display control unit)
35 Sub-control board (production control unit)
99 Refresh character (refresh image)
101 slot machine (game machine)
142 Liquid crystal display device (display device)
150 Main control board (game control unit)
170 Production control board (production control unit)
311 CPU (data expansion processor, sprite expansion control processor, moving image expansion control processor, control processor, operation instruction processor)
314 First character RAM controller (memory refresh unit)
315 Development data memory controller (bus controller unit, refresh data providing unit)
317 Second character RAM controller (memory refresh unit)
319 Memory refresh unit 321 First character RAM (volatile dynamic video memory)
322 Second character RAM (volatile dynamic video memory)
324 Memory interface control circuit 325 Control ROM (control memory)
327 Moving image data expansion controller (video expansion device, moving image expansion device)
327a register (material image register)
328 Sprite data expansion controller (video expansion device, sprite expansion device)
328a register (material image register)
329 Sprite data expansion controller (video expansion device, sprite expansion device)
329a register (material image register)
330 VDP (video display processor)
336 Line buffer (buffer)
340 Character ROM (nonvolatile video memory)
F frame L layer SP sprite

Claims (3)

A game control unit for controlling a game operation using a game medium;
An effect control unit that controls an effect operation linked to the game operation by the control of the game control unit,
In a gaming machine comprising a display device that executes a display operation under the control of the effect control unit,
The production control unit
A non-volatile video memory for storing material image data used for displaying material images necessary for video;
A volatile dynamic video memory for temporarily storing material image data read from the nonvolatile video memory;
Said material image data read out from the nonvolatile video memory while to be stored in the volatile dynamic video memory, the volatile dynamic video memory providing Hisage the already stored raw image data bus control unit,
An operation instruction processor for designating material image data to be read from the volatile dynamic video memory according to a video to be displayed;
A control memory for storing a control program for controlling the operation of the operation instruction processor;
Display Follow the instructions of the operation instruction processor, an image constituted by arranged in the display image buffer by combining the raw image data read from the volatile dynamic video memory as a material via the bus control unit to the display device A video display processor
A memory refresh unit for performing a refresh operation on the volatile dynamic video memory;
A refresh data providing unit for providing refresh data for performing the refresh operation by the memory refresh unit;
As a set value for completing the refresh operation to be performed on the volatile dynamic video memory within a specific time in units of a refresh image range formed in the display image buffer based on the refresh data, A refresh setting unit in which the number of the refresh images is set;
Including
The memory refresh unit, according to an instruction of the operation instruction processor, the volatile dynamic video at a specific timing that is actively set when the video display processor reads the refresh data from the refresh data providing unit. While performing a refresh operation on the memory ,
A gaming machine, wherein a refresh operation is performed on the volatile dynamic video memory from the specific timing to the specific time according to a set value set in the refresh setting unit . The refresh image displayed based on the refresh data is a transparent image with a transparent background, and is used as a part of the video to be displayed.
The gaming machine according to claim 1. Each frame constituting the video is visually configured by overlaying a plurality of layers on which the material images can be arranged, and the video display processor is configured to display the plurality of layers according to the video to be displayed. A refresh image based on the refresh data is placed in any one of the layers
The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

Images